50 YEARS OF HISTORY

On a glorious autumn day in 1970, during the hard climb up to the beautiful Col du Luitel, near Grenoble in the Alps, the idea of our Fellowship was born. In fact this place was the innocent witness to the dream of a cyclist who loved the mountains.

By the evocative Lake Luitel and its surrounding peat beds, Jean Perdoux proposed a toast to Daniel Legat (Cent Cols No. 6), Georges Ducatillon (Cent Cols No. 434), Pierre Fructus (Cent Cols No. 69) and Henri Voiron , his fellow riders that day, in celebration of a small event.

In Chamrousse, he announced with emotion and pride, he had just climbed his 100th (different) col! One of his companions, Daniel, added that he had done better because he had already counted at least 150 climbs!

It was a beautiful morning: the idea of the ”Club des Cent Cols” had just been born!

At the time, Jean Perdoux was a member of the Administrative Council of the French Federation for Cycletourism (FFCT). In 1971, he published an ad in the federal magazine asking if other cyclists were equally passionate about climbing mountain passes. He received nearly 200 replies.

Amazed by this enthusiasm, accompanied by encouragement and suggestions, he drafted in 1972 a set of“club rules”which has remained the same for more than 40 years.

Simplicity, friendship, the sharing of a common passion, and the exchange of information, were written into the spirit of the Club from the outset. These are the ideas that we all defend and cultivate today.

The first ones to join the Fellowship were from the mountains: some Pyreneans, but especially Savoyards. Jacques Faizant(n ° 7), however, came from Paris, and was very proud to be in the first 10 registered members. It was he whodesignedthe first covers of our annual Review.

1973, the first official bulletin of the club appears with Jean Perdoux as its editor. Marcel Bioud offers to the Club’s members an initial list of the road and off-road cols of the Northern Alps, followed in 1974 by the list of Pyrenean cols established by Francis Marty.

In the autumn of 1974, above Lake Annecy, at the top of the beautiful and steep Col du Forclaz de Montmin, the Club’s first national gatheringis organised . Eighty of the 150 signed-up members arepresent. Marcel Bioud, a teacher in Voiron, arouses admiration and envy. Imagine, he had just crossed his 842nd different col. He becomes the Club’s first Grand Master, and issucceeded by another great cyclist : Elie Bordat.
Few realise that it was our Club that invented, in 1974, the millimetre coordinates of the cols on the maps. The idea was later taken up by Michelin and IGN maps.

1975, August 7th, the Club’s second annual gathering is held on the summit pastures of the Port de Bales in the Pyrenees, a favourite of organiser Pierre Roques. Although the road will not be surfaced until the 1980’s, the day is a great success. The next day the local press reports ”…seldom have we had the chance to climb in such a majestic setting. It was, however, a real gutbuster, sometimes almost impossible, and unrelentingly hard. So hard that, at the top, only the leaders of the CCC were there, waiting to catch unsuspecting cyclists and condemn them to a life of endless climbing…”.Michel Verhaeghe joins the Club – he has today climbed over 10,000 different cols.

1976, Michel Perrodin is the author of the published list of alpine cols outside France and Claude Carle weaves the first 100 Cols embroidered crest.

1977, TF1 broadcasts, in prime time, an excellent programme about the Club. Many of th Club pioneers are present for the filming that day, on the slopes of the Col de l’Arpettaz: Jo Routens, Robert Chauvot, Daniel Legat, Georges Ducatillon, Henri Bouchez, Elie Bordat and many, many others. The programme surprises and provokes plenty of questions from the general public.The same year, thanks to the information collected from by the Club’s specialists, Jean Perdoux establishes the first list of road cols in France (1368 cols). The Club’s annual Revueis revised and grows to 70 pages.

1978, the first list of Swiss cols, prepared by Jean-Pierre Mérot, is published.

1979, publication of the list of 101 Algerian cols.

1980, as the Club reaches the milestone of 1000 members, Robert Chauvot, helped by his wife Monique, invents the ‘Bible’, a complete directory of all the cols of France, an extraordinary reference work that lasts unchanged until 1987, when François Rieu takes on the taskof its update.It is also in 1980 that Jean Perdoux, who still produces the Review (now 80 pages), passes the post of secretary to Henri Bouchez for a year. Henri Dusseau succeeds him in 1981.

1982, the Club is 10 years old.It now has more than 1231 members, including 94 women and 40 foreigners from 8 nations.

1983, the 1471 centcolists are now ledby Henri Dusseau who leaves the presidency ofthe Vélo-Club d’Annecy (V.C.A.) and becomes “General-Secretary” of the Club. The Club remains, however, under the legal responsibility ofthe V.C.A.

1984, the Club reaches 2000 members and the first regional gatheringis organised in the Adour-Pyrenees. Regional delegates are appointed throughout France, and abroad. TheReview contains its first black and white photo.

From 1987 onwards, René Poty keeps the “Chauvot” up to date, develops the Topo Guides (some in collaboration with M. de Brébisson), and prepareslists of cols of many countries.

1988, the Club has 3000 members, and the first gatherings outside France (in Belgium and Switzerland) are organised.

1989, no national gathering. The Club’s rules become known as the “Règle du Jeu” (Rules of the Game).

1990, Michel Verhaeghe’s list of cols exceeds 3000.

1991, the Club comes officially under the umbrella of the Fédération Française de Cyclotourisme (FFCT).Publication of the new corrected edition of the catalogue of road cols in France (+ Andorra, Belgium and Switzerland). Lists of cols of the following countries are now available to members: Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Norway, Germany, Spain, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Albania, Yugoslavia.The Club is joined by Régis Paraz who will be elected president in 2009.

1992, the Club is 20 years old, and celebrates with a national gatheringat the Col du Luitel and an original cover for the Revue designed by Jacques Faizant.

1993, first publication of the Roll of Honour (“Tableau d’Honneur”) in the annual Revue.

1994, sees the creation of specially designed Cent Cols badges and T-shirts.Creation of the “Tour de France of the Hundred Cols” by Henri Gomez and organisation of two “Randonnées Permanentes” (permanent long-distance routes, each including at least 100 cols):”100 Cols in the Alps”, traced by René Poty, and “100 Cols in the Pyrenees”, traced by Alain Gillodes.Alain also organises a joint gathering in the Pyrenees between the Club des Cent Cols and the Order of the Cols Durs .

1995, the Club has 4024 members.The first colour photos appear in the Revue n ° 23 and the Club holds its first “séjour” (week-long holiday) in Buis-les-Baronnies.

1996, Marc Liaudon presents the Club with his digital notebook of French cols. A new edition of the ‘Bible’ is published, and a new line of 100 Cols clothing is produced.
Many members from all over the world start wearing the club outfit. The iconic jersey is now recognised and loved!

1997, for administrative reasons, it becomes necessary to create a newAssociation autonomous from the Vélo Club d’Annecy, which had been the administrative support for more than 25 years. From this date on, the Club is affiliated to the French Federation of Cyclotourism and issues their memberships. Our president is Jean Perdoux, secretary Henri Dusseau, assistant secretary René Poty and treasurer Nicole Faverot.

1998, creation of the 1000 cols medal. The Revuehas 80 colour pages and contains 75 articles written by members.The cycling champion Eddy Merckx is admitted to the Club, with the award of his diploma in Belgium by Jean Perdoux and Henri Dusseau.

1999, the first Italian gathering of the Club is heldin Montefiorino, organised by Gianni Solenni. First publication of an alphabetical list of members. Publication of the list of road and off-road cols over 2000 m in Europe. The annual subscription goes from 50 francs to 8 euros.The Club’s first website is launched: http://www.centcols.org, designed, produced and managed by Philippe Carrez with editorial direction by René Poty.

2001, the Revue expands and includes 96 colour pages and 100 articles. Creation of the first CERP (Commission of Ethics, Reflection and Proposals).

2002, the Club’s constitution is reformed, at the General Assembly (AG) of 12 January, to give each member new voting rights. There is a change of the management team, at the extraordinary General Assembly on March 9th. The new team is composed as follows: President – Claude Bénistrand, Secretary – René Poty, Treasurer – Michel Mathieu, Vice President – Bernard Vieillard, Assistant Secretary – Philippe Carrez.The CERP is renewed, and Guy Bodoin becomes its leader.The first network of national and foreign Territorial Delegates is established. The first IGN-France tracings are put online by Mario Labelle.

2003, The Club has 5721 registered members.Jean Perdoux is proclaimed Founding President and Honorary President, Henri Dusseau is proclaimed President “Honoris Causa”.
Claude Bénistrand (assisted by his wife Cathie) takes charge of the annual Review.

2004, creation of new Randonnées Permanentes (Corsica, Drôme, Alps, Pyrenees, LPE Atlantic-Mediterranean)The club takes on a new clothing supplier, Bernard Thévenet.
New catalogues for Catalonia, Liguria, and the USA are published.

2005, creation of further new Randonnées Permanentes (Haut-Languedoc and Ardèche). Publication of the catalogues of the road cols of France and the cols of the British Isles.
The Club’s internet site is renewed, and “Cent Col News” is established.After new elections, the same management team is re-elected. The CERP is renewed, with Guy Bodoin still in charge.

2006, new catalogues are published: Austria, Germany, Sardinia, Romania, Navarre, North-East Italy, and North-West Italy.Creation of a new Randonnée Permanente: “100 Cols in the French Riviera”.

2007, creation of 3 new Randonnées Permanentes: the “Arc en Cimes”, the “Spanish Watershed Line”, and “100 Cols in the Black Forest”. The first General Assembly is held outside the Rhône-Alpes region, in Fontbonne, near Montauban.

2008, the Club holds its first spring séjourin Agay. Creation of new Randonnées Permanentes: “100 Cols in Triveneto” (Gianni Solenni) and “100 Cols in the Pays de Savoie” (which will become “100 Cols in Savoie Mont Blanc”) (Régis Paraz).Publication of the catalogues of Poland, Hungary and Turkey.Roland Grimaud succeeds Jean-Marc Lefèvre in charge of the Randonnées Permanentes

2009, Le Chauvot is “revisited”, with cols now repositioned with GPS coordinates and Geoportal links enabling them to be seen online on 1/25000 maps (René Poty and Mario Labelle).Publication of the catalogue of the road cols of Spain.Elections are held at the AG in Yenne, organised by Roger Colombo and CT Yenne.A new ”Conseil d’Administration” (CA) is established with RégisParazelected as president, Gérard Birelli (vice-president), Thierry Labour (general secretary), Michel Mathieu (treasurer), Philippe Carrez (assistant secretary). Chantal Sala is appointed editor-in-chief of the Revue.A partnership is establishedwith the Councils of Savoie and Haute-Savoie to prepare the Randonnée Permanente “100 Cols in Savoie Mont-Blanc”.

2010, a redivision of French Departments is outlined, to form a new network of regional delegates to organise regional events.Birth of a new Randonnée Permanente, the “Divisoria” (100 cols on the Atlantic-Mediterranean watershed).Publication of a new catalogue of European road cols of over 2000m., and a first catalogue of prohibited French cols made by Jean-Paul Zuanon.Two deaths particularly affect the Club: in spring, that of the national delegate for Belgium, Germain Geenens and, during the summer, that of Roland Grimaud, in charge of the Randonnées Permanentes. Rudy Pede replaces Germain Geenens and Roger Colombo succeeds Roland Grimaud.

2011, the first spring séjour is held outside France, organised in Ripoll, Catalonia, by Alain Gillodes and Chantal Sala.“Info Cent Cols” is put online, as are the voting arrangements for the statutory reports of the General Assembly.A working group is set up to prepare a catalogue of Moroccan cols (Bernard Giraudeau, Guy Harlé, Jean-Paul Zuanon and Bernard Pommel).

2012, the Clubis 40 years old.This anniversary is celebrated by a festive meal that closes the summer séjour in Lescheraines organised by Régis Paraz, and by a special General Assembly in Annecy organised by Jean Perdoux, Henri Dusseau and VC Annecy.It is also marked by the publication of the book by Jean Perdoux and Henri Dusseau, “1972 – 2012, 40 years of history!”.Alain Brault is co-opted to the CA.After thousands of hours of work, the Spain working group releases a catalogue of more than 15,000 Spanish cols.The Chauvot, with more than 10,500 French cols, is published in the form of a ring-binder. A 2-day seminar is held in Turin to form a working group for Italy to develop a unified catalogue of all the cols of that country.Member N^o7000 is inscribed, a cyclist who had lost his sight.

2013, establishment of the CoVal (Validation Committee of the Cols) which replaces the CERP with a smaller staff composed of members of the Board and expert members in the analysis and verification of the cols (Claude Bénistrand, Jean-Michel Clausse, Régis Paraz, Philippe Carrez, Michel Mathieu).A new CA is elected:President Régis Paraz, Secretary General Guy Harlé, Treasurer Michel Mathieu, Assistant Secretary Nathalie Mauret, Vice-President Mario Labelle (position vacated two months later, following his resignation).Chantal Sala is reappointed as editor of the Revue.

2014, establishment of the GT Info (an IT working group, composed of Patrick Schleppi, Daniel Bossard, Gerard Birelli, Philippe Carrez, Jean-Michel Clausse, Graham Cutting, Régis Paraz, Guy Ruffie, Chantal Sala) with new arrangements and responsibilities for IT policy and projects. The new collaborative arrangements are to ensure that projects are seen through, and to avoid the burden of work falling too much on one person’s shoulders.

2015, the creation and implementation of a new website, following the analysis and expression of the GT Info’s needs.A start is made on a unified database of cols, with all countries combined. A partnership with Openrunner is established, which enhances the visibility of the Club on the Internet.With the death of Robert Chauvot in July, the Club sadly loses the author of its “Bible”, the catalogue of the cols of France.

In 2015 the Club has more than 7372 members, coming from about twenty different nations: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany,Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, Spain,Sweden, Switzerland, theUnited States…

The Swiss, the Belgians and the Italians form the largest foreign contingents of the Club.

726 of active members have now crossed more than 1000 different cols.

2016

Holidays
- Ghisonaccia (France-Corsica), from 24 to 30 April
- Vassieux-en-Vercors (France-Drôme), from 16 to 24 July.
AGM 2016 and autumn holiday
- Balaruc-les-Bains (France-Hérault) 12 November 2016
- 2331 paid-up members.
Catalogues
- Appearance of a catalogue of Italian cols (7635 cols).
Various
- Establishment of bank transfer and Paypal for paying club dues and for purchases

2017

Holidays :
- Ceriale (Italie-Liguria) 8 to 15 May 2017.
- Bielle (France-Hautes-Pyrénées) 13 to 20 August.
AGM 2017 and autumn holiday
- Saint-Jorioz (France-Haute-Savoie) 10 November 2017.
- 2220 paid-up members.
  - AG electoral : renewal of the CA
    Bernard Giraudeau : President.
    Gérard Birelli : Vice president, in charge of judicial and insurance matters. Arbitrator for the Rules of the Game and the catalogues.
    Sébastien Vadot : Treasurer
    Guy Harlé : Secretary, FFCT relations and memberships.
    Nadine Giraudeau : Assistant secretary in charge of welcoming new members, of diplomas and medals.
    hierry Labour : Holidays officer and assistant treasurer.
    Enrico Alberini : International relations and promotions.
    François Rieu : Editor in chief of the Revue.
Decisions of the CA
- increase the number of members of the CA from 8 to11.
- termination of the COVAL
- self-management of Working Groups (GT) adopted
- New club clothing design
IT
- Improvements in the visualisation of cols
Catalogues
- A new Spanish catalogue appeared in January, as well as catalogues of South Africa, Lesotho, Macedonia and Jamaica
Various
- A new 100 cols route « Helvetica Ronda » consisting of 2830 km with total climbing of 49000 m.

2018

Holidays
- Argelès-sur-Mer (France- Pyrénées Orientales) 14 to 22 April.
- Saint-Maurice (Switzerland – Valais) 13 to 19 August.
2018 Extraordinary AGM (modification of statutes), ordinary AGM and autumn holiday
- Bédoin (France-Vaucluse) 10 November 2018.
- 2166 paid-up members.
- The CA now has 11 members instead of 8.
- New Club clothing made in Italy by Moa-Sport NALINI on sale to members.
Decisions of the CA
- Hélène Laxenaire succeeds Nicole Poty in charge of the club clothing shop
Publication of Info Cent Cols in colour.
Establishment of an internal Solidarity Fund by the Club for handling ‘justified’ cancellations (illness, accident, etc.) of club holidays.
Free access to catalogues for club members, whilst non-members can acquire catalogues only in pdf format.
Claude Benistrand named Honorary President
IT
- The website now operational in English and Italian.
Catalogues
- New edition of the USA catalogue.
DT
- After dividing the 04W zone in two, Claude Mabillot is succeeded by Robert de Rudder for the 04N zone and Jean-Marie Gilouin for the 04S zone.
- Luigi Spina becomes DT for Italy in place of Enrico Alberini
- Henk Leroy becomes DT for Belgium in place of Rudy Pede.

2019

Holidays
- Propriano (France-Corsica) 11 to 18 May.
- St Dié-des-Vosges 20 to 27 July.
AGM 2019
- at Nant 9 November 2019.
- 2069 paid-up members.
Decisions of the CA
- Signature of a partnership contract between the CCC and the FFCT.
- Setting up of a trombinoscope (photos of club holiday participants).
- Co-opting of Bruno Litwin in charge of the shop.
- Co-opting of Christophe Badonnel as holidays joint-officer.
- Creation of a Communications Working Group (GT-Com) and exploring a relation with Facebook and Strava.
- The Club offers 4 challenges open to all, members or non-members of the Club des Cent Cols.
Catalogues
- Graham is in charge of the coordination between the working groups.
DT
- François Miroux replaces Thierry Combelles for « The Rest of the World ».
- Jeremy Chandler becomesDT for « UK and Ireland ».
Various
- Renewal of the partnership agreement with Openrunner.
- Presentation of the CCC during the FFCT AGM at Angers.
- Invitation of the Club to the Ardéchoise by Gérard Mistler (CCC n° 14) and founder of the Ardéchoise.

2020

Holidays
- Cavi di Lavagna (Italie-Liguria), cancelled due to the COVID pandemic
- Chessy-les Mines (France-Rhône) 15 to 22 August
AGM 2020 and autumn holiday
- Autun (France-Saône et Loire) AG cancelled due to the COVID pandemic. Electronic vote on the Reports.
- 2012 paid-up members.
Decisions of the CA
- Co-opting of François Candau as communications officer.
- To conform to the legislation, negociation of an « insurance » service with Gritchen for club holidays to progressively replace the Solidarity Fund.
- Decision to choose Annecy to celebrate fifty years of the Club.
- Supervision of 100 cols routes by Jean-Marc Clément.
IT
- Robert Charbonnier added to the IT team.
- Completion of the work on frontier cols.
- Home straight for the putting in operation of the cols database.
Catalogues
- 55 catalogues for almost 70 000 cols are operational
DT
- Claude and Michel Rabuteau replace Hervé for the 03W zone
- Nomination of a DT arbitrator in the person of Robert de Rudder
Various
- Setting up of a survey during the entry of new members
- Guidance of future members by the DT or by Nadine Giraudeau in charge of subscriptions

2021

Holidays
- Cavi di Lavagna : cancelled due to the COVID pandemic
- Méollans-Revel (France-Alpes de Hautes Provence) 4 to 11 September
AGM 2021 and autumn holiday
- Ste Maxime (France-Var) 10 to 14 November.
- 1974 paid-up members.
  - AG electoral : Renewal of the CA
    Enrico Alberini : President
    Nadine Giraudeau : Vice-president in charge of welcoming new members, of diplomas and medals
    Hervé Retière : Secretary
    Sébastien Vadot : Treasurer
    Christophe Badonnel : Holidays officer and assistant treasurer
    François Rieu : Editor in chief of the Revue
    Jean-Luc Matte : Holidays joint-officer
    Bruno Litwin : Shop manager
    Bernard Giraudeau : In charge of communication
Decisions of the CA
- Creation of brevets of road cols by administrative region and national brevets for all countries.
IT
- Database of cols now operational
- Perfect synchronisation between the database, ccWay and the visualiser
- Members’ annual claims of new cols can now be done automatically on the club website.
- Running of regional brevets for CCC members
Catalogues
- - Numerous catalogues appear this year, from Latin America to Madagascar via Lebanon and Israel.
DT : Constant van Waterschoot is succeeded as national DT for the Netherlands by Paul Oude Luttighuis

2022 the club is 50 years old.

In March, Michel Verhaeghe, le Top, passes away. He was the first member to reach 10000 cols.

Holidays
- Cavi di Lavagna (Italie-Liguria) from 1 to 8 May 2022
- Sare (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) from 2 to 9 July 2022
Commemorative get-together for the 50th anniversary of the Club’s founding at the Col Luitel on 25 June
50th anniversary AGM for the founding of the Club and autumn holiday
- Annecy 5 November 2022.
- 1917 paid-up members.
Decisions of the CA
IT
- Catalogues of 35 new countries or territories (mostly in Asia or Africa). 129 catalogues are now part of the Club’s heritage. Nearly 100 000 cols are included in them.
Communication
- The website, created in 2015, available in English and Italian since 2018, hosts a new section on the homepage, La Gazette, whose objective is to give visibility, for members and non-members, on small and large events linked to the club, its activities and those of its members
- A European opening is implemented through partnerships agreed with the UECT (European Cycling Union) and the FECT (Spanish Cycling Federation)
- Partnerships, already historically agreed with the FFCT and OpenRunner are strengthened and become more productive
Various
- 8000th member of the Club, Christophe Marchal is a handbike racer
- Amongst the 100 cols routes five circular rides, ie. starting and finishing at the same point.
DT
- Gérard Fillon-Robin is succeeded for the 04S zone by Jean-Yves Jamin
- Arsène Bickel is replaced by Denis Mathieu as the DT for the 03E zone.
- Alain Benoist becomes DT for the 04SW zone in place of Jean-Marie Gilouin.

2024 – DEATH OF JEAN PERDOUX

Jean Perdoux, founding president of the Club des Cent Cols, died on 13 March at the age of 87. A long page in the history of the Club des Cent Cols has been turned. We have lost our guide, not his ideas.

This history has been drawn in part from the book of Jean PERDOUX and Henri DUSSEAU, « 40 years of history« , by Chantal Sala and Régis Paraz, and updated afterwards by Bernard Giraudeau and Enrico Alberini