Bike Basque

 
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Bike Basque is not like the usual training-camps company located in Majorca, Tenerife or in quiet, out of season tourist spots. Bike Basque wants riders to experience the real spirit of the Basque-country through its team, its roads, its landscapes, its cuisine and its feeling of freedom.

Among the many climbs Bike Basque can take you up are some major names like the famous “Jaizkibel” (8.2km at 5.4%) ridden each summer during the World Tour race Classica San-Sebastian, but also some less known like the Alto de Agina (7.2km at 6.5%); the Puerto de Artesiaga (15.1km at 5.1%); the Puerto de Oxtondo (9.3km at 5.1%); or some of the many smaller, local roads which average out at 10% and where it’s quite common to find yourself sharing the road with sheep or horses.

DaRosa bikes can provide bike hire, serving and parts while on your Bike Basque holiday

Many of the climbs start from sea level but with summits under 500m they are rideable all year and in December you can ride up to 1000m under clear blue skies.

With journey times of 1hr40 from London, 1hr50 from Dublin and 2hrs from Stockolm, and with plenty of low-cost airlines to choose from, there are many reasons why it could be your next cycling holiday…

Bike Basque runs three kinds of camps, “racing” for serious and experienced riders, “sportive” for the rider who is attracted to the idea of discovering and visiting the region and “triathlon” for the triathlete.

Located in the village of Sare (officially listed as one of the most beautiful French villages), surrounded by more than 15 climbs, Bike Basque has designed over 30 different routes, with direct access to the training-roads.

Sare, where Bike Basque are based

These cycling-routes are made for all levels, from just 35km to 150km for the tougher ones, they pass through varied routes; quiet, flat, hilly, steep. You’ll easily find exactly what you are looking for. Each ride is presented with its own profile in 3D on Google earth, with the major difficulties, distance, villages and with any dangers highlighted.

The team will assist you from the start, during your training-ride by following you with a support car equipped with spare clothes, wheels, food and drinks. As regular cyclists, Bike Basque’s team knows that empty bottles or a lack of food can very quickly turn a training-ride into a disagreeable moment.

For the triathlete the location is ideal for training, as well as the cycling routes, you can run on the surrounding mountain paths and swimming is taken care of with a lake, a swimming pool (10min away) or in the sea at St Jean de Luz (only 15min).

If you don’t wish to bring your own bike, Bike Basque’s partner DarosaBike hire bikes from top brands Cervelo, Focus or Cube (from €180/week). DarosaBikes can also come directly to Bike Basque’s location in case of mechanical problems or if you need any supplies. DarosaBike’s owner Samuel will solve any problem as quickly as possible. Moreover if Bike Basque and DarosaBike can’t solve an issue with your bike, they will loan you a brand new road-bike until the end of your holiday.

Bike Basque offers all of these services because they know that a stress free mind will allow you to get the most out of your training.

Bike Basque offers a choice of accommodation, all with mountain views. There a large choice of houses or chalets available from 125€ to 500€ per week. All the properties have a kitchen and bathroom with all you might need. There is free and unlimited wifi access for sharing and comparing your performances on “Strava”, and they have the “Velo 64” which means the accommodation has facilities to welcome cyclists (somewhere to wash your bike, a secure area etc).

Once your daily training is done, you could enjoy the fantastic basque cuisine in the numerous restaurants. Duck, “piment d’espelette”, sea-food, “gateau Basques”, are all on the menu and prices are generally low. Bike Basque can also arrange for a local caterer who understands cyclist’s dietary needs to provide your meals.

If you need Bike Basque can also hire you a “GoPro” camera to record your rides for €50/week.

Bike Basque are very flexible and can organise short trips, for small groups or clubs or even running a camp in the east of the Pyrenees, where famous Tour de France’s climbs like the “Tourmalet”, “Aubisque” or “Marie-Blanque” are located.

The Basque-country has been a tourist hot spot for many years. With Biarritz, described as “the new place to be in France” by the New-York times, St Jean de Luz and San Sebastian all less than 25min away by car. There are many places on the coast where you can surf, play golf or dine at one of the numerous Michelin star restaurants along the Basque cost. That is if you have any energy left.

Basque Pelota

Interested? Then visit the BikeBasque website or contact Xavier at x.lopez@bikebasque.co.uk and he will answer all your questions whilst trying to find a camp which best suits you.

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