Cycling tour in France; Basque Country Cycling Camp; Bike Camp; MTB tour

Discovering Pyrenean Mountain

On the roads of the Tour 2008 stages

Discover the Pyrenean Climbs and
prepare cyclosportive summer

Dates: from the 21 to June 27, 2008

Ride on a tour of legend

1^st Day: Arrival and settling in the hotel. Information meeting of the week.

2^nd Day: The Stage of the Tour 2008 (1/2) / Distance 80km / Difficulty: Coast of Labatmale.

We start gently with the exploration of the 1st half of the Stage of the Tour 2008. After having left the city of Henri IV, direction Bigorre and the Pyrenean foot hills. Analyze strategy to be adopted and traps to be avoided.

3^rd Day: The Bigourdine roads / Distance 140km / Difficulties: Cols of Aspin and Azet.
This 2nd stage we enter the sharp one of the subject: the management of the rise of a climb and its physical potential throughout an exit in mountain. The cols of Aspin and Azet are favourable with a first contact with the high mountain.

4^th Day: The Stage of the Tour (2/2) / Distance 100km / Difficulties: Cols of Tourmalet and Hautacam.
This day corresponds to the main course of the stage of the Tour 2008 with the climb of mythical Tourmalet before tackling the frightening slopes of Hautacam. A technical analysis of the 2 cols will be carried out before the natural test size.

5^th Day: Cols of legend / Distance 95km / Difficulties: Cols of Soulor, Aubisque and Marie Blanque.
Back towards Béarn and the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, climbing 3 of the most famous cols of the zone which are very regularly taken by the racers of the Tour de France.

6^th Day: The canton of Oloron / Distance 105km / Difficulty: Col of Soudet
Located at the foot of the mountain, the city of the famous chocolates "the Pyrenean ones" proposes many mountain roads among which the majestic Col of Soudet.

7^th Day: Pyrenean Piedmont / Distance 70km / Difficulty: Coast of Lasseube
This stage of end of stay is the occasion to benefit from the charm bucolic of the small valleys of Béarn which will carry out us towards the capital paloise.

OFFER
- 6 nights accommodation in double rooms in hotel ** or *** in half-board from the dinner of the 1st day to the lunch of the 7th day.
- The picnics, when necessary for the stage.
- Accompaniment by a qualified leader.
- The assistance car and the transfer of the luggage.
- The free transfer to the Station or Airport of Pau.

PRICE
The stay from 690 € / person (base double room)

Handing-over groups: please consult us.

Information and Reservations:
Velo Passion Pays Basque
19 Hameau de l'Océan
64210 BIDART
FRANCE
Contact: Nicolas
Tel/Fax: 0033 559 547 845
Portable: 0033 688 811 647
e-mail: velopassion.pb@free.fr

Discovering Navarra

In the path of Miguel Indurain

Discover the richnesses and mysteries
of the area of the giant of Navarre

Dates: from the 8 to June 14, 2008

Itinerant circuit between low and high Navarre

1^st Day: Arrival and settling in the hôtel in Saint Jean Pied de Port. Information meeting of the week.

2^nd Day: A travers la Soule / Distance 102 km / Difficulties: 3 climbs including one except category.

Starting carefully with the crossing of Soule and the climbing of the Col of Osquich before crossing the Pyrenean border by the Port of Larrau or the Col of Soudet. Descent to the heart of the Sierra of Abodi, and arrival in Issaba.

3^rd Day: 100 landscapes / Distance 97 km / Difficulties: 2 climbs of medium mountains. Descent along the valley del Roncal, change of decoration during the climbs of Puerto of the Coronas and Bigüezal. Take in the color of the Lake Yesa before entering the kingdom of Javier, Saint of Navarre.

4^th Day: The Navarrese Desert / Distance 115 km / Difficulties: Gone up in Ujué
In the middle of the Zona Media, the roads become easier and the climate is drier. Each passing through a village is the occasion to travel back to the Middle Ages, an important age for the region. It is also a wine-growing area, you will appreciate the "Tinto" and the "Rosado" wine of Navarra.

5^th Day: Pamplona the city of Hemingway / Distance 78km / Difficulties: 2 climbs of medium mountains.
The climb towards the capital of Navarre will pass by the pretty medieval village of Puente Reina, where the Paths of Saint-Jacob de Compostelle meet.

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6^th Day: The road of Miguel / Distance 109km / Difficulties: 1 climb of medium mountain.
You leave Pampelune, passing through Villaba,the village of the victorious quintuple winner of the Tour de France. We will take one of the Indurain’s favourite roads before rejoining the Aduldes Valley.

7^th Day: The Forest of Iraty / Distance 55km / Difficulties: Climb of Bagargui
The smallest stage of the stay will not be the easiest, the courageous ones which will face the slopes of the Col of Bagargui will be rewarded by the exceptional beauty for the forest for Iraty. Those which wish to finish more carefully, will roll in the heart of low-navarre.

OFFER
- 6 nights housing double room in hotel ** or *** in half-board from the dinner of the 1st day to the lunch of the 7th day.
- The picnic during stages.
- Accompaniment by a qualified leader .
- The assistance car and the transfer of the luggage.
- The free transfer from the Station or Airport of Biarritz to Saint Jean Pied de Port.

PRICE

The stay from 690 € / person (bases double room)

Handing-over groups: consult us.

Information and Reservations:
Velo Passion Pays Basque
19 Hameau de l'Océan
64210 BIDART
FRANCE
Contact: Nicolas
Tel/Fax: 0033 559 547 845
Portable: 0033 688 811 647
e-mail: velopassion.pb@free.fr

Cycling Camp in Basque Country

Vélo Passion Pays Basque and the holidays center Azureva Anglet accomodate you for your cycling camp in the Basque Country.

Choose between our 2 formulas:

THE SPORTING CAMP
You prepare tests (cyclosportives, competitions...) and wish to ride with a group of people involved to perfect your condition.

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THE LEISURE CAMP
You ride for the pleasure without search for performance and wish to integrate a group of enthusiast people to discover our splendid area.

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ORGANIZATION OF THE CAMPS

After a first tour of evaluation you will choose in dialogue with our monitors, the group which corresponds best to your physical condition and your waitings. Each group is limited to 15 cyclists for one leader. A pause lunch is ensured during the longest trips (more than 120 km).

In order to answer all the requirements of a cycling camp, we prepared you tours with the suitable characteristics (roads, profile...).

THE CIRCUITS

The south of the Landes and its completely plane roads allow you to accumulate kilometers without any difficulty, whether it is for a recovery carefully or a recovery training;

The interior of the Basque Country and its coasts are particularly favourable to intensive trainings. The return to the taste for the effort is guaranteed;

The mountains on the border and their frightening climbs such as famous Jaizkibel which overhangs the Atlantic Ocean wait you. It is the ideal play-ground to test your talents of climber. Various lengths and percentages, they make it possible each one to take pleasure and to progress regularly.

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THE PROGRAM

Saturday afternoon is devoted to the reception of the trainees with a presentation of the week and a welcome drink. After the first circuit of evaluation on Sunday of approximately 80 kilometers, we will propose 4 other circuits to you (between 60 to 130 kilometers) that you will carry out with the group of your level. Each one will find its pleasure, whether it is in the effort or the discovery of the area. One day of rest will enable you to reload your batteries and to benefit from the additional activities and the beauty of the Coast.

AN AREA OF PLEASURES

Beyond the practice of cycling, our cycling camps are mainly a whole week of holidays and pleasures for the participants and their accompaniment. For that, we will guide you in your moments of relaxation and leisures so that you benefit as much as possible from the idyllic surroundings of the Basque Coast .

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BETWEEN SEA & MOUNTAIN, MAGIC OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY

OFFER TRAINEE

- Lodging in complete pension, 8 days/7nights, from the dinner of the day of arrival to the breakfast of the departure day, in double room (or single with supplement) at the Azureva holidays center Anglet.
- the cycling tours supervised by your leader making you discover the charms of the area on varied and adapted roads.
- an assistance vehicle transporting drinks, supply and your personal effects.

- a mechanical assistance after the riding trips.
- bicycles parked in full safety.
- insurances of the organizer.
- an entry to the space Lagoon of the center Atlanthal thalassotherapy.
- One stroll to discover Bayonne with MTB.

In option:
- Care of recovery: massages, thalassotherapy...
- Study postural Cyfac.
- Visit and initiation on the track of the covered cycle-racing track of Anoeta...

OFFER GUIDE
- Lodging in complete pension, 8 days/7nights at the Azureva holidays center Anglet.
- An entry to the space Lagoon of the center Atlanthal thalassotherapy.
- One stroll to discover Bayonne with MTB.

Additional activities:
- Walking tours: stroll on the coast or in mountain.
- Excursions: Saint Jean Pied de Port, the Basque villages, the Ventas of the Ibardin Col...
- Visit of the seaside resorts: Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz, Saint Sebastien...
- Thalassotherapy, Golf, Surfing...

THE CALENDAR 2008

- Camp N°1: 16/02/08 to the 23/02/08     - Camp N°6: 12/04/08 to the 19/04/08

- Camp N°2: 23/02/08 to the 01/03/08     - Camp N°7: 26/04/08 to the 03/05/08

- Camp N°3: 01/03/08 to the 08/03/08     - Camp N°8: 24/05/08 to the 31/05/08

- Camp N°4: 22/03/08 to the 29/03/08     - Camp N°9: 13/09/08 to the 20/09/08

- Camp N°5: 05/04/08 to the 12/04/08     - Camp N°10: 27/09/08 to the 04/10/08

YOUR HOLIDAYS CENTER AZUREVA ANGLET

Located on the Basque Coast in the seaside resort Anglet, the center Azureva Anglet, selected by ourselves for its qualities, offers beaches (300 m. away) and shops (800 m.).

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This 2 stars centre has 135 small rooms on 3 levels, noncommunicating. They are equipped with 2 individual beds, bathroom and have a balcony.

Food:
- Self-service store for the breakfast.
- Lunch with dresser of entries. Main course served on your plate.
- Dinner with hot entries or soups. Main course served on your plate.

Two menus with the choice. You will taste famous Bayonne ham, basquaise chicken, ewe cheese, the Basque cake... or choose a sporting menu.

Many services are offered to you.

- Garage with protected bicycles and machine workshop,
- weekly Program of excursions or inner ludic and sporting animations.
- the bar of the holidays village,
- 2 courts of tennis, 1 ground for bowls game, exterior plays for children...
- 3 rooms of television, 1 table-tennis table, baby-foot, parlour games, library, possibility of connection Internet.
- Billeterie with cheap prices for space given inside the Atlanthal institute, the Basque ball, the museum of the sea and other sites and museums.
- 1 wash-house with washing machine, dryer, and 1 room of sharpening,
- loan of material (laundry iron, heating feeding-bottles, hair drier, tennis and table tennis rackets, balls for bowls games, balloons...) with guarantee.

PRICES
Your cycling camp from 419 € / person for the trainees and 299 € / persone for the guide.

Handing-over groups:
- 5% starting from 10 cyclists
- 10% starting from 20 cyclists

Other formulas (dates, duration of the stay...) can be studied according to your request and our possibilities.

Information and Reservations:
Velo Passion Pays Basque
19 Hameau de l'Océan
64210 BIDART
FRANCE
Contact: Nicolas
Tel/Fax: 0033 559 547 845
Portable: 0033 688 811 647
e-mail: velopassion.pb@free.fr

Teenagers Summer Camp

Cycling camp reserved exclusively to the young people from 13 to 17 years in an environment 100% bicycle!

ORGANIZATION OF THE CAMPS

After a first circuit of evaluation Monday afternoon, our monitors will divide the group in 2 levels if necessary. Each cycling camp is limited to 12 young people for 2 leaders and an assistance car.
The mornings are devoted to the bike training and the afternoon to the play activities. During the various circuits, the trainees will discover the small transborder passes in the zone of Vera de Bidasoa. The cycling camp is concluded by an individual CLM on the climb of Lizuniaga

In order to answer all the requirements of a cycling camp for young people, our monitors programmed circuits with the adapted characteristics (distance, level of difficulty...).

Our experienced team works each year to ameliorate our programme and structure in order to accomodate the young sportsmen with the best conditions for the practice of our favorite sport.

Our training courses meet with ministerial requirements and take place in an area designed to accommodate the best possible way each participant.
We work on quality and user-friendliness to reinforce the spirit of group and friendship between the trainees.

THE CALENDAR 2008

- Camp 1: from the 30/06/08 to the 05/07/08

- Camp 2: from the 07/07/08 to the 12/07/08

- Camp 3: from the 14/07/08 to the 19/07/08

- Camp 4: from the 21/07/08 to the 26/07/08

- Camp 5: from the 28/07/08 to the 02/09/08

The camps begin Monday afternoon at 14H00 and finish Saturdays at 12H.
The arrivals and departures of the participants can be shifted according to the means of transport used with possibility of assumption of responsibility to the airport of Biarritz or the railway station of Hendaye. The weekends are free, our trainees can thus run Sundays previous and according to the training course.

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OFFER TRAINEE

- Lodging in pension supplements 6 days/5 nights, from the dinner of the day of arrival to the breakfast of the departure day, in a classified lodging composed of double rooms with a very great comfort.

- The circuits supervised by 2 qualified leaders (federal Patents ).
- An assistance vehicle transporting drinks, supply and your personal effects.
- A n organizer graduated to supervise the activities apart from the bicycle.
- The activities (Anoeta Cycle-racing track, Swimming pool, Beach of Hendaye...).
- Teaching leisures and workshops in the center of training course...
- A mechanical assistance after the riding trips.
- Bicycles parked in full safety.
- Insurances by the organizer.

Each camp is limited to 12 participants !

PRICE

The price of a summer cycling camp is 399 €

Leisures

The afternoon of the cycling camp are devoted to play activities. The trainees can thus benefit from all the richnesses of the area (mountain, ocean, covered cycle-racing track...)

MTB descent at Ibardin Moutain

Beach in Hendaye

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Cycling Track in velodrome of Saint Sébastien

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Swimming pool in Vera de Bidasoa

Discover a wonderful region

The activities of Velo Passion Pays Basque proceed on the whole of the Basque Country. The coast extends from Bayonne to Bilbao and offers many assets:

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- Splendid beaches which make the happiness of the surfers who come from the whole world to test the various waves and spots of the coast but also the happiness of being in love with nature by visible association sea-mountain all along the coast.

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- Sumptuous seaside resorts among which the most famous Biarritz, Saint Jean de Luz and Saint-Sébastien within less than 50km of each other, but also many small coastal villages which have known to keep their authenticity such as Bidart, Guéthary, Fontarrabie.

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- Sumptuous mountains and accessible to all! if the tops of the Basque mountains are not very high that does not remove anything with the charm various landscapes that they propose to us: the Rhûne mountain with the panoramic view it offers on the coast or the forest of Iraty (the largest forest of leafy trees of Western Europe) one reaches by the famous cols of Burdinkurutxeta and Bagarguy.

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- Typical villages with their churches with galleries, their half-timbered houses and the fronton where games of pelote are played. The best known are: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, Ainhoa, Sare, Vera de Bidasoa, Etxalar, Lesaka...

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- A two nation culture, the Basque Country countains 3 French provinces and 4 Spanish provinces which confers a strong and atypical identity to it that can be found in its mysterious language, in its various and traditional sports (Pelotd, Basque force, rowing...) and cultural leisures (choirs, singers, bertsularis...).

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- A rich and varied gastronomy! with famous Bayonne ham, the pepper of espelette, chocolates (Bayonne is the first city having received and having worked the Cocoa in France), pastry makings (Basque cake, maccarons of Saint-Jean-of-Luz...), pork-butchery, fish cooked with Spanish, wines of irouléguy... et of many typical dishes (Piperade, Axoa, Merlu will koskera, Marmitako...).

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Bike excursions

Discover the historical center of Bayonne by bike !

> Easy level stroll by bike, along cycle paths.

> Discover the beauty of the mouth of the Adour (site of La Barre, Port of Bayonne...) the forests of Anglet and the richnesses of the historical center of the Town of Bayonne (ramparts, cathedral, arênes...).

> Price: consult us

Sporting excursion in Mountain Bike at Jaizkibel or Ibardin Mountain!

> Sporting circuit on mountain lanes.

> Pass across these splendid mountains which panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean and Bay of Txingudi and Saint Jean de Luz.

> Price: consult us

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The center of camp

The lodging « Alkerberea » classified in the Navarrese guide of tourism is located at the foot of the small transborder col of Lizuniaga, at 2km of the pretty Navarrese village of Vera de Bidasoa, village of the Cyclosportive Miguel Indurain.

Ideally placed for the practice of cycling road, all the tours will start from the center and the stages will take minor roads with little traffic.

The lodging is composed of double rooms of a great comfort comprising a bathroom each one. A large room of relaxation with games awaits the trainees for their leisure moments as well as a video room in order not to miss the exploits of the Tour de France. The bicycles will be stored in a locked garage-workshop. The group can have dinner in the gite’s dining room.

The center, reserved exclusively for the camps, is in the very heart of the training roads; it is accessible from the border Hendaye-Béhobie by taking the N-121A which skirts the River "Bidasoa" direction Pampelune/Vera de Bidasoa, or starting from St Jean de Luz while passing by the Col of Ibardin. Once at the center of the Village of Vera de Bidasoa, you take for 2km the direction of the Col of Lizuniaga and the gîte will be indicated on a sign on your right. You can also get there from the village of Sare via the Col of Lizuniaga, you will find at the bottom of the hill the sign indicating the gîte on your left. At less than 20mn from the beaches of Hendaye and of St-Jean-de-Luz and 30mn from San Sebastien, it is easily accessible and close to the main transport centres (Motorway, Station, Airport).

Family Way

Discover the Basque Country with a bike

Date: Departure every day

Bicycle Freedom / Greedy Stages

6 stages / 5 nights / 4,5 days riding

A stay with guide from the 6 to
July 11, 2008

Competences of the agency Open Eyes specialized in the organisation of bike trips associated to our knowledge of the area, enable us to propose you to discover all the aspects of the Basque Country, as well littoral as interior, along roads without major difficulties and accessible to the greatest number. An authentic way, in the heart of a beautiful area, to discover its inhabitants, its culture, its landscapes and, of course,its typical food!

Day 1 : BEACHES and FORESTS, OF BIARRITZ To ANGLET : 15 Km.

Arrival at the beginning of afternoon at the hotel. We propose to you this afternoon a beautiful preparation, between beaches and forests, just to warm up thighs and calf muscles and to sharpen your appetite. Along a splendid very new and very sympathetic network of riding tracks, the course takes you along to discover the treasures of architecture in Biarritz the elegant one, the beautiful surging beaches and the forests of maritime pines of neighbouring Anglet. Dinner and night in Biarritz.

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Day 2 : THE ATLANTIC COAST : GUETHARY and ST JEAN DE LUZ : 45 km.

Along the coast, you discover beautiful beaches and to cross the small typical ports of Bidart and Guéthary to finish your parcours going along the exceptional bay of Saint Jean de Luz.. After having left the littoral, you benefit from the valley of the Nive, with the curves softened by the river, to penetrate the interior Basque Country. In the background, beautiful typical villages and foothills. Dinner and night at Espelette the gastronome, your village stage for the two next nights.

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Day 3 : ESPELETTE, ITXASSOU and CAMBO LES BAINS : 28 Km.

Sympathetic small circuit to discover the very beautiful village of Espelette and its neighbourhoods. A local inheritance of exception: architectural ("etche" traditional Basque houses), natural (valley of the Nive and "Pas de Roland") and of course culinary, with pepper of Espelette and Itxassou, emblematic village of the cherry the jams of which accompany sheep cheese. Some "spiced" slopes but not of major difficulties on the course. Dinner and night at Espelette.
The legend of Espelette: "happiness is comparable to the flavours we put in our everyday life..."

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Day 4 : ST JEAN PIED DE PORT : 13 Km + train.

Departure by bike towards the station of Cambo where you will travel by the small regional train (splendid course in bottom of valley of the Nive) towards Saint Jean Pied de Port, the infatiguable sentinel of the "Wearing of Cize", guardian of a single historical inheritance, with medieval environment and the superb houses of pink likings. Return by train then by bike towards Espelette. Free dinner. Night in an hotel of Espelette

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Day 5 : VALLE of the NIVE and BAYONNE : 35 Km.

This morning, on the way towards Bayonne and the Atlantic coast! Leaving Espelette the first undulating kilometers offer superb points of view of the interior countryside until Ustaritz where you find the very beautiful and flat tow path along the Nive for a direct arrival in the historical center of Bayonne. Town of Art and History, the discovery of the maze of small streets coloured with the varied shops is a true pleasure. After your visit, you buckle the few remaining km for a return to Biarritz by the cycle paths in the forest and along the beach without major difficulties. Dinner and night at the hotel.

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Day 6: BIARRITZ.

Leasy morning, beach or shopping, free choice "à la carte" to make the most of this last morning of the voyage.

OFFER
- 5 nights in an hotel of character (double room) in half-board.
- 5 tasty dinners.
- 5 breakfasts.
- Transfers of luggage.
- Technical assitance.
- The road book.
- Train A/R with St Jean Pied de Port

Not included
- Drinks of the meals.
- The personals expenditure.
- Personal insurance.
- Renting of the bike.

Intermediate Level

Access: Biarritz TGV Station and Airport .

PRICE

The stay in freedom from 550 € / person (base double room)

Options:
- Lunch: 40 €
- Rent a Bike: 65 €
- Individual Room: 75 €

The stay with guide from 610 € / person (base double room)

Information and Reservations:
Velo Passion Pays Basque
19 Hameau de l'Océan
64210 BIDART
FRANCE
Contact: Nicolas
Tel/Fax: 0033 559 547 845
Portable: 0033 688 811 647
e-mail: velopassion.pb@free.fr

Team Velo Passion Pays Basque

The team Velo Passion Pays Basque is composed by cycling impassioned people who want sharing there cycling practice and Basque Country knowledge. All our leaders are graduate by the Cycling French Federacion.

Bruno Thibout
> Profesional Road Racer during 11 years 1993-2004 (Teams Castorama, Motorola, Cofidis, Jean Delatour, RAGT)
> 3 participations in the Tour de France, 3 participations in the Vuelta and 2 in the Giro
> VIP Collaborator for A.S.O (Amaury Sport Organisation, who organize the Tour)

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Nicolas Primus
> Elite Road and Mountain Bike Racer

Olivier Mullard
> Elite Road Racer

Thierry Elissalde
> Profesional Road Racer during 2 years 1994-1995
(Team Euskadi)

Main Page

Category

Photos Gallery

Links

Introduction

Discovering Pyrenean Mountain

Discovering Navarra

Cycling Camp in Basque Country

Teenagers Summer Camp

Leisures

Discover a wonderful region

Bike excursions

The center of camp

Family Way

Team Velo Passion Pays Basque