Ep. 58 - Benjamin Chandelier - Conquering the Haute Route

Around here, we like to take risk and push ourselves. There is a high (pun intended) chance that you will be listening to this episode while I am cycling through the Alps. I will be taking on an event called the Haute Route. “Haute route” literally means “high road” in French and Haute Route cycling events are at the very top end of amateur cycling “sportives” both in terms of difficulty and professional organisation.

The 7-day Alps event takes on the most famous and difficult Alpine climbs like the Alpe d”Huez, the Col d’Izoard, the Col du Glandon, the Col de la Madeleine, and others. It involves cycling 900km and climbing 20,000+ metres. Haute Route also runs other events in the Pyrenees, Dolomites, Rockies as well as a number of smaller events.

I am about to find out what it takes to complete one of these things. But, what does it take to organise one and where did the idea first come about? Benjamin Chandelier, Event Director and co-founder of OC Sport (the organisation that owns and runs the Haute Route) joins me in a special edition of the podcast.

We discuss:

The origins and vision of the Haute Route;
The logistics involved in organising it;
The beauty and popularity of cycling;
What it takes to complete the Haute Route;
Risks associated with organising the event and the steps Benjamin and his team take to manage them;
Race strategies for all levels;
Much more!

Show notes: