RAID Pyreneen - 100 hour challenge
Join us on the official Raid Pyrénéen. A 100 hour challenge that takes you from Hendaye on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean to the beautiful seaside town of Cerbére on the Mediterranean via the high cols of the Pyrénées Mountains in 5 stages. This is a hard but beautiful riding challenge and if you are reasonably fit and regularly ride your bike then this is will be an excellent achievement and well within your grasp.
Our route takes you on the quite country roads over a the most famous climbs in the world. Each day will be ridden at a reasonable pace with a relaxing stopover in 2** hotels along the route. Our support will always be there with either water for your bidons or a hot cup of tea on top of the climb. You will not need to carry anything other than yourself over the mountains.
Full Package Includes
- Accommodation 2** Hotels 6 days
- Breakfasts for 6 days
- Evening meals for 5 days (last night restaurant in Cerbere)
- Special Raid Pyreneen Cycling Jersey
- Carnet de Route (Entry fee for official route)
- Daily route cards
- Medal/Certificate on completion
- Vehicle support throughout (Hot & Cold drinks)
- Hotel luggage transfers
- Airport Transfers to Toulouse (or Biarritz/Perpignan)
Optional
- Bike Rental
- Discounts for groups
What is not included
- Lunches - normally taken at local cafés or out on the bike
- Flights
- Holiday insurance
“Slow beginning for a big ride” – Originally the dream of Cyclo Club Béarnais leading light, Maurice Bugardin 1912, a definite route for the Raid Pyrénéen and a successful attempt had to wait until 1950. In June that year, Pail Mathis left Cerbére with companion, Mademoiselle Betbeder, to ride to Hendaye and establish a maximum time to challenge other randonneurs (long distance cyclists). That time was set at 100 hours for the 710km route over 18 passes (Cols).
From its tentative start, the popularity of the challenge has increased to several hundred riders in each direction every year.
Itinerary
Sunday - Airport Transfer to Hendaye
We will pick you up from Toulouse airport in the morning and transfer you to the starting hotel in Hendaye. You also have the option to fly directly to Biarritz and we will meet you at the hotel in the afternoon. Time for building bikes and a test ride down to the sea front before having the welcome meal.
Monday - Hendaye - Lurbe-St Christau (145 km)
The first day takes you from the Atlantic Ocean into the low Pyrénées taking in the Col de St-Ignace (169m), Col de Pinodieta (176m), Col d'Ipharlatze (328m) and the Col d' Osquich (392m). These are all small climbs that should allow you to get a taste of what is to come. We stay in the pretty village of Lurbe St Chritau and have a welcome evening meal in a great little hotel nestled on the side of the mountain.
Tuesday - Lurbe-St Christau - St Marie de Campan (135 km)
After a short rolling ride from from Lurbe St Christau, the first climb of the day is the Col de Marie-Blanque (1035m) a beautiful but very steep climb. The descent is well worth the effort though and we swing down to a beautiful ride into Laruns before starting the ascent to the Col D' Aubisque (1709m) and a welcoming lunch at the top with stunning views. The descent from the Aubisque is spectacular riding through mountainside tunnels and very narrow roads perched on the side of the cliff. The Col de Soulor (1466m) is next but most of it has already been climbed so it passes without a hitch before descending into Argelès Gazost where we turn right and head up to the big one. The Col Du Tourmalet (2115m) is last on the list and we will take our time climbing before hitting the summit and the famous café & shop where you can buy all the Tourmalet memorabilia before descending into St Marie de Campan and a well earned beer and rest.
Wednesday - St Marie de Campan - Massat (171km)
We start out at the base of the Col d'Aspin (1489m) but this is a gentle warm up for the first 6 km before the final 5 km of real climbing. At the summit you will be face to face with a cow or a range of other animals, but they are all friendly. We then ride over the Col de Peyresourde (1569m) and over the Col des Ares (797m) and the Col De Buret (599m) which warms the legs up before the start of the Col De Portet d' Aspet (1069m) where you can see the monument of Fabio Casatelli. We head down into the valley towards St Girons before heading down into the Gorge de Ribaouto and the hotel in Massat which is a very welcome sight.
Thursday - Massat - Prades (170km)
The Col de Port (1249m) is right on the doorstep of the hotel and is a nice gentle climb before heading up the valley through Ax les Thermes and the start of the climbing to the Col de Peyremoyens, which borders the Principality of Andorra. Down into the valley and then the bumpy ride past the Col de Riagat and onto the Col de la Perche. Then finally the fantastic descent directly to the hotel in Prades. Here you can relax by the pool before a great dinner in the beautiful village square of Prades.
Friday - Prades - Cerbére (85km)
The last stage in this epic personal achievement. 85km downhill to the Mediterranean and hopefully with a tailwind. A gentle ride in and then relax in the seaside restaurant where we can have a well earned lunch after dipping your toe into the water to seal the challenge. We will then load the bikes and head back to Toulouse for the evening where we will go out to a restaurant for the celebratory meal where we can chat about the week and receive your certificates.
The final destination - The Med !!
We provide you with our very own Carnet de Route and daily route cards. We try and stay to the quiet roads but do follow the official 100 hour route. We also give you a fantastic cycle jersey so you can ride the tour in style.
The itinerary may change from time to time but is basically the set route for our version of the Raid Pyrénées. If you are reasonably fit you will be able to complete this course but will need to train for it. There is always vehicle support in case you get into difficulties.
All your luggage and bike containers are transported between stages. There is also mechanical support available so you do not have to worry about anything other than enjoying the ride
"Just a note to thank you once again for a terrific trip in the Pyrénées. I am still on cloud 9 and still catch myself looking through the many photos that (as you well know) I took during the scenic rides in the mountains. I appreciate the personalized service that you provided, with Ian riding with the group and Julie present to cater to our every need (I still remember the hot cup of tea I had in the van at the top of the Col de Marmare when the weather turned cool)." - Ken Bunker - Sept '06