Wow are my legs tired.
Well, I have completed my main 2008 Challenge to cycle 160,000 metres of vertical ascent (~525,000 feet or one foot for every minute of the year).
As usual, there is no doubt that my silly challenge has kept me motivated throughout the year.
It’s definitely been the best and most fun cycling year I have ever had. Highlights include:
- Participating in seven cyclosportives – including the pretty epic La Marmotte.
- Cycling La Route des Grandes Alpes as part of the Tour d’Enfer.
- Cycling up mountains to watch several Pro Tour stages including the Tour de Suisse, Tour de Romandie, La Dauphiné Libéré, and of course the Tour de France.
And – most importantly – lots of rides with great friends who have cheerfully tolerated “The Challenge” – especially Doreen, Martin, Barry, Katy & Eric, and the Lost Boys.
Here is a slideshow of some of my favorite photos from the year:
What’s next?
Part of the 2008 Challenge was to lose 13 pounds by June 30th and and keep it off until the end of the year. I lost the weight by June 30th but am struggling to stay at that weight. I know, I know: how is it possible to ride as much as I do and have weight issues? Beer, Pizza, portion sizes, etc. 🙂
I’ll keep riding through the winter and see if I can lose a few pounds.
My 2009 Challenge?
There will be a 2009 Challenge – I am open to any and all suggestions except riding a tandem!
The 2008 CLIMBS (so far)
Here’s a map and below it a pretty comprehensive list of the big climbs in 2008. Click icons for link to details.
France:
Blue = French Alps ; Green = French Jura Mountains
Switzerland:
Red = Swiss Alps ; Pale Blue = Swiss Jura Mountains
Small Red flag = small cols (passes) that I have climbed or perhaps passed from an easier direction.
Use the “view larger map” option at bottom or to scroll right or down – to see all climbs.
2008 Climbs
- 2802 metres – Cime de la Bonette (Col de la Bonette – 2715 m)
- 2770 metres – Col de l’Iseran
- 2645 metres – Col du Galibier (north side)
- 2645 metres – Col du Galibier (south side)
- 2478 metres – Nufenen Pass
- 2473 metres – Col du Grand St-Bernard (north side)
- 2473 metres – Col du Grand St-Bernard (south side)
- 2436 metres – Furka Pass
- 2413 metres – Col du Granon
- 2360 metres – Col d’Izoard
- 2340 metres – Val Thorens
- 2326 metres – Col de la Cayolle
- 2250 metres – Col d’Allos
- 2220 metres – Barrage d’Emosson and above
- 2204 metres – Col de Balme
- 2141 metres – La Grande Dixence
- 2109 metres – Col de Vars
- 2080 metres – Lac Besson + Col de Poutran
- 2070 metres – Klein Scheidegg
- 2058 metres – Col du Lautaret
- 2083 metres – Col du Mont Cenis
- 2067 metres – Col de la Croix de Fer
- 1997 metres – Col des Posettes
- 1992 metres – Col de la Madeleine
- 1989 metres – Col du Joly
- 1968 metres – Cormet de Roselend
- 1962 metres – Gross Scheidegg
- 1924 metres – Col du Glandon (Croix de Fer side)
- 1910 metres – Mont Ventoux
- 1850 metres – Alpe d’Huez (2x)
- 1830 metres – Sainte Anne la Condamine
- 1844 metres – Col de Pierre Carrée
- 1778 metres – Col de Bassachaux
- 1776 metres – Col de la Croix
- 1762 metres – Col de l’Echelle
- 1760 metres – Col de la Joux Verte
- 1728 metres – Val Pelouse
- 1691 metres – Col de Joux Plane (south side 2x)
- 1691 metres – Col de Joux Plane (north side)
- 1670 metres – Murren
- 1655 metres – Le Semnoz
- 1650 metres – Col des Saisies (via D218b)
- 1650 metres – Col des Saisies (via Crest-Voland)
- 1650 metres – Above Thurbach
- 1638 metres – Col du Mollard
- 1630 metres – Pra-Loup
- 1626 metres – Plateau des Saix
- 1618 metres – Col de la Colombière – north side (3x)
- 1618 metres – Col de la Colombière – via Romme
- 1615 metres – Mont Tendre
- 1610 metres – Mittelberg
- 1605 metres – Col du Méraillet
- 1581 metres – Col de l’Arpettaz
- 1566 metres – Col du Télégraphe
- 1546 metres – Col du Pillon (2x)
- 1525 metres – Verbier
- 1510 metres – Plateau Solaison
- 1504 metres – Mont du Chat
- 1501 metres – Col du Grand Colombier
- 1498 metres – Col des Aravis (2x)
- 1485 metres – Col de Crozet
- 1470 metres – Rizel
- 1461 metres – Col des Montets
- 1459 metres – Col de Villard
- 1449 metres – Col du Marchairuz
- 1447 metres – Col de la Croix Fry (west side)
- 1447 metres – Col de la Croix Fry (east side)
- 1445 metres – Col des Mosses
- 1440 metres – Col des Glières (west side)
- 1428 metres – Chalet d’Ajon
- 1420 metres – Col d’Aulp
- 1390 metres – Col de Combe Blanche
- 1385 metres – Lauenensee
- 1380 metres – Col du Sac (2x)
- 1379 metres – Col de la Frasse
- 1377 metres – Col du Plane
- 1371 metres – Col d’Ornon
- 1350 metres – Col du Merle
- 1340 metres – Col des Pitons (8x)
- 1340 metres – Le Mole
- 1325 metres – Col de la Biche
- 1323 metres – Col de la faucille
- 1305 metres – Chatel
- 1301 metres – Col de Pontis
- 1300 metres – Col de la Croisette and above – from Collonges (8x)
- 1300 metres – Col de la Croisette and above – from South side
- 1300 metres – Col de la Croisette and above – from St Blaise side (7x)
- 1299 metres – Col de Plan Bois
- 1295 metres – Col de Romme
- 1288 metres – Col du Creux
- 1250 metres – Col de l’Avernaz
- 1241 metres – Col de Tréchauffe
- 1230 metres – Col du Corbier (2x)
- 1213 metres – Col de l’Homme Mort
- 1180 metres – Col du Mollendruz
- 1178 metres – Col de Cuvéry
- 1164 metres – Col des Arces (3x)
- 1157 metres – Col de la Forclaz de Montmin – North
- 1157 metres – Col de la Forclaz de Montmin – South
- 1143 metres – Les Plans d’Hotonnes
- 1142 metres – Col des Prés
- 1134 metres – Col du Granier
- 1117 metres – Col du Feu
- 1116 metres – Col du Cou (2x)
- 1115 metres – Col des Moises(2x)
- 1081 metres – Col de Terramont (3x)
- 1060 metres – Col de Richmond
- 1056 metres – Col de Belleroche
- 1054 metres – Col des Contrebandiers
- 1035 metres – Col du Grand Taillet
- 1012 metres – Col de l’Epine (Annecy)
- 979 metres – Col du Clergeon
- 977 metres – Mont Saxonnex
- 963 metres – Col du Perret
- 956 metres – Col de St Jean de Sixt
- 945 metres – Col de Ludran
- 920 metres – Col des Fleuries
- 917 metres – Col du Pré Vernet
- 897 metres – Col du Sapenay
- 860 metres – Golet dy Pey
- 860 metres – Le Tiocan
Other Cols passed along the Way
- 2656 metres – Col de Restefond
- 2220 metres – Col de la Platrière
- 1841 metres – Col des Tempetes
- 1656 metres – Col du Ranfolly
- 1500 metres – Col de Merdassier
- 1393 metres – Col du Collet
- 1270 metres – Col des Convers (8x)
- 1068 metres – Col de Macuèugne
- 1027 metres – Col de Jambaz
- 979 metres – Col de Colliard
- 956 metres – Col de St Jean de Sixt
- 900 metres – Col de Leschaux (2x)
- 843 metres – Col du Marais
- 800 metres – Col de la Croix Biche (8x)
- 786 metres – Col du Mont Sion (8x)
- 740 metres – Col de Chatillon
- 630 metres – Col de Bluffy
- 448 metres – Col de la Madeleine
18 Comments
Woo hoo 🙂 Nice one William. Can we drink some beer now? These lettuce leaves and carrots are becoming boring 🙂
Well done! That is an amazing list. But there are still nearly two months left in the year!
Chilly,
A big congratulations – this is your earliest challenge completion yet…super well done and can’t wait to see what 2009 has in store for you…
Love,
Doreen
Congratulations:
You’ll need a tougher challenge next year! How are you going to keep busy for the rest of this year?
Love Mum
Congratulations, Félicitations etc … 🙂
I’m (a little) jealous of your list of climbs 😉
One new challenge possible, hard but (for me) very interesting: In 2009, you “have to” add your name on the list of Fêlés… And more: you can also do that with Ventoux and Ballon d’Alsace !
+ Please, go climb Puy de Dome on a sunny day (and other climbs in Auvergne)… 😉
WOW… I’m just tired thinking back on all those great rides. I was with you all the way… at least reading about them. So what will you do to top this? Now you have to do your best to stay fit through the Holidays! It is eating season my friend. Cheers and CONGRATS on your great accomplishments!
Thanks for the messages
Hi Mum!
Hey Bastien, that’s an interesting suggestion. I once climbed Ballon d’Alsace from 2 sides …. but doing all three would be a very nice ride.
But all 4 sides of Grand Colombier? Maybe 2 sides … or 3 sides. But 4 … maybe when I was your age! 😉
All three sides of Ventoux in one day would be a great challenge ….. maybe … yes interesting ….. but I expect you to join me!!
I promise to do Puy de Dome next year. It was on my list this year but I just never found the time.
thanks for the great ideas
I don’t believe that you are tired. This is just you trying to hide that an 160,000m challenge has become way too easy for you. And one thing is for sure…tired or not…you will keep riding till Dec 31st and then another challenge will guarantee tons of fun. And that makes you THE cycling buddy for me…I ALWAYS can count on you. Will did you notice that I did NOT say “RUNNING” buddy? 🙂
I know you don’t like the t-bike thingy, so I won’t even use the word. But what about this for a 2009 challenge : doing the same list of climbs over again, but on a fixed gear? No need for brakes in the descents. No sorry, forget about it…you have done that many times in the past. We all know that.
Will,
You have certainly come back strong after the leg injury earlier this year! Congratulations on completing your challenge!
Congratulations on reaching your climbing goal – with 2 months to spare even!
It has been loads of fun and a privilege for me to be able to cycle with you this year Will. The slide show of pictures has brought back many great memories.
Echoing Donald’s comment, I promise to do my best to avoid tempting you with pizza, kebab and beer post-ride now as we head into the (h)eating season here.
Congratulation …
.. I’m an admirer of your nearly countless climbs.
Will,
Just a few words to congratulate you on completing your Challenge nearly two months before the end of the year! Great, great performance! If you keep riding until the end of December, it will give you a good idea of how many meters of vertical ascent you should cycle in 2009… Speaking about your next Challenge and given what you accomplished, I think it is time to be more ambitious… 😉
Three years ago, while trekking through the Himalaya, I did cross (not on a bike!) Khardung La Pass, which is considered nothing less than the highest motorable point in the world – 18380 ft or around 5600 meters above sea level, according to the local authorities. Could be interesting, to do it on a bicycle, no?
Consider this just as a contribution to the debate regarding your 2009 Challenge, ok? 😉
Last but not least, I have to say that it has been quite a deception, not to be able (the fault is all on me!) to find time to ride with you in 2008. Since I completed my own little Challenge this year (I finished my 100 different passes list to be able to be part of the “Club des Cent Cols” – this crazy brotherhood of mountain cyclists), I do already know what one of my 2009 Challenges is going to be: find the time to cycle up some crazy col or series of cols in your august company.
With my best regards,
Nicholas
Thanks again for the kind messages.
Nicholas, your Himalaya trip sounds like a great idea. Can I hire a Sherpa to pedal for me? 🙂
Congrats on joining the Club des Cent Cols!
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Will.
Very very impressive, both the cycling and the consistently good blogging. Hope to make down to Geneva next year and perhaps we could hook up for a ride.
Thomas
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Nice work Will. That’s an impressive list of Cols. I’d like to have done half of those in a lifetime.
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