Tour of Basque
pie is a cycling events company delivering amazing bespoke bike rides throughout the UK and Europe. We create, develop, manage, operate and deliver fully supported guided group cycling trips for companies, charities and groups of individuals. All to your specific brief.
Straddled across the border of France and Spain on the coast of the Bay of Biscay, this area is home to some of the world’s finest food, pintxos, and innovative buildings such as the Guggenheim Museum
Choice of daily routes
390km /480km total distance
5000m / 6000m ascent
3.5 days guided cycling
Full support crew
Itinerary
Day 1 – 50km & 537m ascent
We fly into Bilbao airport and transfer to our hotel in Pamplona, best known for the Running of the Bulls (Feast of San Femin). You will have a chance to meet the rest of the pie crew over lunch before having a briefing and getting out on your bikes for a few hours in the afternoon, depending on flight times. The warm up loop offers some gentle rolling hills to ease everyone into the first day ride as the route criss-crosses the Camino de Santiago.
Day 2 – Pamplona to San Sebastian: 120km & 1604m ascent / 135km & 2150m ascent
We start the day riding north as we head for the coastal town of San Sebastian. We will be riding on quiet roads as we navigate our way along stunning valleys. There are three named climbs during the day, San Miguel de Aralar, the Zuarrarrate, and the Uitzi. After all the climbing, your reward is a 15km descent into the outskirts of San Sebastian.
Day 3 – San Sebastian to Durango: 124km & 1527m ascent / 137km & 2109m ascent
In the morning we ride downhill into San Sebastian passed the bull ring, the old town and the beautiful Bahia de la Concha. Unfortunately, what goes down, must go up, and that up is 6 hairpins which take you to the top of Monte Igueldo. The climbing continues for several kilometres as we follow the coastline which offers spectacular views out across the Bay of Biscay and takes in routes from the 2018 Vuelta a España, Tour of Basque and San Sebastian Classic.
Day 4 – Durango to Bilbao: 124km & 1527m ascent / 137km & 2109m ascent
Setting off from Durango we head to our final destination in Bilbao, via Guernika. This truly is the heart of the Basque Country where the battle for independence was once fought and the area bears the scars of war. We tackle two of the most famous climbs in the area, Puerto de Urkiola and Balcon de Bizkaia, before riding past the Guggenheim Museum to the finish hotel to celebrate everyone’s achievements.
Day 5 – A chance to relax after the trip
Today is a free day to enjoy all the historic port city of Bilbao before your return flight back to the UK.