Rapha Cent Cols Film

[Watoni]

A bit of a shameless plug, I guess, but it does capture the organizer of the Cent Cols trips, Phil D., in his glory, and does show the group I rode with before my surgery when I was still in shape.

I am in it, but obscured mostly, so it is not about me. I do like the shot of me in the red jacket riding in the rain (back to the camera). That was a hard day ... lots of shots from the Zoncolan since the film crew only did the first four days, before the real high Dolomites (Cortina, Corvara, etc.).

They are really great trips. If I had the cash, I would the the one week option of the Pyrenees this year. Dolomites is two weeks only.

Cent Cols Challenge 2013 | Rapha

[airedale]

Nice work getting through it. Stunning looking place to ride.

[Philster]

Really great achievement. I love the shot in the film of a rider who's legs are shaking uncontrolably. Been there.

[sonny]

i am envious of this opportunity and your accomplishment

the mountains, no matter how you traverse them, are always something special

[Flying Pigeon]

Give me that Passo Maniva as linked before and I don't even need the other 99.

[pdxmech13]

Watoni,
This is an incredible adventure. I envy any person who has completed this event.

Did you ever do a write up of the experience?

[Watoni]

Watoni,
This is an incredible adventure. I envy any person who has completed this event.

Did you ever do a write up of the experience?

Thanks all. It does help now that I am finally back somewhat on the bike after 8 weeks and slowly getting back into shape.

I did a short blog. I should also say I was a customer and am in no way associated with the CCC.

Cent Cols Dolomiti 2012

BTW, my loving bride said I should go for the Pyrenees this year (the one week version)

[homegrown08]

Does the cost include food etc..? It looks like an epic 10 days, and an amazing opportunity, would love to do it some day.

[ZeroG]

Wow, looks awesome! Any chance you have the route maps? Or GPS stats? Would be interested to train up for something this monsterious so the first days were maybe more enjoyable and the outcome more likely.

[JBLANDE]

Very impressive indeed.
Did you try riding multiple days back-to-back 4000+ meters climbing in advance?
I am not sure that is even possible where I presently live.

[Watoni]

Very impressive indeed.
Did you try riding multiple days back-to-back 4000+ meters climbing in advance?
I am not sure that is even possible where I presently live.

No, it made me humble to look at how many miles the others had done (about 10,000 some of them) and I was at less than 2,000 for the year. I did a lot of climbing, though, did a few very tough double centuries as preparation.

Other than day 2, when my GPS crapped out, all the files are on Strava.

For example:

Bike Ride Profile | CCC Dolomites Stage 4 near Tolmezzo | Times and Records | Strava

Food is included ... If you like a particular energy supplement you need to bring it though. Impossible to buy anything there since you are riding all the hours stores are open. And pocket change for espresso/coke/snacks since even with 3 feeds you run through calories like mad. I dropped about 15 pounds.

[theflashunc]

Just a stunning achievement. My hat's off to you.

What did you find was tougher, the mental or physical aspect?

[Watoni]

Just a stunning achievement. My hat's off to you.

What did you find was tougher, the mental or physical aspect?

I think you would be surprised how normal most of the riders are (a few were exceptional climbers, to be sure, but most just rode a lot, which would describe a heck of a lot of folks here).

The difference between finishing all the climbs (which I did) and getting in the van some days for a couple climbs or more (which a number of riders did) was (1) some luck -- everyone can have a bad day, get an infection, crash, etc. and (2) determination.

I think going injured (torn thumb ligament) made me more determined not to fail, and the fact I had traveled from the US and not from 3 hours from home raised the stakes for me (one guy who lived in Switzerland went home after the first week when he certainly could have ridden the whole trip).

The route is so long that some of the climbs that are not named as major in the route book just knock the stuffing out of you mentally just as you are hanging on by a thread confidence-wise -- I just did the Zoncolan and now this "bump" Phil talked about is 3 miles at over 10% with a nice 18% ramp to start -- wtf? The book says 17,000 feet climbing today, but I am at 19,000+ and I do not see the hotel yet -- I am going to kill him!

At the end of the day, your fellow riders help you through, and when I could not imagine doing three or four more climbs, or starting another stage, I just made a deal with myself to just try one more climb and see how it goes. I made it through day 5 that way -- I pulled a back muscle compensating for being able to pull on the bars with only one hand, and I was shattered both physically and mentally. I was surprised to find the climb I had been fearing all day (the Fedaia) went well. I did need a few cokes at the base and before the last 14% switchbacks, but I rode the toughest part uninterrupted and with a decent mental attitude. I think if you really love cycling, you find a way. Of course, some of the faster riders had an easier time since they could ride at an easier pace for them and still complete the stage by darkness, but everyone is out of their comfort zone most of the time I would say.

[shoney]

bucket list material. Nice one Watoni.

[fixednwinter]

Very impressive. You are right to be proud, that's a very difficult series of rides. Well done!

[Manumai]

wow...that is a hell of an achievement
yes, bucket list

[mainemike]

well done. very very cool indeed just awesome!