Every year I say “This was the best cycling year yet” – and happily this year was no different.
My 2009 Challenge results:
#1 – Climb 100 Different Cols
Not counting repeats, I managed over 200 Cols (see list below the map at bottom) – admittedly 50 or so of the Cols were either very small or approached from an easy direction. From a “collecting” point of view, the highlight included 10 Cols in one ride in the Vercors region.
Additionally:
– 25 Cols above 2000 metres (versus a goal of 15)
– over a 100 climbs for the 1st time (versus a goal of 30)
#2 – Complete the Maratona dles Dolomites
This was one of my greatest days on a bike. Martin and I survived the 138 kms, 7 beautiful passes, and even a little bit of hail. Details here.
#3 – Lose 7 – 10 pounds
No comment. And I am not getting on a scale!! 🙁
Other stuff:
I visited a few regions for the first time in 2009 – and frankly would return to any of them in a heart beat.
1. A week in the French pyrénées climbing many of the most famous climbs including Tourmalet, Aubisque, Plateau de Beille, etc.
Overview map and tour details here.
2. A week in the Italian Dolomites
Including the Maratona and several other great routes (and a visit to Stelvio!).
Overview map of climbs in region here.
3. A few days in central Switzerland.
Loads of huge climbs including Furka, Susten, Gotthard, Klausen, Grimsel, Oberalp.
4. A weekend in the Vercors massif.
Thanks!
Thanks to my good friends for joining me on so many of these great rides, for suggesting interesting new route ideas, or for kindly offering support.
And in particular thanks to my wonderful wife for supporting me in my silly hobby – and especially for cycling up Col du Galibier with me!
Map of 2009 Climbs:
Blue = French Alps ; Green = French Jura Mountains Red = Swiss Alps (empty so far) ; Pale Blue = Swiss Jura Mountains
Small Red flag = small cols (passes) that I have climbed or perhaps passed from an easier direction.
Pan map for Italy / Pyrenees / Switzerland / etc.
View 2009 Big Cycling Climbs in a larger map
- 2770 metres – Col de l’Iseran
- 2758 metres – Passo delle Stelvio*
- 2642 metres – Col du Galibier
- 2436 metres – Furka Pass
- 2249 metres – Passo Pordoi – east*
- 2249 metres – Passo Pordoi – west*
- 2240 metres – Passo Sella – east*
- 2240 metres – Passo Sella – west*
- 2235 metres – Passo Giau*
- 2252 metres – Col du Sanetsch*
- 2224 metres – Susten Pass*
- 2165 metres – Grimsel Pass*
- 2150 metres – Passo Valparola*
- 2121 metres – Passo Gardena – east*
- 2121 metres – Passo Gardena – west*
- 2115 metres – Col du Tourmalet – east*
- 2115 metres – Col du Tourmalet – west*
- 2108 metres – San Gottardo – north*
- 2108 metres – San Gottardo – south*
- 2107 metres – Cormet d’Arèches*
- 2105 metres – Passo Falzarego*
- 2067 metres – Col de la Croix de Fer
- 2046 metres – Oberalppass – east*
- 2046 metres – Oberalppass – west*
- 2025 metres – above Grieslap
- 1993 metres – Col de la Madeleine
- 1987 metres – Passo delle Erbe*
- 1970 metres – Lac de Mauvoisin*
- 1970 metres – Col Croix de Pierre*
- 1962 metres – Col de Véry*
- 1968 metres – Roselend – east*
- 1968 metres – Roselend – west
- 1952 metres – Klausenpass*
- 1948 metres – Col de la Péchette*
- 1934 metres – Signal de Bisanne*
- 1924 metres – Col du Glandon
- 1909 metres – Mont Ventoux
- 1875 metres – P. Campolongo – north*
- 1875 metres – P. Campolongo – south*
- 1844 metres – Col de Pierre Carrée
- 1841 metres – Col des Tempetes
- 1800 metres – Superbagnères*
- 1800 metres – Col de la Lézette*
- 1790 metres – Plateau de Beille*
- 1776 metres – Col de la Legette *
- 1760 metres – Col de la Joux Verte
- 1778 metres – Col de Bassachaux – E*
- 1752 metres – Col de la Madeleine
- 1724 metres – Col du Cenise
- 1721 metres – Col des Annes*
- 1709 metres – Col d’Aubisque*
- 1703 metres – Col du Pré
- 1691 metres – Col de Joux Plane
- 1660 metres – Col de Borneronde*
- 1656 metres – Col du Ranfolly
- 1655 metres – Le Semnoz
- 1650 metres – Col des Saisies – N
- 1650 metres – Col des Saisies – S
- 1638 metres – Col du Mollard
- 1630 metres – Col de Chaude*
- 1618 metres – Col de la Colombière
- 1615 metres – Col de la Ramaz
- 1605 metres – Col de Meraillet
- 1570 metres – Col d’Agnès*
- 1569 metres – Col de Peyresourde*
- 1566 metres – Col du Télégraphe
- 1565 metres – Above Lac de l’Hongrin
- 1538 metres – Mont Revard
- 1533 metres – Col du Chaussy*
- 1528 metres – La Barillette
- 1527 metres – Col de la Forclaz*
- 1517 metres – Port de Lers*
- 1512 metres – Col de Jaman
- 1510 metres – Col de Solaison
- 1509 metres – Jaunpass*
- 1504 metres – Mont du Chat
- 1501 metres – Col Mesan
- 1501 metres – Col du Grand Colombier
- 1500 metres – Col de Merdassier
- 1498 metres – Col des Aravis
- 1495 metres – Col de Chérel*
- 1489 metres – Chalet du Suchet*
- 1485 metres – Col de Crozet
- 1480 metres – Col de Malaterre*
- 1477 metres – Col de la Croix Fry – E
- 1477 metres – Col de la Croix Fry – W
- 1475 metres – Col de la Baume*
- 1474 metres – Col du Soulor*
- 1461 metres – Col des Montets
- 1449 metres – Col du Marchairuz North*
- 1449 metres – Col du Marchairuz South
- 1446 metres – Col du Pillon
- 1445 metres – Col des Mosses
- 1440 metres – Col des Glières
- 1439 metres – Col de l’Encrenaz
- 1431 metres – Col du Mont Noir*
- 1418 metres – Col la Savolière
- 1415 metres – Mont d’Or*
- 1405 metres – Col de l’Agues*
- 1393 metres – Col du Collet
- 1390 metres – Col de Combe Blanche
- 1377 metres – Col du Plane
- 1370 meters – Col d’Herbouilly*
- 1369 metres – Pas de Morgins*
- 1365 metres – Col de Chalimont*
- 1360 metres – Col de Chaud Clapier*
- 1349 metres – Col de Menté*
- 1340 metres – Col des Pitons
- 1337 metres – Col de la Chau*
- 1326 metres – Col de la Biche
- 1323 metres – Col de la Faucille
- 1313 metres – Col de la Bataille*
- 1312 metres – Pas de Logue*
- 1305 metres – Col des Convers
- 1305 metres – Col des Convers
- 1297 metres – Col de Romme
- 1299 metres – Col de Plan Bois
- 1293 metres – Col de l’Aiguillon
- 1272 metres – Saanenmoser*
- 1267 metres – Col de Prélétang*
- 1260 metres – Col de Landoz Neuve*
- 1250 metres – La Ronde Noire*
- 1249 metres – Col de Port*
- 1249 metres – Col du Pré Coquet*
- 1245 metres – Col de la Clin*
- 1233 metres – Col de l’Oeillon*
- 1230 metres – Col du Corbier – W*
- 1226 metres – Col du Liorin*
- 1218 metres – Col de la Croix Perrin*
- 1215 metres – Col de Carri*
- 1205 metres – Col du Cucheron*
- 1205 metres – Col du Gratteau*
- 1201 metres – Croix de Chaubouret*
- 1184 metres – Col de la Clusaz
- 1178 metres – Col de Cuvéry
- 1176 metres – Croisette (Muraz)
- 1176 metres – Croisette (Le Coin)
- 1176 metres – Croisette (Annemss)
- 1175 metres – Col de la Portette*
- 1169 metres – Col de la Cluse
- 1168 metres – Col des Etroits*
- 1165 metres – Col de Taillebourse*
- 1164 metres – Col des Arces
- 1157 metres – Col de la Forclaz
- 1156 metres – Col des Bordères*
- 1151 metres – Col de Mazières*
- 1149 metres – Col de Sonloup*
- 1146 metres – Col de l’Echarasson*
- 1144 metres – Col de Bérentin
- 1134 metres – Col du Granier
- 1128 metres – Col de Menthières
- 1117 metres – Col du Feu
- 1116 metres – Col de Champlaurent*
- 1116 metres – Col de Cou
- 1115 metres – Col des Moises
- 1112 metres – Col de la Rochette
- 1100 metres – Sommet d’Andey – W*
- 1100 metres – Sommet d’Andey – E*
- 1100 metres – Col de Proncel*
- 1099 metres – Col de la Croix de l’Orme*
- 1096 metres – Col de Terramont
- 1074 metres – Col de Romeyère*
- 1069 metres – Col de Portet d’Aspet – W*
- 1069 metres – Col de Portet d’Aspet – E*
- 1061 metres – Col du Mont d’Orzeires*
- 1056 metres – Col de Belleroche
- 1054 metres – Col des Contrebandiers
- 1050 metres – Col de la Machine*
- 1012 metres – Col de l’Epine
- 1010 metres – Col de Portes*
- 1000 metres – Col de Jougne*
- 987 metres – Col de l’Epine
- 979 metres – Col de Colliard
- 975 metres – Col du Sentier*
- 968 metres – Col du Pisseloup*
- 958 metres – Col des Egaux*
- 958 metres – Col du Marocaz*
- 947 metres – Col de Caougnous*
- 944 metres – Col de Saxel
- 929 metres – Col de Ballon
- 925 metres – Col de la Cheminée
- 923 metres – Pas le Cheval*
- 917 metres – Col du Pré Vernet
- 915 metres – Col le Parc*
- 915 metres – Col du Crucifix*
- 907 metres – Col de Tamié*
- 903 metres – Col du Cruchon
- 903 metres – Col Saint-Michel*
- 900 metres – Col des Leschaux
- 897 metres – Col du Sapenay
- 870 metres – Col de la Forclaz de Queige*
- 867 metres – Col des Brosses*
- 843 metres – Col du Marais
- 811 metres – Col de la Croix de Pars*
- 801 metres – Col d’Evires*
- 800 metres – Col de la Croix Biche
- 797 metres – Col de Cessens*
- 786 metres – Col du Mont Sion
- 732 metres – Col de Malval*
- 725 metres – Col des Essérieux*
- 714 metres – Col de Menulles*
- 712 metres – Col de la Luère*
- 702 metres – Col de Mallebranche*
- 670 metres – Col de la Frétallaz*
- 650 metres – Col de la Chambotte*
- 638 metres – Col du Chat
- 626 metres – Col de Couz*
- 602 metres – Col de la Croix du Ban*
6 Comments
You Are unbelievable. Wish I could have so many rides near where I live. Will be in French Pyrennes this summer during tour so going to try some of the climbs. Wish me luck
Pingback: My 2010 Cycling Challenge : Cycling Challenge
Congratulations Will!! You are truly amazing – if I had done a tenth of your climbs I would consider myself Superman. All the best for your 2010 challenge.
Very great year, your 2009! Thanks for all the descriptions of the climbs and all photos. I have seen your ambitious goal for the next year, and I wish you all the best.
Greetings, Urs
Well done on meeting your 2009 challenge Will!
It certainly was great fun to join you on some of the rides and trips. Thanks for making these rides possible for me too! 🙂
Bravo ! Très belle liste de cols (avec deux belles et pluvieuses incursions à l’ouest 😉 )