Cent Cols Challenge

The Cent Cols Challenges involve climbing 100 Cols in ten days, cycling approximately 200 kms per day with an average of 4,000 metres of ascension on each stage. The first edition was held on the 14th-24th September 2009. It was held in the French Alps for the first year.
The routes are loosely based on the beautifully designed “Randonnées Permanentes” of the Club des Cent Cols . The routes designed by this experienced club of passionate ‘Col-Hunters’ always guarantee the best options for the cyclist. As well as including most of the Classic Climbs, the jewels of these routes are the many lesser known climbs it will take you to.

Although this is NOT a race, individual times are recorded each day, with all feed-stops ‘neutralised’. There will be an overall winning Team, based on total average riding time of the team members.

This is a Team Event, open to a maximum of 35 riders. Teams can be made up of three, four or five riders. However, this ‘team concept’ should not prevent possible participants entering as individuals. The event can be ridden solo but riding as a team, even loosely, can be a real benefit for getting through the inevitable dark moments along the way. From a safety point of view riding as a team can be very beneficial too.

Why a Team Event?

Preparation is the essential key to individual success, as well as to that of the whole event. To train as much as possible in a group, even if only actually riding together very occasionally, is more effective, more stimulating and hopefully more enjoyable too.

Riding the event as a team on the road gives you the opportunity to ride like the Pros. As a team you can develop a strategy, share the work on the front, pace the strongest climbers up the early part of the climbs.

Riding as a team should enhance the overall safety of the event : with a sudden change of weather in the mountains conditions can quickly get bad; on a long descent someone could easily go over the edge without being noticed. By teams regrouping after descents, for instance, any ‘absences’ can be quickly spotted.

If you intend to apply for a place on the Challenges, you will be asked to provide some evidence of respectable recorded results in organised sportive events over the last three years in order to ensure a correct level fitness and ability. YOU SHOULD HAVE OBTAINED GOLD MEDAL STATUS REGULARLY in organised sportives as an indication that you are capable of completing one of these events. Remember, these are not easy rides!