Spring Special offer
Stay at least four nights during April
or May 2009 and get one night free.

L'Étape du Tour 2008

Once again the Étape du Tour was in the Pyrenees and we were ideally situated for the course - located right in the middle of the start and finish. The 2008 route included the legendary Col du Tourmalet which, with a height of 2115m, is one of the highest passable routes in the Pyrenees. The stage then finished at the ski station Hautacam. This caught many riders by surprise as it is quite a tricky climb, averaging 6.8% over 17.3km, finishing at an altitude of 1635m.

Steve completed the course in 6hr18, finishing in 114th place. This was despite two falls - one due to the very poor visibility on the Tourmalet thanks to unprecedented drizzle and fog. We had 9 guests riding too and they certainly found it an amazing event, despite the weather! 

If you missed the chance to ride in this year's Etape, why not come and stay with us and have a go in your own time. We have created a three-night training camp (including accommodation, breakfasts, lunches, dinners and fully supported cycles) to cover this epic route. Steve can act as your guide or you can cycle unguided but either way, you will have full vehicle support to complete this 2008 Tour stage. You will also be staying in our superior accommodation and enjoying our facilities and healthy food. Please check out our price list to tailor your own Étape training holiday or sign up for our specially designed Étape package (details below).

 3-night Étape route camp: This package includes accommodation for three nights. After arriving on day one, a two-course evening meal will be provided, and perhaps time for a local cycle. Day two includes breakfast, lunch, a three-course evening meal and local guided cycling with Steve to get you acclimatised and ready to tackle the full route on day three. The third day will see you riding 154km from Pau to the Hautacam, accompanied by Steve and with full vehicle support as well as breakfast, lunch and a three-course evening meal. Day four will include breakfast before you leave. All this for 300€ per person, based on two people sharing a room. For an additional one or two people sharing the same room add 200€/person. For this package, a single person would pay 425€.

This 3-night package is just an example of what we can offer but we aim to be as flexible as possible, so just give us a call or write us an email to organise your own schedule, e.g. if you would prefer to tackle the route in two days. Another option would be to ride one of the many local sportives that are held in the Pyrenees during the year. These include many of the same cols and are just as challenging as the Étape.