About the ride

Les Cols 2017

A sponsored cycle from Paris to Lourdes & the Pyrenees via the Massif Central

800 miles and >17,000 m of climb in 14 days, raising money for various charities.

Over the last 13 years we, a group of good friends, have successfully completed some fairly epic 2-week sponsored cycle expeditions, starting in 2004 with a Lands End to John O’Groats ride. Since then we have taken on the mighty Pyrenees (2007), cycled from Paris to Venice (2010) and done a return John O’Groats to Lands End (2014). In the course of these rides we have covered nearly 4000 miles and climbed the equivalent of Everest many times over. All to raise money for charity, and as a group we have raised over £100k.

We do these rides completely under our own steam – deciding routes, organizing travel, accommodation and running our own fundraising. All of the money we raise goes to the charities. These days we also do the rides unsupported (i.e. we carry our own luggage with us and don’t have a support driver).

We have always made the rides a challenge – doing things we know are going to be hard, that we can only just manage. This time is no different. Not only is the route challenging (we are taking in part of the toughest of European cycle routes, the 100 cols), we have also decided to carry our own accommodation, as we will be camping. We will be taking in classic climbs such as the Puy de Dome and the Col d’Aubisque. We hope that by taking a real challenge, we can inspire you to support our charities.