Raid Pyrenean 2024
Why Book This Trip?
Our Raid Pyrenean is the classic 100-hour challenge completed over 5 days of riding. The stats are impressive; 720 km, 18 mountain passes, 11,000 metres of altitude gain ALL to be completed in maximum 100 hours. To complete the ride and earn the official medal and diploma, you must get your official route card stamped along the way. With an expert bike guide on the road supporting you and a pro-level mechanic in the support van, regular feed stops and social post-ride evenings, this is one of the best weeks possible on a bike.
Spread your payments: Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking
Complete the ultimate bucket list challenge: The 100 hr Raid Pyrenean challenge has been running since 1950 and completing it is an incredible achievement. One of the giants of world cycling, the Tourmalet is the last climb of day two.
Ride quiet passes in the stunning Pyrenees: Much more remote than the Alps or Dolomites, the Pyrenees is a beautiful area packed with quiet mountain passes.
Climb the Tourmalet: One of the giants of world cycling, the Tourmalet is the last climb of day two.
What's Included?
Accommodation
6 nights in comfortable 2-3* hotels
Included Meals
All breakfast & dinners
Guided Rides
5 riding days with support vehicle
Transfer
To Bilbao and from Barcelona
Medal
Carnet and finishers medal included
Mechanic
Expert mechanic on hand all week
Feed Stops
Every 35km on riding days
Bike Rental
Orbea Avant M30 carbon road bikes with Shimano 105 at £199
Itinerary
Day To Day
Join us directly at our hotel in Hendaye. If you are flying, we offer arrival airport transfers from Bilbao Airport. On departure, we offer an airport transfer from Barcelona.
We start the day with breakfast at 07:30, so we can roll out at 08:30. Today is an introduction to the Basque part of the Pyrenees. Expect quiet roads and a rolling route, with the one main climb, the Col d’Osquich, approximately 100km in. We finish our first day in Oloron and prepare for the 3 big days ahead.
| Distance 153km | Elevation 1963m | Difficulty 4/5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Main Bunch |
A massive day of riding lies ahead. After a hearty breakfast, we head off for a 35km false flat where we all stay together. After a quick feed stop, we are onto our first of the Pyrenees beasts, the mighty Col d’Aubisque. From here we descend down into Argeles Gazost for another long false flat to the foot of the Tourmalet. We have lunch 10km before the Tourmalet, where it’ll be your turn to battle the mountain. Get your photos at the summit with a cool Coca-Cola, once done we have a short descent to our base for the night.
| Distance 133km | Elevation 3713m | Difficulty 4/5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
We gather for breakfast at 7:30am. Our ride starts by descending the majority of the Tourmalet After 20km we will hit the Tourmalet’s little brother – the Aspin. The views here are spectacular and the descent is quick and fun. The climbs come thick and fast as we quickly arrive at the Peyresourde before descending into the popular Tour de France stage town, Luchon. We end our ride with two great climbs, the Col de Mente and then the Col de Portet d’Aspet.
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Bunch | 155km | 2781m | 4/5 |
An early start with a big breakfast for the long day of cycling ahead. We roll out by 8am, tackling the first 100km as easily as possible. The morning’s challenge will be The Col de Port filled with other scenic climbs We then finish less than 100km from the Mediterranean.
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Bunch | 191km | 3563m | 5/5 |
The final day begins with breakfast. Today is a much easier & short day with a couple of lumps to get over before a descent & ride to the coast. We will finish in the town of Cerbere for a late lunch. We will now get the last stamp in our Raid Pyrenean carnet, and with this it’s time to celebrate!
| Distance | Elevation | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Bunch | 92km | 643m | 1/5 |
On departure, we offer an airport transfer to Barcelona airport.
Distance: 16.7km
Average gradient: 7%
Lowest elevation: 556m
Highest elevation: 1703m
Elevation difference: 1147m
Climb category: HC (most difficult)
Read our Col d’Aubisque guide
Distance: 9.6km
Average gradient: 7%
Lowest elevation: 907m
Highest elevation: 1560m
Elevation difference: 653m
Climb category: 1
Read our Col du Peyresourde guide
Distance: 19km
Average gradient: 7%
Lowest elevation: 731m
Highest elevation: 2,100m
Elevation difference: 1,369m
Climb category: HC (most difficult)
Read our Col du Tourmalet guide
Distance: 12.6km
Average gradient: 5%
Lowest elevation: 851m
Highest elevation: 1488m
Elevation difference: 637m
Climb category: 2
More About the Event
Raid Pyrenean 6 – night package: Experience the famous point to point cycling challenge, Raid Pyrenean. This prestigious event was introduced in 1950. To complete the ride you must have your official route card (carnet) stamped along the way and complete within 100 hours. The ride stretches across 5-days beginning nearby to the Spanish border, just south of Biarritz where you will ride onto the famous Pyrenees climbs. Join a Sportive Breaks trip and enjoy small group rides with expert local guides and mechanical support, allowing you to focus solely on conquering this epic challenge. The trip includes daily ride briefs along with breakfast and dinner.
The Raid Pyrenean cycling route
Take in dramatic scenery changes with quiet roads filled with livestock and gloriously rustic views. Our Raid Pyrenean tour will conquer legendary passes such as the Aubisque, Tourmalet and Aspin, as we ride from the Basque Pyrenees to the Mediterranean. Every 35km we have dedicated feed stations, stocked with cold drinks and snacks to boost your energy throughout the ride. Our team will deliver your luggage to each hotel.
Where you will stay: Raid Pyrenean HotelsHendaye, Oloron, La Mongie, St Girons, Prades, Cerber
We stay in a mix of 2 to 4* hotels throughout our stay as a lot of the villages we stay in are far off the tourist trail with few hotels. Each of our hotels fits into the local area with a traditional Basque hotel to start and a mix of remote and town centre hotels until we stay overlooking the Med in Cerbere. Hotel Bellevue Hendaye // Alysson Hotel Oloron // La Mandia La Mongie // La Eychenne St Girons // Best Western Le Vauban Prades // La Vigie Cerbere
You're in safe hands
We have a team of highly experienced professionals who have been organising cycling trips for over 25 years. We are members of ABTA and ATOL so book with confidence.
Plenty to choose from
Did you know we offer the biggest selection of European Gran Fondo and Cyclo-Sportive events.
Spread your payments
Our payment plan is an interest-free payment method where you will have the opportunity to spread payment for your booking. *Selected products. Terms and Conditions apply
Logistics covered
We know the routes, we know the roads. We know how the event works and the best hotels for the start and finish. We organise everything for you; transfers, bike transport, additional feed stops, rep support and more.
