The Raid Pyrenean is a 714km randonnée across the back bone of the Pyrenees connecting the town of Hendaye on the Bay of Biscay with Cerbere on the Mediterranean. The route takes you over many of the cols which feature so prominently in the Tour de France, including the Tourmalet, Aubisque, Marie Blanc, Aspin, and Peyresourde.

The route also passes the Fabio Casarteli memorial located on the Col du Portet de Aspet.

You will leave Hendaye on the Monday morning, and the aim of the Randonnée is to complete the distance within 100 hours, thus arriving at Cerbere by Friday lunchtime.
The coach will carry your luggage each day from overnight stop to overnight stop, and will also act as a back up for serious mechanical breakdowns and food provisions.
Accommodation each night will be on Half-Board basis, i.e. Bed, Breakfast & evening meal

Click Here for a report and photos of The Raid Pyreneen by Mikael Przysuski & Robert Enestedt.

for a profile of the Raid Pyreneen route.

Itinerary:

Saturday 19th June 2010:
Coach transport making collections throughout the UK on the motorway networks used between Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, London and Dover and a 16.30hrs sailing Dover to Calais and accommodation on the outskirts of Paris.

Sunday 20th June:
Travel to Hendaye, where overnight accommodation is at the 2* Hotel Campanile with evening meal. Alternatively fly with Ryan Air from Stansted to Biarritz and make your own way to Hendaye (see reduced price)

Monday 21st June:
160km to Oleron Ste Marie (Col d’Osquich)

Tuesday 22nd June:
130km to Ste. Maire, Campan. (Col de Marie Blanque, Col d’Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet)

Wednesday 23rd June:
170km to Massat. (Col d’Aspin, Col du Peyresourde, Col de Portet de Aspet)

Thursday 24th June:
160km to Prades. (Col du Port, Col du Puymorens)

Friday 25th June:
80km to Cerbere. After the finish we shall travel to Nimes and overnight at the 2* Hotel. Those choosing to fly can be dropped at Perpignan at 15.00hrs for the Ryan Air flight back to Stansted.

Saturday 26th June:
Commence travel home from Nimes, making a night stop over at the 3* Hotel Mercure in Paris. Also option of flying home from Nimes with Ryan Air to Stansted.

Sunday 27th June:
Continue the travel home, we take the 13.45hrs sailing to Dover arriving London 16.00hrs, Birmingham 18.00hrs, Manchester/Sheffield 20.00hrs, Leeds 21.00hrs, and Newcastle by 23.00hrs.

INCLUDES:

• 8 Nights Bed and Breakfast, 6 Evening Meals
• Return Executive Coach Travel (with bike) from UK
• Support vehicle throughout
• Luggage transported
• Entry Fees & Maps, All Ferry Fares & Port Taxes