Home " FAQ " FAQ - Collars

FAQ - Collars

How do you draw up your pass list?

The list should preferably be drawn up with the help of computer software (Word, Excel or equivalent) and printed out or emailed to the delegate, for reasons of legibility. Alternatively, the list may be handwritten in block letters. The passes must be indicated with their altitude and, if possible, listed in ascending order of department (for France). For passes outside France, indicate the country and, if possible, the region.

Which passes are recognised?

The passes recognised by the Club are those whose names appear in the reference catalogues sold by the Club (see below). For countries not covered by a catalogue, the passes recognised are those whose names and titles appear on the maps or on the signs (summit or directional) or on any other reliable document that can be assessed by the Club.

Can unsealed passes be counted?

Mule passes are passes recognised by the Club and can be counted in the same way as tarmac passes.

Can non-cycling passes be counted?

The aim of the cols collection is to try and complete the cols on the bike. However, any pass whose summit is reached with the bike (either by riding, pushing or carrying the bike) is countable.

Can I count a cycle pass if I have to get off my bike on the way up because I'm tired?

Yes, as long as you reach the top of the mountain by muscle power alone.

What equipment can you use to cross the passes?

Any wheeled device powered solely by muscle power may be used. This includes bicycles, tandems, tricycles, etc. Any form of motorised assistance (internal combustion engines and electric motors, even as back-up) is prohibited. A mountain pass crossed solely on foot (without a bike) cannot be counted.

Can the two team-mates on a tandem count towards a mountain pass?

Yes, as long as they made it all the way over the pass together.

Some collars are prohibited but appear in the collar catalogues. What do I need to do?

The catalogues are intended to be as exhaustive as possible. They do not take into account the legal accessibility of the passes. Some passes will be prohibited because they are located in parks or nature reserves, on motorways, on railway lines or on private or military property. It is the member's responsibility to obey these prohibitions, as well as the highway code and other regulations in force. That said, if for any reason you have crossed these passes, they may be counted.

Can passes outside France be counted?

Passes from all over the world can be counted.

Can a pass be counted several times if it is climbed from more than one side?

It is not the climbs that are counted, but the passes. As a result, a pass can only be counted once, even if it has been climbed on more than one side, including border passes which have two separate references.

Can "famous" climbs (Alpe-d'Huez, Hautacam, Mont Ventoux, etc.) be counted?

Climbs made famous by competitive cycling are not necessarily passes and are not systematically counted. However, there is often a pass nearby (e.g. the Col de Poutran above Alpe-d'Huez or the Col des Tempêtes on the southern slopes of Mont Ventoux).

Does a downhill pass count?

Any pass declared by a member is considered to have been climbed, including downhill passes.

Do mountain bike passes count?

Yes, any type of cycle is allowed as long as it is powered solely by muscle power.

Can passes that follow on from each other in the same ascent (e.g. Lautaret then Galibier) be counted?

Yes, any pass crossed can be counted, whether it's an ascent or a descent.

Is there a minimum altitude for counting a pass?

No minimum altitude is required for a pass, only its name on a map or sign or other document deemed reliable.

Are there any reference catalogues?

The Club publishes reference catalogues for a growing number of countries. The collars appearing in these catalogues are recognised by the Club and may appear on lists sent in by members.

Each catalogue is available in both a computerised and a printed version. For members, the most recent computer versions of the catalogues you have purchased can be downloaded free of charge from the club's website. Always use the most recent version of a catalogue before sending in your annual list.

When I discover a new collar that is not in a reference catalogue, can I add it to my annual collar list?

It may already be on the list of "unrecognised" collars published on the website (collars->unrecognised collars section).

Si ce n’est pas le cas, vous pouvez faire part de votre découverte en écrivant au secrétariat (ou tout autre responsable du club [email]cols@centcols.org[/email]), en fournissant si possible un maximum de renseignements (extraits de carte nommant et localisant le col, éventuellement : photo d’un panneau). Ce col sera soumis au Club pour validation. Il sera alors inclus dans le prochain additif et vous pourrez le rajouter à votre liste annuelle. Si le col n’est pas validé, il rejoindra la liste des cols « non retenus » et vous ne devrez pas le comptabiliser.

What maps should I use to locate the passes?

For France, the catalogue of French mountain passes (le Chauvot) gives coordinates on Michelin maps (Local and Départements) and IGN 1/100,000 maps. These maps are sufficient for road use. For a more precise view of tracks and trails, we recommend using more detailed maps such as the 1:25,000 IGN. These maps will also be useful for locating CVs and other small tarmac roads not shown on larger-scale maps. For other countries, the catalogues of these countries indicate the various editions of maps to be used for road and mule-riding. In most cases, the scales are similar to those used in France.

How do you plot the passes on the maps?

The catalogues provide millimetre coordinates in X and Y to be transferred to the maps according to the grid they contain.
Collars can also be located more quickly using the layers (see below) available on our website.

If you have a computer (Cartoexplorer, Géoportail, Google Earth), you can search for a pass using the universal geographic coordinates (longitude/latitude WGS84 and UTM) provided in most computer catalogues. Some catalogues also provide other sets of country-specific coordinates (e.g. Gauss-Krüger for Germany and civil coordinates for Switzerland).

Finally, an online utility (ccWay) is available in the "Passes" section, enabling you to transfer pass coordinates to GPS receivers and view them on Google Earth.

What are "layers"?

A layer is a graphic representation of the passes located on a particular fold or quadrant of a map. By printing this graphic on a sheet of transparent plastic and superimposing this sheet on the corresponding portion of the map, the passes are automatically located. These layers can be downloaded free of charge and printed from the Club's website.

I use a GPS, does the Club provide "tracks"?

The club does not provide GPS tracks. Only the passes are marked with geographical coordinates according to the various systems in force.
However, the Club offers mountain bike routes in one of its publications: TOPO. (see below). Tracks are now provided for the circuits of the various holidays offered by the club. The Club des Cent Cols has entered into a partnership with Openrunner where you will find a "Cent Cols" area where you can download routes.

Does the Club publish walking guides?

The various TOPO issues contain a large number of mountain bike trails, with routes, profiles, descriptions and other information.
These documents take the form of printed brochures or PDF files.

How many mountain passes are there in France?

Approximately 11,000, including 2,400 paved roads. These passes, recognised by the Club, are all listed in the Catalogue des Cols de France.
There are also a large number of collars in other countries. The Club publishes catalogues for several countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Spain, the UK and Ireland, Spain, the USA, Turkey, Poland and Romania (an ever-growing list).

Can I add a mountain pass published in an addendum to my annual list, even if I climbed it years ago?

Yes, the year in which you cross a mountain pass is irrelevant.

Should I remove from my list any passes that have been deleted in an addendum?

This question is left to the free will of the member, who will decide according to his or her own sensitivity.

How are the collar catalogues published by the Club updated?

By collecting new information (e.g. a new edition of a map) sent in by members or Working Group members, and after examination by the Club. Digital maps and cadastres can be put online, enabling forgotten passes to be rediscovered.

Why are some passes that appear to be topographically valid and appear on a map or are broken down refused?

In most cases, the names of these passes have been artificially "attributed" by cyclists or by an official body, but on the initiative of cyclists for media, advertising, tourism or similar purposes. These passes have no basis in local tradition. This activity contravenes article 4 of the Club's rules of play. If you believe that a particular pass is not recognised by the club but should be, please write to [email]cols@centcols.org[/email].

Why do the pass code and altitude not always match?

The code corresponds to the original altitude of the pass. This may vary depending on the edition of the map or the age of the sign, but the code is intangible in order to keep track of the pass in the catalogue.