NEW : DATES FOR PYRENEES 2011

Both the Alps CCC 2010 and the CCC Pyrenees 2010 are now SOLD OUT.

36 brave riders are training hard for the Alpine event;
a smaller group will valiantly pave the way for the CCC Pyrenees 2011.
As from next year, despite high demand, just one CC Challenge will be held each year in order to retain the elite nature of this most extreme cycling challenge.

THE CCC PYRENEES 2011 WILL BE HELD FROM 12TH – 22ND SEPTEMBER

Contact Classic Tours to register your interest or subscribe here on the site.

The first Cent Cols Challenge was held on the 14th – 24th September 2009, in the French Alps. So did it live up to expectations? Just how hard was it? (22 of the 35 starters rode over all 106 Cols, but all riders finished the event.)

Here are some of the first impressions from those who rode it:

• “Epic is a word overused to describe events. In this case it is thoroughly appropriate…The inaugural running of the event was a superb success story.”
• “An amazing trip of a lifetime. A mix of joy,elation,grinding fatigue, ultimate satisfaction, self-knowledge and discovery…ultimately life-enhancing.”
• “ The best days of cycling in eight years of riding a bike. Thanks for giving us all this wonderful opportunity. Provided they do the necessary training, I’d recommend it to any serious cyclist.”
• “The impact this event has had on my life is far greater than the simple accomplishment of the task.”
• “As a first run of an event of such complexity it was really amazing…the best event I have ever done.”
• “ What an event! Up before 6.30am most days, rarely checkng into the next hotel before 18.00hrs. Climbing through early morning mists; struggling with 26km of climb to the top of the Madeleine on Stage Two; circumnavigating sheep being herded down the upper reaches of the Ventoux. If you get a chance to ride this stunning event, take it! Train first,mind.Possibly the best sportive in the world!”
• “Living the life of a Pro for ten days was a real eye-opener… I have nothing missing in my life and yet I just want to relive those ten days over and over again.”
• “Saddle sores, 12 mile climbs, freezing descents, screaming limbs, nausea…loved it !”
• “Your support was the best I have ever had…on an organised sportive event. Thank you”
• “Was the CCC the hardest thing I have ever done? By far. I have never done anything as hard, as punishng, as brutal as this before…If you get the chance to do it, I highly recommned it. You will never look back!”

If you think limits are mere perceptions; if a remote part of your mind likes the idea of riding ten ‘Etapes du Tour’ back to back, then this event could be for you.