The track is 4000 km long, and passes all big
cols in the French mountain areas. The ride is done individually, but
participants may take as long as they wish (in days or in years) to accomplish the complete
4000 km.
More than 2500 participants were registered since 1979 when the
tour first started. Only 550 of them really succeeded in doing the
job.
Participants come from all over the world: The Netherlands, Belgium, UK, France, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Australia and many more.
Most of our riders agree that there is nothing compared to the beauty of the 100 Cols route.
Since the original release in 1979 the route is much improved, sometimes drastically. In 1983 a.o. the Couillole, Bonette and Grand Colombier were added to the route. The second big change took place in 1989, when almost 1000 km were changed because of the heavy traffic on many roads. At this change the Marie Blanque and Ballon d' Alsace were added. Haguenau became the new starting point in stead of Wissembourg, that already had replaced Bitche in 1983. Since 1996 Saverne, near Strasbourg, is the starting point.
Since 1992 every two years the route and its itinerary are improved, as we search alternatives for less suitable roads. In 2005 an extra track in the Pays Basque was included in the route with the Gamia, Burdincurutcheta and the Soudet.
Almost 3000 km of the original track has been replaced now.
