Being the first point to point style event that I’ve done like this I have to say I was not only eager with anticipation beforehand at how it will all work out, but also somewhat nervous as to the unknown format of doing things. It was quickly evident that there was slightly more to the so called ’life of a pro’ than just riding your bike all day. In some cases the logistics behind getting prepared in the best manner for the day ahead is not only time consuming but also hard on the old grey matter when all you really should be doing is mummifying yourself in compression wear and trying to consume your body weight in food after stripping yet another 8,000 calories from the tank (granted, the crêpes the night before have gone some way towards addressing this).

By now I felt that I was becoming more efficient in terms of preparation, having a shower bag ready and packed into the right vehicle in advance, choosing the right kit, pre-packing each mussette, making route notes and, if needed, giving my loyal steed a wipe down and some TLC. I now fully understand why having a photographic memory would be a very useful asset to a pro, not only would you be able to learn the course road by road but it’d also make hotel room navigation much more straight forward. It sounds stupid but I came close to flicking the Garmin on for some GPS assistance on a couple of occasions when trying to bumble my way around yet another pitch black and unfamiliar hotel room at 4am whilst looking for the bathroom. Finding the right door is essential and certainly limits embarrassment the next morning at breakfast when you’re sharing a room with a couple of other riders. I mean, nobody wants to be awoken by the sound of you peeing (or worse) into their kit bag, no matter how good friends you are, or were as the case may now be.

Despite having already covered an obscene amount of elevation this week, stage five was to offer more of the same (spelt BRING IT ON!) 207km from Valberg to Carros-Nice including the Col St Martin, Turini, Braus, Madone de Giorbio and Eze among the 17 Cols in total. I’d looked on multiple weather forecast websites but none were showing me what I wanted to see. I was trying to convince myself that they all had it wrong but in reality the rain gods (or pain gods) were laughing at us and it was clear we were going to get a royal soaking.

Descending from Valberg into the dawn chill was a perfect wake up call. The roads were moist with only a light mist on the steady climb of St Martin. It wasn’t until the first free flowing descent and sharp left signaling the start of the Turini that things started to deteriorate. The rain fell like tears from heaven, bouncing off of the road ahead. Occasional shelter from the tree lined road help deflect the full onslaught momentarily but the higher we climbed the harder it got, temperature dropping all the time. It’s easy to see why this climb is famous for hosting a stage of the Monte Carlo Rally, a winding ribbon of tarmac for over 15km at an average of 7.2%. Simply glorious. Our main feed was to be at the 1,607m summit, coming at 87km into the stage. Pretty early on considering the distance still to cover. Once again I was riding in a trio with Mike “Diesel Power” Simpson and Tim “Calves on Fire” Hyde, dubbed Team Lighting by Phil Deeker at the start of the week. Quite fitting considering it was thunder & lightning all around, not quite sure that was what Phil was getting at though.

A full kit change ensued at the mountain retreat whilst we sipped hot soup and refueled. I for one was not looking forward to the long technical descent that we were about to face. It really was painful in every respect. The mental torture of not being able to blast this road like you owned it, beaming from ear to ear, was the first killer blow. The second came from the physical side. Man it was cold. My body was starting to shut down as its core temperature dropped in the freezing rain. Suddenly I was yawning at every hairpin, shivering was the only option I had in trying to generate some precious warmth. The legs were stiffening up like an engine that had run out of oil. Just like life, it’s not rock n’ roll all the time. Only 100km to go.

At this point the only thing that kept me on track was the thought of getting a glimpse of the Mediterranean coastline and balcony view of Monaco that was almost close enough to touch. Continually meandering around the foothills until finally it came into view like a straight shot of adrenalin to the heart. Dropping into Nice, and at sea level, the temperature had risen once again and not a moment too soon. All that was left was to safely navigate through the town and then a final 15km urban drag to Carros. Just under 9 hours of riding and we finally got the last right hand Cent Cols Challenge arrow signaling the hotel. For me this marked the end of the epic. Personal circumstance had only made it possible to ride the first week up until the rest day (Saturday 19th). For the remaining riders the journey was to continue after a day of relaxation and then on to the second half back to Annecy, another six days in the saddle and 50 Cols.

As I hurriedly packed my bike and got my kit together ready for a dawn patrol flight back to London, I thought back to the highs and lows of the last few days. Snow on the Galibier, breath taking vistas, bagging fifty mountains in five days, ascending the Valberg in the early evening sun, near hyperthermia (that was obviously a low point) but most importantly being part of something very special right from the beginning. To see the determination of each rider fighting with themselves each day to achieve their dream, whatever the road ahead hit them with. For me that was a truly rewarding and fulfilling experience, and something I will draw upon in the hard times that I may be faced with in the future. I may not be with you on the road, but I’ll be with you all in spirit each day as you conquer the ultimate sportive, the Cent Cols Challenge. Allez, allez, allez, legends of the road!

Ride safe.

Peace out.

MC