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Stretching from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea, the
Pyrenees form a natural boundary between France and Spain, and
although it has been historically strategic in the flow of
people and goods across an ever-changing border, the
Pyrenees has remained fairly remote, undeveloped and
unpopulated. The Pyrenees’ history of human habitation goes
back thousands of years before it was ever recorded, and in our
travels we will encounter prehistoric caves with their
well-preserved cave drawings, numerous Cathar castle ruins
perched high on vertical cliff tops, and beautifully preserved
medieval cities, including Carcassonne. We will encounter a
fascinating variety of traditions, foods, dialects, and
cultures, such as the Basque, Europe’s oldest unified culture,
as well as religious pilgrimage routes and destinations.
The ruggedness of these mountains makes the roads and climbs
ideal for the world’s greatest sporting event, the Tour de
France. Throughout the history of the 'Tour', the Pyrenees have
been home to many of the epic races, producing heroic stage
winners and overall champions.
It is an understatement to say that biking the Pyrenees is a
cyclist’s dream. These mountains, 400 kilometers long, from sea
to sea, arid in the east and verdant in the west, invite, or
rather demand exploration by bike. Our routes, some of
the most beautiful in all of France, will be on the smaller and
less traveled roads, taking us to incredible sights (and
heights!) off the beaten path. We will have the opportunity to
follow much of this year’s Tour de France route through the
Pyrenees, cycling up some of the most famous climbs, including
the Col d’Aspin, the Col du Tourmalet and the Col d’Aubisque.
The hills and mountains of the Pyrenees will present more of a
seductive challenge than an intimidating one, and the variety of
routes and options are reasonable to cyclists and tandems of
decent experience and fitness. This tour has been specially
designed to give tandems the experience of the Pyrenees without
having to do all the big climbs, or even any of them if so
desired.
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