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.

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Emanuel Rocha [Founder]