Meet your guides at Pau’s central train station for a 12:30 p.m. transfer to your first hotel. After check in, riders will have a short bike sizing, some final adjustments, and briefing before enjoying a half-day ride. Departing from your hotel, riders will do a guided 25 km (15 mile) loop ride through the rolling hills of the central Pyrenees. This will be a chance to shake off the worst of your jet lag while also getting accustomed to your new bike. Optional 24.6 km (15.3 mile) ride extension up the Hautacam pass. Hautacam is a local ski resort and was the finish line for stage 18 of the 2014 Tour de France. Non-riders have two options: option 1 will be a guided afternoon hike along the foothills near your hotel (moderate difficulty) or take option 2 and enjoy some light adventure through an activity called parapenting. Parapenting is a two-person parasail (like a parachute) jump. You and a hunky French guide run down a slope, take flight, and then fly down to the valley below. Flying time is between 10-20 minutes depending on the weather conditions. Once back at your hotel, the group will enjoy cocktails and then dinner on the hotel’s terrace with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

July 25 – Day 2 Pyrenees

After a hearty breakfast, riders will a full-day ride (66 miles / 41 miles) to conquer the infamous Col du Tourmalet – a peak featured in almost every Tour de France for the past 100 years. This will be more challenging terrain than the previous two day’s rides as elevations are higher in the central Pyrenees. Need more mileage? No problem. There is an optional ride extension to conquer the Col d’Aspin as well. Non-riders can sleep in before a late morning of white water rafting in the nearby “Gave” river. These are moderate rapids, suitable for most paddling abilities. Following a hot shower and lunch, relax on the hotel terrace with that perfect book or join an optional afternoon hike through the foothills near your hotel in Pierrefitte.   

July 26 – Day 3 Pyrenees: Stage 18 Finish Pau

After hearty breakfast, riders can choose: option 1: fast-paced ride up the spectacular Col de Bordères (featured in tomorrow’s mountain stage). Total distance 46.5 kms / 29 miles. Option 2: take the day off and join the non-riders who will transfer to Lourdes for a guided walking tour, lunch, and then short train ride to Pau (the region’s capital) to watch the exciting stage 18 finish from Spyns’ VIP viewing area, complete with live TV coverage and open bar. After the stage finish, bus transfer back to your hotel for a late dinner on the hotel’s spectacular terrace with breathtaking views of the nearby mountains.  

July 27 – Day 4 Pyrenees / Transfer Day: Stage 19

After gourmet breakfast (stop counting the calories!), today is another day of exciting TDF stage viewing. Non-riders will transfer back to Lourdes to see this holy sanctuary city transformed into the starting point for today’s stage. This will be a rare opportunity to see the TDF’s starting village with team buses, pro riders warming up, and countless vendors. Then van transfer up the mountain to our VIP viewing area on the Col du Soulor (one of the final climbs of today’s race). Riders will follow part of today’s stage and conquer the Col du Soulour, location of our VIP stage viewing area, and then time-permitting the Col d’Aubisque. Total distance 46.4 kms / 28.8 miles which is mostly climbing. The group will enjoy Spyns’ classic VIP stage viewing with tents, outdoor barbecue, open bar, and live TDF coverage. After the stage, we’ll have a relaxed dinner on the mountain before bus transfer to seaside Biarritz where the group will spend a restful night before heading up to Paris.    

July 28 – Day 5 Biarritz: Stage 20 Individual Time Trial

Two options today: skip the stage and head straight to Paris or enjoy the all-day time trial in nearby Souraïde. Option 1 Skip the Stage: Had enough of the tour? No problem. Join a morning cooking class in scenic Biarritz followed by afternoon train from Biarritz to Paris arriving early evening in the city of lights. Free evening in Paris or join the group for a romantic Seine river cruise. Free night in Paris for dinner. Option 2 Time Trial Stage Viewing: Morning bus transfer to nearby Souraïde, a small Basque village located along the day’s time trail route. Live the all-day individual time trial. In past Tours of France, the final time trial has often determined the race’s winner. Spyns will set up its classic VIP viewing village with unparalleled roadside access to the race course. Again we’ll provide TVs showing live tour coverage, food, and open bar. After the stage, evening train to Paris arriving just before midnight. Nicknamed the “party train,” Spyns will provide both food, drink (and often music) on this fun train trip to Paris.  

July 29 – Day 6 Paris: Stage 21 Paris Finish

Spyns hosts its classic morning bike ride (suitable for all abilities) on the Champs Elysees. Enjoy a fat-tire spin on the Tour de France race course when downtown Paris is closed to traffic. What are fat-tires? These are thicker and slightly deflated tires perfect for riding on the cobblestone streets of Paris. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to bike around the Arc de Triomphe, down the Champs Elysees, and take a few pictures near the finish, all before return ride along the Seine and Eiffel Tower. After a late breakfast, watch the race from the Spyns’ VIP room with open bar, food, and unbeatable balcony views of the race course. Final send off dinner at the Eiffel Tower.

July 30 – Day 7 Paris: Departure

Sleep off the week’s excesses, enjoy a late breakfast, or get in that last bit of shopping before departure. The perfect holiday!