THE ALPINE CENT COLS (13-23 Sept.) and THE PYRENEEAN CENT COLS (17-27 Aug.)
For 2010, we are opening up the CENT COLS in the Pyrenees to those who wish to ride as part of the main event, either riding stages 1-5, or stages 5-10.
ROUTE ONE: THE ALPINE CENT COLS CHALLENGE : 13th (arrive 12th) to 23rd September 2010.
Stage One : Annecy to Albertville
Distance : 175 km (4,200 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Forclaz, Epine, Plan Bois,Croix Fry, Aravis, Saisies. (9 cols in total)
Description : From the shores of Lake Annecy to the heart of the High Alps. Straight into a tough mix of classic and lesser known climbs, this day prepares riders for the Giants awaiting them on Day Two.
Stage Two : Albertville to Briancon
Distance : 215 km (5,600 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Glandon, Croix de Fer, Mollard, Telegraphe, Galibier. (10 cols in total)
Description : A classic, covering most of the Marmotte route and more. Those who survive this stage stand a chance of getting to Annecy.
Stage Three : Briancon to Sisteron
Distance : 200 km (3,600 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Izoard, Pontis, Fillys, Sagnes. ( 9 cols in total)
Description : Leaving the high Alps via Izoard, this is a transition stage with slightly less climbing. After the rugged alpine mountains we get our first sniff of the sweet air of Provence
Stage Four : Sisteron to Valberg
Distance : 185 km (4,400 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Fontbelle, Corobin, Champs, Valberg (9 cols in total)
Description : A stunning climb through a ‘geological park’ opens the day, before descending to Digne-les-Bains. The route then crosses a beautiful and remote part of Haute Provence, taking in two unforgettable climbs. The Col de Valberg provides the first of two dramatic mountain-top stage finishes on the event.
Stage Five : Valberg to Carros-Nice
Distance : 215 km ( 4,200 metres climbing)
Main climbs : St Martin, Turini, Banquettes, Braus, Madone de Giorbio, Eze. ( 17 cols in total)
Description : Into the Cote d’Azur in style. Some classic climbs, amongst many, many smaller ones, make up this hard but unforgettable route ** which leads us to a balcony- view of Monaco before plunging down to the Mediterranean.
Day Six : Rest Day at Carros-Nice
Distance : down to the local bike shop, or to the beach. But there will also be a hilly loop on offer to those who wish to keep their legs pumping!
Stage Six : Carros-Nice to Palud-sur-Verdon
Distance : 225 km ( 4,100 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Vence, Bleine, St Barnabé. Baous ( 9 cols in total)
Description : Once we have climbed out of Nice and onto the plateau behind Vence, we explore more remote corners of hilly Haute Provence. The stage finishes with a spectacular loop that climbs up above the Gorges du Verdon with interesting, some may will say terrifying, views of the whole area.
Stage Seven : Palud-s-Verdon to Bedoin
Distance : 210 km (4,000 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Mort d’Imbert, Montagne de la Lure, Homme Mort, Abeilles. (9 cols in total)
Description: From the Gorges du Verdon to Manosque, Forcalquier and Sault. We leave Provence for the Luberon, making our way towards the Ventoux, via it’s little sister mountain of La Lure : a daunting test before the Big Brother the next day.
Stage Eight : Bedoin to Vassieux-en-Vercors
Distance : 210 km (5,000 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Ventoux, Soubeyrand, Roustans, Pennes, Rousset. (14 cols in total)
Description : Once over the Ventoux we cross the dramatic Drome region via several very challenging climbs. The really hard climbing days are back again, and are here to stay until the end of the tour. A dramatic end to this stage…
Stage Nine : Vassieux –en-Vercors to Montmelian
Distance : 215 km (4,200 metres climbing)
Main climbs : La Machine, Croix, Pra l’Etang, Romeyere, Granier ( 16 cols in total)
Description : The mineral beauty of the Drome is replaced here by the immense and beautiful expanses of the Vercors with some hard climbs again on the menu. Towards the end of the day we reach the Chartreuse region : there is an alpine scent in the air again.
Stage Ten : Montmelian to Annecy
Distance : 130 km (3,700 metres climbing)
Main climbs : Marocaz, Pres, Plainpalais, Mont Revard, Semnoz ( 6 cols in total)
Description: The shortest day of the tour, but hardly an easy run-in. Some hard climbing up to the Mont Revard where the reward of stunning views over the Lac du Bourget will bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Almost there! But not quite: we have the local five-star climb to finish our climbing on in glorious style – the Crete du Semnoz. After which it really is all downhill into the charming town of Annecy itself.
ROUTE TWO: THE PYRENEEAN CENT COLS CHALLENGE : 17th (arrive 16th) to 27th August 2010
Stage One : Rivesaltes (Perpignan) to Ax-les-Thermes
Stats : 203kms. 4,450 metres climbing. 14 Cols.
Description : After warming up legs on the hills still guarded by the ruins of Catharre castles, the duo of the Pailheres and Pradel take you up into the mountains in uncompromising style. The stage is set for what is to follow.
Main Climbs : Pailheres, Pradel, Marmare, Chioula.
Stage Two : Ax-les-Thermes to Bagneres-de-Luchon
Stats : 218kms. 5,300 metres climbing. 12 Cols.
Description : The Route des Corniches climbs up out of Ax leading riders to Tarascon and on to a series of dramatic climbs with panoramic views. The Port de Bales,as the final climb of the day, will be one of the hardest moments of the whole ride. A tough stage.
Main Climbs : Port, Peguerre, Crouzette, Portet d’Aspet, Ares, Port de Bales.
Stage Three : Bagneres-de-Luchon to Argeles-Gazost
Stats : 188kms. 4,900 metres climbing. 9 Cols
h3. A trio of serious climbs means almost 2,000 metres of climbing in the first 50 kms of the stage! A relatively gentler part in the middle of the day
will provide some recovery time before facing the Hautacam at the end of the stage. Heroic stuff.
Main Climbs : Peyresourde (east), Aspin, Beyrede, Tramassel (Hautacam).
Stage Four : Argeles-Gazost to Larrau
Stats : 180kms. 4,500 metres climbing. 15 Cols
Description : The first of two stages with a distinctive Basque flavour. This wild area provides a magical mix of Classic climbs and hidden pearls.
Cow-bells take over from car-horns. The Pyrenees at their best.
Main Climbs : Spandelles, Marie Blanque, Labays, Pic d’Issarbe
Stage Five : Larrau to Oloron
Stats : 203kms. 3,900 metres climbing. 17 Cols
Description : The tough climb on the Soudet sets the tone for this stage in the wildest part of the Pyrenees. A dip into Spain to come back over the Port de Larrau makes a striking contrast to the intimate climbs of the French side. Riders will hopefully be able to enjoy a fast run-in to Oloron before
a well-deserved rest day.
Main Climbs : Soudet, Pierre St Martin, Port Larrau, Bagargui.
Day Six : Rest Day
Stage Six : Oloron to St. Lary-Soulan
Stats : 192kms. 5,300 metres climbing. 6 Cols
Description : A day with the Giants heading back eastwards towards the more familiar part of the Pyrenees. Rested legs will hopefully be ready to face another challenging stage of iconic climbs. But some will choose to opt out of the Pla d’Adet at the end of the stage…
Main Climbs : Aubisque, Soulor, Tourmalet, Ancizan, Portet(Pla d’Adet).
Stage Seven : St Lary-Soulan to Oust
Stats : 165kms. 4,300 metres climbing. 7 Cols
Description : Another beautiful collection of climbs that often figure on Le Tour but that are not considered ‘big’ climbs. Riders may disagree with that after this stage. The views from the tops across the pastoral valleys are some of the most picturesuqe of the whole Pyreneean range.
Main Climbs : Azet, Peyresourde (west), Portillon, Menté, Core
Stage Eight : Oust to Saillagouse
Stats : 170kms. 4,100 metres climbing. 9 Cols
Description : Another intense start to the day with three big climbs in the first 50 kms. However the stage develops into one for the Rouleurs as the route
heads towards Spain again. (By going up the other side of Pailheres we avoid going round through Andorra, which is a busy road at any time of the year.)
Main Climbs : Latrappe, Agnes, Pailheres (west), Quillane.
Stage Nine : Saillagouse to Prades
Stats : 230kms. 4,100 metres climbing. 10 Cols
Description : The longest stage of the challenge includes two memorable climbs in Spain before returning to the French side of the Catalan Pyrenees for more narrow roads up wooded climbs. A non-stop 40 km descent will delight riders on a stage where, for once, they go further down than up! We still top 4,000 metres of UP though…
Main Climbs : Toses, Ares, Llauro, Palomere.
Stage Ten : Prades to Rivesaltes (Perpignan)
Stats : 201kms. 3,700 metres climbing. 8 Cols
Description : The final stage offers superb views of this beautiful area used by many pro’s for their winter training. Quiet country roads lead riders all the way back to Rivesaltes, via more ‘lesser’ climbs…The beauty of this stage assures an overdose of images to take home with you.
Main Climbs : Jau, Aussieres, Roque-Jalere, Auzines.
