What if you too became a Fêlé du Grand Colombier?
Since the creation of the Fêlés du Grand Colombier (1501 m), nearly 2400 cyclists, including 170 women, have joined the brotherhood. The principle is simple: climb the Grand Colombier by several faces in the same day.
Two climbs and you become a "Member". Three climbs? You're a "Master". Four faces? Welcome to the "Grand Masters", including 57 "Grand Mistresses"!
Le Grand Colombier, a challenge for cyclists
Défi Bugiste
For those who still find it a little too reasonable, there's the famous Défi Bugiste: the four ascents of the Grand Colombier on its four sides... plus two ascents of the Col de la Biche, one on each side. The result: 208 kilometers and over 7000 meters of ascent. A true Ultra Bugey adventure.
Record
The craziest thing about it is that some people do it again. Again and again. And again. The record belongs to Michel Martin, with 60 successful attempts. Yes, 60. Others have climbed the Grand Colombier eight times in a single day. Still others have climbed it on a recumbent bike, a unicycle, a folding bike and even on the back wheel (!). Let's also salute Noa de Groot who, in 2025, was the first Fêlée on a Handbike.
Congratulations to the old-timers!
And then there are the old-timers. Or rather, the stainless steel ones. Several septuagenarians continue to collect climbs, while André Boulesteix has become a veritable local legend, completing series of four climbs well into his 80s.
1h30 per face!
While the average ascent was around 1h45 per face, 94 "Fêlés" completed all 4 climbs (or more...) in less than 1h30 each. And, hold on to your hat, 6 "Fêlés" completed the Défi Bugiste by doing all 6 climbs in less than 1h30 per side.
A memorable cyclo day at the Grand Colombier
Welcome to the whole world...
Today, the Fêlés come from all over France, but also from Belgium, Germany, the UK, Canada, Japan and Australia.
With its warm atmosphere, its sometimes outrageous exploits and its deep attachment to the Haut-Bugey region, the Confrérie des Fêlés du Grand Colombier has become a true symbol of mountain cycling over the years.
To join the Confrérie, or simply find out more, visit their website: www.felesducolombier.fr/