France Grand Tour 2024 - "RIDE EVERY KILOMETRE" WEEK 2 - Massif Central & Pyrenees

We will meet you at Paris International Airport and take you to your hotel near Orleans and the river Loire. After check in, we will help assemble your bike or fit you to your rental bike and then ride a route to test the bikes and then enjoy the Loire à Vélo bike paths that pass right through Orléans. Back at the hotel we will meet for pre-dinner drinks to present the GTP musettes and discuss the logistics for the coming week. Finally, our first dinner together.

Straight after breakfast you are on the road riding from stately Orleans through the grand forest and past the etangs of Solonge. Flat and drained by canals and river tributaries to the Loire, the area is also dotted with chateaux, villages, parks, monuments and museums. At Issoudun, ride past the 12th century Tour Blanche and other preserved middle ages buildings. Lunch here perhaps before continuing onto the finish in Saint-Amand-Montrond situated on the river, Le Cher. A transfer to your hotel near Evaux-les_Bains and if there is time, a soak in the only spa resort in Limosin.

Into the Central Massif via the Dordogne and a big day of climbing with steep ramps to master. One of the most bucolic and beautiful areas of France, the first 150 km is rolling - an opportunity to conserve your energy for the last quarter of the route that take you over the short climbs of Col de Neronne, Puy Mary Pas de Peyrol, Col de Pertus and finally to col de Font de Cere at the finish in Le Lioran.

Described as flat but in reality, it's mainly descending and hilly but if one of France's heat waves is present, this will be a tough day. Central Gallic France at its finest - fields and forests, villages and castles, inviting rivers and opportunities to stop and enjoy the local fare. Rocamadour will blow you away and then down through the countryside and Lot River catchment and finally to pretty Villeneuve-sur-Lot. A long day but so beautiful.

The creators of Stage 13 have designated this a ‘Flat’ day. Yes compared to the Central Massif and the Pyrenees, one could call it Flat. However there are some climbs near the finish to Pau. Nothing strenuous for you but they will test the riders the next day. Depending on wind conditions, this could be a fast ride with a tail wind …however you are riding south and the prevailing summer winds tend to be head winds. No matter, it’s still another pleasant day in the saddle.

If mountains are your joy, this stage will not disappoint you. A warm up ride through Lourdes to Argeles-Gazost. At Luz-Saint-Sauveur the real climbing begins - 19 km and 1,404 metres ascent to the iconic Pyrenean Col du Tourmalet (2,225 m). The last 1.5 kilometres are the toughest. Descend to the Monument Sainte-Marie-de-Campan and start the second climb to Hourquette d'Ancizan, less arduous than Tourmalet but still a respectable 17 km and 800 metres of climbing. One more 11 km climb to the finish at Saint Lary Soulan Pla d’Adet, steep moments (884 m ascent) but with stupendous views on your left.

Starting from the very pretty village of Loudenveille, you will start climbing immediately. About 7 km and 550 m of ascent to reach Col de Peyresourde. A nice descent and flat stretch before resuming the climbing position for two more ascents to Col de Mente and Col de Portet-d’Aspet. Hairpins feature to help with the climbing but also for the fun descent! About 60 km later you start climbing Col d’Agnes (10 km and 828 m ascent), across to Port de Lers and the final ascent to Plateau de Beille and after all the previous climbing this will be a challenge - 16 km and 1,246 m of elevation!

Six stages of the Grand cycling tour of France, France’s premier sporting event. The GTP team will support and encourage you to complete your aim to Ride Every Kilometre. If you don’t, no problem, you will have tasted a small part of what the pros do and you can always return.

The team will assist you in checking out and take you to Toulouse Airport for your flight home or to your next destination. As always, ride safe and see you on the road again soon.