I have taken part in a number of sportives since moving to France. All of these have been challenging but some have been over some slightly obscure climbs. With our own Raid des Cols I wanted to traverse the heart of the Pyrenees using the largest and most famous cols.  I have selected a route of 176km with 4830m of climbing up five top mountains, that you can tackle over 1, 2 or 3 days. I feel that what I have created is possibly the most challenging event that you could ever undertake....

Starting in Bossost it is straight into climbing, with the Col du Portillon (a steady 9km with some lovely switchbacks). At the top of the climb is the Spanish-French border (there is no need to carry a passport!) The descent is technical and fast in places.  

After riding through the lovely spa town of Luchon, it is onto the Col de Peyresourde. At just over 14km this is one of the longer climbs - and at times it will feel like it! The end of the climb is signalled by three large switchbacks in the last 2km.  Once at the top, you are rewarded with one of the nicest descents in the Pyrenees. 

After the Peyresourde, it is all downhill until Arreau and the start of the Col d’Aspin. This is the steep side of the Aspin - but at least that means you get the climbing over with more quickly. After 12km you are at the top and looking forward to a nice descent into Sainte-Marie-de-Campan. 

Now the real fun starts: the Col du Tourmalet. This is the climb that scares even the professionals so, taken on the back of the Portillon, Peyresourde and Aspin, it is going to be really hard. The first few kilometres break you in gently (as if you need breaking in) but once you are through Gripp, the beast of the mountain really kicks in. The ski station of la Mongie takes your mind off the climb, even if only for a minute. Then, before you know it, you are at the top. The first few kilometres of the descent are to be taken with care, but soon the road opens up and the descent is one of the fastest. Even after finishing the true descent at Luz St Sauveur it is still a steady drop all the way into Argeles Gazost.  

By now your legs will be tired and even the rise out of the town will hurt, so there is a flattish section before the final climb - the Col d’Aubisque. The Aubisque is really broken up into 2 climbs: the Col du Soulor and then the Aubisque. When climbed from this side, the Soulor is the hardest part of the Aubisque climb. The final descent of the day into Laruns is technical and fast at times so care must be taken if you’re tired.

This is one of the most challenging courses I could come up with and is definitely not recommended for the ill-prepared.

You can choose to take on the Allant Raid des Cols (ARC) over 1, 2 or 3 days - depending on your fitness, holiday duration and mental state! You can undertake the the ARC any when between May (after the snow has cleared) and September (subject to vehicle availability). The price of each ARC includes transfers to the start and from the finish, feed stations and drinks, plus support throughout the day (if it is needed). Take a look at our prices page for full details.

2 rue du Padouen 
65330
Galan
France
00 33 5 62 39 27 34

allant@wanadoo.fr

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