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Not to be believed! When this
trip was first planned I thought to
myself, are you crazy? 12 days of
riding, 7000-8000 feet per day of
climbing? The more I thought about it
the more I wanted to do it, and so I
did. What an amazing trip. As I have
said to everyone, it was everything I
expected and much, much more.
The Pyrenees were amazing and majestic.
It was so cool to see how the
environment changed from the Western
end, being more humid, to the
Mediterranean side which was dryer and
hot, but all beautiful!
Having a sag van made all of the
difference in the world. All of our
food, drinks, lunch, snacks, and bicycle
repair items were all readily available
and made starting the day simple.
The trip was incredibly well planned by
Allan, from the day to day mileage and
climbing estimates, to the hotels we
cycled right into each day, and the
great dinners we had in the evenings.
Thank god for Allan, for being French
and speaking French, which made for a
fluid sweet trip across the Pyrenees and
back.
Jeff Dux, San Francisco, California |
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Jeff Dux, day 8,
almost out of the Pyrenees. |
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All you have to do is ride. How cool is that?
This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime type experience, for
me. I'm already trying to figure out how to make it a
twice-in-a-lifetime deal. I can't thank Alan enough for
making it happen. I could never pull something like this
off on my own.
Alan did a phenomenal job of taking care of everything
else, the routes, the lodging, the food, the sag
wagon--so you don't have to load up with gear, food and
water--the shuttle from and to the airport, and most
importantly translating the menus to me, and my order to
the waitperson, so I didn't end up with breakfast for
dinner.
The riding was the best I've ever done. The roads are
immaculate, the scenery sublime, the sag wagon a
lifesaver and the group was fun to ride and be with.
I've never worked so hard in my life, or smiled so much,
especially during the 25 mile downhill. After each day,
I kept thinking that the next day's ride couldn't
possible be as fun as the ride just completed, but it
always was, for 12 days straight.
Gordon Cavanaugh, Mill Valley, California |
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Gordon, day 2 only, 10
more to go...nice! |
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Think about the
perfect cycling trip. If it includes beautiful
scenery, smooth, little trafficked roads, great
food, cool towns, and nothing to worry about (except
getting up some serious vertical); well then this is
it. All you have to do when you wake up is ride
your bike and eat. It doesn’t get any better then
that. Allan makes it all happen. Awesome support,
knowledge of the country and language, and a love
for life. This trip will provide memories forever.
My only recommendation is to train before you go;
this trip is not for the casual rider. This trip
will definitely challenge you, but isn’t that what
you would expect of the Pyrenees !
Charles Varela, Mountain
View, Arkansas |
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Charles ( aka - Barnacle
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Col d'Azet, day 5 of riding - preparing for the next
"French attack!" |
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Allan did a great job with the tour. The routes
were really nice....stayed mostly on the wonderful small
'white' roads on the Michelin maps. Hotels and food were
just perfect too. He picked an awesome new town to stay
in on the Mediterranean...what a highlight! And having
van support throughout the day was an added
bonus...never been on a tour that had everything you
needed pretty much at your fingertips all day long.
Jennie Phillips, California |
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Jennie Phillips...and
just a week before she did the PBP ! Day 2 |
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Behind every photos lies a story, and my trip
through the Pyrenees was one of endless stories, most of
which I couldn’t capture on film. But oh! – The
memories. It was a journey of incredible accents and
descents, and riding tempo through the exquisitely lush
countryside, dotted with lovely stone villages, church
steeples, sheep and other livestock, and the ever
present sound of cow bells. Green you say! It must
rain a lot? But no, we had very few rain drops and
plenty of sunshine. Late August and early September is
the best, and so is this 14 day bike journey. I’ll be
back.
Ron Sweet, Arizona. |
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Ron Sweet ( aka -
Magellan ), day 1...and
11 more days of riding just like it! |
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Two of the most fun weeks in tight pants!
Allan’s fluent French and attention to detail enabled
the rest of our eight high maintenance group to just
ride and enjoy some of the finest bicycling roads ever.
The historic towns and memorable Tour de France climbs
added to the mystique. Cars were almost non existent
and not one pot hole in 1000 miles. A once in a
lifetime experience and a true debt of thanks to Allan
(and Kristal for pulling me up all the climbs).
Geoff Heinemann, California. |
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Geoff Heinemann and Gordon pose for a shot atop the
Col de Pailheres, day 7. |
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It's not just a bike ride! I didn't know what I
was getting into signing up for a two week cycling trip
in the Pyrenees with eight guys, but it was fantastic!
Having Allen as our tour guide was priceless. His
knowledge of France was vast, he was organized to a T,
and his sense of humor was always intact..... a must for
our group!
The scenery was amazing whether we were in the Pyrenees
or pedaling back in the rolling hills through the
vineyards. The ascents were long, but so were the
descents, both rewarding! The food and wine was our
reward at night for all our work during the day.
I fell in love with France and the people, and embraced
their way of living.
Would I do this trip again??.... In a heart beat!
Kristal Snowman, Greenbrae, California |
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Kristal with boyfriend
Scott, day 9. |
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When I first heard about this trip, I thought
that it would be kind of a lifetime dream to be able to
ride some of the famous Pyrenees climbs that I have seen
over the years watching the Tour De France on
television. Allan put together an awesome trip, first
crossing from west to east, coast to coast, across the
mountains, climbing about 8,000 ft. per day. The return
trip back to the west “across the flats” was challenging
as well. One particular “flat” section encompassed
three consecutive days of 100 miles with 6,000 feet of
climbing each day. This 12-day trip was by far the most
challenging and enjoyable cycling trip that I have ever
dreamed of or done. By actually having the opportunity
to ride these classic mountains, I have gained an
entirely different level of respect for the tour
riders. Alan’s knowledge of cycling physiology and
athletic training really helped me advance my skills.
His knowledge of France was a bonus. Not only getting to
see interesting villages by bicycle, he exposed us to
other treasures along the way.
Robbie Cotton, Lucas Valley, California |
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Jeff and Robbie, day 3
and their attitude says it all ! |
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Spectacular, inspirational,
magnificent, still fall a bit short in description
of a most incredible cycling experience, both for a
renaissance of one's spirit, and one's zest for
challenging endeavors for enhancing life's nectar.
The Pyrenees are their own
reward, views, ascents, and descents as all true
cyclists deftly understand, the mantra of suffering
is always countered by the syrup of endorphin
euphoria. On this tour, the abundance of both was
constantly simmering in a marti gras stew of coast
to coast proportions.
Make no mistake, the grins never
stop, as you (make your way back from the
Mediterranean coast) will find yourself reeling from
the magnificence of the plateaus to the notoriously
envied vineyards (though not ignored by most of our
group, who courageously fought back guilt in order
to confirm these were truly the source for the
nectar of the gods) cobblestone pathways and smooth
as Velodrome track alleyways in the French villages
you'll pass through, as if they were placed in just
the right proportion to embrace you in full French
flavor, as if to make everyday, an all day dessert
trek.
To say this is an irreplaceable
experience, may be a bit premature, as it is not
clear as to what other magic our illustrious French
guide, and road mentor might be concocting for
future endeavors, but let it stand that if you truly
want to have the ride of your life, Allen will amaze
even the most skeptical, and you will find that
riding from one to French village, savoring the
flair, and the embrace of the French, only to waken
with anticipation of gorging yourself with another
days stuffing of greatest riding, and support you
will find anywhere on the planet. But if you must
choose epic roads, with incredible views, for
indelible memories forever.... choose this trek!!!
I challenge you to treat yourself
to a more rewarding cycling adventure... anywhere!
Astoundingly Appreciative,
Scot Combs, Greenbrae, California
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Scot, day 8, and still
hoping to "podium." |
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The ride of my life! By the end of August, 2006,
my friend Francis, “The Cisco Kid” and I decided to
travel from Costa Rica to meet with six American friends
in the best country to practice road biking, which is
France.
The original plan was to go from Biarritz, in the Bay of
Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean to Perpignan in the
marvelous Mediterranean Sea. The distance is about 900
kilometers and the journey goes through the Pyrenees and
the famous mountain ports of the Tour de France.
I only have to close my eyes to see, just like a
picture, the views of the Col of Aubisque, Col du
Tourmalet, Col d'Aspin and the many beautiful towns;
Oloron, Argeles, St. Girons and Rivesaltes, just to
mention some of the places that every cyclist around the
world should visit at least once.
I still can feel the pain in my legs, my back and my
soul when “damned” Jeff made me go, with my pulse up to
180, up the Tourmalet. I insisted that I was not Ulrich
and that he was not Armstrong and moreover that we were
not racing the tour. However, our excitement increased
as we were approaching the summit and we could see
nothing but the names of the professional racers written
on the road. This almost made our hearts explode but I
dropped Jeff. The reward was to remember that our van,
with plenty of food and drinks, was waiting for us at
the highest point and that the French, with a quick
phone call, could have an ambulance ready for us in a
few minutes.
The crazy Americans decided to go back again all the way
to Biarritz, another 600 kilometers; but my friend and I
decided to go back but in a comfortable rented car at
the Blue Coast. That is what I call “seize the day!”
The highways, the views, the people, the food, the
cycling culture, the good new friends and above
everything, the beautiful girls you can see during the
journey, are an invitation to go back more than one
time. Thank you for the best bike trip I've ever done!
Alberto Coto, Costa Rica |
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Alberto, Francis (Cisco
kid, who came in 7th once at La Ruta) and Jeff Dux,
day 1. |
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