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In a nutshell
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Start
Finish
Countries
Stages
Rest days
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Nice, France
Barcelona, Spain
France, Spain
17
3 days : Malaucène, Carcassonne
and Luz St. Sauveur
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Total distance
Average distance
Total climbing
Average climbing
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1.890 km
111 km
31.800 meters
1.870 meters
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1.175 miles
69 miles
104.000 feet
6.100 feet
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Road condition
Period
Accommodation
Price
Discount
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100% paved
Thursday
May 10th,
2018
Tuesday May 29th,
2018
Campings plus hotel nights
in Nice
and Barcelona
€ 2.695,-
€ 200,- for early registration
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Description
What do you do when you arrive in Nice after a great
bike ride through the Alps?
You take a rest, relax on a terrace and watch the waves
of the Mediterranean. Soon you realize... you want more!
More mountains, more amazing scenery and more
challenge.
You take a map of France and start dreaming about the
moon landscape of the Mont Ventoux. You look further on
the map and see the classic climbs of the Pyrenees.
Your finger drifts over the map and your eyes discover
wonderful gorges which connect the Mont Ventoux with the
Pyrenees.
But... where to finish?
At the Atlantic Ocean?
The Mediterranean?
Yes, let's finish in Barcelona after
a great loop through the French and Spanish Pyrenees.
"La Grande Boucle des Pyrénées"
is born.
Out of Nice you turn directly inland to the quiet
mountains of the Haute Provence. Magnificent scenery.
You get excellent views if you cycle along the northern
rim of the Grand Canyon du Verdon; one of Europe's most
scenic canyons. The Mont Ventoux looms soon above the
lavender fields if you head further in Western
direction.
A rest day is planned at the foot of the Giant of the
Provence to get the opportunity to climb the legendary
mountain from all sides. The Gorges de l'Ardeche, the
Cévennes National Park and Gorges du Tarn bring you to
the medieval town of Carcassonne. In one word :
"gorgeous".
The Pyrenees are waiting. Illustrious names like the Col
de Portet d'Aspet, Col d'Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, Col
d'Aspin, Col de Peyresourde and Col du Portillon on the
French side. The Puerto del Portalet, Puerto de
Catefablo, Port de la Bonaigua and Port de Cantó are
some of the climbs on the Spanish side. You cycle over
high cols, through deep canyons and beautiful national
parks before you drop down to the Mediterranean.
The 4th
edition of "La Grande
Boucle des Pyrénées" starts Thursday
May 10th, 2018 in
Nice at the Côte d'Azur. The finish lies after 20
days, 1.890 kilometres and a lot of climbs in metropolis
of Barcelona.
The whole route follows paved, relatively quiet and
scenic mountain roads. The course varies from serious
hills to long, steep climbs as the Mont Ventoux and the
Col du Tourmalet. Don't expect one single flat stage.
The tour is planned at the start of the summer which
guarantees some warm, even hot, cycling days in the
middle of the Provence. If you come closer to the
Pyrenees, the weather conditions can always be
unsettled. The circumstances can become heroic if you
reach altitudes around or above 2.000 metres.
"La Grande Boucle des Pyrénées" is a physical challenge
in an alluring and picturesque area. You want more, you
can get more. Ride the climbs you always wanted to do,
and enjoy the best of what Southern France and Northern
Spain has to offer. Relax again on a terrace and watch
the waves of the Mediterranean. This time in Barcelona.
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