Dozens of pros in the Euro peloton—and an obscene number of Michelin-starred chefs—call the Basque region home. On this eight-day trip, pedal along the snaking mountain roads of the western Pyrenees, past pine forests, remote villages, and cherry orchards, pumping up for Indurain-worthy climbs, like a five-mile ride up Monte Jaizkibel, the highest point on the Cantabrian coast, and a 13-mile haul up Col Bagargui—known locally as the "Col du Sinistre," or "Evil Mountain." Feed-zone snacks include nutty Ossau-Iraty cheese and gâteau Basque (sweet cake with cherries). At night, sip Armagnac in white-stucco villas and historic inns, including a tenth-century castle, and dine on regal fare like wood pigeon and txipirones (baby squid). For cross-training, there's the txikiteo (tapas crawl) in San Sebastian and surfing in Biarritz.
CASIO PATHFINDER BAROMETER: Reading the barometric pressure every two hours, the Pathfinder watch will help you stay ahead of any unpredicted weather change. The Pathfinder displays the barometric pressure over the past 26 hours, showing the pattern graphically.
In France and Spain: Don’t get caught outside in a remote area when the weather makes a turn for the worse. Use the Pathfinder’s barometer on your cycling trip through the Pyrenees to help you prepare for weather changes.
OUTFITTER: Velo Classic Tours; veloclassic.com
PRICE: $5,000
DIFFICULTY: Challenging
WHEN TO GO: June
For other epic adventures check out: www.outsideinfo.com
Use the Pathfinder's altimeter to help gauge the time you'll need to reach the summit! The altimeter take readings every 5 seconds for the first two minutes and then ever 2 minutes there after. The graphing function positions you with respect to your target altitude, while alarm alerts you as you approach your mark. Measuring range is from -700 to 10,000 meters (-2,300 to 32,800 ft.).
Predict changing weather patterns using the Pathfinder's barometer. It takes readings every two hours and stores them automatically. It graphically displays the barometric pressure for the past 20 hours. The display ranges from 260 to 1,100 hPa/mb (7.65 to 32.45 inHg) with changeovers from hPa to inHg.
For peace of mind, just point the Pathfinder to a 12 o'clock position, push the button and you can take readings in one of 16 directions. North, South, East and West are indicated simultaneously. You can even record up to five compass readings including the date and time just point the 12 o'clock position of the watch in the direction you want to measure, push the button and the Pathfinder displays on of 16 directions. Four pointers indicate magnetic North, South, East and West along with an angle value in degrees.
In the Tide/Moon Data Mode, you can see the current tide and the current date's Moon phase for your Home City. You can specify a date and view tide and Moon data for that date.
