On August 11th 2019, myself, and 7 others took on ‘Le Raid Pyrénéen’, where we peddled coast to coast across the Pyrenees. It was the first bunch to make the trip over with Focus on Fitness, and what a week it was.
Each day we took on new Col’s, with incredible ascents and decents. Staying in different accommodation every night, with our support following us along, it made for an incredible 5 days in the saddle.
The Challenge
We took on the challenge which was to cycle 720km, with 11,000m ascent, within 100 hours. I am happy to say we all completed it successfully… arriving in Cerbere with 50 minutes to spare!
Over the 5 days, we experienced all weather conditions. We had, rain, fog, and sunshine. Some days were more challenging than others, especially day 2, where we climbed the Col d’Aubisque and Col d’Tourmalet… two of the most iconic cols of the Tour de France. The decents we experienced over the trip were amazing… especially the days in the sunshine!
I couldn’t have asked for a better bunch for the first ‘Le Raid Pyrénéen’ trip. Every one was ready for the challenge everyday, and we had some laughs along the way. A special thanks to Terry, our support. Without your help, we wouldn’t have made it to the finish line!
Similar to our training camps in Lanzarote, although there was a lot of hard work during the day, we had the evenings off to enjoy ourselves… we even had time for a beer with dinner 🙂
Great cycling trip with a brilliant group. Plenty of hard climbs followed by some fantastic descents especially on the final two days as you get closer to the Mediterranean. I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in long days in the saddle.
John Gleeson
Le Raid Pyrénéen 2020?
After completing this cycle, I can honestly say it has been one of the most enjoyable experiences I have taken part in. Although it was challenging at times, we all made it to the finish line… with a smile still on our face!! It is something I would love to do again with Focus on Fitness. I am currently finalising the details for next year. Keep an eye out for more information in the coming weeks. Places will be limited on this trip again next year, so be sure you secure your spot once dates are confirmed… it is sure to be another great week!
If you are unsure whether this trip is suitable for you or not, please give me a shout. Although it is a challenging week, it is manageable and enjoyable for all. As I said, give me a call. I can chat with you in more detail about training before the trip, and the week cycling itself!
If you have any other questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me!
Martin.
