Swiss Cycling Tour

 Furkapass, Oberallpass, Obersaxen I feel pretty good today. I finished middle of the group or higher on every climb. Climbs were long but not that steep. 130km and 2845m of climbing. To give you an idea, when I do 100 miles at home I usually get around 1000-1500 meters of climbing. These are really tough days, either going up or going down.  Today we rode out of the hotel and went back up the furkapass which is where we came down yesterday. Second to last day and prep for the hardest last day. Getting sad that I won’t get to ride with Mark and Aitor much longer.  Mark rode with me up some of the climbs and told me stories about famous Spanish riders. He has gotten to meet his idol Vincenzo Nibali when he was 12 and he has been studying cyclists ever since. Cycling is different in Spain, they grow up with cycling sport being much more prominent. He has a YouTube channel and has 40,000 subscribers and he narrates the tactics of the tour of Spain. He has even gotten some of...

Ulrichen We stayed in the same hotel for 2 nights in a row. I’ve had trouble falling asleep so the extra time we had because we didn’t have to pack up suitcases I used to sleep in. I think I’m starting to get used to as much effort as I’m having to put in.  We usually leave around 8:15 and don’t get back to the hotel I til 4:30-5:30.  Shower, change, wash clothes.  6:15 is team meeting to preview the next day. 6:30 dinner.  I try to get to bed at 10… dinner takes forever and I always am fighting falling asleep.  Today’s photos. .Our view at lunch St. Gotthard pass. Swiss cobbles... very different from Belgian cobbles. Belgian cobbles are much bigger (the Belgians refer to them as “têtes des moines” or monk’s heads...) which makes their bike races very tough especially in the spring when it’s wet.  the Swiss cobbles are all very uniform and much smoother.  Looking down the switchbacks of St. Gotthard. This was my favorite climb of the week. The views we...

 Interlaken to Ulrich Today consisted of two climbs only: Gross Scheidigg and Grimselpass. These two passes go over the alps. The first pass wasn’t open to cars and it was a paved (but rough) road that went up close to the Eiger. It was very steep and steady and only 10k but maybe the toughest climb I’ve done because of how steep it was. It was twice as long and half again as steep as climbing Cadillac. Plus the road surface was not great and some parts were covered in cow poop.  Eiger Clouds parting Steep Aitor my buddy Me at the top The second was much less steep but very long (25 km climb). It climbed past a couple dams. This was a pretty busy road but I enjoyed watching Ferrari’s and porsches fly past up the canyon.  To the dam Steep rock walls Climbing along the mountainside Small wooden siding shakes One of two tunnels I was pretty toast on this climb. One rider couldn’t finish.... I finished last. Skinny guys are fast. I climbed with Aitor he stayed with me which I...

 Thun to Interlaken Today was one of the more difficult days in terms of combined length and elevation. We rode 134km and climbed 3,200 vertical meters. The first climb was long and very steep in spots Every night we have a team meeting and they preview the next day. They tell us how to climb the different mountains (ie start off slow because it gets steeper as it goes or push over the first part because it evens out). What the weather is in various towns and how to dress for the day. For example tomorrow we will be up near the glaciers so it will be in the 60s in the valley but we pack a bag for the van and they meet us at the top of the climb and give us our extra clothes. In addition I bring sandals for lunchtime to give my feet a rest. I’ve tried not to fall asleep during lunch and have succeeded so far. They also pass by during the climb and ask if we need gels or water. It really is so nice to have them take care of everything. When we get back we can put a tag on our bikes i...

Villars to Thun Today was one of the most fun days I’ve ever had cycling. The views were spectacular. It was everything I expected Switzerland to be. The buildings and landscape were wonderful. Tunnel on Mittelberg People playing traditional Swiss music  Hot chocolate at Gstaad Col de La Croix Cows with Swiss bells Col de La Croix Scotty my new friend.  Tour bus at the hotel Lunch bottom of Juanpass Outside night one hotel Guy on the left was 5 time world cyclocross champion Me, Markito, Aitor (two of our pros)