Caen to Cantabria

You will ride through Normandy, the Loire Valley, the ancient Poitou region, Cognac, Dordogne and Gascony before traversing the Pyrenees at St Jean Pied de Port, for centuries the crossing point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago to Compostella. Five days in Spain will end in Santander, in the Cantabria region,  where the ferry return with take you back to where you began two weeks earlier - you may even spot some whales in the Bay of Biscay as you relax on deck. Spectacular scenery is guaranteed!

The ride is graded 'expert' as to ride for 15 days in a row is a big ask for most people - even the pros on the Tour de France don't do this. The route gets more challenging as you ride south with the Spanish section offering some good climbs; however the gradients are mostly shallower than many hills back home and it should be within the grasp of all regular cyclists. For those who like a challenge there is also the opportunity to climb the mighty Col du Tourmalet.

Daily distances range from 41 miles to 80 miles with the great majority being in the 60 - 70 mile range (see daily descriptions for details of individual daily distances). If you have never done a ride like this before the key, as always, is steady progress at your own pace and we will ensure that you are looked after by our support team. As the ride progresses you will find out what routine suits you and adapt your speed or strategy accordingly; we have great experience and one of the most satisfying aspects of the job is helping people to achieve a ride across France successfully. 

Highlights include:
Beautiful lush Normandy and its produce
The Loire Valley and its chateaux
Cognac, an elegant town known the world over
Beautiful unspoilt Gascony
Pau, a civilised town at the gateway to the impressive Pyrenees
Optional Col du Tourmalet ascent
The tranquility of the Pyrenees
Sublime scenery of the Basque country
Sophisticated Santander
Hotels of character & quality
Cruise back at leisure to Portsmouth
Cake & Coffee stops