Backroad Contrabandistes

The name is literal. These are the paths that contrabandistas used to cross the frontier at night, and by the organiser's own account, some still do. The route runs through villages with unusually specific histories: Tor, thirteen houses and three murders in its recent past and up to cols at 2,300 metres, through ancient forests where deer, bears, and wolves still hold territory.

There are three formats, all starting and finishing at Sant Joan de l'Erm on the same day.

Contrabandistes EPIC - 103 km, +3,170 m. 4h30 estimated for the leaders, ten hours of daylight on the day. Terrain splits roughly 65% unpaved track, 20% paved track, 14% asphalt, and about 300 metres of hike-a-bike. Two aid stations, both in local bars: Alins at km 40 and Tor at km 52. Rolls out at 6 am. Rated expert. This is a real day out.

Contrabandistes HERO - 50 km, +1,300 m. All gravel, roughly two hours for the fastest riders. Rolls out at 9 am. Cols at 2,000 metres, forests all the way. Rated medium. A good way in for anyone who wants Pyrenean altitude without committing to the full EPIC day.

Both cost €65 and include a rider bag, finisher medal, aid stations, timing, showers, bike wash, and a meal at the finish.

Practical notes worth flagging up front: the route is GPS-only, unmarked. Recommended tyres are tubeless, 40–50 mm. Mandatory kit includes front and rear lights with spare battery, waterproof jacket, mid-layer, tools, and cash — some of the aid stops are in villages small enough that card readers aren't guaranteed.

It's the second event in the Backroad series (same team as Back Road Cadí). The tagline sums up the ethos: "No hay ganadores, hay contrabandistas." No winners, just smugglers.