Posts Tagged ‘Switzerland’

Day 18. 68km. Bergün – Livigno

Posted: September 30, 2014 in Cycling, Italy, Switzerland
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My heart is thumping, my panting is almost all I can hear. Through the adrenalin rush I can hear and observe only one sound. There is no brain capacity for more. The jingling of cow bells. The gush of water. The sprinkle of rain. Or pure silence in the beautiful mountains. The Drahtesel is conquering the Alps.

Looking down from the Albula Pass

Looking down from the Albula Pass

Today I was greeted by lots of lovely people, all wishing me well on my route. At the top of the Albula Pass, on a hiking road to Zernez, on the bus (!) to Livigno, in the hotel and more.

Many look at my bike, trying to find the electric battery. So many people use them around here. I don’t know how easy it would be to charge such a battery in Tajikistan on the Pamir Highway. One would need a mother of a solar panel. 🙂

I hereby name my bike ‘Drahtesel’. Such a cool name, first used by Viktoria Schulte from the Kölnische Rundschau. While crawling up the mountain, I found myself talking to Drahtesel. For me it signifies a heavy but sturdy beast, that, slowly but surely, scales anything. We’re getting there Drahtesel! You’re doing well, Drahtesel. Drahtesel scaled his first pass in the Alps today – the Albula Pass (2315m).

Albula Pass

Albula Pass

Sunrise in Bergün before the Albula Pass

Sunrise in Bergün before the Albula Pass

Looking up at the Albula Pass

Looking up at the Albula Pass

Then Drahtesel flanked the side of the valley in the forest, following a river down to Zernez. Although the river was flowing in my direction (I checked that), it was a steep up and down affair on gravel roads. The group of swiss walkers I met there made my day. What a lovely bunch. They told me all about the railway that was built there, and how the bridge collapsed 100 years ago and killed lots of workers.

The Swiss walkers

The Swiss walkers

The railway bridge

The railway bridge

Mountain view

Mountain view

My planned route was a turnoff from the road leading to the Ofenpass. Oops. I was wondering how the road was going to magically pass into Italy. There were no obvious side rivers. Just massive mountains everywhere. Well, a bike-free tunnel with a bike shuttle bus. My first cheat of the trip (only 3km – I don’t feel too bad about that).. 🙂

The road through to Italy

The road through to Italy

And then ‘Hello Italia’. My home for the coming week or two.

Hello Italia

Hello Italia

Lake Livigno

Lake Livigno

Day 17. 61km. Chur – Bergün

Posted: September 29, 2014 in Cycling, Switzerland
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Out of the Rhein Valley and into mountains. Some beautiful views high above the river, and a big grunt to climb up to Bergün at the end. All in the dazzling sun.
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Warnings of climbs were welcome. They mean amazing views in the peace and quiet in the forest overlooking the river and freeway.
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I followed the Swiss Veloland Route 6 which switched from running high above the river to skirting the edge of the river. The views kept on coming and I laughed with joy around every corner as a new vista revealed itself.
I am feeling stronger and stronger. Pacing myself I can lug my 50kg ‘Drahtesel’ up all the climbs I have met thus far. It’s a great feeling. I’m an exercise addict and there’s nothing better than working towards this big challenge in this spectacular landscape.
Here are some of the views.
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Bergün is a beautiful mountain village part of the way up the Albulapass.
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Day 16. 150km. Konstanz – Chur

Posted: September 28, 2014 in Cycling, Germany, Switzerland
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Four countries, mist, then bright warm sun. And a tail wind surrounded by spectacular mountains. Ah! The alps!
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Last night I discovered it was a longer ride to my warm showers host in Chur than I thought. Early to bed and early to rise. Healthy, wealthy and wise? Well, healthy, and very very happy!

Today saw me cycle through 4 countries.
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The Bodensee was misty and was mostly one long settlement. It was flat and meant that fast cycling was called for.
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When I left the Bodensee, the sun came out, a wind started blowing in my back, and the mountains rolled past me.
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Did you know they grow grapes in Switzerland?
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And some more nice views..
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I was fascinated by Lichtenstein. How did such a small country become established? Cycling past and through it is interesting. You see the natural borders which gave rise to the country. The Rhein River, and a rocky cliff face that goes all the way to the river. The high mountains at the back make an unpassable barrier.

Thanks Suzanne for letting me stay over in Chur. She has travelled everywhere – always doing adventurous things. When looking at my route through the alps – ah – that is beautiful. And that. And that. Her stories and passion for her country make me all the more excited. Maybe we will meet sonewhere. In Georgia? In Armenia? In Iran?
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World Cycle: Route through Europe

Posted: March 2, 2014 in Cycling
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My route through Europe, on the way from the Netherlands to Australia by bike is complete. Well, I have a draft route with lots of options. And I will definitely end up cycling something else. That’s part of the fun. Still, it’s nice to have a basic plan to make some timing estimates.

World Bike Trip 2014: Route through Europe

World Bike Trip 2014: Route through Europe

The starting date is 13 September 2014. Here are some expected dates (very approx):

  • Stelvio pass 28.09.2014
  • Trieste 05.10.2014 – then one week on the Istria peninsula
  • Thessaloniki 30.10.2014

I plan to arrive in Istanbul the start of December. Clearly I will have about one month extra up my sleeve, so, depending on how I feel, I will do detours on the way. One I have in mind is cycle to Athens, then take the boat to Chios, and then cycle up the Turkish coast to Istanbul. Let’s see.

Once arriving in Istanbul, I will take a break for about 3 months for the seasons to change. I will spend Christmas in Australia before returning to Istanbul to continue the trip.

Many thanks to lots of friends and people from the cycling forums for their tips and advice. A lot of it has been built into the route. In fact, in many countries, I have lots of different options for my route, which are visible in the links below. See how I feel when I get there. Here are the more detailed routes and notes on the different countries in Europe.

World Cycle: Routes through Germany and Switzerland

Posted: February 5, 2014 in Cycling
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Its time to get concrete. My rough plan of cycling from Eindhoven in the Netherlands, to Adelaide, Australia is done. I have handed in my notice, and am working through lots of paperwork and other preparations. Now its time to plan the route – in more detail.

Like on earlier trips, I am planning a route, and letting people out there in internet land shoot at it. Clearly there is a lot of work to plan a 25000 km trip. I have started with planning my route through Germany, and then Switzerland.

All suggestions are welcome!

Andermatt – Pisa, 2001

Posted: June 28, 2012 in Cycling, Italy, Switzerland
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I have just added the second leg of my Italian cycle trip. Check it out here.

The top of the Gottard pass. It was cold.

The top of the Gottard pass. It was cold.

Aachen – Andermatt, 2000

Posted: June 27, 2012 in Cycling, Germany, Switzerland
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The first leg of my cycle from Aachen to Sicily is now online. I cycled in 2000 from Aachen to Andermatt in central Switzerland just before the Gottard pass over the alps. Later legs of this trip are to follow.

Veloland Route 3

Veloland Route 3