PRno1
07-JUNE-26
RIDER MANUAL
// Before You Go //
about this manual
For safety and practical reasons, please read all the information in this manual carefully. To take part in the event, it is essential that you fully understand the logistics, route details, required documents, event rules, and mandatory equipment.
We believe that the information contained in this manual is clear and leaves little room for misinterpretation or misunderstanding. For this reason, we will not answer questions that are already addressed in this manual.
As organizers, we reserve the right to reconsider the participation of any participant at any point before or during the event if we consider that the participant has misunderstood the nature of the event, overlooked important information that could put themselves at risk, or misunderstood any part of the rules and principles in a way that could lead to an unfair event.
Pre-Event Form
Please read this Rider Manual carefully, ensure you have collected all the required documents and information, and submit the Pre-Event Form.
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The deadline to submit the Pre-Event Form is Saturday, 23 May. If we don’t receive your form by that day, unfortunately, you won’t be able to take part in the event.
Documents and information
Signed Rider Agreement
Download the rider agreement. You can sign it with a digital certificate in Adobe Acrobat without wasting paper. Otherwise, print, sign and scan it.
Rented Tracker Deposit
A refundable deposit of €100 is required.
The tracker must be returned at the finish line. Your deposit will be refunded to the card used for payment within one week after the event. For more details, please refer to the dedicated section in this manual.
Emergency Contact
Next of kin’s full name, phone number, and email. These details will be printed on your brevet card for quick access if needed. This information will only be shared in case of an emergency.
Insurance Policy
Participants must have liability, death, accident and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses and repatriation.
Insurance must be valid in the destination country for the whole event duration and cover cycling and mountain biking activities while participating in cycling events. Cycling Federation insurance policies or NHS cards will not be accepted.
We need a copy of your insurance policy or an official document from your insurance company that shows your name, policy number, validity dates, and confirms coverage for emergency rescue, medical expenses, and repatriation. Documents must be in English.
Your insurance details will be printed on your brevet card for quick access if needed. This information will only be shared in case of an emergency.
Cycling and travelling abroad with proper insurance is really important! One-week insurance coverage usually costs about 50€ and includes up to 10 million in repatriation coverage. Anything under 30€ is suspiciously cheap. Consider that repatriation in case of a spinal injury – even if it’s not too serious – may require a private medical flight, which can cost up to €100,000.
Here are some insurance companies – coverage depends on your country of residence: Intermundial (Spain) – Occident (Spain) – EuropAssistance (WorldWide) – YellowJersey (UK) – PedalCover (UK)
WhatsApp Groups
Official WhatsApp group
Only organisers can post – Used for official communications, route alerts and emergencies. For safety reasons, joining the group is mandatory. If you’re concerned about your privacy, you can check your WhatsApp settings before joining.
Participant WhatsApp Group
All participants are welcome to post – This group is a space to connect, arrange shared accommodations or transfers, and cheer each other on during the event.
// logistics //
Get here
The Rally starts and finishes in Llançà – Port de la Selva, Spain
It’s a beautiful stretch of coastline on the Mediterranean, with charming towns, plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, supermarkets, and a train station.
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Girona and Perpignan airports are connected by a 1-hour train or 80 km ride, while Barcelona airport is approximately 2 hours away by train.
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Trains and buses allow bikes if they are packed in a bike box or a cardboard box; plastic film can also do the trick.
Càmping Port de la Vall is where we held accreditation and welcome finishers. It’s a small beachfront campsite located 5 km from Llançà train station. They have a bar-restaurant and laundry facilities. Mobile homes are available from €70 (minimum 2 nights), or you can pitch a tent from €20.
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Alberg Costa Brava is located right next to Llançà train station, the hostel offers around 40 beds in dormitories, a few private rooms, breakfast, and access to a shared kitchen. They may also be able to store your bag for the duration of the event—please check with the management.
accreditation
Sat 06 June – from 14:00 to 18:00 >> Accreditation
Càmping Port de la Vall
Participation is mandatory – riders who haven’t been accredited or who are missing any of the mandatory equipment will not be able to officially take part in the event and will not be tracked.
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During this time, we will check bikes and mandatory equipment // Confirm the routes are loaded onto your GPS and your phone // Ensure you can charge the tracking device with your power bank.
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Participants must arrive at accreditation with their bike fully ready to ride.
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During this time, we will give you your gear bag for your road tyres, tubes, sealant, and spares. You will find your gear bag at CP2 so you can swap tyre before entering the paved section, you gera bag will be finally delivered to the finish the finish line.
Sat 06 June – from 18:00 to 19:00 >> Briefing – Q&A
Participation is not mandatory.
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We will briefly discuss event details, including insights about the route and the expected weather. We will also answer questions from participants.
The accreditation location is yet to be confirmed and may change up until two weeks before the start. However, it will be held between Llançà and Port de la Selva.
start
Sun 07 June – 06:00 >> Ready
The start takes place at a small church in the hills just outside Llançà. Please make sure your GPS device is switched on at least one hour before the start.
Sun 07 June – 06:30 >> Steady
Sant Silvestre de Valleta
Before reaching the church, please check the tracking system to ensure your position is updating correctly and your device is fully charged. If your device is not working properly, we will replace it.
Sun 07 June – 07:00 >> Go!
CP1
Llavorsí // km 400
mid-sized town with a minimarket, restaurants, and a few hotels:
Hotel De Rei ≈ 90€
Hostal Noguera ≈ 90€
Hotel Riberies ≈ 100€
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The checkpoint is located at a campsite.
Participants arriving late at night will be welcomed with warm soup and bread (€15) and will have the option to sleep in a shared tent (€30, including a hot shower, towel, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag).
This checkpoint is yet to be confirmed. Information may change up to two weeks before the start.
Wed 10 June h 11:00
CP1 is closed
CP2
Erratzu // km 950
The checkpoint is located at a campsite.
Participants arriving late at night will be welcomed with warm soup and bread (€15) and will have the option to sleep in a shared room (€30, including a hot shower, towel, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag).
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The campsite offers apartments from €99 (late check-in available on request). The bar and restaurant are open during the day.
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At CP2, participants will find their gear bag containing their road tyres and basic tools for tyre changes. Please check the “Gear Bag” section.
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10 km further: Elizondo, a mid-sized town with a good supermarket and a hotel.
Sun 14 June h 11:00
CP2 is closed
CP3
Portet-d’Aspet // km 1450
The checkpoint is located at a campsite.
Participants arriving late at night will be welcomed with warm soup and bread (€15) and will have the option to sleep in a shared tent (€30, including a hot shower, towel, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag).
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4 km further: Hotel Bed in Bellongue ≈ 90 €
10 km further: Castillon-en-Couserans, a small town with a minimarket and a BnB
This checkpoint is yet to be confirmed. Information may change up to two weeks before the start.
Wed 17 June h 11:00
CP3 is closed
finish
Llançà – El Port de la Selva // km 1800
The finish line is located at a campsite.
Participants finishing late at night will be welcomed with warm soup and bread (€15) and will have the option to sleep in a shared tent (€30, including a hot shower, towel, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag). Cold beer is on us!
Wednesday 13 June – 20:00 >> Finish Line Gathering
Càmping Port de la Vall
We gather for a few drinks at the campsite
The finish location is yet to be confirmed and may change up until two weeks before the start. However, it will be between Llançà and Port de la Selva.
Sat 20 June h 22:00
cut-off time
tracker device
Please check the GPS Tracker User Guide & instruction videos.
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Turn ON your device at least one hour before the start: press and hold the little button on top.
Green LED blinks if the device is ON, once idle, the device goes into standby mode to save energy, and LEDs go off. Once the device detects movement, LEDs start blinking again.
Red LED starts to blink if the charge is below 10%, the battery usually lasts about 5 days, battery status is available on the live-tracking map.
Recharge the device with a USB to USB-C cable – the device does not recharge with fast USB-C to USB-C plugs.
The button on the front is not active.
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You are fully responsible for your device, and time penalties will apply if it is switched off or runs out of battery.
The tracker shall be returned at the finish line and the deposit will be refunded during the week after the event.
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If you don’t make it to the finish line, please ship your device to:
Follow My Challenge / Tedde de Boer
7, Chemin des Araignées
24290 Montignac-Lascaux
France
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Please ship it before leaving the EU to avoid import fees; any such fees will be deducted from your deposit. Your deposit will be refunded when we receive the device.
gear bag and Tyre Swap
Gear Bag
At accreditation, participants will receive a ~5L gear bag for road tyres, sealant, spares or tools.
The bag will be available at CP2 for a tyre swap before the paved section. Place your gravel tyres inside; it will be returned to the start line.
Tyre Swap
At Check Point 2, participants will find their Gear Bag, a pump booster for tubeless setup, tyre levers, and basic tools for routine maintenance.
// the RALLY //
route tracks
The route is subject to change until two days before the start. Please ensure you download the latest version before setting off.
The route is available as a Ride with GPS collection, one route for each island. The tracks include points of interest (POIs) such as main towns, bike shops, water sources, and hike-a-bike sections.
- Download the routes from Ride with GPS (More > Export as File > GPX Track.
- Upload the routes to your GPS device and ensure that local maps are downloaded. Avoid syncing through third-party apps such as Komoot.
- Upload the routes to your phone using your preferred app (MapOut, Komoot, Ride with GPS, etc.) and make sure they’re available offline as a backup.
During accreditation, we will verify that the tracks are loaded on both your GPS device and your phone.
It is not easy to control such a long route. In case of interruption or road closure, take a photo as proof, find your way around it, and rejoin the official route.
route notes
For complete details and recommendations about the route please refer to all the information provided on the event webpage.
Possible Road Closures
Escalona, km590 – The road “Barranco de Añisclo” to Nerín is often closed for maintenance or landslides. In case of road closure, ride the nice secondary road to Buerba and join the track at Nerín.
bike and gear
Check the mandatory equipment listed in the rules section. Start the route with new brake pads, and make sure your bike is in good condition.
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The elevation gain is the main challenge: choose low gearing, pack wisely, and keep it as light as possible.
1.5 liters of water capacity will be enough to ride to the next water source. A water filter is recommended.
Clothing: Check the Mandatory equipment in the Rules section. Be ready for freezing temperatures and heavy rains, bring a mid-layer, down jacket, thermal gloves and waterproof kit (jacket, pants, shoe covers).
Sleeping System: With proper stage planning, the route can be completed solely using accommodations, but a bivy setup is recommended for safety and the flexibility to nap under emergency shelters and mountain huts. A tent would add unnecessary weight.
expected weather
This section will be updated 3 days before the start.
At the time of the event, in early June, the cycling season in the Pyrenees is just beginning, and summer is still settling in. Afternoon storms can be expected daily and may even turn into snow at higher altitudes. Temperatures can range from below 0 °C to above 30 °C.
Expected temperatures:
Sea Level -> 35ºC ~ 20ºC
1000mt -> 25ºC ~ 5ºC
2000mt -> 15ºC ~ -5ºC
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As the landscape changes along the route, so does the weather: from the dry and sunny Mediterranean to the cold and humid Atlantic, including the high mountains climate and the infamous Spanish heat on the lower sections.
scratching
If you decide to scratch from the event, email your decision to scratch@outerdetours.com
and include your name and cap number. Then, turn OFF your tracker.
The route goes through small villages with limited connections to larger cities, and scratching from the event may not be straightforward. Trains and buses usually allow bikes if they are packed in a bag—film wrap and tape can do the trick.
Communications
As a self-supported event, interaction and communication with the organizers must be limited to cases of real emergencies. The main channel to contact the organization before, during, and after the event is via email at outer@outerdetours.com
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As already stated, we will not answer questions that are already addressed in this manual.
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During the event, and only in case of a real emergency, you may contact the organizers via WhatsApp message. Click on our name to open a WhatsApp chat. Please use text messages only, we will not answer phone calls.
rules
Riders must sign and agree to the Rider Agreement and must be at least 18 years old.
Mandatory equipment
Lights: front light, head/helmet lamp, 2 tail lights
Clothing: reflective vest/backpack, waterproof kit (jacket, pants, gloves, shoe cover or waterproof socks), mid-layer or down jacket.
Emergency blanket or bivy.
Tools: 2 spare tubes (at least one in traditional butyl), spare brake pads.
Power bank and USB-to-USB-C cable for the tracker device.
Phone with a WhatsApp account to join the official group.
Leave no trace // be nice to people
Leave everything as you found it—or better. Respect Natural Park rules, do not cycle or step outside the official paths. Dispose of, remove, and recycle waste.
Be considerate of others; there is no room for racism, sexism, homophobia, or any other form of discrimination.
Rescuing any rider who is injured or in danger is a top priority.
Respect Local laws
Riders are fully responsible for knowing, observing, and complying with local laws. In the event of road interruptions or closures, riders are responsible for finding an alternate route to bypass the interruption and rejoin the official route.
Self-support
Participants are not allowed to assist, support, or resupply each other and must not receive any third-party assistance, private lodging, or resupply. Accommodations or any services can only be booked by riders, without external assistance, and only after the event starts. Private media crews can only be arranged by the organization. Drafting and group riding are permitted.
Route and Tracking
Riders should follow the official track from start to finish. If they temporarily leave the route they must return to the point they left. Riders are responsible for their tracking device.
#6HoursAlliance
Riders agree to stop for an average of at least 6 hours a day. Their personal GPRS tracker will detect moving and stopping times. the final result will be adjusted by adding the missing time, with no additional penalties.
Insurance
Participants must have liability, death, accident, and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses, and repatriation, valid for the event’s duration. We will ask for a copy of your insurance before the event.
Code of Honor
A fair and safe ride depends on fair and honourable Riders.
Non-observance of the rules will result in DNS (Did Not Start), DSQ (disqualification) or time penalties.
// Extras //
Media Folder
We’ll edit all photos in the week following the event and email participants when they’re ready.
The pictures are shared in a Dropbox folder. You’re free to download the entire folder or individual images in full resolution — the folder is publicly accessible, no Dropbox account is needed.
Feel free to use them privately or share them on social media — please mention the event and the photographer. Commercial use is also okay, but please get in touch so we know how and where the pictures are being used.
The Confidence Gap
Jana Kesenheimer is an ultracycling legend and a researcher at the University of Innsbruck. Jana and her team are currently working on the research project “Psychological experiences before and after ultra-cycling races”.
To study this, they’re running a short survey on psychological experiences pre- and post-race. We share the link to the survey and we hope this will help to eventually reduce the confidence gap. Please note that the survey has two parts: one before the race (between a few days and four weeks) and one after, sent separately.
// PRE-EVENT FORM //
The deadline to submit the Pre-Event Form is Saturday, 23 May. If we don’t receive your form by that day, unfortunately, you won’t be able to take part in the event.