15 July 2011

Tour Travel - Tour de France, Stage 13

Pau - Col d'Aubisque - Lourdes, and the Vallée d'Ossau and Vallée Lavenden

How I invision Lourdes today, (actually the annual blessing of the bikes in Verona, Italy)
Big news Stage 13: 4 withdrawals from the Tour de France today - Andreas Kloden, Lars Boom, Gert Steegmans, and Vladimir Isiachev. Full withdrawal list Updated Rider List and withdrawals at Tour de France.
Thor Hushovd, at the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine, Photo by PedalDancer.com/SyS
Bike Rides near Pau and Lourdes

Almost every year the Tour de France spends a night in Pau, it is the third most visited city in the history of the Tour. Sometimes having a rest day in the area. There is a good airport in Pau, one of the main options for flying into the Pyrenees, together with Biarritz, and Toulouse. If you are lucky enough to watch the Tour de France in the Pyrenees, chances are you will be visiting this area. Today as part of Tour Travel series I will be offering cycling maps to some recommended rides in the area.
I love this area of the Pyrenees mountains. The foothills offers fantastic riding along with the big named climbs. Within a short distance of Pau, you have a number of climbs available for enjoyment.  

Recommended ride near Pau in maps  

Farm & Wine Country in the Foothills of the Pyrenees
click to enlarge

Col de Marie Blanque today 

more coming