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An epic traverse from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean across the Pyrenees in up to 10 days
What is the Raid Touriste?
The Raid Pyrenean Touriste is one of the 'must do’ epic rides for any cycling enthusiast. the route across the French Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Med was established in 1950, keeping as close to the Spanish border as possible. It must be done within 10 Days and traverses many Pyrenean Cols made famous by the Tour de France, including the Tourmalet, Aubisque, Col de Portet, d’Aspet and the Aspin.
Whilst riding these mighty climbs is truly fabulous, you should not underestimate the joy of cycling the quiet and beautiful back roads and passes that lie in-between the cols and the refreshing change that it makes to cycle on decent tarmac, amongst drivers who respect the bike and the rider.
The Pyrenean Raid Touriste is a cycling challenge, 800 km - 28 passes, 18,000m Ascent, to be completed in up to 10 days depending on your challenge whilst also being your holiday.
Col Experience Cycle Tours has been supporting clients on Cycle Tour challenges for over 5 years now, ensuring that you have a great time is what we are passionate about. You will love the ride, the country, the route, whilst enjoying some great banter along the way. We leave no stone unturned in preparing for your holiday and making it the best it can be - which is why you just need to eat, sleep, and turn the pedals…and maybe a beer or Two.
We also have Cycle Tour Challenges in Southern Spain, Portugal & Majorca, but this is a great trip to start your Raid experience with.
THE TOUR
On arrival, your meet your guides, assemble, and test out your bikes and come along to the welcome briefing followed by a good dinner with a Basque influence. Hendaye is an attractive seaside town with plenty of charm if you arrive early and wish to explore.
Travel
Col Experience Cycle Tours includes airport transfers from the most convenient airport for the start of your trip. Transfers are timed to fit in with as many flights from as many UK regional airports as possible.
We offer included transfers from Biarritz Airport (30mins) and return from Cerbère to Perpignan (1hr) or a Toulouse airport package to the start hotel in Hendaye (3.5hrs) & Finish in Cerbère (3.5hrs)
Finding flights
Travel to and away from this Raid is notoriously complicated, particularly if you live in the north of the UK.
We recommend using a comparison tool such as www.skyscanner.net when searching for direct or indirect flights from various airports/ regions/countries. We will give you guidance on routes to limit the transfer times and costs.
It can be helpful to search for 1-way flights, giving results of all direct routes available eg ‘UK to Biarritz Airport’. NB: search results may change as more airlines release their schedules for summer/ autumn the following year.
If you are travelling in a group of 6 or more and are unable to join the group airport transfers, we may be able to organize a private transfer for you. Please contact us to discuss.
Under your own steam…
If you are going to meet us at the start hotel or are leaving independently at the end of your trip to go on elsewhere then do let us know - we may be able to help you with your travel plans.
If you are flying long haul we strongly recommend arriving at least a day early in order to get over any jet lag before you start your trip and are happy to book you into the start hotel for an additional night, or you can of course choose and book your own hotel nearby.
NB: we can generally only offer an airport transfer on the start/finish days of the itinerary but can certainly arrange a taxi transfer for you (payable direct to your driver) on other days.
Foreign Travel Advice
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.
Airport Transfers
This information will be regularly updated in response to airline schedule variations. You will find the most up-to-date transfer times in your booking section on the Link.
If you arrive earlier than the given group transfer time, then you will need to wait at the airport for your pick-up. If flights are delayed, then transfers may also be delayed. If your flight is significantly delayed or cancelled, then you may need to get public transport or a taxi to the start hotel and make a claim on your travel insurance or to your airline.
The timings are a guide for use when booking travel and may be adjusted by us for the maximum benefit of the group (eg to minimize waiting at the airport on arrival, or to allow a bit more time in bed on the last day!)
Transfers from the agreed Airport to the starting hotel & then back from the Finish hotel to the agreed hotel are included in your holiday package.
Navigation
We provide you with colour maps, altitude profiles, detailed directions with distance markers and GPS files for those of you with a unit. Our guides will also endeavour to be at any ‘easy to miss “junctions”.
For those of you with GPS units, we have GPS files available, posted to you on a Link 2 weeks prior to your trip in .gpx, and. tcx formats, the main group will have a support rider, but will move around the groups where possible.
The files can be downloaded onto any Garmin, Lezyne, Wahoo or other units as well as phone apps like Ride With GPS. In their most basic form, they provide a 'purple line' to follow, however with the more recent units you will also receive a set of visual instructions as you approach a turning. Our GPS tracks take you from hotel to hotel and are updated regularly.
The Route :
800km, 28 Cols & 18,000m Ascent
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Am I fit Enough? Banish the doubt…
It is possible (some would say probable) that the seed of doing a Raid was planted in your mind when you had a drink in hand, chatting with mates. In the light of day, it is normal (and only right) that you should consider whether you are fit enough to take on the Pyrenean Raid Touriste It is a challenge and you need to be a regular road cyclist to enjoy and get the most out of this trip. We only want you to book on this holiday if it is right for you.
Many of our riders are club cyclists or have done cyclosportives or some longer distance rides, however, by no means all of them have - we have had many clients who have been fairly new to road cycling (but who have a good level of fitness perhaps from a different sport) who have effectively trained for the trip and to successfully complete the Pyrenean Raid Touriste route in the time chosen. So, read on……...
Pacing
The key to success on the Raid Pyrenean is pacing yourself and we are very keen to emphasize that you don't need to be cycling super-fast in order to manage the daily routes. The absolute worst thing is to push yourself to cycle beyond your normal pace on the cols or early in the trip. This ends up becoming very tiring and can cause problems on later days. The joy of the Raid Pyrenean is that you have a support vehicle, so you are going to be supported on the road for as long as it takes to ride each day’s route. If you think you might need it….
Training
You owe it to yourself to train for the Raid Pyrenean… we want you to achieve your goals and to enjoy the whole Raid experience. The fitter you are, the more you can relax and take note of the stunning route and throw yourself into the Col Experience group banter. It may be difficult finding extended climbs for training in your Country of origin, but generally, if you can build up your comfort in doing long daily distances and your stamina, then you will really benefit when it comes to the Raid Pyrenean itself.
We cannot pretend to offer practical help when you are spinning on the turbo in the garage or cycling up a short sharp climb in the driving rain, but know that we are with you in spirit, and that everyone else doing a Raid is going through what you are - in fact why not share your training joys and miseries on the Link - you are not alone!
We do run Weekly, Monthly group rides in the UK or an RGT/Swift Virtual meet up to test out the training….
Starva
Many cyclists nowadays are using apps like Strava and Garmin Connect to track their progress and to compare themselves to their peers using ‘segments’, for instance.
These apps make for great training tools and interesting post-ride analysis but there are obvious risks associated with competitive cycling styles, pushing yourself beyond your usual tolerance and focusing on live feed information whilst on the bike.
We therefore encourage our clients to avoid such ‘Live Segment’ features when cycling on a Cols Cycle Tour holiday or Challenge, especially descending, and to focus on the road always.
Guiding
Supporting you on your holiday will be at least two of our highly experienced, fun, approachable and knowledgeable guides. Despite being passionate about cycling, both guides will be in support van/s as this holiday is all about you and your needs. A Support vehicle/s mean you do not need to stay together as a group, so you can cycle at your own pace, whether that be speedy or steady. It also means that wherever you are in the group (front/ back or in-between), you will have access to your personal kit, snacks, water and any mechanical or first aid support you may need. In the event that you need help for a mechanical on the road we will be able to quickly get to you with full tool kits, spare back wheels or even a spare bike.
We hope you will not need us for anything serious but being prepared for all eventualities is what we do exceptionally well. Our van system also enables us to ensure your luggage is at the hotel before you arrive.
You can expect to see a support van between 5 and 10 times a day, so you don’t need to carry much on your bike.
“To Andy & Martin: everyone commented on your incredible support, always being there and your willingness to go way beyond the call of duty” J Parkin
It is worth a note about speedy cyclists who don’t like stopping; it is in your favor if we can plan with you how to balance your needs against those of others in the group so you can have upmost flexibility regarding pacing etc.
Group Dynamics
Your group will be any number up to a maximum of 16. This number works well - it’s big enough for you to find others to cycle with at your pace, but not so huge that it feels impersonal!
We get lots of clients booking alone and lots of small groups of friends. If you think you can get a group of 8 – 15 people together then we can offer you a custom departure date.
What’s Included
Price in sterling fr £1400
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Half board accommodation in comfortable 3 or 4* hotels.
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Supported riding.
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Support Rider/s
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Daily Lunch’s, Energy Drinks, Water
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Airport transfers @ specified airports (optional Toulouse package)
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Route notes/directions/maps/GPS files
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Mechanical Support
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Vehicle well stocked with experienced guide, offering moral, mechanical support, plus snacks & water.
NOT INCLUDED Extra services:
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Flights
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laundry service for sportswear
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Hotels Extras
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Toulouse option £40 each way
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drinks, Coffees
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Cols Cycling Tours trips. Anyone without insurance is unable to take part in the ride so please ensure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have to cancel before your holiday, you are covered. Your insurance needs to cover you for non- competitive road cycling (cycle touring) with the following standard inclusions:
Medical Expenses Repatriation
Some clients also like to ensure they have the following optional items:
Cancellation cover (recommended) Loss or damage to their bike.
We will ask you to complete a form with your policy number and emergency contact details for the trip but in the meantime, we do not need any confirmation of your cover.
How to Book
1. Email contact@colexperience.com to check availability for your preferred departure date
2. Bag your spot with a provisional booking for a week or so while you get planning
3. Log on or Register with our online booking system, to complete your booking form.
4. Pay your £600 deposit by BACS or online via The Link. Receive a confirmation mail
5. Await contact from the office regarding authorization of your final trip invoice.
6. We will post regular holiday information and updates on the Link (you will receive an email notification)
Changes to your holiday made by us
We try to avoid making changes to your holiday. However, sometimes changes are unavoidable, and it is sometimes necessary to make alterations to holiday details both before and after bookings have been confirmed. We reserve the right in our absolute discretion to do so.
COVID
As with you, we are unsure what lays ahead in the future in this current climate with covid, like you we are taken a risk when Booking our travel to France, our hotels, Ferry crossing, insurances ect in some cases loosing revenue due to non transference of deposits, in the case of anyone or all party's not able to travel due to covid including Col Experience
For this reason we will hold back £150:00 of the deposit to cover any expenses, all other money paid by customer will be refunded.
Please see T&C's for any other refunds
But here is a bit of backstory?
After I realized my football career was over, I was inspired by a friend participating in an Ironman to have a go…. 6 Ironman, 20 Middle and many other distances later I managed to achieve the glowing status of a Sub 10 hr Race finish.
During this time I became a coach for Zoom Tri Club and gained my Level 2/3coaching badges in Cycling and Triathlon, which I put to use for over 10 years, also coaching One to One with athletes that wanted a more personal approach.
I was made Redundant and needed a change in career so focused on my favourite part of Triathlon which was cycling, I did achieve the highest Level in Bicycle Maintenance and Professional Bike Fitting, after which I started my own Business Cycle Tech Bournemouth now in my 9th yr.
During this time I’ve worked in the Alps, Pyrenees, Portugal and Spain on Tours, supporting mechanically, and as a lead rider, which also enables me to cycle with the clients six days a week …..tough life!
Personally, I’ve also completed many European Sportives, Marmott, L’Etape Du Tour, Grand Fondo Stelvio and the mighty Haute Route Pyrenees 7 day stage race in 2017.
