40 entered the inaugural Cent Cols Challenge, but only 35 turned up on the start line in Thonon-les-Bains near Geneva on September 14th and just 22 (or so) rode into Annecy ten days later having ridden every kilometre (and there were over 2,000 of the buggers) and climbed 40,600 metres up all of the 106 cols en route. I finished 4th overall and 1st veteran, and wore VCGH colours of most stages. The scenery, especially in week two, was stunning. The weather and food was, er, varied. But what an event! Up before 0630hrs on most days, rarely checking into the next hotel before 1830hrs and generally in bed by 2300hrs - having prepped body and kit for the next day's challenge, made for a gruelling life. The rest day in Nice on Saturday 19th was a real tonic, and allowed me to attack the stages of Verdon, Ventoux, Vassieux, and Montmelian. A closed road on the final day ruined my attempt to be first across the finish line in Semnoz atop the Chatillon col, but I'd been caught earlier that day by American semi-pro Ira Ryan so that glory would have been denied me anyway. I was not, quite, fourth fastest rider but I avoided the injuries and crashes that denied 'victor' status to some strong boys. Highlights for me? In no particular order; early morning mists and climbing through clouds, the heat of the climbs up Col de Pennes and Col de Bleine, racing up the Valberg, circumventing sheep being herded down the upper reaches of the Ventoux , cow bells clanging on the green slopes surrounding sleepy French hamlets, climbing La Colombiere as an introduction to Alpine slopes, struggling with 26km of climb up Col de Madeleine, and perhaps best of all having a bidon prepped for me and left atop a col for me to collect! Of course there were some spiffing descents on the smoothest tarmac known to man, occasional headwind battles along valley floors, and some quite magnificent views. Stages 8 and 9 (Mt. Ventoux and including the cols of St. Michel, Soubeyrand, Roustans, Vache Portail, Guillens, Penns, Rousset on 8, and the cols of La Chau, la Croix, la Machine, Pra l'Etang, Romeyere, Placette, Couze, Egaus, Clusaz and Granier on 9) were probably my favourites - simply beautiful, breathtaking scenery. If you ever get the opportunity to enter this event, take it. Train well first, mind!
