LAURENT FIGNON CENTER: Climbing up the giant...cycling workshops, training center in France

Climbing up the giantClimbing up the giant

In 1999, Jean-Marie Leblanc, director of the Tour de France at the time and Conseil General of the High Pyrenees had a statue of a cyclist placed at the summit of the Tourmalet. The object of this statue is to represent all the amateur and professional cyclists that have climbed this mythic pass.

”The Giant” being open to winter conditions requested refuge at the Laurent Fignon center and for this reason for the last eight years the Conseil General and since this year the Laurent Fignon center organizes the transfer of the statue(The Giant) when the good weather approaches in the first week in June back to the summit so he can regain his freedom during the summer months. The Laurent Fignon center would like to invite you to join the statue make his way back to his rightful place, you won’t be taking part in a race but a big celebration of cyclists.

PROGRAM 2008 :
From June 4th to 8th
(from Wednesday 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 2:00 p.m.)

Arrival Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m. Visit and background story of the center.
7:00 p.m. Briefing and presentation of the course.
7:30 p.m. Welcome drink.
8:00 p.m. Dinner.
Thursday
9:00 a.m./10:00 a.m. Departure for the 1st day ride.A 60 to 90 km ride in the Pyrenees with
varied levels in preparation for the climb with the Giant.
1:00 p.m. Arrival back from the ride, debriefing, shower, relaxation.
1:30 p.m. Buffet Lunch. Afternoon free, various activities possible: visit local heritage, balneotherapy, visit of local farms and countryside. Every afternoon the trainers work on the maintenance of the bicycles.
7:00 p.m. Briefing, assessment of the day’s ride, video, concept of training, presentation of next
day’s ride.
8:00 p.m. Dinner
Friday
9:00 a.m./10:a.m. Departure for the 2nd day ride. A 60 to 90 km ride in the Pyrenees with
techniques for climbing passes in an area with “mini passes”.
1:00 p.m. Arrival back from ride, debriefing, stretching, shower, relaxation.
1:30 p.m. Buffet Lunch. Afternoon free ,various activities possible: visit local heritage, balneotherapy, local farms and countryside to discover. Every afternoon the trainers work on the maintenance of the bicycles.
6:00 p.m. stretching.
7:00 p.m. Briefing, assessment of the day’s ride, dietary advice, technique for climbing high
mountain passes, presentation of next day’s ride.
8:00 p.m. Dinner.
Saturday
9:00 a.m./10:00 a.m. Departure for the 3rd day ride. “Giant Climb” to the Tourmalet.
1:00 p.m. Arrival back from the ride, debriefing, shower, relaxation.
1:30 p.m. Buffet Lunch. Afternoon free with various activities possible: visit local heritage, balneotherapy, local farms and countryside to discover. Every afternoon the trainers work on the maintenance of the bicycles.
7:00 p.m. Assesment of course, distribution of files.
8:00 p.m. Dinner.
Sunday
Departure for the 4th day ride. Recovery route of 50 to 60 kms.
11:00 a.m. Debriefing.
11:45 a.m. Farewell drink.
12:15 p.m. Buffet Lunch.
2:00 p.m. End of course.

[ BOOKING ]

PRICE : 599€

The price includes :

- Twin room accommodation on sharing basis.
- Single room supplement 128 €.
- 4 nights half board (sports breakfast, drinks included).
- 1 welcome and I farewell drink.
- 1 Souvenir of the Laurent FIGNON center
- 4 Buffet lunches.
- 1 Opening meeting and 1 closing meeting.
- 3 Group meetings.
- 4 rides with techniques for climbing high mountain passes.
- 3 Cycle maintenance sessions.
- 1 Stretching session (new for 2008).
- Dietary recommendations (new for 2008).
- Verification of riding position (new for 2008).
- Free access to Hotel Spa and Sauna.
- Cancellation insurance.

Price for accompanying non-participant :

345€ per person includes half pension, (breakfast and dinner with athletic menus) plus 1 lunch on Sunday at the "Briques et Marronniers" restaurant; also includes cancellation insurance.
(This price does not include visitor's tax: 1.10 € per person/day to be paid at the hotel).

Reservation :

The reservation will be confirmed when a 50% deposit of the total cost of the course is received.

Balance :

Must be paid one month prior to the beginning of the course.

Conditions of cancellation :

1. Between the payment of the deposit and 21 days before the beginning of the course the
LAURENT FIGNON center will keep 75%of the total price of the course.
2. Between the payment of the deposit and 15 days before the beginning of the course the
LAURENT FIGNON center will keep 100% of the total price of the course.

The LAURENT FIGNON center cannot be held responsible for technical or climatic problems.