2009 Challenge Results

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

1. 2770 metres – Col de l’Iseran
2. 2758 metres – Passo delle Stelvio*
3. 2642 metres – Col du Galibier
4. 2436 metres – Furka Pass
5. 2249 metres – Passo Pordoi – east*
6. 2249 metres – Passo Pordoi – west*
7. 2240 metres – Passo Sella – east*
8. 2240 metres – Passo Sella – west*
9. 2235 metres – Passo Giau*
10. 2252 metres – Col du Sanetsch*
11. 2224 metres – Susten Pass*
12. 2165 metres – Grimsel Pass*
13. 2150 metres – Passo Valparola*
14. 2121 metres – Passo Gardena – east*
15. 2121 metres – Passo Gardena – west*
16. 2115 metres – Col du Tourmalet – east*
17. 2115 metres – Col du Tourmalet – west*
18. 2108 metres – San Gottardo – north*
19. 2108 metres – San Gottardo – south*
20. 2107 metres – Cormet d’Arèches*
21. 2105 metres – Passo Falzarego*
22. 2067 metres – Col de la Croix de Fer
23. 2046 metres – Oberalppass – east*
24. 2046 metres – Oberalppass – west*
25. 2025 metres – above Grieslap
26. 1993 metres – Col de la Madeleine
27. 1987 metres – Passo delle Erbe*
28. 1970 metres – Lac de Mauvoisin*
29. 1970 metres – Col Croix de Pierre*
30. 1962 metres – Col de Véry*
31. 1968 metres – Roselend – east*
32. 1968 metres – Roselend – west
33. 1952 metres – Klausenpass*
34. 1948 metres – Col de la Péchette*
35. 1934 metres – Signal de Bisanne*
36. 1924 metres – Col du Glandon
37. 1909 metres – Mont Ventoux
38. 1875 metres – P. Campolongo – north*
39. 1875 metres – P. Campolongo – south*
40. 1844 metres – Col de Pierre Carrée
41. 1841 metres – Col des Tempetes
42. 1800 metres – Superbagnères*
43. 1800 metres – Col de la Lézette*
44. 1790 metres – Plateau de Beille*
45. 1776 metres – Col de la Legette *
46. 1760 metres – Col de la Joux Verte
47. 1778 metres – Col de Bassachaux – E*
48. 1752 metres – Col de la Madeleine
49. 1724 metres – Col du Cenise
50. 1721 metres – Col des Annes*
51. 1709 metres – Col d’Aubisque*
52. 1703 metres – Col du Pré
53. 1691 metres – Col de Joux Plane
54. 1660 metres – Col de Borneronde*
55. 1656 metres – Col du Ranfolly
56. 1655 metres – Le Semnoz
57. 1650 metres – Col des Saisies – N
58. 1650 metres – Col des Saisies – S
59. 1638 metres – Col du Mollard
60. 1630 metres – Col de Chaude*
61. 1618 metres – Col de la Colombière
62. 1615 metres – Col de la Ramaz
63. 1605 metres – Col de Meraillet
64. 1570 metres – Col d’Agnès*
65. 1569 metres – Col de Peyresourde*
66. 1566 metres – Col du Télégraphe
67. 1565 metres – Above Lac de l’Hongrin
68. 1538 metres – Mont Revard
69. 1533 metres – Col du Chaussy*
70. 1528 metres – La Barillette
71. 1527 metres – Col de la Forclaz*
72. 1517 metres – Port de Lers*
73. 1512 metres – Col de Jaman
74. 1510 metres – Col de Solaison
75. 1509 metres – Jaunpass*
76. 1504 metres – Mont du Chat
77. 1501 metres – Col Mesan
78. 1501 metres – Col du Grand Colombier
79. 1500 metres – Col de Merdassier
80. 1498 metres – Col des Aravis
81. 1495 metres – Col de Chérel*
82. 1489 metres – Chalet du Suchet*
83. 1485 metres – Col de Crozet
84. 1480 metres – Col de Malaterre*
85. 1477 metres – Col de la Croix Fry – E
86. 1477 metres – Col de la Croix Fry – W
87. 1475 metres – Col de la Baume*
88. 1474 metres – Col du Soulor*
89. 1461 metres – Col des Montets
90. 1449 metres – Col du Marchairuz North*
91. 1449 metres – Col du Marchairuz South
92. 1446 metres – Col du Pillon
93. 1445 metres – Col des Mosses
94. 1440 metres – Col des Glières
95. 1439 metres – Col de l’Encrenaz
96. 1431 metres – Col du Mont Noir*
97. 1418 metres – Col la Savolière
98. 1415 metres – Mont d’Or*
99. 1405 metres – Col de l’Agues*
100. 1393 metres – Col du Collet
101. 1390 metres – Col de Combe Blanche
102. 1377 metres – Col du Plane
103. 1370 meters – Col d’Herbouilly*
104. 1369 metres – Pas de Morgins*
105. 1365 metres – Col de Chalimont*
106. 1360 metres – Col de Chaud Clapier*
107. 1349 metres – Col de Menté*
108. 1340 metres – Col des Pitons
109. 1337 metres – Col de la Chau*
110. 1326 metres – Col de la Biche
111. 1323 metres – Col de la Faucille
112. 1313 metres – Col de la Bataille*
113. 1312 metres – Pas de Logue*
114. 1305 metres – Col des Convers
115. 1305 metres – Col des Convers
116. 1297 metres – Col de Romme
117. 1299 metres – Col de Plan Bois
118. 1293 metres – Col de l’Aiguillon
119. 1272 metres – Saanenmoser*
120. 1267 metres – Col de Prélétang*
121. 1260 metres – Col de Landoz Neuve*
122. 1250 metres – La Ronde Noire*
123. 1249 metres – Col de Port*
124. 1249 metres – Col du Pré Coquet*
125. 1245 metres – Col de la Clin*
126. 1233 metres – Col de l’Oeillon*
127. 1230 metres – Col du Corbier – W*
128. 1226 metres – Col du Liorin*
129. 1218 metres – Col de la Croix Perrin*
130. 1215 metres – Col de Carri*
131. 1205 metres – Col du Cucheron*
132. 1205 metres – Col du Gratteau*
133. 1201 metres – Croix de Chaubouret*
134. 1184 metres – Col de la Clusaz
135. 1178 metres – Col de Cuvéry
136. 1176 metres – Croisette (Muraz)
137. 1176 metres – Croisette (Le Coin)
138. 1176 metres – Croisette (Annemss)
139. 1175 metres – Col de la Portette*
140. 1169 metres – Col de la Cluse
141. 1168 metres – Col des Etroits*
142. 1165 metres – Col de Taillebourse*
143. 1164 metres – Col des Arces
144. 1157 metres – Col de la Forclaz
145. 1156 metres – Col des Bordères*
146. 1151 metres – Col de Mazières*
147. 1149 metres – Col de Sonloup*
148. 1146 metres – Col de l’Echarasson*
149. 1144 metres – Col de Bérentin
150. 1134 metres – Col du Granier
151. 1128 metres – Col de Menthières
152. 1117 metres – Col du Feu
153. 1116 metres – Col de Champlaurent*
154. 1116 metres – Col de Cou
155. 1115 metres – Col des Moises
156. 1112 metres – Col de la Rochette
157. 1100 metres – Sommet d’Andey – W*
158. 1100 metres – Sommet d’Andey – E*
159. 1100 metres – Col de Proncel*
160. 1099 metres – Col de la Croix de l’Orme*
161. 1096 metres – Col de Terramont
162. 1074 metres – Col de Romeyère*
163. 1069 metres – Col de Portet d’Aspet – W*
164. 1069 metres – Col de Portet d’Aspet – E*
165. 1061 metres – Col du Mont d’Orzeires*
166. 1056 metres – Col de Belleroche
167. 1054 metres – Col des Contrebandiers
168. 1050 metres – Col de la Machine*
169. 1012 metres – Col de l’Epine
170. 1010 metres – Col de Portes*
171. 1000 metres – Col de Jougne*
172. 987 metres – Col de l’Epine
173. 979 metres – Col de Colliard
174. 975 metres – Col du Sentier*
175. 968 metres – Col du Pisseloup*
176. 958 metres – Col des Egaux*
177. 958 metres – Col du Marocaz*
178. 947 metres – Col de Caougnous*
179. 944 metres – Col de Saxel
180. 929 metres – Col de Ballon
181. 925 metres – Col de la Cheminée
182. 923 metres – Pas le Cheval*
183. 917 metres – Col du Pré Vernet
184. 915 metres – Col le Parc*
185. 915 metres – Col du Crucifix*
186. 907 metres – Col de Tamié*
187. 903 metres – Col du Cruchon
188. 903 metres – Col Saint-Michel*
189. 900 metres – Col des Leschaux
190. 897 metres – Col du Sapenay
191. 870 metres – Col de la Forclaz de Queige*
192. 867 metres – Col des Brosses*
193. 843 metres – Col du Marais
194. 811 metres – Col de la Croix de Pars*
195. 801 metres – Col d’Evires*
196. 800 metres – Col de la Croix Biche
197. 797 metres – Col de Cessens*
198. 786 metres – Col du Mont Sion
199. 732 metres – Col de Malval*
200. 725 metres – Col des Essérieux*
201. 714 metres – Col de Menulles*
202. 712 metres – Col de la Luère*
203. 702 metres – Col de Mallebranche*
204. 670 metres – Col de la Frétallaz*
205. 650 metres – Col de la Chambotte*
206. 638 metres – Col du Chat
207. 626 metres – Col de Couz*
208. 602 metres – Col de la Croix du Ban*