This package is aimed at those people who want to make a holiday out of the Etape du Tour and who prefer to travel from the UK to the French Pyrenees by luxury coach rather than by air and don’t want to run the risk of plane damage to their bikes or the bike not arriving.
After riding the Etape du Tour we shall stay on in the Pyrenees and ride some of the monumental climbs that also feature in the Tour de France. We shall spend 6 nights in the spa town of Bagneres de Bigorre at the excellent 3* Hotel Residence, which is excellently located for both accessing the Etape and the Pyrenean cols.

There will also be the option to join this tour at the Paris Mercure hotel and Toulouse airport with the COACH PACKAGE FLYING OPTION.

There will be 40 places available for this package.

Thursday 3^rd July:
Our touring coaches equipped with box trailer for the safe storage of bikes in bike bags will make collections at Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Stoke, Birmingham, Northampton, Luton, London and service stations on the motorways networks used (A1M, M1, M62, M6, M1, M20). We shall arrive at Dover in time for the 15.15hrs sailing to Calais, and travel to Paris where accommodation has been reserved at the 3* Hotel Mercure Paris Porte de Versailles EXPO.

Friday 4^th July:
We shall continue our journey to the Pyrenees and the beautiful spa town of Bagneres de Bigorre, where we shall spend 6 nights on Half Board basis (Dinner B&B) at the excellent 3* Hotel Residence. Bagneres de Bigorre is not only a great base for this years Eatpe, being located on the route, it also offers for some great cycling with the climbs of Aubsique, Soulor, Marie Blanque, Luz Ardiden, Tourmalet & Aspin all within easy reach.

Saturday 5th July:
Free day for making any last minute preparations before the event. In the morning you will be able to have a short ride and afterwards collect your race number from the start village.

Sunday 6^th July:
This is it, the day of your dreams, your chance to ride a mountain stage of the 2008 Tour de France, 8500 participants, closed roads, feeding stations and Mavic assistance, just like the real thing……Start time is anticipated to be 07.30hrs, so after an early breakfast you will be taken from Bagneres de Bigorre the short distance to Pau for the start.
Our reps will be waiting for you at the Hautacam finish and will show you to the coach that will take you the short distance back to Bagneres de Bigorre.

Monday 7^th July:
Free day for relaxing at the hotel after the efforts of yesterdays Etape. The hotel is set in a peaceful location with its own private open air swimming pool. However, some of you may want to go for a steady ride.

Tuesday 8^th July:
Free day for riding some of the most famous Pyrenean climbs like the Aspin, Aubisque, Marie Blanque, Luz Ardiden, Val Louron – Azet, Pla d’Adet etc etc. In the afternoon relax at the hotel by the swimming pool or watch the stage of the Tour de France time trial on t.v.

Wednesday 9^th July:
Free day for riding some of the most famous Pyrenean climbs like the Aspin, Aubisque, Marie Blanque, Luz Ardiden, Val Louron – Azet, Pla d’Adet etc etc. In the afternoon relax at the hotel by the swimming pool or watch the stage of the Tour de France on t.v.

Thursday 10^th July:
After breakfast we shall leave the town of Bagneres de Bigorre and the Hotel Residence and travel to Paris, where we shall spend 1 night on B&B basis at the 3* Hotel Mercure Paris Porte de Versailles EXPO.

Friday 11^th July:
We shall leave Paris and travel to Calais for the 13.30hrs sailing to Dover, making drop offs at the same locations as the pick ups.

Order a full Graham Baxter Sporting Tours cycling kit (short sleeved jersey, bib shorts, socks and cap) for only £70 (list price £85) when purchased with your holiday booking. See clothing page for clothing details and sizes. Clothing order must be paid in full and sent with holiday booking. The offer does not apply if ordered separately from holiday booking.

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