Epic Cols

Perhaps the ultimate "mountain/sportive training camp", our Epic Cols route squeezes six legendary ascents into three days (two full-days; two half-days) of superb riding, providing you with the perfect preparation for endeavours like L'Etape du Tour, La Marmotte & other major European cyclosportives. With a guide rider and/or vehicle back-up across the three days, you can concentrate on your riding rather than worrying about directions, luggage, clothing layers and refreshments.

After airport transfer and bike building on Saturday morning, you’ll ride out in the afternoon to tackle the often under-estimated Col de Menté. A hairpin-strewn ‘nasty’ featuring several sections at 11% and a 8+% average for 8km. This was the site of Luis Ocana’s race-ending accident in 1971 at a point when he led the Tour (including the great Eddy Merckx) by nearly seven minutes.

4km to go on the Tourmalet

Sunday brings an early start and we transport riders plus bikes across to Lourdes. Requests for divine intervention are optional as we tackle the twin challenges of Hautacam and then Luz Ardiden. Both ‘monuments’ within the career of Lance Armstrong, Hautacam (1520m; 15km @ 7%) presents a very serious warm-up before we traverse through the valley gorges to climb ‘The Alpe d’Huez of the Pyrenees’ – Luz Ardiden (1720m; 14.7km @ 7%). With 30 hairpin bends of its own, this is a spectacular mountain and one that makes for a highly rewarding descent. We stay overnight in Luz St Sauveur at the very foot of tomorrow’s highlight – the Col du Tourmalet.

At 2115m, the Tourmalet is the highest road pass in the Pyrenees and rightly draws thousands of cyclists each year to its slopes. On this western side, an average gradient of 7.4% may not sound too intimidating, but on Monday morning when after 18km  the last kilometre kicks up to 10% and the final ramp rises to 14%, you forget about averages for a few minutes! A superb descent into St Marie de Campan brings us to the foot of the day’s second climb, the less strenuous but highly enjoyable Col d’Aspin. Over the Aspin (1470m; 13km @ 5.5%) we descend into Arreau and then spin our way home across  rolling countryside on the road back to Bertren.

Fully refueled by one of Helen’s superb dinners, Tuesday morning brings the final challenge of the trip – the climb of the Port de Balès. This local ‘treasure’ of a road was only properly surfaced so it could be included in the 2007 Tour de France. But it gained much of its notoriety on the 19th July 2010 when, on its second appearance in the Tour, it became the location for the race-definining moment - Andy Schleck's slipped chain & Alberto Contador's resulting 'attack'. Whilst the first 8km of this 19km climb average only 3.5%, the remaining 11km average over 8.5% with several kilometeres at 9-10% and a summit at 1755m. We think it fits the bill rather nicely as a grand finale to your ‘Epic’ trip .

After a sweeping descent of 20km and a 25km slightly downhill run back to Bertren, you’ll shower, box the bike and we’ll transport you back to the airport (arriving there around 3 p.m.) to head home. Sore legs? Maybe. Big smiles? For definite. Better climber when you get home? Everyone says so.

If you’d prefer to stay on with us in Bertren after an Epic Cols to extend your trip to a full week of riding, then you’ll be very welcome. With more classic climbs like the Col de Peyresourde, Superbagneres, Col de Portet d'Aspet, Pla d'Adet and others all within easy riding distance, there's plenty to keep you interested on the remaining days of the week nafter the scheduled part of the itinerary is complete.

Another very popular trip, this one has always drawn positive comments from those who’ve included it in their year’s schedule:

“We both had a magic time and I’d definitely be interested in coming back. If you are offering the Epic Cols trip again I’d want to come . It might seem odd wanting to do the same trip but it would be useful as I’d be able to gauge if my fitness was improving.”   Derek Carrigan, Etape rider, Edinburgh, UK (2008)

“I just wanted to take a few minutes to thank you both for such an excellent week.The hospitality and food were brilliant; Rhona and I both loved every minute of the trip.

The group dynamics were superb with everyone hitting it off from day one, which is something that I have not seen before. A large part of the credit for this must go to yourselves for the relaxed atmosphere and great meal on the Saturday night which pulled everyone into "holiday" mode ready for the adventures which lay ahead.

The organisation and planning for the Epic Cols can't be faulted and I thought it was great to have Chris on the bike on the first day, leading us through the route, ably supported by Helen in the rescue wagon!
The rest of the week just got better and better, with the trip up and down Superbagneres capping off a great Col bagging expedition. How you managed to arrange the weather still amazes me!”   Alistair Buchan, experienced ‘roadie’ & Etaper, Aberdeen, UK (Visitor 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011)

For route and Ride Profile information, click here

2012 Start dates and prices for Epic Cols will be:

9th & 30th June 2012

7th July 2012

15th September 2012

(Other dates may be scheduled during the year. Contact us if you'd have an alternative date in mind).

£419 per person (3-night version with itinerary as above)

Includes airport transfers, 3 nights shared-room accommodation, 3 breakfasts, 3 evening meals & on-the-road support vehicle and/or guide rider throughout the rides. (Single room occupancy is available at a single supplement cost of £110).

£599 per person (7-night version, staying on after 'Epic Cols' for additional self-guided riding days).

Includes airport transfers, 7 nights accommodation, 7 breakfasts, 5 evening meals, transport to local restaurants on 2 evenings & on-the-road support vehicle and/or guide rider during the Epic Cols stages. (Single room occupancy is available at a single supplement cost of £170).