9 days / 8 stages / + than 800 km / + 20000 elevation / + than 30 mountain passes / Several passes over 2.000 metres - ARE YOU UP TO THE CHALLENGE???

1. FROM MEDITERRANEAN TO ATLANTIC
9 days
8 stages
+ than 900 km
+ 20000 elevation
+ than 30 mountain passes
Several passes over 2.000 metres
TRANSPYRENEES
DURATION: 9 DAYS / 8 NIGHTS
TYPE: ROAD BIKE
START&FINISH: GIRONA/HONDARRIBIA
DATES: JUNE TO SEPTEMBER
LODGING: 3*, 4* HOTELS
ROUTE LEVEL: 4
KM.PER DAY: 90–140K M
TRAVEL OPTIONS: GROUPS
GROUPS: 6/... MIN/MAX
PRICE: FROM 2.900 € / See prices
The great route of Pyrenees, one of the greatest challenges for any cyclist.
For 9 days we'll conquer the great mountain passes that have become part of this sport's history. The classic ones
and some others, not so popular, but impressive and demanding as well.
This route is intended for experienced cyclists that are used to long rides, although pace is always adapted to the
groups'level making the necessary stops and regrouping. The long summer days will allow us to finish the stages
with no hurry, enjoying the beautiful environment and landscape.
At the end of every journey we will taste local gastronomy and will rest in little mountain hotels. The ideal place
to forget our daily routine and turn this days into an unforgettable vacation.
Are you up to the challenge?
www.utopictravel.com info@utopictravel.com

2. ITINERARY /
TRANSPYRENEES / DAY 1-2
DAY 1: GIRONA
Individual arrival at hotel.
UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL presentation.
Bicycles set up
Possibility of pickup at the Train Station or at the Girona Airport.
Please consult "Arrivals & Departures" in case of different arrivals or for
additional logistical information.
WELCOME TO CATALONIA!
Once settled in the hotel, our guides will give you information regarding
tour details and will complete the setup of your bike. You have spare time to
visit the Barri Vell (Old Neighborhood), the historical center of the city
where you can find unique constructions in Europe: the roman city walls, el
Call (one of the best conserved jewish quarters in Spain) and the Gothic
Cathedral, with the widest central nave in the world. We recommend too a
visit to the river Onyar colored houses that, together with the numerous
bridges and the Cathedral in the background, define the most emblematic
image of Girona.
At night we will have dinner in one of many traditional restaurants
available. Lodging in a central 4* hotel.
DAY 2: GIRONA - MOLITG LES THERMES 139km / Elevation: 2340m
Our big challenge starts. In the morning transfer to a great overlook with
views to Mediterranean sea and with a solar powered lighthouse that has
been working for 20 years. We'll enjoy the magnifiscent sunrise and will
understand why this zone is called la Costa Vermella (Red Coast).
We start riding through Costa Vermella, with cliffs, fishing villages and
vineyards that nearly touch the sea.
TOUR DE MADELOC (657m y 6,78% de slope) will be our first ascent. A very
peaceful climb along a very narrow road digged in the side of the mountain
and with vineyard terraces almost hanging over the sea.
At the end of the stage we'll find COL DE FOURTOU (646m), COL DE
XATARD (752m) and COL DE PALOMÈRE (1036m). One after the other in
tthe same side of the mountain, with a great view of the 2748m Massif of
Canigó, 2784m high. Dinner and lodging in Molitg les Thermes.
Optional: COL DE MANTET (1760m).
A THRILLING ROUTE
From Mediterranean to Cantabric
across the Pyrenees.
Legendary mountain passes, hard
and epic climbs, full of history.

3. ITINERARY /
TRANSPYRENEES / DAY 3 - 4
DAY 3: MOLITG LES THERMES - TARASCON 91km / Elevation: 3020m
We keep our route towards Cantabric sea still pedalling through quiet and
sunny roads of Catalunya Nord. Today we enter completely in the hardest
Pyrenees, with a "hors catégorie" pass and heights over 2000 meters.
Climbing starts with COL DE JAU (1506m) in a narrow and very low traffic
road that connects small villages, catalogued as some of the most beautiful
in France. Once at the summit, a descent through an spectacular road
moving to the next valley and climbing COL DE GARAVEL (1256m). We find
there a more rural France, with farms, sheep and cows pastures,
traditional dairies, and small rivers always plenty of water.
We need to get to this point with a 100% strength since the first great
Transpyrenees by Utopic Bike Travel's mountain pass starts here. The
relatively unknown but amazing COL DE PAILHÈRES (2001m), a true
colossus that can be compared witf Tourmalet. Big names in the Tour de
France have put up spectacular fights there, like in 2005, with Lance
Armstrong deciding his 7th Tour in front of Ullrich, Basso, Leipheimer,
Kloden... We will feel participating in cycling history.
A very comfortable dexcent we'll take us to Tarascon, where we can rest
knowing we have been pedalling through "sacred" roads.
Dinner and lodging in hotel 3*.
Optional : PLATEAU DE BEILLE (1939m).
DIA 4: L'ARIÈGE, PYRENEES’ LAND 136km / Elevation: 3000m
We wake up in the beautiful Ariège, avalley surrounded by mythical climbs
like Plateau de Beille, Ax 3 Domaines, col de Chioula, el Pailhères...
After breakfast we head to the valley of Vicdessos looking for our first
ascent, COL DE LERS (1517m, 7% slope). Right after we find COL D'AGNES
(1570m, 5,6% slope). We will climb through its easiest face because that
gives us a vey nice descent with a maintained slope of 8% for about 10 km.
We are talking of two mountain passes with no big bias, but the view of one
of the highest peaks pf the Pyrenees, La Pica d'Estats (3145m) and an
exceptional environment (rivers, leafy forests, cascades...)is really worth it.
The grey Gascon cows, which can be found in these typical Ariège roads,
will surely stand in our way sometimes.
Our route continues trough COL DE LATRAPE (1110m). Once here we can
choose to climb the GUSET NEIGE sli station(1520m) or to keep descending
through the Ustou valley until we arrive to the end of the stage, crossing
beautiful villages with slate roofs.
An entertaining day and not too tough, excellent to enjoy some forgotten
Pyrenees roads where only Transpyrenees by Utopic Bike Travel can take
you. Dinner and lodging in a great 3* hotel.

4. ITINERARY /
TRANSPYRENEES / DAY 5 - 6
DAY 5: ST-GIRONS - LUCHON 113km/Elevation: 2680m
Our day starts climbing COL DE LA CORE (1395m), which will take us to the
valley of Bethmale, splattered with farms and harmonious landscapes and
famous for its delicious cheeses and unique clogs. We will climb COL DE
PORTET D'ASPET (1069m) through the valley of la Bellongue. 1km before
ending our descent we find the monument remembering Fabio Casartelli,
the professional rider who died here in the 1995 Tour.
After this spot, a diversion towards COL DE MENTÉ (1349m), a classic pass
and testimony of great battles. The most remembered one happened in
1971, when Luis Ocaña (who was then leading the race) fell and handed the
victory to Eddy Merckx.
We will ascend using the west side, which is shorter but harder. In St-Béat,
at the bottom of the pass, we will cross the Garonne river and will continue
to arrive to the elegant spa resort of Bagnères-de-Luchon. Dinner and
lodging in a charming XIX century 3* hotel.
Optional: PORT DE BALÈS (1755m).
DAY 6: LUCHON - LUZ-ST-SAUVEUR 94km / Elevation: 3100m
A legendary stage in cycling history.
In 1910 Tour de France organizers decide to include for the first time an
extremely hard mountain stage that crossed the Pyrennes between Luchon
y Bayonne through Cols of Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Soulor,
Aubisque and Osquich using mostly unpaved roads. Octave Lapize, after
crowning the Aubisque yelled at the organizers his fammous: "Vous êtes
des assassins!" (killers!). Lapize won thta stage (and the Tour that year),
after 14 hours and 10 minutes. Only 10 out of the 59 contestants arrived
within the time limit.
100 years later we will be the protagonists of this huge stage, with 4
mountain passes. Starting with the famous COL DE PEYRESOURDE
(1569m), that has been crowned 60 times by Tour de France. When we
arrive to the small village of Arreau we start to climb our second mythical
pass, COL D'ASPIN (1489m). At the top, an amazing view to Pic du Midi. In
Ste-Marie-de-Campan we will face our next objective, COL DU
TOURMALET (2115m). As some say, it's not either the longest one, or the
hardest one, or the nicest one, but it's the Tourmalet, a real myth in this
sport. A real challenge that will take us to the limit Dinner and lodging in
hotel 3*.
Optional LUZ-ARDIDEN (2168m).
ONE ROUTE, SEVERAL OPTIONS
Routes designed to enjoy them at
your own rate.
Take your time to take a good picture
or to have a tasty coffee.
The most important places and visits
have been taken into account.
Mileage has been calculated
thoroughly as well to keep you feet
till the end of the day.
Additional mileage offered for our
most exigent clients.

5. ITINERARY /
TRANSPYRENEES / DAY 7 - 9
DAY 7: LUZ-ST-SAUVEUR - OLORON 108km / Elevation: 2480m
Our last stage in Haute-Pyrénées. We'll go over Val d'Azun, known as the
"Pyrenees Eden". A wild and illuminated valley that has kept all of its
authenticity (with caddle pastures, shepherd's cabins, farms, mills and
small villages).
We will start climbing the renowned COL DU SOULOR (1474m) to continue
with the mythical COL D'AUBISQUE (1709m) through the impressive
Corniche road, which borders the Cirque du Litor, an extremely narrow
road that literally "hangs" from the mountain and crosses it with small
tunnels digged in the rock. A very impressive moment of the tour.
In the final part, the famous COL DE MARIE-BLANQUE (1035m) is waiting
for us. A very well known col due to the hardness of its western side. We
will climb it through the east side, much smoother but also much more
beautiful. Dinner and lodging in hotel 3*.
Optional PIERRE-ST-MARTIN (1760m).
DAY 8: OLORON - AINHOA 134km / Elevation: 3110m
Today, ascension to the relatively unknown COL ISSARBE (1559m), a hard
but gorgeus pass. In Larrau we will climb COL BAGARGUI (1327m) through
a nice roads that offers us views of forests, fields and panoramic views of
the valleys and the mountain summits of Pic d'Orhi (2018m) and Pic des
Escaliers (1472m).
We are also going to face the beautiful COL DE BURDINCURUTCHETA
(1135m) thriugh its smoother side. In St-Étienne-de-Baïgorry we will start
to climb COL D'ISPÉGUY (672m). At the top, the border between France
and Spain. Dinner and lodging in hotel 4*.
DAY 9: AINHOA - HONDARRIBIA 93km / Elevation:1730m
Our last stage. Ascent to PUERTO OTXONDO (602m), to COL DE
LIZARRIETA (441m) and to COLLADO DE ARICHULEGUI, the last pass of
our tour.
Arrival to Hondarribia where this wonderful route ends. We will do it as we
started, with a well deserved swim in the sea (now Cantabric)
NOTE: Possibility of extra night and transfer to San Sebastián, Girona or
barcelona airports.

6. WHAT’S INCLUDED? /
TRANSPYRENEES
PRICES 2014
Minimum Group : 4 people*
Tours available from: March 1st to October 30st
Price per person (double occupancy) ……...……………...…….. 2.900 €
Supplements:
Single Occupancy supplement ............................................. 400 €
Other options
Bike rental (Bianchi Intenso)........…….…………………….….….. 160 €
Transfers to Barcelona /hotel /Barcelona Airport ............. 50 €
Extra night in Girona, Barcelona, Costa Brava …………....…. Consult us
Optional Travel Insurance (3.000€ cancellation costs) 85 €
INCLUDED
Arrivals & Departures
Transfers to and from Girona Train Station or Girona Airport to Hotel
Lodging & meals
8 nights at selected 3* and 4* hotels.
Breakfast every day, lunches or picnics, snacks and drinks throughout all
the route, all dinners and local wine included in every meal.
Support
Minimum of one guide + one support vehicle. (depending on group size)
Road book with maps and tour documentation in spanish, english or
german.
24h personalized care.
Clothes clean and ready every day.
Luggage transportation during the tour.
Client transportation in our support vehicle if necessary.
Insurances and tips
Travel and cancellation Insurance (consult policy)
Tips in restaurants and hotels
NOT INCLUDED
Plane ticket, air taxes and airport taxes.
Bike rental.
Optional travel or cancellation insurance.
Guide tips
Personal items purchased during the tour.
Optional activities not programmed by Utopic Bike Travel
Any aspect not specified in the above section.
MAIN REASONS TO TRAVEL WITH
UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL:
We design our own trips
*
Our team is formed by a group of
young nature and cycling lovers who
have decided that their passion would
become their way of life
*
Our guides have spent their lifes on
their bikes and have covered
thousands of miles on each zone
*
We want to share our experiences
with our clients
*
For us, every client is unique, every
need is different and every trip is
unrepeatable!

7. LODGING & MEALS/
TRANSPYRENEES
LODGING
In UTOPIC BIKE TRAVEL we have made a selection of what we think are
special lodgings, regardless of their price or category. They are usually
located in unique surroundings and placed at historical or ancient buildings
with a great architectural value.
Charming and inviting places which are family-runned and join quality,
peacefulness and personalized care.
In this route AMONG VOLCANOES we will stay in little 3* and 4* hotels
(spanish qualification) and in rural houses. Given their characteristics, we
cannot allocate accomodation until we receive confirmation of availability
by the hotel.
MEALS & GASTRONOMY
In this trip we will taste the typical gastronomy of the zone.
Lunches are adapted depending on the route we are making and, therefore,
can be more varied. A picnic on the top of a hill, some snack in a bar by the
sea, energy bars right after surmounting a mountain pass…
In some of our trips we give the opportunity to our guests to explore by
themselves and do it their way to discover places or restaurants the might
find interesting. These meals are not included in the price of the tour.
Nevertheless, our guides will be delighted to suggest you any of our
favourite restaurants if you want.
If you have any dietary preference, requirement or food intolerance please
inform us prior to the trip. We will make our best to satisfy your
necessities.

8. ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES /
TRANSPYRENEES
HOW TO GET HERE
Flights. We recommend you toarrive at least one day prior to the start of
our tour. It will allow you to adapt to a different time zone and will minimize
risks of missing the start of the trip because of flight delay. There are two
airports close to Girona:
Barcelona Airport – El Prat, is the biggest and most important airport in
Catalonia. 100 km from Girona. It receives flights from companies
operating all over the world..
Girona Airport – Costa Brava, much smaller. Is the closest one. There are a
few companies operating in it, most of them low cost like Ryanair. If you
come from a EU country this is the cheapest and best option.
There are several option to transfer from Barcelona Airport to Girona
(besides taxi).
Bus. There is a direct bus from the airport to Girona three times a day. It
takes 1 hour and 50 minutes from T2 terminal and 1 hour and 35 minutes
from T1 terminal.Further information in www.alsa.es
Train. If your flight’s arrival does not let you take the bus, train is available
too. You must go to Sants Station in Barcelona and then change trains to go
to Girona. Further information in www.renfe.es
Utopic Bike Travel offers an optional transfer service from Barcelona
Airport to Girona and vice versa. (consult optional supplements in the price
list).
DEPARTURE
If you want to fly the same day the tour ends, please schedule your flight to
leave after 16:00 PM to avoid delays due to traffic problems.
HOUR & MEETING PLACE
Girona / Catalonia. Our guides will be waiting for you in one of theses
places: Our Girona hotel, Train/Bus station, Girona - Costa Brava airport or
Barcelona - El Prat airport (with supplement)
One week prior to the start of the tour we will arrange our meeting place
and time. You will receive an email with our guides names and their contact
details. If you cannot get on time to the scheduled meeting please contact
our guides and, should they not be availabe either, please inform the hotel
of your expected arrival time. You will find all hotels contact details in the
mail once we have confirmed all reservations.
BOOK NOW
If you are ready just fill our
reservation form.
If you think this tour does no adapt to
your needs either because of its
duration, lodging category, or
budget...
BESPOKE TRAVEL
We are specialists designing taylor-made
trips. We can modify any of our
available tours or arrange a
completely new one for you. Tell us
your ideas a we can make it together.

9. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/
TRANSPYRENEES
BIKE RENTAL
Check the specs of our bikes.
ACTIVITY LEVELS
We have tours for eveyone. You can find the one that suits you best.
FAQS
In our “FAQ” section you will find answers to all your questions.
INSURANCES
Every Utopic Bike Travel tour includes its Travel Insurance. Consult our
policy.
CONTRACT GENERAL CONDITIONS
Consult our contract general conditions.
IMPORTANT
This document is a generic travel offer that must be considered as
provisional since it is published beforehand the actual tour. The final travel
contract (handed once the payment of the tour is done) contains all the
services contracted definitely.
In Utopic Bike Travel we try our best to offer the perfect trip to all of ous
clients. This is why our guides reserve the right to modify the itinerary of
our routes either by weather or logistic causes.
ROADBOOK, MAPS AND BROCHURES
You don’t have to worry about
anything in our guided tours, but we
will hand you a roadbook containing
detailed information (maps, profiles
and suggestions to know what to
expect ahead of us).
SUPPORT VEHICLE
At your disposal throughout the day.
Food, drinks, clean clothes, bike
spare parts or simply to keep any of
the shopping you made during the day
or to take you back to the hotel ahead
of schedule.