Biert is a small but vibrant village. The mayor is a great cycling fan and the locals go to a lot of trouble to make our riders feel at home. Biert Aoué is a group of the villagers who are keen to keep the local traditions alive. Wood turners, artists, folk dancers and traditional musicians are all actively part of this group. 

The Col de Sarraille made famous by Tim Moore in his book French Revolutions rises out of Biert

Massat is a lively village that in past centuries was the regional capital, it has 2 bars  1 restaurant, a wine shop, Tourisme office, pharmacy and several stores for provisions, and gifts.  There are many village parties and events happening through the holiday period including the summer Night Market in the town square – a range of stalls selling local delicacies, craft ware, gifts, wine, cheese, burgers, pancakes. Musicians and singers. Promenade the town en fête. You can guarantee that the villagers of Biert and Massat will put on a good show!

Hostellerie de Trois Seigneurs is a comfortable hotel situated on the edge of Massat village.
Pages from Ariege cycliste a french book about the area
On sale in French email for details

Hotel de France Arudy

Photo accounts of rides

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ride the Tour 2007 and discover the Pyrenees  19 to 30 July 2500 Euros

Photo thanks to Paul O'Brien

Itinerary

• Thursday 19 July:Pick ups from airports Toulouse or Carcassonne.Please organise arrival times between 1400 hrs and 1600 hrs.Transfer to Hotel des Trois Seigneurs. This hotel , in Massat is renowned for very good, copious quantities of traditional cuisine. The hotel owner Madame Angele Alonzo understands very well the needs of cyclists and the hotel is used by teams , both professional and amateur. During an aperitif, you will receive a welcome from the team and a pack of information  detailing  each days riding. 
• Friday 20 July: A day to ride together and discover some of the local cols. Stunning scenery, we have cyclists who return year after year to ride the quiet routes of Ariege, capital town Foix. Picnic lunch at beauty spot. End the day in the bar at the Cycle Lodge at Roquefort 2 kms from Massat. 50 Miles maximum riding
• Saturday 21 July:  Time trial at Albi, we were there watching the TDF in 2003. This is a day without your bikes (three hours drive) take the day to soak up the excitement see the riders individually. See the start and finish of the first time trial of the 2007 TDF. Lunch will be provided in a town centre restaurant. After the time trial return to Massat with Nick and Austin
• Sunday 22 July:  Stage 14 of the professionals day and probably the key stage of the TDF. after passing the col de Pailhéres ( 2001m altitude )the stage finishes at our favourite cross country ski station Plateau de Beille.  We will drive the group over the col de Port  (40 mins drive)and drop you at Tarasçon from where you can ride the col and choose your viewing place. Fitter cyclists may prefer to ride from Massat to the plateau. packed lunch provided. 30 mile minimum riding 50 maximum
• Monday  23  July:  The tour Starts in Foix and finishes in Loudenvielle.  No driving today, this is in your back yard, Massat will be alive with excitement , vehicles parking up to watch the night before, the publicity caravan passing a few hours before, the trinkets thrown down at the spectators feet, it's a grand show, the village will come out in force,  Did we forget the cyclists, it's such a party in the village that one can almost forget that it's for a bike race . Your choice either  it's a day off the bike watching in Massat or ride the Col de Port or the Portet de'Aspet . Your other option is to watch the tour on the television at the cycle lodge and rush out when it passes .  If you want to write a message to someone for the TV we own a field outside the lodge. A bag of powdered chalk can be provided. Large field, large message! Your lunch will be tailored to your choice of viewing  To Portet de Aspet 80 Miles round trip. Col de port round trip 20 miles. The back up will be only available at the end of the day due to road closures.
• Tuesday 24 July:  Rest day for the professional riders on the tour,We'll drive to Pau with bikes. Rest day is always fun with the town decorated with bikes, chance to spot the teams out "training" so not truly a rest day for the professionals. This night we shall be staying at the hotel de France at Arudy  a hotel we've come to know and love whilst running our Raid Pyrenean tour. It's great food and ambience.  Restaurant lunch   30 miles riding
• Wednesday 25 July.   Orthez  to Gourette ( Col d' Aubisque) Arudy is ideally placed to watch the final climb of Col d' Aubisque alternatively you could ride the Col de Marie Blanque, return to the hotel de France, packed lunch. 40 miles riding.
• Thursday 26 July. Pau to Sarrazin for the TDF, be transported by vehicle or ride to Pau to watch the stage start, then return to Massat in time to see the stage finish on television. Picnic lunch  30 miles riding possible
• Friday 27 July: Cahors to Angouleme, and it's the TDF leaving our region now to explore the beautiful  Ariege , a cycling paradise .  we'll tailor this day depending on your fitness and the cols that you wish to climb, by now you'll have studied the relief map at the cycle lodge   opt for a hard ride or a leisurely ride A picnic site for each ride , shorter ride 40 miles longer ride 60 miles
• Saturday 28 July:  Time trial for the professionals riders on the TDF.  This is your day to cycle to St Girons often a departure town for the TDF.  Visit the typical market brightly coloured stalls, street musicians, lots of bustle. A great place to pick up souvenirs  the support vehicles will be there  to transport your purchases back to your hotel Lunch in a restaurant in St Girons. Either return to Massat to watch the time trial or take a trip to the Casatelli memorial.  Massat- St Girons 40 miles,  ride to Casartelli memorial 90 miles
• Sunday 29 July:  Your last day, depending on your fitness explore the routes in the courserans, col de Agnes and Guzet neige being the preferred ride of many, we'll back you up with the two vehicles, probably splitting into two groups. short ride 30 miles longer ride 75 miles
• Monday 30 July,  Day to leave with fond goodbyes ,transport to Carcassonne  and Toulouse for your return. 

19 to 30 July
2500 Euros
Included in this holiday:
Transfers from and to Toulouse or Carcassonne airports.
11 nights Bed breakfast (Shared rooms)  lunch and evening meals  wine included

Transport to and from all Pyrenean stages listed in the itinerary.

Not included
Travel insurance or flights.

Enquires to
sally.roe@club-internet.fr

Tours leader
nickflanagan@hotmail.com

 Tel  OO 33 5 61 96 58 44