hArdennes Camp
“I actually think that I learned the very real craft of route design here, rather than in the mountains. I have so much to choose from: it’s like an artist with an infinite palette of colors to use.”
We have officially ended our first trip of 2023! - The Cent Cols Spring Boot Camp in Belgium. Consisting of a strong team of riders gathered from around the world we sat out on a 6-stage cycling adventure, exploring some of the steepest sections in the area of the hArdennes.
Known for its rugged and challenging landscape, with steep climbs, winding roads, and stunning views at every turn. The Cent Cols Spring Boot Camp takes full advantage of this terrain, with daily rides that offer a mix of climbs, flats, and descents to challenge even the most experienced cyclists.
Phil has lived in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes for the last 14 years. He trains on these roads when he’s not in the mountains. The region has a dense network of roads that offer endless variety and scope for route design.
The current version of Cent Cols Boot Camp, now in its 14th year, is built around two halves:
Part One Wednesday to Saturday is all about the Flèche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege races.
It includes a “Cent Cols version" of both races for us to ride. Our Fleche is built around six "Mur"s including of course "The" Mur. Our LBL version weaves on and off the race course, earning its perfect name of "lbXL" !! Between these we ride to & watch the races, keeping our legs turning keenly every day.
Sunday is used either for a rest day or for a recovery ride to view the race on a key climb.
Part Two Monday to Wednesday is about exploration: first in the Spa Francorchamps area, then ending with a double serving of the magic of Luxembourg. Oh-so quite perfect roads with an almost Alpine character at times with some superb descents, gives Ardennes riders their deserved reward to end the event. Luxembourg is a little-known gem for experienced and novice riders alike.
“I am genuinely proud of what we offer riders on this event. It’s the result of spending years of riding here, exploring every option, listening, and feeling how each section of the road speaks to me. With the buzz of the last two of the Spring Classics races all around and the trees exploding with their fluorescent tips of green, there is such a feeling of promise and potential in the air. This sense of renewal and anticipation is definitely part of the whole Ardennes experience.”
- Phil Deeker
This year we had one of the strongest groups ever. Led mostly by Olivier and Nate. They were our workhorses at the front throughout. Sheer elegance was provided by John Wood. Rob Waller was biting at everyone’s legs should they try to “attack”. David Garner, who rode to the event from Nice and then headed off to Rotterdam the day after, was as solid as could be expected. Add into this mix Team Switzerland, with Felix, Simon H, and Lea and you have a very strong group indeed. But it would not have been quite right without The Zen Master himself, Mr Dirk Funken who paced himself to perfection as usual. A model in Ride-Cool!
Quality star appearances were made by Jakub and Dean, who both showed fine metal for the first half of the event, successfully completing the ‘Uphill’ version of the LBL route ( known as “lbXL”) with its 5900m of climbing! Cormac, Simon M, and Jonathan Inman completed our group, joining us for three days each.
Despite the tough schedule and weather that was more than a little challenging, the group vibe remained relaxed, friendly, and upbeat throughout. It’s a tough series of rides most days passing the 3000m of the climbing mark, with two 4000m and then the almost 6000 m lblXL day out, but we don’t race it. No one dropped out. It’s doable, in true Cent Cols spirit. This group did it, with panache. Chapo to all!!
But without the flair, devotion, and years of experience, we could well have been a mess had it not been for Mateusz, Cent Cols’ main mechanic. He covered feed stops, sorted out more than a couple of mechanicals, and made us all smile when we couldn’t do that ourselves!
It’s essential to have good support like this when we are often close to the edge.
“Once again I have knocked my body into shape in time for hitting the High Roads. But more than the physical aspect, it’s the experience of riding in a group to attain a common goal that is always the most important element of this event. It gives me that understanding of the “WHY” and provides motivation to go and find one more climb, with others! I look forward to doing it all over again next year with such fine riders and kind-hearted people. Thank you!”
- Phil Deeker
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