Chilkoot, the original band of cycling pioneers, gathered these seven rally pilots at Carpentras Gare SNCF and handed each of them a Roadbook in true rally style. The riders introduced themselves, and more importantly, their choice of bikes. One carbon road race machine played six cyclo-cross / gravel / adventure bikes. Tyres ranged from 28mm ‘cut-slicks’ (as they say in the motorsport world), 40mm adventure tyres, to Guilhem’s fully-studded ice tyres. Maybe his gravel crew had already recced the stages and he knew something the rest didn’t.

The first liaison found the 7 Pioneers arriving beside the walled outskirts of Crillon-de-Brave where the time keepers’ boards indicated the start of the shakedown stage. (Following exactly the format of the WRC event, the shakedown was a test stage run at full pace followed by the first stage of the competition under darkness) The shakedown route unravelled in the foreground, leading to Bédoin and above it the omnipresent Ventoux. It was a gentle introduction to the rally format, a test of man and machine.

Red mist and red lights. The first stage set the running order for the next day. Quickly it was clear the carbon machines and their pilots had more pace than the others over the humble Col de la Madeleine (not named after our lightweight jacket, which would come in useful as a fourth layer the following day and night). Riders attacked the tunnel of light in front of them, chasing the red flare displayed on the back of their fellow Pioneer who was up the road. Find the biting point in your legs and hang on up and over the Col then ride the limit of safety on the descent. This. Is. Fun.

Times verified, roadbook entries completed, the 7 Pioneers rolled as a group to Malaucéne for dinner and then on to Parc Fermé. It so happened Parc Fermé was in the tent where the Pioneers slept… in minus 4 degree temperatures.... Martine bib tights and a cosette base layer have never been so much appreciated.

In a true rally-style, the late night and early morning start test the physical and mental strength of the pilots. The roadbook stated that the first rider would start SS2 at 0800hrs - time-trialling before breakfast on a night of broken sleep. This event is très sérieux.

Okay, Mont Ventoux was not the final stage of Rallye Monte-Vélo but it was definitely the definitive one for the overall classification. After SS2, the Pioneers find time to warm themselves in the kitchen of Bédoin’s only open boulangerie. This boulangerie is a microcosm of rural provence. Five old men from the village sit beside the wood fire oven, resolving the world’s problems as the Pioneers grab a quick caffeine shot and a pain au chocolat before rolling tentatively to the start line.

We could have done with one of these at Chalet Reynard. Having slogged the 11kms of hellish gradient up through the forest, a navigational error had us questioning where the finish line boards were. Stage winner, Denis, came roaring up behind to alert us to the fact that we were heading to Sault and not the stage finish. We guess one hour at threshold in January will do that to you. Result – 2 minutes gained and one place on the general classification at threat.

With the power stage and aforementioned epic liaison done, the 7 Pioneers made their way to the next group of stages. On paper these specials all seemed simple affairs compared to the power stage. But the foothills around the Giant of Provence undulate like a stormy sea, and Chilkoot had chosen the parcours to really bite the legs.

Rally drivers often describe the 'red mist' descending in competition. Seeing the pilot in front depart, the anticipation of the stage after reading the roadbook, the countdown from the time keepers all contributed to a maximum attack mentality. 'Full gas' riding was to the be theme for the remainder of a very long day. In motorsport terms we were ‘bouncing off the limiter’ on every stage.

At the arrival of SS6, we were in need of an oil change or we were definitely going to blow a gasket. As dusk approached and the temperature returned back towards zero, reports from up the road warned of ice. The commissaire decided saftey was paramount and cancelled the final two stages and go straight to service.

That service happened, happily, to also be the night’s Parc Fermé in a maison de chasse in the absolute middle of nowhere. A 30kms liaison split the group of Mercenaries as those with less clothing sped up to reach the support of the service crew. Cold beers, charcuterie and the best daube de sanglier in the world awaited in the kitchen full of a mixture of cooking utensils, hunting memorabilia and hard, hard liqour. Engines were being well and truly refreshed and stories from the days’ rallying cleaned air and oil filters with laughter.

On the last day podium places were awarded and prizes – lovely big bottles of Velospohe beer – were handed out. But this was a pioneer event and the 7 Pioneers had taken the plunge into the unknown and come out the other side with nothing but respect for one another (and disdain for the organisers….)

Rallye Monte-Vélo is a unique event in a legendary setting. 95kms of special stages (effectively time trials in cycling terms) with 145kms of liaisons, around and over the incredible Mont Ventoux. In January. It will either kill you, or make you stronger.