The first attempt at a raid Pyreneen was tackled by two members of the Cyclo Club Bearnais  in 1949 they started from Hendaye on the atlantic coast planning to finish in the Mediterranean at Cèrbère  this attempt was aborted due to an unforgiving beating sun .

In 1950 the first successful traverse was accomplished  from Cerbère to Hendaye  and the basis for a standardized raid was established . In 1951 three further traverses were successfully finished .
During the winter 1951-52 the organization of the Raid Pyreneen was put in place under the administration of the Cyclo Club Bearnais .

Since those early days many cyclists from many nationalities have completed the raid  .
It doesn't get any easier to turn the pedals but the back up that is now available improves every year .