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For those taking on Acte 2 of this year's Etape, we can offer you the best possible preparation for the event. We will be running a training camp between 6th and 10th June 2012 which will see us stay in a luxury villa in Salles Argelles,in the heart of the Pyrenees, allowing us to ride all of the major climbs in the area.
Day one sees us cycle out towards the looming mountains for an 80km ride. The major pass for this day will be the Col du Spandelle. What the Spandelle lacks in familiarity more than makes up for in dead quiet roads and breathtaking views from the top of the pass. We will circle back from the Spandelle, hugging the mountain range that our villa sits in before heading back up to the villa for a little R&R.
The following day is where the legs will begin to pump. We will head south before finding our way down to the Col d'Aubisque. The Aubisque is undoubtedly one of the toughest climbs in the Pyrenees and one which will invariably suck the energy from you during the Etape. Our training allows you to experience each bend and climb so that you are ready for the mountain come race day. Once we reach the top of the Aubisque, we will climb the last few kilometres of the Col du Soulor before freewheeling down the other side and climbing a short distance back towards the villa.
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The final full day's cycling sees us climb a few smaller cols before we get to experience the monster that is the Col du Tourmalet. Fresh in the memory from 2 years ago when Schleck and Contador battled up the Tourmalet at the Tour de France, we will be taking you up the mountain from the eastern side via St Marie de Campan. The day's riding is 120km of tough cycling which is rewarded when you get to speed 30km downhill on the western side of the Tourmalet. We then return to the villa for a well earned glass of wine.
We will spin out our legs on the final day with a fairly relaxed 40km ride before heading back to the airport for the return flight.
The whole weekend will be geared to training when you're on the bike and absolute relaxation when you're off it. A glass of wine in the jacuzzi or by the pool whilst looking out at the mountains is a sure way of guaranteeing a relaxed state of mind in between each ride.
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