[Closed] Pyrenees riding options?

AQR is excellent, ticks all your boxes except the "drinks included" one though you'll get wine with dinner, and it's not heavy on the uplift although they do a "downhill day" in the week and may be flexible about adding more. You're right in Luchon so there are a decent assortment of bars and restaurants.

wrecker,

I have friends in Pau, so I ride MTB and road with them in September (a good month usually, dry and warm, not baking hot).
MTB is not anywhere near as developed as the Alps, so we do the lower boulder-moraine hills south of Pau and Lourdes.
Plenty of road riding including some awesome passes.

Bottom line is pay for guided riding or go to the Alps.

PaulD

Just back from a couple of days riding with Ian and Ang at Altitude Adventures. Great riding and really good set-up, should tick all your boxes. Not loads of uplift though, they have an "earn your descents" policy - check it out on their site and have a chat with Ian.

Alternatively, there are plenty of places in the Alps to ride where you won't see another bike all week... 😉

The Alps around Morzine/Les Gets and the Pyrenees are very different places. I lived in one and have a mate with a holiday company in the other. Morzine has lots more lift access and bike parks with access to Chatel, Morgins, Champery, Torgon, and of course Les Gets. The Pyrenees, certainly around Luchon are not served such an extensive lift system. Also, finding your way around Morzine etc would be fairly easy as you can follow the crowd or team up with other riders in whichever village you are staying. For the Pyrenees take a look at "A Quick Release" and for the Alps, select your host town (I'd rather have Chatel, but Morzine fans will scream) organise a hotel which will be easy as a huge number are either Brit run or speak English, and get yourself a transfer sorted out from Geneva which is served by Easy Jet. Finally, don't take a full on DH rig to the Pyrenees as you'll almost certainly have to do some climbing, whereas in Morzine a single chainring will be fine unless you really want to get some XC in.

I only did a day's guided riding with AQR in Bagneres de Luchon, so I don't know about the accommodation, but it looked nice and we ate with them which was really good. The riding was also great and Ian and Kate were very friendly and helpful - my GF got loads of skills coaching which really helped her.

We were on a road trip so didn't stick around for too long, but I really liked Luchon - I could have happily spent a week or two there. It's not a traditional old alpine style place but it just feels like a nice French spa town with loads going on - whereas most Alps ski resorts are a bit weird/dead in summer IME. If you want a break from biking there's loads of great walking, plus paragliding, rafting, climbing etc - we did a brilliant walk up over to the Spanish border where you get an amazing view into the Spanish Pyrenees. The scenery is maybe not as dramatic as the Alps but it's still very pretty and impressive especially once you get up a bit higher.

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/grum_wynne/6097530821/ ]Pyrenees Road Trip-14[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/grum_wynne/ ]Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

We never got round to using the cable car uplift/DH stuff in Luchon as the day we had planned to do it there was a big thunderstorm.

We only did bike park stuff in Andorra, at Vallnord and Grandvalira - of the two I think I preferred Grandvalira, though both had some really nice bits. The Maxiavalanche track is good fun at Vallnord and then you can take Route 66 all the way back down to the valley which makes a pretty long descent - very steep in places! Some of the trails are pretty braking-bump-tastic at times though.

Here's a few pics from around Luchon

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/grum_wynne/6097529351/ ]Pyrenees Road Trip-12[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/grum_wynne/ ]Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/grum_wynne/6098085558/ ]Pyrenees Road Trip-21[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/grum_wynne/ ]Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/grum_wynne/6097539625/ ]Pyrenees Road Trip-20[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/grum_wynne/ ]Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/grum_wynne/6098075186/ ]Pyrenees Road Trip-13[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/grum_wynne/ ]Grum Wynne[/url], on Flickr

Don't really have any good biking ones I'm afraid.

You've been given some great advice here wrecker, but paulD's comment is worth it's weight in gold. In the Alps you'll find a ton of stuff yourself which you'll have to share with a lot of riders. In the Pyrenees you'll need guiding to find your way around. Also, do you notice how many posters have mentioned AQR in Luchon? Ian and Kate are obviously doing something right....

In the Alps you'll find a ton of stuff yourself which you'll have to share with a lot of riders. In the Pyrenees you'll need guiding to find your way around.

Not quite true - there is a reasonable amount of waymarked DH and XC stuff in Luchon and Andorra. I still reckon it's definitely worth getting guiding in Luchon though.

Another recommendation for altitude adventure. Best riding ive ever done. Food (and drink) just superb and Ian and Ange are top hosts and seriously good guides / riders.

AQR.

We rode woth them for about 4 days in erm....2005. Blimey long time ago! Can't comment on the hotel, other than it looked good as we camped. The provided lunch baguettes were good, and Ian and Kate, IME work really well together as a team, we found them completely different characters but got on with both of them great. We did a skills coaching kind of day with Ian, which was really good too. They were mostly riding cotic souls bck then with Ian, on I think, a prototype of the soda, which says how long ago it was. Blimey.

Loads of great advice, personally I prefer the pryenees loads more than the alps, more natural riding you really do have to do some climbing, quiter, dramatic in a more varied and open way, friendlier but of the places we have visited

Luchon, great base for road climbs and descents AQR are great, helpful and considerate, recommended.Last time we stayed half way up perysoude so everything ended in a climb.

MT Canigou, just fab undiscovered area, there is a company up the valley (adrenaline adventures) but we managed fine with vtt routes and recommendations for local riders we met in a bar...very friendly club in the area as well. We stayed down the road from Prades near Eus.

Biarritz area, I cycled in Hondribba 15 yrs ago and it was good but I presume better now with the BasqueMTB company. Cyled in the same area but closer to the mountains ST Jean Pied and it was good but not my favourite area.

Ax Les THermes and Foix, good very good riding.

THis year we did some walking in the Tech Valley and I would be intrested in that as a venue, Prats de Mollo.

Enjoy

Yes, apologies grum (and wrecker) I was trying to emphasise the massive ammount of marked stuff around Morzine where I lived and assumed there wouldn't be as much in Luchon where I haven't! I would agree with another posting that there's a world of riding in Alps away from the bike parks, but you need guiding to find that too. Also your bike will have bearing on choice. I owned several bikes over 10 years living in Chatel and if I went back tomorrow I'd want to take a 5" travel bike with 140/150 forks and a double chainset. This is because I'd want to explore and not hang round bike parks all the time waiting in lift queues.

Thanks for all of the advice (and the pics grum)
A little confusing as I stated in the OP that we want guiding and I get recommendations to get a guide!
I'll have a look at AQR. Mart, we'll be taking bikes pretty much exactly what you described.
while we're not adverse to some climbing we don't want to have to climb everything that we descend so that we can make the most of the riding. We were hoping for some van uplifts etc. Is the Pyrenees the wrong place for this?
oh, and not remotely interested in riding on roads sorry.

Another vote for AQR... It was ride up and down for us, just what these big all mountain bikes everyone has these days were designed for, and some absolutely[i] superb[/i] riding. And I can say for sure we couldn't have found a tenth of it- even if we'd had maps to where the trails are most would still need guides to chain them together.

Also Russ the chef is a genius 😉

I got in one day's uplift on the day off, which was excellent- actually, scratch that, superb- but still 5/6 inch territory not dh bike time. Like Innerleithen's Deerstalker, except it went on [i]forever[/i]. Lovely. But I gather Superbagneres has a lot more riding up there than I saw.

I'd go back like a shot...

It's amazing how quickly you can get "off message" wrecker, and I applaud your honesty in pointing that out! Thinking about your last post it seems fair to say that if you are paying to be guided then you don't need to be in a place that is largely self explanatory like Les Gets. Another couple of things you might be interested in, firstly AQR run weekends in the UK where you can meet some of the people involved with the company and find out more about the holidays. Ian and Kate don't always guide them, but have UK pals that have worked with them, or are connected via AQR and Cotic. There is also a new company out there running a two centre week based in Finale Ligure and Lake Garda run by Trevor Worsey called Summitdown Mountain Biking. I'm thinking about trying them this summer as I fancy pizza and Perroni on the beach at the end of my ride instead of 1664 and fondue.

In Luchon saw uplift vans not sure whose but the internet will be your friend, Luchon is a thermal spa town good for a beer and so but not Morzine, road climbing on a 33 lbs 6 inch full suss is one for the soul and my best cycling memories nvolve the port de bales, upto superbagneres and down and pereysoude onceup there it is a long long windy way down

Speak to Martin at Singletrack Safari, he knows Andorra inside out and will tailor something to your requirements. Can't recommend either highly enough.....Andorra is an untapped treasure, both natural trails and bike parks are awesome.

AQR did mention "easy XC" and van uplifts and the like but in the event, it was all ride-up-ride-down. We used the van one day just to get to another trail but still rode up the hill. No problem, and most of the climbs were either pretty, interesting, or sufficiently ****ing horrible to make them something you tell your mates about... but if you're expecting uplifts do check first, I got the impression they would have offered it for a smaller group.

You mention Basque MTB and we have just come back from there. All had a good time. Long weekend but fitted in 5 days riding. 3 full days and 2 half days to fit with flights. Also pre arranged some extra uplift. Have done a few holidays and know the other end of Pyrenees very well (Canigou and Alberres). Difference for me with Basque region was variety of terrain. Very well looked after and as a consequence we will probably go back for another go next year. Hondarribia is a good place to stay.

Been to the Pyrenees twice.

Both times in late Sept so the only lifts open were in Luchon.

First I'd like to say that my experience of VTT routes is French style marking (not very clear), compared to UK (trail centres). Also they are very Old School mountain biking. Big climbs or not very exciting.

VTT's I have done are the 3 on the peak opposite the Ax les Thermes ski area & the black and red stuff near Varihles (north of Foix).

This year me and my bro in law climbed up the green ski descent at Ax and rode down a Blue, very rooty, fun singletrack descent to the bottom. If this blue is anything to go by then the rest of the routes should be mint if the lifts
are open.

We also had an afternoon at Luchon on the lifts. The blues there (other than the start of 17) are just fireroads but 14 and 16 are red and are worth the ticket alone. There is lots of off piste action to be had. Marking is crap but if you stay a week you'll work it all out.

My mate and his missus had a day or two with AQR in Sept and it was worth it for the riding tips. They give a massive thumbs up for Kate & Ian. The best stuff in the Pyrenees is not VTT, a guide is essential for good XC.

The rest is my notes, hope it helps,

Pyrenees  mountain biking

Ax les 

Good rooty singletrack on the blues with the odd wooden ramp or drop. Defo Red grade with lots of off camber. Didn't try the reds.

Lift closed from first weekend in Sept

Blue (not Bonsacre) is good fun. Rooty & techy. Only thing we rode as we had to cycle up. Blue splits in places, but not sure if it merges again or different routes completely.

Luchon

Blues are very dull apart from top of 17/18 which is easily followed rather than top of 16 which is a mystery!

18 starts well till it hits the fireroad. Do not follow it to the end.

16 hard to find start so use 18 till fireroad then take 16 or 14

14 starts across meadows then probably follows the chairlift down the open meadow to fire road. We took a more interesting route down then turned left on the traversing fireroad on 18 till the chairlift, then 14 to town.

The lower sections of both 14 & 16 are both very different but each is superb. If you are expecting British man made super buff singletrack then look elsewhere.  The trails are completely natural with the only berms being created by bike tyres or bankings. You need to learn to ride ruts real quick!

Lower 16 starts with some wide, loose, rocky fast stuff then lots of off camber/rooty trail with loads of singletrack & plenty of testing mud & limestone. It drops you off neatly just above the lift.

Lower 14 starts off in a very wet river bed where as usual the grippiest line is the wettest...
You will need to keep your eyes peeled to spot all the turn offs as the French are particularly crap at signposts!!
By the end of 14 you will have ridden nearly every kind of surface known to man, you will be plastered in mud and will have a mile wide grin 🙂

The hill around 14 above the fireroad is covered in off piste action. You would no doubt need a fortnight or a willing local to unlock that lot. You would have no idea what you were getting yourself into until it was too late.

From memory from an earlier trip the black KBourre (KB) is the place to learn very tight switchbacks with the odd completely unrideable corner. I remember it as singletrack on a very steep hillside.

Once your arms are like jelly go treat yourself to a Kronenberg Blanche at the ??

I used an 09 Wolf Ridge with 36's. The Bro in Law used a Cube Stereo Pro with 36's & the missus rode most of 16 on her faithful old 04 Slayer.

VTT is old school riding. Much better off seeking out ridgelines and footpaths in local woods or hooking up with a guide.

Cannot comment on any of the guiding outfits but if it is done right, the company that operates in andorra (singletrack safari) has the biggest potential IMO. Good bike parks, awesome off piste within the valnord bikepark area, and some great trails that would have benefited from an uplift. They seemed to be based in Ordino (a town just up the road from the valnord lift) and I kept seeing the van all over so I guess you would get to see a bit of the area.

Thanks ianv, I've checked their site and the lunches, evening meals and uplifts are all extra (no price specified).
I think I've sacked off the whole pyrenees idea. The only flights are out of london as well.
I think it's now between rivierabike (Liguria), joyrders (Andalucia) and the white room (St Foy). AQR and altitude adventures would have been in the running but Toulon and Perpignan aren't the easiest places to get to.
Anyone have experiences of the above?

of your list there I can highly recommend the White Room. Been there several times now and will be going back as long as they'll have me. St Foy is FAR from busy on the trails, and they're great too.

done some spanish riding at the costa brava end of the pyrenees, but unguided/uplifted. Nice too, but the Alps are closer!

i wrecked myself on the first day of a pyrenees trip staying at altitude adventure, but from what i saw of the riding out there & ian & ange's setup i'd highly recommend it. they've got extensive local knowledge and drive you to the start points, usually halfway up a mountain then either ride back to the same place or collect you elsewhere - it works really well by all accounts.

accommodation & food get a big thumbs up. need to go back - have unfinished business out there!

The White Room is superb! Great food and the trails are amazing. We spent the last week of a 3 week Alps trip with them this summer. It was our third stay with them. We always do the Backcountry weeks as they offer the best value and you get to really explore some seldom ridden singletrack. Can't recommend them enough.

Another recommendation for the White Room. We went this year and it sounds like just what you're looking for.

We rarely saw other bikers off the main tracks in Les Arcs and climbing was pretty minimal.

Brilliant riding as well, which helps of course.

Drinking is cheap in the Basque country, if that's the main thing putting you off. You can get flights from Manchester to Bilbao, that might be easier for you.

No beer costs are not the main motivator.
Having looked, Basque MTB just doesnt look great value compared to other options being high priced and not including lunch, dinner, drinks or uplifts. Flights only from Gatwick too. The place looks nice though and doug seems like a good chap.

Easyjet fly from Manchester and Stansted to Bilbao. Gatwick is just to Biarritz.

And its Tolouse not Toulon for the eastern pyranees. There is also Carcasonne for flights.

Wrecker, thanks for your comments, it's great to get feedback. Our prices just reflect the cost of accommodation and the area. You are based just outside San Sebastian, one of the most expensive (and coolest) cities in Europe. The accommodation is very high spec, something most people comment on when they get here, and you are right in the middle of town and a short walk from the beach. Eating and drinking out is one of the other main attractions of the area, hence why we chose to let people do it themselves rather than include food.
Add to that the fact that we run with small groups, average about 4 per week, maybe up to a maximum of 6/7 next year with 2 guides. If you book as part of a small group then we won't mix you with another group either. I definitely don't think we are overpriced for what we offer, our profit margin is very slim and if you were to do it yourself in the area you would struggle to get transfers / accommodation for what I'm charging for the whole holiday. Whether that's important or not depends on what you're looking for in a holiday of course.

We do include partial uplift by the way. I take the van up to about 300-500m and we ride from there. It's not full uplift, although we can offer some days like that if people want. I personally don't think full uplift is the best way to see the area though.

Having said that, we can offer different types of holidays for people who don't want to stay in a such high spec accommodation. I think it's on the website but not very clearly. If you would like a quote for a holiday using different accommodation then give me a shout, it's easier / cheaper if you are part of a small group and come outside of August but we can offer you some options.

For the flights. There are other choices. You can go RyanAir from Manchester, although the flights aren't available yet. You can also fly from London City, Stanstead and Bristol I think.

Hope that helps and sorry to butt into the thread.

EDIT: I hope that doesn't come across as either an advetorial or overly defensive. It's not meant to be either!

Thank you doug. Your post doesn't seem defensive at all to me.
I did not intend to sound critical of your services, apologies if it came across that way. Basquemtb was my first thought when we decided to go away but some of the guys are on a tight budget and this, coupled with no flights from Bristol (that I know of) did for my idea. I have no doubt that what you offer is great value for the area and that we'd enjoy it very much, I've also enjoyed the clips and pics you and others have posted previously.
Maybe another year when belts aren't so tight we can come over.

Thanks Wrecker. It didn't come across like that at all, at least not to me. Feedback is great and gratefully received. Give me a shout any time.