The 2008 Western France / Dordogne / Pyrenees & Picos de Europa Tour
Trip summary
We cross from Portsmouth to Le Havre and ride down Western France to reach our first, 3-night base in the Dordogne. We have time there to explore the area, its history, castles, cuisine and even do some canoeing, before riding into the Pyrenees. We spend one night in the French Pyrenees, and take in a couple of high mountain passes (approaching 6000 feet above sea level) to arrive in the plains of Northern Spain. We continue onwards to the mountains of the Picos de Europa, where we spend 3 more nights. We then take what’s often referred to as a “Mini-Cruise” across the Bay of Biscay. The boat brings us all the way back from Northern Spain to England.
There are “rest days” build into the itinerary in both the Dordogne and in the Picos.
Mileage – normally around 1200 miles (from Nottingham to Nottingham). Medium challenge level – suitable for most riding abilities.
Highlights
Exploring the chateaux of the Dordogne river, from an open Canadian Canoe.
The food in the Dordogne.
Riding over the Pyrenees.
Walking in the Cares Gorge.
The circular ride around, and into the heart of the Picos Mountains.
Seeing whales breaching in the Bay of Biscay on the voyage home?
Dates – to be agreed with the group, but I suggest the dates below. Note – there are only 2 sailings per week coming back from Northern Spain, therefore we have to work backwards from these crossing times.
2008
Thursday 4th September to Saturday 13th September
10 days, 9 nights in both cases.
My favourite hotel in Las Arenas de Cabrales (Picos) is blocked booked with Explore groups at certain times. We try to fit in a gap between tour groups. It's a great place. Really special IMHO.
Itinerary
4th September – meet at Portsmouth docks early evening (current plan, like last year, is an overnight ferry to Le Havre, although day time crossings to Caen have also been used). Night time ferry to France – cabins on board ship.
5th Sept- ride to the Dordogne – approx 400 miles. Check into riverside hotel in Beynac (2-3 star hotel – en-suite rooms – 2 sections – one with swimming pool). Half board for 3 nights. Typical Perigord cuisine.
6th Sept – day relaxing, exploring and riding to local sights in the area. 0-80 miles.
7th Sept – 22km descent of Dordogne river by open Canadian Canoe. (optional –cost about £12). A highlight of the trip for most people. Need to be able to swim – just in case! 0 miles by bike – about 15 miles by mini-bus then boat.
8th Sept – Ride from the Dordogne to the Pyrenees. 250 miles. We normally stop briefly in Lourdes, then cross the Col D’Aubisque and stay in Eaux Bonnes. Free to eat where you like – but it’s normally back in the hotel restaurant!
9th September – ride from Eaux Bonnes, over the border into Spain, across Rioja country to the Picos Mountains. 270 miles. Check into lovely, friendly place in Las Arenas. 3 nights half-board. (Approx 2 star? All rooms en-suite. Nice bar & restaurant)
10th September – “rest” day? Walk the Cares Gorge? Or go to the beach perhaps? Or to Funeta De for the cable car? 0-100 miles.
11th September – ride the Picos circuit, with a side detour right into the interior, to the head of the Gorge. Stunning. About 120-150 miles.
12th September – 100 mile (or less) easy ride to Bilbao* to catch 13:15 sailing. Cruise (!), relax, watch whales (?), eat /drink. Overnight cabins.
13th September Arrive back in Portsmouth at 17:15.
The tour has been priced, as in previous years, using 2-3 star hotels, with en-suite rooms, with half board accommodation (Bed, breakfast & evening meal included) in our Dordogne & Picos bases. The return ferry from Spain is very expensive, BUT, it does save a 1000 mile ride home over 2-3 days. The return from Bilbao to Portsmouth is with P&O and uses shared cabins. Couples get their own cabins (of course). Guys are expected to share 2 or 4 bedded cabins on the boats, unless you want to pay a surcharge for your own cabin (expensive on the Spanish return). The tour price assumes std cabins on board. £100 to £230 supplements apply if you want upgrading to club-class cabins. In previous years, those requesting their own room on this tour have always been catered for. I can probably offer a discount for anyone happy to share a twin room.
(unfortunately the ferry costs make up a very substantial proportion of this tour. A return ferry ticket alone ranges from £225 to £525 depending on the grade of compulsory cabin taken)
Tour price
Single rider , 1 bike 1 rider, own e/s room, mainly half board £850
Note - 6 high quality, full evening meals included
Couple, double e/s room, mainly HB, £1590 (£795 each)
Two friends, on one bike, shared twin room – price as per couple on one bike.
Single rider – 1 bike 1 rider, but happy to be flexible and share twin room with A. N. Other, as required, £795.
Decisions & Deposits
Unfortunately I’ve learned the hard way with this. I always used to ask just £100 deposit for this Picos tour (like the Alps one). But last year, a number of people dropped out, and I lost £800 on the tour. When I buy a block of ferry tickets, I have to pay, in full, and the sum is not refundable. This is what caused last year’s losses!
Therefore I need £225 per single rider as deposit, and £375 per couple to ensure at least ferry costs are covered if anyone drops out. Sorry – I have to do this. I don’t mind running the odd tour at break even point – but I can’t afford to run many at a loss!
The tour needs 6 people to break even. As long as 4 or 5 commit now, and I’ll buy the ferry tickets and run the tour anyway, and hope to pick up a few more bookings before September. I don’t want more than about 10 bikes on the trip, as we use small hotels, and small groups work better from a riding & touring point of view.
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