A Raid, or randonnée as it is often called in French, is an organised and typically long-distance cycling event that requires participants to carry and stamp a ‘brevet card’ at various control points along the route, thus proving completion.

1 (a) History of the Cycling Raid

Originating in Italy in the late nineteenth century, participants aimed to cover as much distance as possible with a view to proving themselves as audax (translated as bold/audacious) The event saw 12 Italian cyclists attempt to ride from Rome to Naples, a distance of 230 kilometres (140 miles), during daylight hours.

These events became popular and in 1904 French journalist Henri Desgrange produced the official Audax regulations, which belonged to his newspaper Auto. His regulations required riders to ride in groups, with the winner awarded a certificate called a Brevet d'Audax. Before long the Audax Club Parisien (ACP) was formed, tasked with the organisation of Audax events on Desgrange's behalf. In 1920 Desgrance and the ACP parted ways after Desgrange withdrew ACP's permission to organise events under his new Audax regulations.

1. (b) The Modern Day Raid

This ultimately led to the ACP creating its own more relaxed version of the sport, with successful riders awarded certificates called Brevets des Randonneurs. This format is now popularly known as randonneuring, or Raiding, and is the sport we enjoy today.

2. Raids vs Marmot Tours 'Classic' cycling holidays - what's the difference?

We’re often asked what the difference is between a Raid and our popular Classic-style European mountain cycling holidays. Well, it all boils down to flexibility and route choice.

A Raid is often a linear route (e.g. from Geneva to Trieste, as per the Raid Dolomites) which requires riders to check in at pre-defined locations. On the other hand, our Classic flexi-pace format is, at its very core, flexible. There are (atleast) two route choices each day, being the 'classic' and 'challenge' routes. These allow a rider to pick and choose how easy or hard their day is going to be, and is perfect for mixed ability groups/clubs or couples who want to ride together, but have different aspirations in terms of climbing, distance and speed.

“What surprised me was actually how achievable it was. Beforehand I thought a ride like this was only for elite cyclists, but really anyone can do it... I didn’t need to worry - it was easily within my reach. I would say to anyone, they must cycle in the high mountains – it’s a fantastic experience.” Colin Dunn - Ventoux Club des Cinglés Challenge

3. What's the most difficult cycling holiday?

You would be forgiven for thinking that the Classic flexi-pace trips are all easier than the Raids, and whilst the 'classic' route is designed to be achievable, one could easily make a flexi-pace trip harder than a Raid by completing all of the 'challenge' route options. The flexible pace Picos & Angliru trip is a fine example, with the Challenge options costing you 826km and 16,800m of vertical ascent. Compare that to the Raid Pyrenean with its 735km and 12,840m of ascent, or the Raid Alpine (North to South) with its 760km route and 14,600m of ascent.

4. I'm worried a Raid might be too hard for me, are there any easier Raids?

Yes there are! The shortest official Raid we run is called the Club des Cinglés du Mont Ventoux Challenge and focuses entirely on the Giant of Provence - Mont Ventoux. Rather than the typical linear routes of the Raid Sardinia or the Raid Corsica, the Cingles Challenge requires cyclists ride up all three roads to the summit of Mont Ventoux inside of a day, stamping their brevet cards, or carnets, as they go.

Once complete, we at Marmot Tours send all of the stamped cards away to the Fédération Française de cyclotourisme to be verified, with completion medals and verified brevet cards being sent to the riders home address. The names of all successful riders are also added to the Club des Cinglés du Mont-Ventoux website, for all to see.

Marmot Tours client Colun Dunn completed the challenge with us a few years back and you can read about his trip by clicking here. It made such an impression on him that he went and got the Cingles logo tattooed on his calf. Chapeau!

You can read more about cycling up Ventoux and the surrounding area by checking out this blog by loyal Marmot Tours rider Emma Potter, inspired by her recent Ventoux & the Verdon Gorge 'Classic Cols' trip with us. Emma has ridden many of our trips, including the Raid Alpine. You can read her thoughts on that trip here.

5. How do I find out more?

Basically, if you're considering a Raid, give it a go! Hopefully we've managed to convince you that whatever your ability or aspirations, Marmot Tours has got a trip out there to suit you.

You can browse all of our European mountain cycling holidays, whether it's our fully guided Raids you're interested in, or our flexible pace Classic guided cycling tours with multiple route options each day. Remember, we're always happy to talk you through the specifics of a trip if you want to know more. Just give us a call on (+44) (0)1373 830 409 or email us at [email protected].