Starting in the town of Hendaye on the Bay of Biscay, The Raid snakes its way for 714KM across the Pyrenees to Cebere on the Mediterranean coast. Eighteen major mountain climbs are encountered en-route, including such Tour de France legends as the Peyresourde (1569m), Aubisque (1709m) and Tourmalet, which stands at a whopping 2115m above sea level.

And as if a total climbing distance of 22,569m (almost three times the height of Everest) isn’t enough, all entrants must complete the 714KM slog in less than 100 hours...

Dreamt up by The Cyclo Club Bearnais in Pau, The Raid is monitored by a secret control car, and every rider must get their carnet stamped at set points en-route to prove they have done it. Not a single corner can be cut!

All being well, I'll arrive in Cebere on June 25 with an even more stupid cyclist's tan, broken legs and an overwhelming thirst for ice-cold French beer. I’ve even promised Angela and Luca that I’ll then take at least a week off the bike, and for once, I think I’ll actually mean it.

Click here for a profile of the Raid and information on the major climbs.

Click here to visit the Fairbridge Raidblog, an online resource for all Fairbridge riders.

And click here to see a short promo cut for The Fairbridge Raid 2009.