RAID PYRENEAN - WEST TO EAST

If you've done the Raid Pyrenean already, but want to know what it's like to do it in the opposite direction, here's your chance. It's generally thought to be more challenging in this direction, mainly because you don't have the benefit of the prevailing wind behind you. Some of the climbs are more difficult from this side, some easier, but overall it's a very different experience. Again, it's an official event, sanctioned by the Cycle Club Bearnais, so you get the medal and certificate at the end if you complete it in the required time - 100 hours from start to finish.

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Over the years many riders have asked if we knew what it would be like to ride across the Pyrenees on the other side of the border, so we set out to find out for ourselves. Someone told us it couldn't be done, which made us even more determined to do it. We spent two years researching it, mapping it, driving it and finally Derek rode it himself to make absolutely sure it was viable before we offered it to our clients. When they came to do it, we were blown away by their reaction. The scenery is stunning and very different to the French side, most of the roads are almost traffic-free and the climbs are certainly just as challenging.

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It was only a matter of time before it occurred to us that if you were to put the Raid Pyrenean and the Spanish Raid together, you would get an event that allowed very fit and keen cyclists to ride a complete circle of the Pyrenees, from the Med to the Atlantic on the French side, and back to the Med on the Spanish side. We don't believe anyone else has ever run an event like this. You must be really fit and have a great deal of stamina to endure this event. It also makes a great charity challenge for anyone wanting to take part in a sponsored event. This is not for the faint hearted!

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If cyclosportives are your thing, here's the chance to do two in one week. We ride the Quebrantahuesos in Spain, the famous "Bone Crusher", one of the most demanding and well-organised events in the cyclosportive calendar. We then head back to France and spend the week based around Argeles-Gazost, where we tackle all the major climbs, including the Tourmalet, Aubisque, Luz Ardiden and Hautacam, with a few of the minor ones thrown in to make it more interesting. Then we move to our base in the Ariege to take part in the Ariegeoise, another major Pyrenean cyclosportive. If you've only ridden cyclosportives in the UK before, you won't believe the difference. Here the roads are closed, all the local residents turn out to cheer you on, there are free foodstops all around the course, and when you finish, you're made to feel like a hero and plied with free food and drink. Because of the very stringent entry conditions for the Quebrantahuesos, we have to book this early, so if you're thinking about it, don't hang around, we need to know now!