RAID PYRENEAN 100

The Raid Pyrenean is a ‘must-do’ ride for any road cycling enthusiast.  In the 1950’s the Cyclo Club Béarnais were looking for a challenge, so they created a route across the Pyrenees, keeping as close to the Spanish border as possible (on surfaced roads!). The sting in the tail was the 100 hours given to participants to complete the traverse.

It is a chance to ride most of the famous cols in the Pyrenees, including beasts such as the Tourmalet and Aubisque and to cycle along the quiet and beautiful back roads and passes of France’s southernmost mountain range.  The scenery is stunning, the road surfaces good and the car drivers are generally extremely courteous and respectful of cyclists.

For a decade now we have been supporting cyclists in achieving their goals.  We are passionate about our product being the best it can be and we help over 200 cyclists a year do the official Raid Pyrenean route. The expertise and experience of our team really shows; we provide two highly customised support vans per group, our guides are attentive and energetic and we know that this is not just a cycling challenge – it is also a holiday, so we keep it fun!  It is also about your goals and aspirations and we pride ourselves on our individual customer focus from your first enquiry to the last moment of your holiday.

For a time limited Pyrenean holiday, look at Our "RAID Pyrenean 100 Hrs challenge" follow the link for more info. 

It is important to us that you book the correct holiday, so do read the Trip Notes for all you need to know about how this holiday works, food, accommodation & travel…  For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

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Whats included

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Price fr £1100 per person based on min 8 person ( single Supplement applies)

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• Epic traverse from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean across the Pyrenees in 100 hours

• 735km Raid Pyrenean route encompassing 12,840m ascent

• Conquer infamous Tour de France cols: Tourmalet, Aubisque, Pailheres…

• Official route including registration plus certificate & medal for successful finishers

• Comfortable 2 and 3* hotels with local cuisine geared to cyclists

• Half-board: breakfast and dinners included, as well as wine with dinner

• 2 customised support vans with attentive and proactive guides who love a laugh

• Mechanical support 

• Experienced and passionate service from Cols Cycle Tours who support over 200 cyclists a year to achieve the Raid Pyrenean

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The Raid

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DAY 01 - HENDAYE TO OLORON ST MARIE

Enjoy Pure Fun

"A good warm-up day to get the legs acclimatised ahead of the much bigger mountain challenges of the next three days."

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Col D’ Osquich - Average grade: 2.9 %, Length: 12 km, Altitude start: 160 m, Altitude top: 507 m, Ascent: 347 m

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Col De Pinodieta - Average grade: 1.9 %, Length: 5.6 km, Altitude start: 70 m, Altitude top: 176 m, Ascent: 106 m

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Col de Saint-Ignace - Average grade: 4.6 %, Length: 3.32 km, Altitude start: 23 m, Altitude top: 177 m, Ascent: 154, Maximum: 13 %

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Dip your toes in the Atlantic to make this a true coast to coast adventure, before the grand depart at 09.00.  On quiet roads, pass through the Basque heartland with distinctive burgundy and white buildings, bullrings and pelot courts. You undulate your way over the Col De St Ignace (169m) and the Col De Pinodieta (176m) before lunch, probably in the walled town of St Jean Pied de Port.

The first proper climb of the route is the Col D’ Osquich (500m), followed by small climbs and lovely villages to Oloron St Marie, where the hotel is.

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