The Andean Raid is an ultracycling event, unsupported & single-stage. The race is 617km long with 12.950m of elevation gain. The second edition starts in Cusco (Peru) and goes through the Vilcanota Range, reaching a maximum altitude of 5.070m.
The mixed terrain and steep slopes make the Andean Raid a one-of-a-kind race. From the Cusco historic city to the highlands of the Vilcanota Range, this race will test you physically and psychologically, allowing you to give your all. Travel 617Km of pure emotion and living culture in the Andes.
Together we will live an epic adventure that goes beyond bicycle tours, enjoying the warm welcome of its people in each town.
From 3.400 to 5.070 meters you must be prepared for everything. The race will take place in the dry season, which does not mean that in some sector you cannot find rain, fog or even snow. Be prepared for a cold, icy and windy climate in the higher parts, but also for the unbearable midday heat.
It is difficult to synthesize briefly the heap of feelings and sensations that taking part in the Andean Raid can suppose for everyone. Almost so difficult as to define what pushes many of us to raise his/her challenges -a priori unattainable for many other persons- or goals that suppose an excessive effort, in most of cases.
Probably it is our own pretense which drives us to raise such an aims. Long distances, raises without an end, decreases that will end up by starting a new ascent without end, cold, height, self-sufficiency, loneliness, the weight of the bike, the permanent dialog with our own limitations, capacities and disabilities, coming to the physical abandonment sometimes. All this, undoubtedly takes to the bottom of oneself, to the limit, this limit to which we come and state that still it is on some more distant station, or at least, this is our wish.
With these expositions, you may think that I wants to dissuade you from taking part in this hard and spectacular race, probably one of the hardest of the world. Far from it! who is reading know what I mean.
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