PROGRESS
Tracking the journey from documentation and planning to the actual challenge of climbing 125 iconic Swiss road passes.
The foundation of the challenge is a curated list of 125 iconic Swiss road passes, sourced from French, English and German Wikipedia pages and verified against cycling tradition.
Each pass is entered into the database with its summit altitude and GPS coordinates, refined until the map pin sits precisely on the carriageway — not on a nearby peak or trail.
To bring each pass to life, an AI-generated image is created, both approach roads are mapped where accessible, and a short written description captures the character of the climb, the landscape, and any history worth knowing.
Percentages are based on the total of 125 target passes.
The challenge demands careful logistics. Based in Italy, I'll complete the passes through a series of weekend trips and short holidays — each one planned to make the most of limited time and the distances involved.
Passes are grouped into geographic clusters to keep driving time manageable. For each cluster, I need well-placed accommodation and dates that align with the mountain calendar — many high-altitude passes are accessible for just a few months each summer.
Sequencing matters. The toughest climbs belong early, while fitness is still on my side. There is also photography to think about — a drone for the aerial perspectives that a helmet camera simply cannot capture.
Planning checklist
Execution is the final phase — but preparation starts well before each departure. Arriving at the foot of a demanding climb in poor shape is not an option.
Each trip follows the same rhythm: drive to the region, ride the passes, reach every summit, document the effort, and recover before the next one.
One summit at a time, the challenge turns from ambition into achievement. Each completed pass brings the 125 a little closer — a list crossed off, one climb at a time.
Execution focus