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2008 Big Climbs Map

By Will • Jan 1st, 2008 • Category: Cycling

Big Climbs in 2008 (excludes repeats). Click Ride Icons for link to details. I have split climbs into a few geographic categories:

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.

It may be necessary to use the “view larger map” option at bottom or to scroll right - to see all climbs.

For a map of all climbs over all years - see here.


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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2008 Challenge is to (again) cycle 160,000 metres of vertical ascent.
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3 Responses »

  1. Seth KaySeth Kay on May 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am:

    Hi Will,

    I’m a really big fan of what you’re doing and one day would love to do something similar myself.
    I was wondering, in your opininon, what the tougest climb in france is? I often hear people talk of the italian Mont Zoncolan (10.5kms @ 11.5%) and wondered if you’ve ever encountered something similar or tougher in france?

    Thanks in advance
    Seth

  2. WillWill on May 4th, 2008 at 4:56 pm:

    Hi Seth,

    Thanks for your message.

    Hardest climb? My understanding is the Italian Dolomites can be super hard - harder than the French Alps. For France, Le Cycle magazine in 2005 suggested it could be Mont Chat in the Jura mountains.

    I think there may be harder and certainly there are some three times as long (where altitude becomes a real factor) …. but Mont Chat is a personal favorite for several reasons. First, it is virtually car-free. Second the scenery and views of Lac du Bourget (biggest lake in France) are stunning, and finally: yes it’s hard!

    Here is a blog post of me climbing it (very slowly) - with an elevation chart. It’s around 10% for a VERY long time. :)

    Regards,

    Will

    http://www.cycling-challenge.com/mont-du-chat/

    Locals would argue the nearby Col du Grand Colombier is harder than Mont Chat and I probably agree.

    PS - the Saleve behind my house in the upcoming Dauphinée Liberé race has 4 kms averaging 12% with much steeper parts. And my blog post yesterday has a photo with a 27% (!!!) grade sign - but luckily very short.

  3. Seth KaySeth Kay on May 5th, 2008 at 10:39 pm:

    Hi Will

    Thanks for such a quick reply!

    I’ve taken a look at Mont Chat and Col du Grand Colombier via your blogs and I agree, they look super hard - to be honest i’d never heard of either before reading you web pages, I think this is in part due to them rarely being used in the Tour de France and am now keen to give them a go myself!

    Thanks again and best of luck with your 2008 challenge - I’ll be following your progress with great interest!

    Seth

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