2024 Raid Pyrenean 100-hour Challenge
Sunday, September 22: Arrival into Hendaye
Please make your own arrangements to Hendaye or meet us at Toulouse Airport. We will run one transfer from the airport today at 15.00. Please allow an hour from your flight landing time to your transfer time, to allow you to get through passport control and collect your luggage. The transfer takes approximately 90 minutes so we will get to Hendaye for about 16.30.
What about my bike?
You can bring your own bike as we have planned to transport bike boxes on our airport transfers. Alternatively, you can rent a bike with us. Our mechanic will be available this afternoon at the hotel to assist you with fitting your rental bike or building your own bike after travel.
Evening meal at the hotel with welcome meeting and a run through the days to come.
Monday September 23 : Hendaye to Oloron
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.
Tueasday September 24: Oloron to La Mongie
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.
Wednesday September 25: La Mongie to St Girons
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.
Thursday September 26: St Girons to Prades
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.
Friday September 27: Prades to Cerbere
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!
Saturday September 28: Departure
On departure, we offer an airport transfer to Toulouse airport at 09.00. We expect the transfer to take about 3 hours so please book flights after 14.00. Alternatively, we can provide quotes for private transfers to Carcassone, Perpignan or Barcelona airport.
(Activities subject to Minimum 12 guests)
