Brochure

Brochure
“100 Cols 2015”
Introduction
Every keen cyclist can name several legendary cols of the Tour de France. You know the
famous climbs in the Alps, the Pyrenees and the Mont Ventoux, the giant of the Provence.
Perhaps you have already done them. But sometimes when you watch the Tour on
television, you think : “Where is that col?”. “I don’t know that climb”.
France has much more to offer, than only the “big” well-known names. A large part of the
country is rolling, hilly or mountainous. Cols and côtes everywhere.
A Dutch foundation started in 1979 an initiative to link a large number of climbs in France
together and called it : “The 100 Cols Tour”. The route has undergone several changes
over the years to make the tour more attractive and more challenging. The foundation uses
two captions in their description of the tour “it’s the toughest bicycle tour in the world” and
“it’s also the most beautiful bicycle tour in the world”.
The route is a succession of wonderful landscapes, quiet nature parks, little picturesque
villages, stunning views, and of course countless little côtes and challenging cols.
We start our tour near Strasbourg, in the north western point of the loop. We climb some
little cols in the Vosges before we make a diagonal crossing through France. Via the
Beaujolais region and the Massif Central we end up in the Basque provinces near the
Spanish border. All major Pyrenees cols are waiting.
The highest of the Cevennes, Mont Aigoual, and the highest of the Provence, the Mont
Ventoux, are of course part of the tour. It are not only the highest cols which we pass, also
many other, less known, cols are included throughout the entire tour.
The famous cols in the Alps bring us to altitudes far above 2.000 meter which guarantees
splendid views. We head further north through the Jura including the wonderful hairpin
climb of the Grand Colombier. And the tour isn’t complete before we have done the Grand
Ballon and the Ballon d’Ascase in the Vosges. Not one single flat boring stage.
The 1st edition of the “100 Cols” starts Monday June 8th, 2015 near Strasbourg. The finish
is 40 days later and after 4.100 challenging kilometres at the same location. A real “Tour de
France”. The whole tour has been divided into three main sections, so that you can choose
to cycle all cols in (1) the Beaujolais and Massif Central, (2) the Pyrenees and Cevennes, or
(3) the Provence, Alps, Jura and Vosges.
The whole route follows good paved and quiet back roads. The course rolls everywhere.
From little hills in the centre of France, to long, steep climbs in the Pyrenees and the Alps.
You are rewarded each time with a fabulous descent, before the next climb is coming up.
The tour is held in the beginning of summer, which means that we expect warm, beautiful
sunny days, but keep in mind : rain is always possible and the weather conditions can
become heroic if we reach altitudes above 2.000 metres.
The “100 Cols” is the ultimate challenge in a country which is made for cycling. Next time
when you watch the Tour de France, you can say : “Done that”, “I’ve been there”, “Yes, that
one also”. No blank spots anymore. After the tour you have done most of the cols
of the Tour de France, and most likely, many more…
If you want them all, you can get
them all.
2
The Route
The tour of the 100 Cols has been divided into 34 cycling stages and 6 rest days. The
stages have an average length of 120 kilometres, depending on the profile and the
location of campsites. The daily elevation gain is roughly 2.000 meter.
The route doesn’t pass main tourist attractions since it stays everywhere to scenic back
roads with beautiful countryside and traditional French villages. The rest days are planned at
relatively small places with adequate facilities and a tranquil French atmosphere.
3
The tour has been divided into three main sections :
1
Start
Strasbourg
Finish
Pau
Region
Bourgogne
Massif
Central
2
Pau
Malaucène
Pyrenees
Cevennes
3
Malaucène
Strasbourg
Provence
Alps
Jura
Vosges
Selection of cols
Col de Brancion, Col de la Croix de l'Orme, Col
de Crie, Col de la Casse Froide
Col de la Croix de l'Homme Mort, Puy Marie
Col de Burdincurutcheta, Col de Soudet, Col
de Marie-Blanque, Col d’Aubisque, Col du
Tourmalet, Col du Soulor, Col d’Aspin, Col de
Peyresourde, Col de Menté, Col de Portet
d'Aspet, Port de Balès, Col de la Core, Col
d’Agnès, Col de Peguère
Mont Aigoual, Col de Solpérière, Col du
Perthus
Mont Ventoux, Col de Macuegne, Col de
l’Homme Mort
Col du Buis, Col de la Couillole, Col de la
Bonette, Col de Vars, Col d’Izoard, Col du
Lautaret, Col du Galibier, Col du Télégraphe,
Col de l’Isèran, Col des Saisies, Cormet de
Roselend, Col des Aravis, Col de la Croix-Fry,
Mont Clergeon
Col du Grand Colombier, Col de Bérentin, Col
de la Croix-de-la-Serra
Col du Ballon d'Alsace, Col du Grand Ballon,
Collet du Linge, Col du Bonhomme, Col de
Sainte-Marie
Good to know for former Bike-Dreams participants
The average elevation gain is slightly more than La Grande Boucle des Pyrénées ( average
1.900 meters ), but less than “Les Dix Alpes” ( average 2.500 meters ).
Some cols are climbed from the same side ( i.e. Col d’Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet ) as
during “La Grande Boucle des Pyrénées”, but others ( i.e. Mont Ventoux, Col de Portet
d’Aspet ) you climb from the opposite side. We also cross the Alps in the opposite direction
compared with our route of “Les Dix Alpes”.
Shuttle service to start and finish in Pau and Malaucène.
We organize a shuttle service between our campsite not far from Pau and a hotel near the
airport of Pau. This means that when you start your tour in Pau, we come and pick you up
from a predetermined location in Pau at a specific date and time, and bring you to our
campsite along the route of “100 Cols”. If you finish your tour in Pau, we bring you to this
hotel near the airport. The distance is about 30 kilometers. A similar service is
organised between our campsite in Malaucène and a hotel near
the airport of Marseille which is about 120
kilometers to the south.
4
At the start in Strasbourg you get an extensive tour guide with background information
about the route.
We advise you to bring a GPS which has the option to upload files. It is a very helpful device
to find the correct way without stops to look at detailed maps or to study an overload of
instructions.
Support
The journey is supported by two vehicles. One vehicle brings the luggage and kitchen
equipment to the next campsite, so you don’t have to carry luggage on your bike. The other
vehicle gives support on the road and provides a lunch half way the stage.
We provide on cycling days an extensive breakfast ( bread, cereals, fruit ) and halfway the
stage a tasty lunch is waiting for you. In addition, we will take care that you can recover
with an extra meal ( soup, bread, fruit ) after finishing the stage and that you always have
sufficient water and sport drinks.
The cook of Bike-Dreams prepares in campsites a dinner full of carbohydrates and all
nutrients your body needs. There is of course a spot at the dinner table for a few bottles of
French wine to relax the tired muscles.
We do not serve food at the rest days. This gives you the opportunity to explore and sample
the local cuisine.
You stay during the tour at campsites. The night before the start and the last night after the
finish in Strasbourg you stay in a hotel. At several campsites you have the possibility to rent
a bungalow or site caravan at own expense.
Participants
All riders can cycle the distance at own speed to the next place. Normally small groups are
formed by riders of the same strength and interest. The cyclists who cannot ride, or cannot
finish the stage, have always the possibility to take a seat in one of the support vehicles. We
take care that everyone arrives at the campsite before the evening.
The number of participants is limited due to organizational reasons. For people from all over
the world it is possible to sign up for the tour. The tour is open for men and women with an
age between 18 and 67. Everyone with a good health and passion for cycling can finish the
journey in a normal way.
It’s also possible for a non-cyclist to experience the journey. You can always assist the other
staff with their daily activities like providing the meals, visit local markets, etcetera.
5
Entry Fee
Firstly, the journey is intended to be completed entirely, starting and finishing near
Strasbourg after 40 days. We also offer you the possibility to cycle one or two sections. This
gives you the opportunity to complete “100 Cols” in two or three editions.
Start
Finish
Dates
Days
Entry Fee
Regions
100 Cols
Strasbourg
Strasbourg
8-6-2015
17-7-2015
40
€ 4.295,-
All
Section 1
Strasbourg
Pau
8-6-2015
19-6-2015
12
€ 1.295,-
Bourgogne,
Massif Central
Section 2
Pau
Malaucène
19-6-2015
2-7-2015
14
€ 1.595,-
Pyrenees,
Cevennes
Section 3
Malaucène
Strasbourg
2-7-2015
17-7-2015
16
€ 1.895,-
Provence,
Alps, Jura,
Vosges
We offer a discount of € 200,- for participants who register and pay the down payment
before January 31st, 2015. You'll pay an Entry Fee of € 4.095,- in stead of € 4.295,-.
The
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The
•
•
•
•
entry fee includes :
Accommodation based on camping
Hotel before the start and after the finish near Strasbourg ( for full participation )
Hotel before the start and/or after the finish near the airports of Pau and/or Marseille (
for sectional riders )
Breakfast, lunch, meal at arrival and dinner ( during cycling days )
Fruit, water, sport drinks and energy bars ( during cycling days )
Transportation of luggage
Organization of the journey
Support by bike mechanic
“100 Cols” cycling jersey
Detailed description of the route
Tour guide with information about the route
DVD with compilation of the best pictures
entry fee excludes :
Transfer to the start and from the finish of the journey
Food and drinks on rest days
Personal health- and travel-insurance
Entry fees of tourist sites
6
List of Cols
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Col
Mont Ventoux
Col du Tourmalet
Col de la Bonette
Col d'Aubisque
Col de Menté
Col du Grand Colombier
Col de Soudet
Col de Burdincurutcheta
Col d'Izoard
Col de l'Iseran
Col d'Agnes
Cormet de Roselend
Col du Galibier
Col de la Couillole
Grand Ballon
Col de Péguère
Col de Marie Blanque
Col de la Core
Port de Balès
Col de Peyresourde
Col du Minier
Col de Vars
Col de Portet d'Aspet
Col du Clergeon
Col des Saisies
Collet du Linge
Col du Cabaretou
Col du Ballon d'Alsace
Croix de l'Homme Mort
Col de Solperiere
Col d'Aspin
Col des Aravis
Col de Latrape
Col de Gamia
Col de Charbonnière
Col du Pas de Peyrol
Col de Sainte Marie
Col de la Madeleine
Col du Calvaire
Col de Salette
Côte de Rossanges
Col de Macuegne
Col de Bordères
Côte de la Croix de Signy
Col Bagargui
Col d'Ayen
Col d'Engayresque
Col de la Casse Froide
Côte de le Cros
Col d'Osquich
Index
11,1
11,0
9,3
8,3
7,8
7,6
7,4
7,2
7,0
6,8
6,7
6,4
6,0
6,0
5,9
5,8
5,7
5,5
5,2
4,9
4,9
4,8
4,8
4,3
4,2
3,5
3,5
3,4
3,3
3,3
3,2
3,1
3,0
3,0
2,9
2,7
2,7
2,5
2,4
2,4
2,3
2,2
2,1
2,1
1,9
1,9
1,9
1,9
1,9
1,9
Height
1.900
2.115
2.715
1.709
1.349
1.501
1.517
1.135
2.360
2.770
1.580
1.968
2.646
1.678
1.345
1.389
1.035
1.395
1.755
1.569
1.264
2.111
1.069
979
1.650
975
941
1.178
1.163
1.010
1.489
1.498
1.110
505
1.019
1.589
772
1.745
1.134
913
1.486
1.068
1.156
860
1.327
1.032
785
740
530
491
Section
2
2
3
2
2
3
2
2
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
3
2
3
3
3
2
3
1
2
2
3
2
1
3
1
3
3
3
2
3
3
2
1
2
3
2
1
2
1
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
Col
Col de la Croix Fry
Col de l'Engin
St Pierre de la Fage
Croix de la Serra
Côte de Sainte Croix
Côte du Mirial
Mont Aigoual
Col de l'Aire deï Masco
Côte de Mont-Brion
Côte de Welschbruch
H. du Toulourenc
Côte du Procureur
Côte de Jaladif
Col du Buis
Col du Pré des Raves
Col de Balagou
Col de Frétallaz
Col de Valsberg
Col de Saint Benoit
Col de Siron
Croix de l'Orme
Col de Nuizieres
Côte du Spielberg
Col des Pradeaux
Col de Felines
Col de Berentin
Col des Cassettes
Col du Schanz
Col de Saint Leon
Col Notre Dame
Croix de l'Orme
Col du Telegraphe
Col du Soulor
Col d'Urbeis
Col de Crie
Col de la Percée
Col de Bane
Col de Bussang
Col de Mon Repos
Col de l'Homme Mort
Col d'Entremont
Col de Bruel
Col de Puech
Col du Loup
Col du Kreuzweg
Col de Ferriere
Col de Py
Col des Quatre Vents
Col de Hourat
Col de Briançion
Index
1,8
1,8
1,8
1,7
1,7
1,6
1,5
1,5
1,5
1,4
1,4
1,3
1,3
1,2
1,2
1,2
1,2
1,2
1,2
1,0
1,0
1,0
1,0
0,9
0,9
0,8
0,8
0,8
0,8
0,7
0,7
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,6
0,5
0,5
0,4
0,4
0,4
0,4
0,4
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,3
0,3
Height
1.477
816
623
1.049
689
989
1.567
696
518
787
577
1.075
892
1.199
1.025
746
670
652
614
965
733
606
430
1.196
930
1.144
622
447
395
664
491
1.566
1.474
650
622
468
414
731
514
1.212
1.210
1.038
355
285
768
592
525
494
367
344
Section
3
1
2
3
2
1
2
3
2
3
2
1
1
3
3
2
3
1
2
3
1
1
1
1
3
3
1
3
1
2
1
3
2
3
1
1
2
3
1
3
1
1
2
2
3
3
2
1
2
1
The formula which is used to categorize the cols is :
0,0001 x ( height difference )2 / length
7
Bike Dreams B.V.
Marktstraat 11
6041 EN Roermond
THE NETHERLANDS
Telephone
Email
Website
: +31 (0) 475 311047
: [email protected]
: www.bike-dreams.com
Bike Dreams B.V. is registered at the
Dutch Chamber of Commerce in
Roermond under number 12060386.
8