About
Welcome to www.pyreneescycling.co.uk, specialists in cycling and mountain biking holidays, from some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees.
We have over 17 years of knowledge and information about this area of the high pyrenees. We had always spent our holidays here and loved the area so much that we moved to this area of un-spoilt France. Les Sorbiers is our own hotel and is a fine period Napoleonic building in the heart of the village, which we have sympathetically restored and modernised to the level expected of high quality family run hotels throughout the Pyrenees. The knowledge we have is freely available to all those who come to stay here whether for a road cycling or mountain biking holiday we have guides with the knowledge to make your holiday here a memorable experience.
Our cycling holidays, all with qualified English speaking guides, are undertaken from our front door into the high Pyrenees of South West France which is also part of the Tourmalet ski resort (Bareges-La Mongie) - the largest ski domain in the French Pyrenees.
Moreover, we are able to offer a personal but professional approach, information and support. As a small family company we pride ourselves in offering a good and caring service.
About pyreneescycling.co.uk holidays
Our aim at Pyrenees Cycling is to ensure each of our guests have the great time here with us in the Pyrenees. Rob, Rachel and the Pyrenees Cycling team are committed that your holiday with us will exceed your expectations. We have ridden all these local climbs and mapped out amazing rides. Using the Pyrenean climbs to see snow-capped peaks, glaciers, green meadows and fields, crystal-clear lakes, we can design anything you want. For individuals or small groups who want to travel on their own, we can offer a wide range of self-guided tours, for those who prefer to be escorted by a local cyclist; we can design your dream trip...
Just ask us.
We also take groups to view some of the world's biggest cycling events in the area or participate in some of the Pyrenees most prestigious cyclosportives such as Hubert Arbes, La Pyreneen and the L'Ours throughout the spring and into the autumn we have a cyclosportives to enter nearly every month in the summer.
Rob, your main cycle guide:
He has been riding his bike for over 20 years and has competitively raced for City Road Club Hull and the North Humberside division team as a road and track cyclist and raced at E/1/2/3 level over in the UK. As well as finishing the 1st ever etape du tour in 1993 200 places behind a certain Raimondas Rumsas. He now rides the big sportives although is a road man through and through with a passion for riding big cols he also enjoys getting off road to guide you around the tracks and trails of the high pyrenees.
He first discovered the Pyrenees at 18 has been holidaying, living and cycling in this part of the Pyrenees for a few years now and is passionate about every kilometre of tarmac and every Col, whether a legendary Tour de France climb or a local secret. Rob ensures that every rider gets an equal amount of support and motivated for all our customers to achieve their goals and enjoy their holiday. He works with guests and aims to build your mountain endurance and increase mileage throughout the week, culminating on some of the weeks in an unofficial time trial (optional). Of course, groups are generally mixed, so the guides work hard to get it right and give everyone what they need.
We are always keen to pass on as much information and advice to make your days on the bike as pleasurable as possible, such as tips on descending or fuelling your body for the days ride.
Rachel, the co-director:
Prior to your holiday, Rachel or Rob will have already been in contact with you via email, answering your questions and getting a picture of you and your group, as well as dealing with any general running of the hotel. Whilst you are enjoying your week she could turn up anywhere, from meeting out on rides with refreshments to help you make it home (or a pick-up in the minibus for those with tired legs) also ensuring the rest of the team that the hotel is homely and afternoon tea laid out for our return.
Her previous life she worked in the within the hotel and Leisure industry for over 15 years and has participated in running several marathons at least one a year, this year sees her going up to La Rochelle in November 2008 to beat 4 hours. After a busy winter 2007/08 season, Rachel is keen to get out more often with the cycling groups and also looking to organise a women's road cycling week in 2009.
The pyreneescycling.co.uk team:
There will be some new staff additions joining us in 2008/09 rest assured, they will have been hand picked to continue the personal service we offer to you, our guests, whether in the hotel or out on the road our commitment to offering you the best.
Our Cuisine
We offer only best local produce and reasonably priced local wines.
Vegetarian options are offered daily and other dietary requirements are not a problem to us. Local dishes are sometimes on the menu but we work to the seasons and what is available to us. Garbure is one of the those hearty vegetable soups made with Tarbais beans and fortified with ham hock. Toulousian cassoulet with pork, sausage and goose a very rich meaty stew. The Bareges-Gavarnie lamb which has its own AOC and is the toast of several top London restuarants and can be found in Londons smithfield market. Four different types of cheeses Ossau, Iraty, Val D'Aran & Bigorre. Desserts include egg batter, open fire, spit cooked gateau Brioche rum and orange sponge. Local wines include Madiran, St Mont, Jurancon and Pacherenc.
Also for 2008/09 we have a working partnership for specialist training camps for road cycling with a qualified coach and sports massage therapist.
See www.247personalfitness.com for prices or email us for further details.
Here are a selection of notes from previous customers wrote:
Great Cycling, glorious landscape and wonderful food just about sums up our week with you at Bareges.
DN East Yorks
Everybody had a fantastic week and all had at least one to two mountains per day!
SW Manchester
I can't thank you enough for the efforts you and Rachel put in to make our week so successful and having a guide plus being taken round in the minibus(where necessary) just made it all so much easier.
LN Fife
Great value for money. I think that we saved over half the cost of other organised guided tours and probably did a lot more cols than we would have found if we where out on our own.
John NYC
Our only problem was missing all that lovely food when we got back home. AW Leeds
So if you are looking for mountain based holidays summer or winter guided or self guided, accommodation in a magnificent mountain setting, the best thing to do is contact us with dates in mind and with an idea from the website as to which holiday week will match your requirements, see our Holiday packages page for more details.
