Day 1: Cerbere to Llauro
3 1/2 - 6 hours, 60.4km.

This relatively short day starts by winding its way around the relatively populated coastal lowlands of the Mediterranean before turning off onto forested minor roads near the end of the day where you will encounter the first real climb of the Pyrenees.

Day 2: Llauro - Escouloubre
6 1/2 - 11.5 hours, 115.2km

Today is a much harder ride. We Bag 3 early Cols Llauro (380m), Fourtou (665m) and Xatard (752m) before a brief decent then begins the serious ascent of Col de Palomere which will take us above 1000m for the first time cresting at 1036m. The next 23km is not very taxing downhill to Marquixanes at 265m. The Bad news is this makes the nearly 20km climb to Col de Jau quite steep but take heart, its through lovely beech forest and on a quiet road. We finish the day in the tiny town of Escouloubre.

Day 3: Escouloubre to Tarascon - sur - Ariege
4 1/2 - 9 hours, 90.9km

The day starts with a short descent, followed by the second highest altitude of the Raid the Col de Paliheres (2001m). A steep hair pinned descent follows. The second climb of the day is the steady 7km ascent of the Col de Chioula with a few switch backs near the top. At the summit (1431m) we can enjoy superb views of the Pyrenean summits along the Spanish border. We then descend to the Col de Marmare (1361m) and take an extremely minor road of the route de Corniches. We wind down along the mountainside, through tiny villages , to our resting place for the night the pretty riverside town of Tarascon.

Day 4: Tarascon - sur - Ariege to Seix
4-7 hours, 70.8km

Today’s ride is tough with almost 32km of climbing. It starts pretty flat which gives us all a chance to find our legs before taking on the long climb towards the Port de Lers (1517m). A short descent allows some recovery before the steep 5km up to Col d’Agnes. From 1570m the route plummets 850m in 10km into Aulus-les-bains. Here we climb 400m in 5.8km to the 1110m high Col de Latrape. A great downhill to Leix rounds of the day.

Day 5: Seix to St Beat
4-7 1/2 hours, 76.8km

We start with a 13.2 km climb gaining 900m to the Col de la Core (1395m). What goes up must come down and we lose all our height on the road down to Castillon-en-Couserans. Two more major climbs come before the days end the infamous Col de Portet d’Aspet, scene of Fabio Casartelli’s death in the 1995 Tour de France. We descend past the memorial for Casarteli to 635m giving only a brief respite while pedalling along the Ger river valley. The Col de Mente climb is mostly through forest, starting out very steeply, with some sections in excess of 9% gradient. Near the bottom of the descent we pass the plaque commemorating Spaniard Luis Ocanas fall in the rain while leading the 1971 Tour. Forced to withdraw, he had to wait until 1973 for victory, ending Eddie Merckx’s streak of four straight wins. Land in St Beat after a wonderful, exhilarating descent.

Day 6: St Beat to Arreau
4-7 hours, 71km

Another shortish day with a blessedly easy start. The route follows the Garonne River gently upstream and out of the country. The Spanish leg is less than 18km through the thriving town of Bossost and up the steep road to the Col du Portillon where the route re enters France. The climb has an average gradient of 7% but is considerably steeper in places. Enjoy fine views of the Garonne River valley on the way to the forest shrouded summit. The descent is something else - long, steep straights tempt riders to alarming velocity while hairpins require heavy braking and slow cornering speeds. At the bottom is the vibrant spa town of Bagneres de Luchon. The long ascent of the Col de Peyresourde starts just out of town and is particularly hard straight after lunch in the shadeless heat of the afternoon with the grade averaging around 7% for 13kms. Ever present is the dull clanging of cow bells which sometimes are even attached to goats and horses as well. Just before the summit we tackle four large switchbacks before a sweeping panoramic descent takes us to the valley floor and into the pretty riverside town of Arreau.

Day 7: Arreau to Argeles Gazost
4 - 8 hours, 84.1km

This is the day you have been waiting for! Start fresh on the beautiful 90 minute climb to the most attractive col, Aspin (1489m). With herds of pale orange cows wandering across the road in search of handouts, superb views to the Pic du Midi de Bigorre (2872m near the top of the Col du Tourmalet) and cool forest on the western side, Aspin is a dream. The descent to Ste-Marie de Campan is also a dream run. Now for the big one - Col du Tourmalet. Take the Tourmalet climb steadily and the distance will just drop away. The gradient starts gently but gradually increases towards the top. The ski village of la Mongie marks that we are almost at the top. At the summit which should take about 2 solid hours of pedalling is a restaurant full of Tour memorabilia (including old Tour bikes) and a larger than life statute of a mounted cyclist commemorating the Tour de France crossings of Tourmalet. Once over the top about 41km of downhill awaits and psychologically a weight has lifted - the Atlantic goal is almost in sight.... only 8 passes and 300km to go! We finish the day in the lively town of Argeles Gazost.

Day 8: Argeles Gazost to Arette
5-10 hours, 100.1km

Today challenges yesterday in the beauty ofits scenery. The tiny road over 1156m Col des Borderes drops into Arrens Marsous, which is at the foot of the Col du Soulour. The climb is taxing very steep in places and exposed to blazing sun. Ferial ponies demand handouts at the top, although easily avoided feed or tease them and they will bite. We then follow a narrow road along the side of a sheer mountain face, through some short tunnels, finally climbing steeply to reach the summit of the Col d’Abisque (1709m) At the top we will probably stop for lunch and admire the stunning view at the top. Another magical descent follows drop 27km nearly 1200m to reach Bielle, here we have one last climb of 540m the famous Marie Blanque another pass popular with the designers of the Tour de France. Fortunately the Eastern face is far less steep than the western. The descent plummets in almost a straight line to little Escot making this probably the fastest downhill on the Raid route. At the bottom we take a main road for a bit before taking a turning onto the minor roads we have been accustomed to over the past few days. We finish by gaining a 100m with a bit of wiggly climbing before arriving in the tiny Basque village of Arette.

Day 9: Arette to St Jean Pierre de Port
3 1/2 - 7 1/2 hours, 76.4km

Think the pain is almost over?....well sorry you ain’t seen nothing yet. Col de Bagargui awaits and those who struggle to its summit have been known to call it something else. Fairly easy riding to begin with, before a 10km gentle climb provides a good warm up for the climb ahead. The next 10km gains 800m as the road switches back and forwards heaving itself towards the sky. The average totally belies the steepness of this climb - it is undoubtedly the worst on the westbound Raid - and is utterly shadeless. At the top its only 104km to “home” with two more passes to climb tommorow, the bigger of the two being at an altitude of 176m, feel good? Whilst on the descent imagine what all those poor soles doing the raid West to East have got ahead of them over the next few days. We finish at the lively Basque town of St Jean Pierre de Port.

Day 10: St Jean Pied de Port to Hendaye
4-8 hours, 81.3km

Despite the mere 176m and 169m heights of Cols Pinodieta and St Ignance respectively, the day is made harder by the increased traffic as the route re-enters “civilisation”. We pass through the small town of Espelette which has all its buildings decorated in red chillies which is a much used ingredient in Basque cuisine. We won’t get a view of the sea until about 10km away where the road hugs the coastline into our final destination of Hendaye a seaside resort sitting next to the Spanish border. We will ride along the sea front where a glass of champagne awaits....well done for even reading this itinerary, you have made the first step to booking this jaw dropping, awe inspiring journey through one of the most famous mountain ranges in cycling history.

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