Coast
toCoast
900
km
24.000
m+
50%
unpaved
from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic
along a mixed-terrain route
over endless Spanish pistas
and
Back
900
km
22.000
m+
100%
paved
and back to the Mediterranean
along an all-paved route
over legendary French cols.
Riders swap tyres halfway through
and aim to challenge the two-week cut-off.
#6HoursAlliance
Riders agree to stop for an average of
at least 6 hours per day.
the Route
The Pyrenees are sparsely populated, and the route primarily passes through small villages with basic services.
Accommodations are not frequent and may be closed during the low season. However, with some planning and longer stages, it’s possible to complete the route relying solely on lodging options. Make sure to arrange late check-ins if you expect to arrive late.
Resupply requires careful planning — the next small village may be a long ride away, and restaurants or grocery stores often have short opening hours, especially on the French side. It’s essential to restock whenever possible. Water sources are available along the route, with plenty of fountains and mountain streams.
Bike shops are only available in larger towns. Small villages may have bike rentals with a few spares and a basic workshop.
bike and gear
The first half includes 500 km of unpaved terrain, with about 100 km of rocky MTB trails, and 2 hours of hike-a-bike to connect everything.
The second half is entirely paved and connects one climb after another, with barely any flat sections.
–
A gravel bike is the obvious choice for the rally; how to gear it up is a personal preference and often involves some compromises.
–
The first half is best tackled with 2.1″ tyres or as large as your frame can accommodate. A front suspension can provide extra comfort and speed on rocky descents, but it would be otherwise heavy and unnecessary. Any road tyres will work for the second half.
–
The climbs are often steep, and 1-by MTB low gearing is the best option, even if it means missing the evenly spaced road cassettes. Elevation gain is the main challenge, so pack wisely and keep your setup as light as possible, while still being prepared for cold nights, afternoon storms, and the occasional bivouac.
Clothing – be prepared for freezing temperatures and heavy rain. Bring a mid-layer, down jacket, thermal gloves, and full waterproof gear (jacket, pants, and shoe covers).
1.5-liter water capacity will be enough to reach the next water source. A water filter is recommended for filtering water from mountain streams.
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. A tent would add unnecessary weight.
Tools and spares – there are just a few bike shops along the route. Bring tubes, chain lube, chain links, a tubeless repair kit, and spare brake pads.
expected weather
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.
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.
route tracks
Tracks are available to anyone wanting to ride the route, even outside of official events — you can download the GPX files from RideWithGPS by clicking on the map above. The tracks, recommendations, and information provided here are only a planning resource, a starting point to help you prepare your trip with due diligence and common sense. We will not provide any further information or assistance beyond what is already included here.
Ride at your own risk and responsibility // Always check the weather forecast and local alerts. Be sure to respect natural park rules, traffic laws, road closures, and private land restrictions. We are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other incident that might occur while cycling or following this route.
Planning and scouting a cycling route requires significant effort, involving many hours of investigation, long days on the trails, and quite a few pointless hike-a-bikes. If you ride the route or part of it, please help us keep it updated by sending feedback on trail conditions or any road closures.
If you use the route for commercial purposes or to market products, please mention our project.
Unsupported, single-stage, and fixed-route bikepacking event. Open to a maximum of 99 riders with proven experience, aiming to complete the route within the two-week cut-off time.
Participants are fully responsible for their own safety, logistics, and resupply. They will be tracked in real time and must pass through staffed checkpoints to validate their ride.
Riders agree to stop for an average of at least 6 hours per day, as described in the “6-Hours-Alliance” section below.
Riders will have the chance to change their tyres at CP2 before the paved section, as described in the “Tyre-Swap” section below.
START
Llançà
km-0
Cp1
Llavorsí
Km 400 // closes at day 4
Cp2
Tyre-Swap
Elizondo
900-km // closes at day 7
Cp3
Portet-d'Aspet
1.400-km // closes at day 11
finish
Llançà
1.800-km // 14 days Cut-Off
Schedule and logistics
Mon 27/Oct/25
Entries are Open
–
Sat 06/Jun/26 h-14:00 to 19:00
Llançà
Accreditation
–
Sun 07/Jun/26 h-07:00
Llançà
Gran Depart
–
Sat 20/Jun/26 h-22:00
Llançà
Cut-Off time
The Rally starts and finishes in Llançà, Spain – a charming town on the Mediterranean coast with plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, supermarkets, and a train station. 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.
_
Trains and buses allow bikes if they are packed in a bike box or a cardboard box; plastic film can also do the trick.
6-hours-alliance
Riders agree to stop for an average of at least 6 hours a day. Their personal GPRS tracker will detect moving and stopping times, and the live tracking system will display the time difference needed to meet the requirement.
–
At the finish line, if the stopping time falls short, we will adjust the final result by adding the time difference, with no additional penalties.
We are aware that the #6HoursAlliance may be seen as a controversial limitation on each rider’s freedom and approach. We do believe that on such a long distance, it would not significantly affect the final results, since riders would likely stop more than six hours a day anyway. We conceived the #6HoursAlliance as an agreement among fellow riders, aimed at an enjoyable ultra-cycling experience
tyre-swap
During the accreditation, participants will receive a Gear Bag for their road tyres, tubes, sealant and spares. At CP2, they will find their gear bag in a service area with the needed tools to change tyres before entering the paved section.
–
Riders may replace brake pads or perform routine maintenance, but they are not allowed to replace any other bike parts such as gearing, fork, or pedals. For this reason, the Gear Bag size is limited to accommodate two tyres and basic spares.
entry fee
The entry fee is 340€ // The Rally will be open to a maximum of 99 participants who can register as SOLO or PAIR, resulting in two different categories.
Tracking System // The tracker device and tracking system are included and will be provided by followmychallenge.com.
A refundable deposit of 100€ for each rented tracker will be required, to be paid within two weeks before the start. The deposit will be refunded once the tracker is returned at the finish line. Personal GPRS, SPOT, or InReach devices will not be tracked.
Check Points // Staffed control points will be open 24 hours a day, with the option to purchase meals and accommodation in shared rooms, private rooms, or tents. CP1 and CP3 will only be included if there are a minimum of 50 participants.
Not included // Accommodations, meals and transport.
Insurance: you must have liability, death, accident and health insurance covering emergency rescue, medical expenses and repatriation. Insurance must be valid in Spain and France for the whole duration of the event and cover mountain biking in cycling events as the main reason for the trip. Cycling Federation insurance policies and NHS cards will not be accepted. We will ask you to provide a copy of your policy.
cancellation and refund
If a participant needs to cancel
// 90 days before the start: Refund of €120
// 60 days before the start: Refund of €60
// 7 days before the start: Refund of €30
// Less than 7 days before the start: No refund
Under no circumstances can the entry be transferred to another participant or event.
If the organization needs to cancel
If the event is cancelled due to Force Majeure events, no refunds will be provided.
We are referring to unlikely events such as pandemics, earthquakes, or extreme weather conditions. In such cases, participants are advised to claim the entry fee through their private insurance policy, which should cover this type of cancellation.
rules
Riders must sign and agree to the Rider Agreement and must be at least 18 years old.
Mandatory equipment
Lights: headlamp, front light, 2 tail lights
Clothing: reflective vest, waterproof kit (jacket, pants, gloves, shoe cover), mid-layer, or down jacket.
Tools: 2 spare tubes (at least one in traditional butyl), 2 spare brake pads. Emergency blanket or bivy.
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. If the stopping time falls short, we will adjust the final result by adding the time difference, 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.
entry form
Outer Detours
Tour Operator
I-AV-0004875.1
