The Raid Pyrenean is a  ride that requires preparation and training,before committing yourself you need to be sure that you could average 20 km an hour for six or seven hours and you need to be prepared to climb mountains of 15km or longer.

The Raid is a challenge that attracts many people from the age of 18 to 75 the average probably being 40 years old. It is an achievement to finish in the 100 hours, that is four and a half days cycling. Most riders make it because they have prepared well before hand .

It is fun if you are fit enough, we take a small number of riders  and work hard  to make them a team beforehand. If you are too slow to stay with the group the back up van will regularly go back to you to see that you are not in difficulty. However sometimes the slower riders on the climbs catch up on the descents which can be very fast say 50km  to 80km.
 

 Regarding bike maintenance, we do carry a  tool kit but ask  you to have your bike serviced before you come with new brake blocks and tyres and to have your shoes and cleats renewed if need be. because of the variety of modern components is is not possible to carry anything more than for predictable repairs.

 Gearing talk. These factors come into play. Age, weight, fitness.
 We recommend a minimum gearing of 39 x 27  with a triple as preferred gearing. If none of this makes sense please contact us to discuss this. There is a saying here in the Pyrenees, add an extra tooth for every year over the age of fifty.

The cycling day;
Departure time in the morning varies between is 7.45 am -8.30am  with an expected arrival at the hotels between 4.00pm and 6.00pm depending on your fitness.
The lunch is not a formal restaurant stop, the guide provides you with food and liquids  from the back up van  at various parking places.

 So will you enjoy it ? If you love beautiful scenery, mountains and enjoy riding with like minded people, enjoy  a personal challenge, you  risk becoming one of the ever growing list of people who return each year to either re-ride the Raid or spend some time at the Lodge. 

 Booking form Word Document

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