Gîte de la Borde: Activities: Cycling & Mountain Biking
Every year the Tour de France passes through the Pyrenees. On the 16th of July this year stage 14 departs from St Girons. This classic climb has been in the Tour on four previous occasions and each time the winner of the stage has gone on to take the yellow jersey in Paris: Pantani in 1998, Armstrong in 2000 and 2002 and Contador in 2007. www.letour.fr
As the Tour website says “Le Tour de France loves the Pyrenees…”
The roads of the Pyreness were made for cycling, and the sport is a religion here. There is very little traffic, and motorists are considerate and understanding, and quite likely to have a bike on their roof. We can advise you on day outings – from peaceful undulating rides around lanes and lakes, to desperate leg- and lung-busting Tour stages.
We are mountain-bike (“VTT”) addicts, and this is the centre of the region’s mountain-biking. There are literally hundreds of marked routes, many starting from Varilhes, 8km up the road from us. We have opened several new routes from the house, and ridden many routes in the high mountains. The ski lifts at Ax-les-Thermes open up great downhill possibilities.
We have a fully equipped workshop, and can help with repairs and maintenance. We can hire road and mountain-bikes for those who do not wish to bring their own. We are extremely happy to guide you, and provide drop-offs and pick-ups if required.