Cycling UK Forum

We did this a couple of years ago - in late June - ten days - on mountain bikes, with a small tent (three-man tent for the two of us), sleeping bags and air mattresses. There was still plenty of snow and fog at the top of some hills! Stayed in all sorts of places - including a stable - it was cold and late in the evening. And a luxury hotel one night. Mostly at Campsites. All fantastic.

Simply sent euro notes to the CCB and we picked up our carnets and route stuff c/o the poste restante in Cerbere (as it was all a bit of a last minute plan!).

Biggest hassle was getting the bikes on the rain back to Toulouse airport - wrapped them in plasitc with the wheels and pedals off - that seemed to get around any restrictions. Nop problems with BA on the flight there or back.

We hadn't expected it to be so cold at altitude in June/July and had to buy fleeces and gloves and light trousers.

We weren't experienced cyclists - did a couple of trips along the Canal du Midi the years before, but wanted something a bit more challenging - the second day into the Raid we realised we would have to cycle at least ten hours a day to make it in the allocated time, or else give up and go back to holiday mode. A man at the campsite spurred us on by telling us we would never make it - a German couple he had met that month had given up, but that just made us determined to do it. We made it to Hendaye on the evening of the last day. Definitely the toughest thing I have ever done. It was with great pleasure we sent a postcard to the rather cynical waiter at the restaurant in Cerbere where we started off - no-one seemed to have heard of the Raid - I guess you have to ba a cyclist.

We had a few pages from the internet, and a Cycling in france book - the section on Pyrennes. The internet info was most useful. We got maps at the service stations en route. Carried litre bottles of water in two racks. And lots of Orangina. Bread cheese and wine and fruit, and various pies from shops en route.

Roads generally quiet except at the coast.

it would certainly be easier on a road bike with big wheels! I think that was the one complaint we made as many racers passed us en route!
After several days I wished I had used the vaseline my girlfriend had brought ... and my knees were sore for a year afterwards. My bike hasn' been out of the cupboard since. Next trip will be for leisure with no targets!

simply a great journey, great encouragement along the way.