Raid Pyrenees 2024,

Travel insurance
Visas (if required)
France Only. Airport transfers for France only unless purchased separately
Miscellaneous personal expenses – tips drinks and souvenirs etc
Bike Carriage on the flights – please contact your carrier for charges
Flights are not included

Gran Canaria

The quality of food in the hotels is very high, though not sophisticated, but always healthy and nutritious, the same is siad for the mountain cafes where we stop for lunch. I highly reccomend the "potage" soup, very rich and nutritious, but light in stomach and better than a hard dull energy bar.

France

Breakfasts are usually continental style. Lunches will be fresh and tasty picnics provided by our vehicle support crew. Dinner will be taken at our accommodation. The hotels we use are used to feeding hungry cyclists and generally provide a three-course evening meal, with tasty and large portions of quality local cuisine.

Gran Canaria

Both the Road Camp and TOGC have breakfast and evening meals. Lunch is on the road as local restaurants, budget for 10 Euros

France

All meals are included in the trip price from dinner on Day 1 to lunch on Day 7
 

Gran Canaria

We meet all flights whatever the time with a private coach with a driver who knows your name and will be waiting with a Cycle Gran Canaria logo, travel time to all hotel 30min -/+. Returning flights, we leave 2.30min before flight departure.

France

Customized pick up at your arrival location can be arranged. Introduction to our partners at  Bike Basque staff, go over the schedule, route, safety as you traverse the Pyrenees, and respond to any questions left unanswered. Gift bags that include a Bike Basque cycling jersey, water bottles and road book will be distributed to each guest, and for those who have chosen to rent a bike from Bike Basque, we will assist in setting it up to your specs.

Alps

Arrival in Thonon les bains, customized pick up at your arrival location can be arranged. Introduction to the Bike Basque staff, go over the schedule, route, safety as you complete the Raid Alps, and respond to any questions left unanswered. 

Airport in Geneva, travel time Thomon les Bains 1.3 hr by car. Depart Airport is Nice.

Gran Canaria

For you we know the hotel is just as important as the riding, because you really spend more time there than at any other activity! So we have increased the quality of our offer , 3 levels of hotel,Gloria Palace 4* and Cordial Green Golf 2* Aparthotel and with our new partnership with Dunas, we can now stay at Hotel Suites & Villas. Both Gloria Palace and Hotel Suites & Villas, have bike stations where you can pick up your rental bike. All hotels are bike friendly. This means they have made alterations to their protocol to actively welcome cyclists.

For the Tour of Gran Canaria, we use these are other hotels to the same standard, go to the trip page to see more detail.

We do not force share. Sharing is only possible as mutual agreement between 2 clients

France

Whilst on the Alps Raid or Raid Pyreneen tour, accommodation is on a twin-share basis in comfortable, family run 2 and 3-star hotels. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up another single traveller of the same sex.

View the gallery below for images of the style of accommodation used.

A professional English speaking Cycle Gran Canaria biking leader will accompany the group together with a support vehicle and driver on both the Tour of Gran Canaria, Raid Pyrneens. and Gran Canaria Road Camp

We recommend that £150 (or the equivalent in US dollars or euros) will be sufficient for your miscellaneous expenditure and should also cover your bar bills – beer, wine and soft drinks are available every night. By far the easiest way to obtain your travel cash is from ATM’s using a credit card or a debit card – there are ATM facilities at Toulouse and Perpignan airports and in Colioure at the start of the ride, as well as in the majority of the larger towns on our route.

Taking a bike on an aircraft is usually straightforward. Different airlines have differing policies with regard to baggage allowances and transporting bikes. We strongly advise that you check the current policy of your chosen airline for carrying bikes and their baggage allowances before purchasing your air ticket. The baggage section on your chosen airline’s website will usually contain this information. We suggest that you are aware of the weight and dimensions of your intended check-in baggage in advance of your arrival at the airport as airlines may charge for both excess and oversize baggage, or refuse to carry oversized baggage. If you are using a domestic flight to connect with your International flight then it is likely that a different baggage policy will exist for the domestic and international flight sections. Again you should check the baggage policy with your chosen domestic airline prior to booking your domestic flight tickets. Any additional charges incurred for transporting your bike on any of the flights required for this adventure (international, domestic and internal flights within the trip itinerary – if applicable) are the responsibility of each individual client.

A road bike or standard touring bike is recommended for this trip. It should be fitted with a compact or triple chainset and a 10 or 11-speed cassette. Please call if you are unsure about the suitability of your bike. We cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring that your bike is in perfect working condition before you start this trip. You are depending on your bike to transport you throughout your trip, across demanding terrain. It is VITAL to ensure it is THOROUGHLY SERVICED to guarantee it is in good mechanical order before departure. If you are not mechanically minded, get your local bike mechanic to service it for you. For home mechanics, points to note particularly are:

a) Check rims and if they are worn, cracked or dented replace with a new rim or wheel to avoid wheel failure. It is especially important to check that the rims on rim-braked bikes are not worn concave by the brake blocks -replace them if they are.

b) Check wheels are true and spoke tension is tight.

c) Check ALL bearings and quick release skewers and, if required, adjust, grease or replace.

d) Check and, if required, replace brake and gear cables.

e) Check brake pads, mounts and cables / hydraulic lines and replace if necessary.

f) Check and lube, threadlock and tighten all bolts (esp. suspension pivots, bottom brackets, disc rotor bolts and brake calliper mounting bolts).

g) Check chain, cassette and chain rings for wear and replace as necessary.

h) Make sure you have the right tyres, inner tubes and BIKE SPECIFIC SPARES for your bike.

Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs to your bike e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally our bike guide will be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and the inconvenience of waiting for assistance.

Travelling with a bike is usually as straightforward as travelling with any other type of baggage, providing you have packed it adequately. We have many years experience of travelling with our bikes, and nowadays we think that the best way to travel and fly with a bike is to partially dismantle it and put it into a purpose made soft bike bag. Although more expensive than a cardboard bike box, they are smaller in size to transport and are considerably easier to handle. To pack your bike you simply remove both wheels and pedals and prepare it for travel as follows. Obviously, extra care when packing your bike can minimise the chances of accidental damage occurring in transit. Ask your local bike store for plastic wheel hub protectors (which will prevent damage to your bike bag) and plastic fork and frame spacers, insert the spacers into the dropouts, tape them in place and then put extra padding over this area. Use pipe insulation lagging (from your local DIY store) to cover frame tubes, forks and seat post. If required, remove your bars from the stem and attach them carefully to your frame/forks using plastic ties or pvc tape -ensure that your Ergo/Sti levers are well padded to minimise the chance of damage. You may also wish to remove your rear gear mech, pad it with foam and tape it to the chainstay out of harm’s way. Finally, you should partly deflate your tyres, but leave some air in them to help absorb any impact on the wheels. Don’t forget to pack wheel skewers, pedals and any bolts you have removed, these are the items that tend to get left behind. Finally, find an old cardboard bike box and cut out panels to fit inside your soft bike bag for extra protection. Don’t forget to bring sufficient packing materials to pack your bike on the way home. PLEASE DO NOT USE a purpose-made rigid bike box -these are heavy (which can put you over your baggage allowance) and are also too bulky to be easily stored or transported on the group’s support vehicle.

France and Gran Canaria

Throughout the entirety of the trip we have the back up of our support vehicle. Each morning our main baggage will be loaded onto the support vehicle and transported to our next night’s accommodation. During our morning’s ride and on the big climbs the support vehicle will sweep through the group and provide extra water and assistance as required. The vehicle will then stop at a designated rendezvous for the picnic lunch. After lunch the support vehicle will drive onto our next accommodation. We want everyone to enjoy their cycling experience on this trip and we recognise the importance for group members to ride at their own pace. On our road biking trips it is usual for there to be some distance between the front and rear cyclists in the group and there may be times when other group members, vehicle support and the Cycle Gran Canaria are out of sight. You will be provided with detailed ‘road books’ and GPS stats to assist with route finding and the cycling leader will keep a watch at strategic locations. The cycling leader and support vehicle driver will be contactable at all times by mobile phone. Should a breakdown or an emergency arise during your cycling day they will respond as soon as is possible. Whilst our support vehicle cannot transport the whole group, baggage and bikes, it is also there to assist the occasional tired cyclist. So if you want to opt out of a morning, afternoon or even a full day of cycling, it may be possible to travel in the vehicle.

Gran Canaria

Cycle Gran Canaria has with our Bike Free Motion you can pick the latest models from Cannondale, Specialized, Pinarello, BH or Haibike. Our E-bikes benefit from the best Bosch and Yamaha drives. However you like to ride, we have has a bike that’s fully equipped for your needs.Private Bikes also welcome. Go to Bike Rental for all the info.

Pyrenees France.

Our partner Bike Basque also works closely with the Basque brand Orbea, and so has a fleet of 8 road-bikes available for renting, the model is:

The Orca M20 19 have a full carbon frame and fork and is equipped with a Shimano 11-speed Ultegra groupset. Weighing in at 7.8 kg, it represent a perfect blend of lightweight performance and precision, and will help you fly effortlessly over the Basque and Pyrenean climbs. All of our road-bikes come with two water bottles cages, a repair kit (tubes, tire-levers, multi-tool) and pump.

We also sell Bike Basque jersey for 75€, and rent Gps Garmin Edge 820 with uploaded rides up to your needs for 15€ per day.

1 day:      60 €         5 days: 180 €
2 days:    90 €         6 days: 210 €
3 days: 120 €         7 days: 240 €
4 days: 150 €         Over 7 days: +20 €/day

Rental from 3 to 6 days: 1 Bike Basque bottle
Rental over 7 days: 2 Bike Basque bottles

The altitudes attained on this holiday are not extreme and the maximum altitude attained is no more than the equivalent of a pressurised cabin on an international flight. You may ‘feel’ the altitude the first time you cycle at 2000 metres plus but all that is required is a slower pace to compensate. You should pay particular attention to your hydration levels whilst cycling up to and above 2000 metres.

The following is a basic checklist to help you with your packing. We recommend using the layering principle of clothing for varying climatic conditions. Good padded cycling shorts are essential.

Your Bike MUST be a road bike or standard cycle-touring bike fitted with a compact or triple chainset and a nine or ten speed cassette. It is vital that your bike is THOROUGHLY SERVICED and in perfect working condition before the trip.
PERSONAL CLOTHING AND ACCESSORIES
Feet

Road or touring cycling shoes

Waterproof cycling overshoes

Torso

Base-layer – short sleeve cycling top (x 2)

Long sleeved cycling top (x 1)

Lightweight waterproof jacket

Lightweight Fleece top or jumper

Lightweight windproof gillet

Hands

Regular biking gloves

Long fingered gloves

Legs

Padded cycling shorts (x 2)

Cycling tights or tracksters

Head

Eyewear – Biking glasses

Cycling helmet – mandatory

KE Trek Bag Contents

Travel and apres biking clothes

Training/Leisure shoes for apres biking

Wash bag and toiletries

Swimwear

Chamois Cream (e.g. Assos or Ozone)

Small padlock (to lock trek bag)

To be carried on the bike in your jersey pockets or in a small saddle bag.

Mobile phone (optional)

Mini-pump

Multi-tool

Puncture repair kit & tyre levers

Inner tube

Small camera

Sun cream

Other items affixed to your bike

1 or 2 waterbottles
GPS (Optional)

To be carried in the support vehicle in your day-pack for easy access

Lightweight waterproof top

Basic First Aid Kit. Including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters, insect repellent (75-100% DEET) and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).

PERSONAL TOOLS AND SPARES

Please note: If you are hiring a bike you do not need to bring spares – just a pump, repair kit and a couple of inner tubes.

If you are taking your own bike, you should bring the following with you. Whilst not essential, it is a good idea that you familiarise yourself with how to carry out at least some basic repairs e.g. fixing a puncture, changing an inner tube. Naturally our bike guide will always be happy to assist with any repairs, but due to the often remote nature of our trips, being able to carry out a simple repair can save time and inconenience waiting for assistance.

Pump

Plastic tyre levers

1 rear brake cable

1 rear gear cable

Spare set of brake blocks (front and rear)

2 spare spokes for front and rear wheels

Spoke key

4 x inner tubes

Spare chain links

Liquid chain lube

Multi-tool with Allen keys

Chain link extractor (if not on multi-tool)

2x puncture repair kits

A rag and brush for cleaning bike and drive train.

Any spares specific to your bike

KE tools and spares

On all of our trips we carry a track pump, toolkit and a basic range of spares for emergencies. If any other spare parts are needed our support vehicle will make a detour to the nearest bike shop, which can be found in some of the larger towns en route.
Energy Gels/Sports Drinks/Power Bars

Our back up vehicle will carry ample supplies of water, snacks and lunches but if you like a particular energy gel, sports drink or power bar we suggest you bring a selection of your preferred choice along.

Please do not hesitate to call us for further advice about what to bring or any other aspect of this trip. We are more than happy to offer you the benefit of our experience. Further helpful information can also be found in the Your Bike, Baggage Allowances, Climate and Travelling with Your Bike sections of the detailed trip notes.

For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from ‘Available’ to ‘Guaranteed to run’. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. But we are always flexible so get in touch!

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit.

We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:

http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/

The better conditioned you are the more you will enjoy your trip. We suggest that you adopt a sensible weekly exercise regime and fit in a number of long cycle rides in hilly country to ensure you are physically capable of taking part in this trip – this will also provide you with an opportunity to make sure all your riding kit is tried and tested before you travel. Cycling is obviously the best activity to prepare for this trip, however, running, squash and swimming are also good for developing aerobic fitness and stamina. However the most common reason given for cancelling or postponing their cycling holiday, has been trainig injuries.So please keep that in mind!

As a reputable Cycling tour operator, Cycle Gran Canaria and their partners respects each country's Consulars ‘Know before you go’ campaign to enable their citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas, and we recommend that all Cycle Gran Canaria travellers take a look at the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination on their official FO website. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel.html or for Canada https://travel.gc.ca/ for essential travel advice and tips.

Cycle Gran Canaria and their partners treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should any FO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FOs and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Gran Canaria

With average annual temperatures ranging from 18 to 25 degrees centigrade, Gran Canaria maintains a mild and benign climate practically all year round. The island’s great weather is a product of its fresh and humid tradewinds coming in from the anticyclone from the Azores. These tradewinds, along with the mountainous layout of the island, provide the coastal areas with one of the best climates not only in the Canary Islands, but also in the whole of Europe.

The UV rateing can be quite high, 10 and higher, if you are fair skinned, Factor 50 is heaviliy adviseable to the point of using sun protecting arm covers, like arm warmers but usally white and light. Regular water stops too are encouraged.

Pyrenees and the Alps France

The temperatures that we can expect to encounter during the day will be reasonably warm, ranging from 18 to 28 degrees Centigrade. It can be cool in the evenings at our highest overnight stopping places and chilly at the highest passes on the route. The weather is usually stable during the early summer and autumn months in the Pyrenees and Alps, but mountainous areas do generate their own weather systems and occasional rain and even stormy weather cannot be ruled out.

Rough Guide to the Pyrenees

Rough Guide to France

Lonely Planet – France

Michelin 1:150,000 series

342 Haute Pyrenees 343 Ariege – Haute Garonne 344 Aude, Pyrenees-Orientale