Tour de France. Sierra Sports & Tours. Cycling Tour: Pyrenees to Paris. July 20-28, 2014 (Stages 16-21) Tour Description:

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1 P: M: E: information@sierrasportsandtours.com.au W: Tour de France Cycling Tour: Pyrenees to Paris July 20-28, 2014 (Stages 16-21) Tour Description: During 2014 we will witness five (5) stages of the Tour de France live! Join us as we provide you with 7 cycling opportunities as we pass from th e mountainous Spanish/French border through to Paris and the Champs Elysees! The Tour de France stages selected offer the street party excitement of a stage departure, the emotion of a mountain stage finish, the tension of the individual time trial, the satisfaction of accomplishing some of the best climbs (and descents) through the Pyrenees and the race finale in Paris! Discover some cycling secrets as we also ride through Catalonia near the Spain-France border! Experienced tour guides will be on hand to assist you fr om the moment you arrive in France. Our knowledge of the roads and routes means you have nothing to worry about except the pleasure of cycling. During 2014 there will also be numerous opportunities to scale famous cols such as; Portillon, Peyresourde, Pla d Adet, Hautacam and Tourmalet! Sign up today for the excitement of the 2014 TDF! or contact Paul on Page 1

2 Tour de France Cycling Tour: Pyrenees to Paris July 20-28, 2014 (Stages 16-21) Tour Highlights: The Tour de France We will see FIVE stages live! Cycle famous cols, such as, Portillon, Peyresourde, Hautacam & Tourmalet Cycling escape into Catalonia (Spain) Witness the race defining Stage 20 individual time trial Experience the Stage 21 finale in Paris! Post-tour cycling Pamplona to Madrid (incl. Basque Country & La Rioja)! Tour Details: Dates: July 2014 (9 days / 8 nights) Arrival van transfer from Toulouse Blagnac Airport (France) TGV train transfer to Paris (France) Mountain Lodge to 4 Star Accommodation (twin share) incl. breakfasts 7 guided stage rides with support van (Typically 75km - 100km) Minimum 550km cycling 6 dinners with beer & wine provided Sierra Sports & Tours travel pack (includes cycling jersey) Tour Price: $AUD 3,750 per person Optional Extras: Single Room Supplement: $AUD 750 Road Bike Hire: Orbea Onix (Carbon frame): $AUD night Post-Tour Package: Pamplona to Madrid: $AUD 1,350 or contact Paul on Page 2

3 Tour de France: Pyrenees to Paris Interested in cycling with us from Pamplona to Madrid? POST-TOUR PACKAGE: Monday 28 July to Thursday 31 July 2014 Please refer to the end of this document for full details! Day 1 Toulouse Sunday 20 July, 2014 We will meet you at the Radisson Blue hotel in Toulouse at 6pm. Upon check-in we will fit your bicycle and there will be time to wander around the city. Toulouse, France Welcome Dinner with beer & wine provided Day 2 Toulouse to Vielha - Monday 21 July, 2014 Following breakfast we have a 2hr group transfer to Vielha (Spain) to ride around the ski resort of Baqueira-Beret. We begin by cycling up to Port de la Bonaigua one of the most beautiful areas in the Catalonian mountains. Enjoy the descent all the way back to our hotel where we will dine on some of the best Spanish food. Minimum 65km options Vielha, Spain Day 3 Stage 16 Finish in Bagneres de Luchon - Tuesday 22 July, 2014 After breakfast our cycling route will link up with Stage 16 on the Port de Bales 7.7%). During the afternoon we will witness the excitement of the Stage 16 finish. Will a breakaway group on Bales descend clear of the peloton to take the Luchon sprint? 85km Vielha, Spain or contact Paul on Page 3

4 Tour de France: Pyrenees to Paris Day 4 Stage 17 Finish on Pla d Adet - Wednesday 23 July, 2014 We will ride a challenging 60km route that takes us to the top of the Peyresourde climb. We will take advantage of the encouraging public to help us up this 11km beauty! Once the final pro cyclist passes we will descend to Arreau where our van will be waiting to take us to our hotel for the next 2 nights. 60km (includes Peyresourde with 11km at 7.5%) Argeles Gazost,, France Breakfast / Dinner with beer and wine provided Day 5 Stage 18 Finish on Hautacam Thursday 24 July, 2014 It has been 6 years since the TDF finished on the Hautacam! We are excited to return to this hors category climb 7.3%) which has only been used 4 times in TDF history. During the morning there will also be plenty of time to ride around Argeles Gazost in the heart of the midi-pyrenees. 90km Argeles Gazost, France Day 6 Cycle the Tourmalet Friday 25 July, 2014 Today includes a cycling stage that will provide memories that last a lifetime! While the professionals ride north on Stage 19 we take a day off from the TDF to ride the Tourmalet! After cycling the scenic bike path out of Argeles Gazost we will link up with the impressive gorge road to Luz St Sauveur at the base of the Tourmalet! We will have time in the afternoon to watch the Stage 19 finish on the television! 75km Bordeaux, France Day 7 Stage 20 Individual Time Trial Saturday 26 July, 2014 Following breakfast we have a 2.5hr transfer to get close to the all important Stage 20 Time Trial action. The Stage 20 time trial will play a deciding role in the 2014 Tour de France! The tension and drama of the time trial will be fantastic! 80km Bordeaux, France or contact Paul on Page 4

5 Tour de France: Pyrenees to Paris Day 8 Stage 21 Finale - Paris Sunday 27 July, 2014 We will catch an early morning TGV train from Bordeaux and arrive in Paris by noon (3hr trip). Our hotel is located near the Champs Elysees so we will be in a great location to watch the Stage 21 finale. Who is your pick for the General Classification in 2014? Froome, Contador & Nibali are our three favourites. Could Quintana shine? Paris, France Day 9 - Paris Monday 28 July, 2014 The tour concludes following breakfast. You are free to explore Paris at your own pace! If you require additional accommodation in Paris please ask us for assistance. NOTE: For those who decide to join us on our post tour from Pamplona to Madrid we will catch a morning TGV train from Paris to near the France-Spain border. These additional 4 cycling routes will see us ride through Basque Country in northern Spain plus the Rioja Alavesa region famous for its tempranillo red wines. The cycling around Pamplona, Vitoria Gasteiz and Logroño is sure to impress (see over page for more information)! or contact Paul on Page 5

6 Post-Tour Package: Pamplona to Madrid Tour Details: Dates: 28 July 31 July 2014 (3 nights) TGV train transfer from Paris to Hendaye (near France-Spain border) 3-4 Star Accommodation (twin share) incl. breakfasts 4 Guided stage rides with support van (food/drink/mechanical help) Daily cycling options from 50km to 125km 2 dinners with beer & wine provided Tour Price: $AUD 1,350 Optional Extras: Single Room Supplement: $AUD 285 Road Bike Hire: Orbea Onix (carbon frame): $AUD 150 Day 1 Paris to Pamplona - Monday 28 July, 2014 From Paris we have a 5.5 hour train ride to Hendaye near the France-Spain border. Our tour van will be waiting for us in Hendaye. Depending on the time available we will organise a great short ride through to Pamplona world renowned for its Running of the Bulls festival. Here we will enjoy a great dinner and the chance to enjoy some local wine and cider. 50km Pamplona, Spain Breakfast / Dinner with beer and wine provided Day 2 Pamplona to La Rioja Wine Region Tuesday 29 July, 2014 Following breakfast we ride from our hotel on an undulating route which takes in some beautiful country roads and sections of the Camino de Santiago. As we enter La Rioja wine region we will also cycle past some beautiful terraced vineyards. Maximum 125km La Rioja, Spain / Tapas Dinner in La Guardia (at your own expense) or contact Paul on Page 6

7 Post-Tour Package: Pamplona to Madrid Day 3 Rioja Alavesa Region - Wednesday 30 July, 2014 Leaving our hotel we will cycle through more vineyards before the chance to climb Puerto de la Herrera otherwise known as the Balcony of the Rioja. The Herrera climb offers postcard views. There will be time for a short rest while we admire the views before enjoying the descent towards Vitoria Gasteiz. Today we will be cycling roads widely used during La Vuelta a Pais Vasco (Professional Tour of Basque Country held every April). Maximum 100km La Rioja, Spain Day 4 Madrid - Thursday 31 July, 2014 After breakfast we have a 30 minute van transfer to the edge of the Sierra Demanda mountain range. The chance to ride through this region is not to be missed. Winding roads, turquoise coloured reservoirs and gentle undulations all lead to a great days cycling! A 2.5 hour transfer sees us arrive to Madrid late afternoon and the end of the tour. Note: Please let us know if you would like extra accommodation booked in Madrid. 90km or contact Paul on Page 7