It’s hard to put into words the flood of emotions and sensations that participating in the Andean Raid can bring to each rider. Almost as hard as explaining what drives so many of us to take on challenges or set goals that, in most cases, demand an extraordinary level of effort.
Perhaps it’s our own vanity that pushes us to pursue such goals: long distances, endless climbs, descents that inevitably lead into yet another uphill battle; cold, altitude, self-sufficiency, solitude, the weight of the bike, and the constant dialogue with our own limits, strengths, and shortcomings —sometimes leading to complete physical exhaustion. All of it takes us deep within ourselves, to the edge. And just when we think we’ve reached the limit, we realize it lies further still —or at least, that’s what we hope.
Reading this, you might think we’re trying to discourage you from joining this brutal yet spectacular race —perhaps one of the toughest in the world. But nothing could be further from the truth. If you’ve made it this far, you already know what we’re talking about.
Emanuel Rocha [Founder]
Based on this event's terrain, difficulty and riding style.
Andean Raid covers 435km / 750 km.
Andean Raid's terrain calls for a Gravel Bike, ideally running 45-50mm Tubeless tires. On the drivetrain side, a 38-40T (1x) chainring matched to a 10-51T cassette gives enough range for the climbing involved.
Andean Raid is a genuine challenge over rough, technical terrain for a good stretch of the route, with mild and generally comfortable weather typical for the time of year.
Andean Raid takes place on June 24, 2026. That puts it in winter, so cold-weather gear and shorter daylight hours are part of the planning.
Surface-wise, expect gravel throughout Andean Raid — 45-50mm Tubeless tires are a safe bet.