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@Philbythesea
Two days of Tour de France mountains - Col du Soulor, Col d’Aubisque and Col du Tourmalet.
Last weekend of September.
One day to get there, 2 days cycling, one day to get back.
Travel:
Eurostar London to Paris – The bike is an extra £25/30€ each way on the train. Take your bike as early as you can before your train, it will be sent on one when they are ready, probably not your one, and hopefully it will be waiting there for you at the other end. In Paris Gare du Nord, follow the long path which runs alongside Platform 1, all the way along, out into the open air, carry on a bit further, just after the car exit gate, and collection/drop-off is on your left.
Transit – Cycle from Gare du Nord to Gare Montparnasse (5-6km). Most direct route takes you via Rue de Richelieu, straight through the Louvre. Montparnasse station entrance is behind the tower, you’ll have to carry your bike up the steps to the TGV platforms.
TGV Paris to Lourdes – There are 2 or 3 direct trains per day, you have to book your bike on (for an extra 10-15€) at the time you make your booking, separately for both ways. Can book via SNCF website, or by telephone. Train takes 6 hours. It’s non-stop from Paris to Bordeaux, then stops several times between there and Lourdes. Bikes go in the non-reserved seats section of one carriage, it’s a bit of a pain as your bike will block at least 3 of the 4 flip-down seats along the window, which, if the train is busy, means some people won’t have seats, but that’s why you have to pre-book the space. Alternatively, on the way back, I found an empty, and rack-less,luggage cubicle in the 1st class corridor; remove the front wheel and cable lock it, and the bike, to the padded bar behind (see the pic below). You can probably get two bikes in this way. On the return train, Lourdes is already a few stops down on the route, so even more reason to find the 1st class luggage space, otherwise you might have to dislodge seated passengers, who may or may not be happy to give up their seats for a bike.
Accommodation/Base Camp:
Lourdes is a hilly catholic town. There’s a continuous drip-feed of religious tourists, even off season. Due to all the pilgrims it has the second highest number of hotels per sq km after Paris, so as long as it’s not a religious holiday you’re pretty much sure of somewhere to stay. Some hotels have places to store bikes (we stayed at The Majestic, they have a locked room for bikes next to the reception), and some can even arrange to drive you and your bikes to the mountains. Bars and restaurants along Rue de la Grotte and Place Marcadal.
The Bikes:
50/34 compact chainset, 12-30 cassette (10-speed), low enough for the uphill, spun out on the downhill; mini saddle bag with spare tube, levers and multi-tool; double water bottles and mini-pump on the frame; small bar bag for phone, camera and snacks (and for storing arm and leg warmers). One on clip-less pedals, one not. Both bikes bought off here originally.