Cycling

We are a cycle friendly hotel and the area is a paradise for cyclists, with fantastic uncrowded roads, superb views of the mountains. The Tour de France often passes close by (in 2006 it passed right by the bottom of our drive) and there is easy access to both plains and mountain routes. There are also lots of off road routes for mountain bikes, including the famous Way of Saint James (El Camino de Santiago de Compostela) that runs along the foothills of the Pyrenees and crosses the department of Ariège from Mirepoix to the Col du Portet d'Aspet in the direction of Saint-Bertand-de-Comminges.

We offer excellent accommodation for cyclists as bikes can be stored securely, we offer a kit cleaning service and can provide high carbohydate meals by advance booking. We can also organise cycle hire (both road bikes and mountain bikes).

Guided Cycling available

CYCLING FOR BEGINNERS

For guests at Balestié who would like to try some cycling but perhaps lack the confidence, why not have a trial session with our guide in a protected, flat, off-road environment. Bikes provided.

DAY ROUTES

Staying at Balestié and being an experienced cyclist looking for a fun and rewarding day, let our guide take you on a route showing you some of the best scenery the Ariege has to offer. Bikes provided.

GROUP WEEKS
(Discounts available - contact us for details)

Bring your club or just a bunch of friends and take over our Auberge for your enjoyment. Facilities provided include local guides, safe bike store, kit washing, good food, local transport and massage provision. Other activities are available for non cycling partners. You can choose from the following packages or design your own.

Ariege and Aude Explorer - Spend a week based at Balestie and experience a different ride every day. Various distances and amounts of ascent catered for.
Tour de France Challenge - Test yourself against some of the famous Pyreneen cols with guide/support provided.
Training Camp - For cycling and triathlon clubs, take the Ariege Challenge, a week of seriously demanding riding.
Ariegeois Cyclosportive 2011 - Come for a weeks training to prepare for one of the biggest (and toughest) amateur cycling events in France.