This 15 day mountain biking route from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic is a challenge. It is 1000 kms (about 620 miles) of around 30,000 metres (18.6 miles), or nearly 100,000 feet of ascent – and, of course, descent.

When I did it there was one ‘rest’ day of about 54 kms and 1400m of climb (i.e. Ben Nevis) and the last day to the coast was only 46 km and 1346m of short killer climbs. (If you think Antonio would make the last day easy, think again).

Hard days are up to and over 100 kms per day with 2600 ms of climbing. Of course, the days become more difficult still (like someone who will remain nameless) if you go 30 kms off route! Average days are about 2000 -and 70kms. As individual days that’s ok, but 15 days solid are a test of pigheaded stubbornness. Some is on steep tarmac but much is on firetrack or rough rubble track.

Sometimes there are 400m climbs on rough rocky tracks and some ‘beautiful’ near vertical concrete 100m ‘rockfaces’.

The 1200m down hills are great, you’ve earned them!!! Now it’s the arms and not the legs that are aching.

Of course, if this was at 15°C (60°F) it would be easy (Hmm) but at 35°C into low 40°C (i.e.100°F) you have sweat pouring off you.

This route does have a little sweet single track and some technical rocky sections (not all ride these). The scenery is awesome; the Ordesa gorge of 1000ms sheer rockface is a miniature of the valleys on the Green River at Moab. Some mountain tops had a little snow left in July.

There were lots of small mountain villages (very picturesque) that you go through or pass and it is in the smaller older towns where you stay.

You cycle up some spectacular river valleys, over tops with huge views, through some forests and, of course, up and down mountainsides.

The logistics with your own route given by Antonio the guide (who speaks perfect English) on a GPS (he provides that) means you can get your own cadence and timing.

This is important as the tracks on the ground are not always clear and you need the GPS. You need to establish your own speed going up and down. I found it easier to go faster than some going down over the boulders and rocky sections. The group tends to spread out a bit but possibly (!) regroup at a Col or at the bottom of valleys.

Rather like the major races, Antonio gives a good briefing the night before. He has printout copies for everyone to have a copy of the profiles for the next day showing climb and distances. He explains the terrain and the good and difficult bits, and most importantly where lunch will be provided. For a couple of days we had to take our own lunch due to the remote nature of the trails.

A three litre camelback is imperative, and this can be filled up either at lunchtime or at various fountains in villages.

You will need to take rehydration powder to add to your water intake and I would strongly advise you take recovery (protein plus) powder to take at the end of the day. Antonio had recovery powder which I bought from him. Pre-drinks are useful.

Antonio had a good selection of high energy bars and Berta, his wife, was always providing bars and snacks in the morning or at lunchtime to take with us to aid the climbs.

This trip is longer in time and distance than the Trans Alps but it is not a race in the same way. It is not quite so hard, but it does have the challenge aspect – it is a personal challenge, rather than just odd days of hard and interesting routes you get on most holidays. Individual fitness is a hard thing to judge. You do have to be quite fit but not of Olympic standard. That is the purpose of the challenge.

Skedaddle call this a grade 5 trip. It’s more like a grade 7. But do it. When you have done it once you will want to do it again; and do similar challenges.

By the way, the certificate looks good on the wall – not many have got one of those!