Tourmalet & Cycling's Greatest Challenges by Bike

Val d'Azun / Col des Bordères / Val d'Azun.

On this first day, your electric bikes are delivered along with a cycle helmet, tyre repair kit, cleaning equipment if you have chosen that option, maps, detailed directions, and GPS tracking if you want it. Having been introduced to your bikes, and everything else, you are free to explore for the day - we'd recommend the delightful lac d'Estaing. Your first night it as at an accommodation in Marsous or Aucun in the scenic and unspoilt Azun valley (the home of Purely Pyrenees as it happens). If you've chosen the option we collect you at Lourdes airport or rail station for the 30 minute transfer to your accommodation in the Val d'Azun.

Optional transfer from Lourdes : 30 min. Cycling distance 19 or 35km, Elevation +/-300 or +/-500m

Val d'Azun / Col du Soulor / Col d'Aubisque / Bielle.

Right, it starts here! We take your luggage to your next accommodation, so you only need carry a daysack. A glorious 22 mile route that first takes you on the Tour de France route gently up the side of the Azun valley via a series of bends and switchbacks to the famed col du Soulor. They can't, but you can, stop to enjoy the magnificent views south across the Pyrenees into Spain, including the eternally snow-capped 10,200 feet Balaïtous, and north down the Pyrenean foothills to the Pau plains. You then cycle to the equally famous col d'Aubisque via a superb corniche road where you can stop to enjoy the exceptional panoramic views to the isolated skiing village of Gourette, and the lovely Ossau valley, renowned not least for its traditional farmers' cheeses. Thankfully, there's then a long, swooping descent into and across the Ossau valley to Laruns and then a mainly flat section along the valley floor until you reach the foot of the col de Marie-Blanque. We think you'll agree that was something special - and it's only the first cycling day.Hotel Ayguelade is a nice little three star hotel in the mountains next to the little village of Bielle. For sure, you'll get a stylish room, good food and genuine hospitality.

Distance : 46km. Elevation : + 1000m / - 1430m.

Bielle / Col de Marie-Blanque / Sévignacq-Meyracq.

Less up and down altitude today, so a longer distance, but no change in the superb cycling and magnificent scenery made all the more enjoyable knowing that a gourmand experience awaits you in the evening. The first mile or so is a fairly steep climb (made so much easier by your e-bike) until you reach the Bénou plateau with its Alpine meadows, stone barns, pine forests, and, dominating everything, peak after Pyrenean peak. From the col de Marie-Blanque, you decend into the Aspe valley, one of the most attractive in the Pyrenees (and in our view anywhere in Europe), partially shaded by the lovely Bager woods, before crossing the Ossau river. From there you make your way back into the Ossau valley (just a few hills to keep you fit) to arrive near Sévignacq-Meyracq for the night.If you've got aches and pains, this is the place for you - for hundreds of years (not least when it was fashionable in the 19th century) people have come a long way for the thermal baths with its sup posed cure (at least relief) for rheumatism. Today, there's also a nearby spa. If you're in need of comfort, this is the place for you: traditional and contemporary, stylish yet authentic, this is a great place to stay. If you're in need of a good meal, this is the place for you with its restaurant much more famous than its accommodation thanks to chef-patron J P Paroix, his mother and their family farm. We need say no more.

Distance : 50 km. Elevation : + 900m / - 1000m.

Sévignacq-Meyracq / Val d'Azun by the col du Soulor or the col des Spandelles.

Today, you begin by exploring the lower altitude pleasures of the Bearnais - once the hunting grounds of English monarchs and aristocracy, now truly French in culture and character as the facts that Bearnaise sauce and the Musketeer D'Artagnan is said to come from here. It has a beautiful foothills landscape with woods, valleys, rivers streams, small villages and large panoramas up the the Pyrenean peaks. Great cycling country too: quiet roads, easy cycling, plenty of places to stop whether for photographs or coffee. Your route loops back to the Azun valley, and you can choose a longer lower altitude route, or take one of two cols up and down into the Azun valley, the col des Spandelles being what the French call "sauvage et sportive", and we would describe as challenging, seriously challenging. A very good day's cycling, though, whichever route you choose.It will be a pleasure to be back in the Val d'Azun.

Distance : 48 or 63 km. Elevation : + 900/1600/1800m / - 400/1100/1300m depending on the route you choose.

Val d'Azun / Vallée de Campan.

This is a wonderful day's cycling that positions you ready for the ultimate col du Tourmalet ascent tomorrow. You begin by gently descending down the Azun valley to Argeles-Gazost (an unpretentious but attractive Pyrenean town that rewards a stop for a stroll and a coffee) before enjoying easy cycling along the banks of the Pau river ("gave"), then discovering the lesser known delights of the unspoilt Castelloubon valley with its traditional villages like Juncalas and Ossun-ez-Angles, its churches, oratories and roadside crosses, its rolling hills and tumbling streams. You then come into the Adour valley reaching Bagnères-de-Bigorre, which despite its violent history (conquered by Julius Caesar, vandalised by Visigoths, destroyed by earthquakes) is a peaceful town renowned for its thermal baths. From there, it's all up hill, but, today, only as far as Sainte-Marie de Campan - visit Notre-Dame-de- l'Assomption, and discover what mounaques are.The three star Hotel Chalet is superbly located, well managed, and has recently been completely refurbished resulting in bedrooms and restaurant (good, hearty food) that are a real pleasure to be in. There are also terraces to relax on, and a tennis court and covered swimming pool to be active, but everywhere there are Pyrenean peaks all around you, not least the magnificent Pic du Midi de Bigorre.

Distance : 57 km. Elevation : + 850m / - 750m.

Vallée de Campan / Col du Tourmalet / Val d'Azun.

It's finally time for the Col du Tourmalet, but first we'd strongly recommend taking the cable car from La Mongie upto the observatory on top of Pic du Midi de Bigorre. At 9,350 feet, the views are simply staggering, and you really do feel on top of the world. It's now just a few dozen zigs and zags to the almost 7,000 feet summit of the col. Thank goodness for that extra e-bike help! Your rewards are the self- congratulatory photographs, the panoramic views, and the wonderfully effortless - and pleasingly long - descent down into "Pays Toy", and the once royalty-favoured thermal spa town of Luz-saint-Sauveur. Your final section is along your old friend the Pau river before passing through the pretty village of St-Savin (atmospheric abbey), and along the Azun valley to Maison Sempé for a final time.

Distance : 65 km. Elevation : + 2050m / - 1950m.

The holiday ends after breakfast in Aucun or Marsous. If you've chosen the option, we take you back to Lourdes airport or rail station. Elements beyond our control (the weather, fitness levels, logistical risks, other miscellaneous reasons) may lead our team to modify the programme. We aim to please, but your safety will always be our priority.