Contador in the yellow jersey with the pelaton behind

The Tour de France stages for 2011 have been announced and once again the Tour is passing through Laruns – just over the French border from us. It’s a fabulous experience to see the riders and on the 15th July we’ll run an excursion to see the Tour for all Hike Pyrenees guests.

Why not combine a trip to see the Tour with your walking holiday?Two of our guests (Ron & Ann) got me interested in the Tour a couple of years ago and since then I’ve followed it avidly. Last year I went to see the race for the first time and had a great day. The stage was down from the Col d’Aubisque to Pau and I set up position on a hairpin bend at the bottom of the descent. It’s slightly baffling as a sporting experience as you spend quite a lot of time waiting and then a frantic half an hour or so of action!

One of the leading riders on the descent

Before the riders come througha bizare collection of promotional vehicles pass by. Then comes the real action as the riders absolutely zoom pass. Their speed around the tight hairpin bend was incredible. The field was split into about half a dozen groups when it passed. Lance Armstrong was in the lead group of riders but by then the race was all about Contador and Shleck. They passed shortly after in the same group and Contador looked to have the race well under control to the delight of the huge crowd of Spaniards that had gathered to cheer him on.

Hike Pyrenees excursion to see the Tour
On Friday 15th July Stage 13 of the 2011 Tour will pass by Laruns again. This time the route is in reverse and we’ll be at the start of the climb as the riders jockey for position. They’ll also be going a little more slowly so we’ll have more time to see them!

Hike Pyrenees will be running an optional excursion to see the Tour so with Team Sky and the British riders expecting to do well next year why not come and cheer them on. The Tour corresponds to our Peaks & Passes walking holiday on the 10-17 July and we’ll move the rest day to the Friday so you don’t miss a days walking.

View information about the stage on the official Tour de France site.

One of the many strange promotional vehicles that proceed the riders