Built for Riders Who Seek More
What RAID Cycling Is — and Who We Ride For
RAID Cycling isn’t built for everyone. We’re not a casual sightseeing outfit, and we don’t design rides that tiptoe around the terrain. Our trips are crafted for cyclists who already carry some miles in their legs — those who know the rhythm of a paceline, who can settle into tempo on a climb, and who have learned to find flow in the group.
Intermediate is our baseline. That means you can ride in a club setting, manage sustained climbs, and feel comfortable with the pace of a longer day. From there, we lift the bar — not with arrogance, but with purpose. Because we’ve seen it time and again: when you support a rider properly, they rise.
Our Philosophy: Pursuit + Support
The heart of RAID is paradox: we build demanding days, but we surround them with uncommon care. We don’t just hand you a route and wish you luck. Our staff-to-rider ratio is often 1:3, with one or two support vehicles rolling, and ride leaders on the road beside you. That level of attention means you can take on climbs and mileage that might feel just out of reach — because the safety net is always there.
Preparation matters, and if you want guidance, we connect riders with our coaching network at VeloPro well before the trip begins. But make no mistake — we don’t design for beginners. RAID is about stretching the elastic, riding into that sweet spot where fatigue feels like proof you’re alive, and discovering that you’re capable of more than you thought.
Why We Ride This Way
After decades of running cycling tours worldwide, one lesson is clear: when you try to serve every rider level on the same trip, nobody gets what they deserve. Beginners are overwhelmed. Advanced riders are underwhelmed. Energy gets diluted.
RAID flips that equation. We set a high standard, then match it with the support to get you there. On the road, you’ll often have two route options:
Touring Line — still demanding, but steadier mileage and less vertical.
Passhunter Line — longer, steeper, higher; built for those chasing summits.
And if you need a lift? A SAG vehicle is never far. We don’t see that as failure. It’s part of the flow.
Routes themselves aren’t rigid either. We adapt constantly to conditions, road closures, and the reality of the terrain.
Where It Comes From
Our standards are rooted in the Raid Cyclo Alpin — the historic point-to-point challenge first laid down in the mid-20th century by French cycling clubs. From Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, threading Tour de France giants, the Raid was part randonnée, part race, and entirely about endurance.
That spirit is our compass. Not a race, not a holiday spin, but something in between: long days, real mountains, camaraderie forged in fatigue.
What a RAID Day Looks Like
A typical RAID day takes shape like this:
Distance: 90–120 km (55–75 miles)
Elevation Gain: 2,000–3,000 m (6,500–10,000 ft)
Time in the Saddle: 5–8 hours, depending on pace and pauses
This is the ground RAID was built on. Not for beginners. Not for the faint-hearted. But for those who want to step into the lineage of riders who’ve sought out the long road, the high passes, and the deep satisfaction that comes from meeting them head-on.
What to Expect — and What We Expect of You
We’ve seen it time and again: riders accomplish things with us they once thought unreachable. With the right support, you’ll find yourself cresting climbs you might have feared, riding farther in a single day than ever before, or stringing together 8–15 days in the saddle — something that once felt impossible. That’s what we do best: we help you succeed in places you weren’t sure you belonged.
But here’s the truth you need to hear: you must arrive prepared. These aren’t trips for someone who hasn’t touched their bike in six months. These routes are ambitious, with daily elevation and mileage that may stress your body and your mind. Even well-trained riders will feel stretched at times— that’s by design. What we don’t want is for you to show up underprepared and find the days exhausting for the wrong reasons.
Our intent is not to break you. Our intent is to bring you into that razor-thin space between fatigue and fulfillment — where the challenge is sharp, but the support is constant. If you put in the training beforehand, we’ll take you the rest of the way.
Are you the right fit?
If you’re looking for comfort, you’ll find it in the hotels we choose, the meals we share, and the support we deliver. But on the bike? RAID is about stretching your limits in a rewarding way. It’s about fatigue that leaves you smiling, mountains that leave you humbled, and days that remind you why you ride.
If you’re on the fence, let’s cut through the guesswork. Set up a one-on-one with Brad Sauber, founder of RAID Cycling. He’s led thousands of riders across mountains and continents, and he knows exactly what it takes to step into these kinds of rides.
With the right attitude, grit, and some solid miles in your legs, most intermediate riders can handle our trips. But let’s be honest — an “intermediate” rider in Florida is different from an “intermediate” rider in Colorado. Terrain shapes you. Experience matters. That’s why we talk. Chances are, Brad will show you you’re capable of more than you think — and maybe convince you to push just a little further.
PHONE
+01 360 790 6437