21/10/2012 - Oslo to Israel. Day 38

Distance cycled: 100km from Hospental to 20km from Lugano
Average speed:18.4 km/h
Moving time: 5h26m
Total distance: 3362km
Border X'ings: 12
Money spent: 3CHF on a beer

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Up and over the Swiss Alps

It was less than a week ago there was half a meter of snowfall on Gotthard pass closing it for motorists and cyclists alike. Fortunately for me I had perhaps the best weather possible for cycling over it. I climbed from 1500meters where I stayed at a hostel in Hospental to 2106m at the top of the pass; this was not something I had planned because of the aforementioned weather.
Breakfast at the hostel was fantastic, I scoffed down as much food as I possibly could so that I would have the sustained energy for the climb, I felt like I was taking advantage a bit but who wouldn't do the same thing - all to can eat right?
Getting any type of public transportation on this trip makes me feel like I'm cheating a little and the cycle up to the top of Gotthard pass wasn't all that difficult, obviously I was set in my lowest gear and pushed on moving at a little under 10km/h. The sense of achievement when reaching the top was almost overwhelming especially when having the opportunity to cycle down the cobblestoned old road all to myself under the warmth of the sun. Just a huge smile on my face as i sweeped around the almost endless hairpin turns decending 1750meters to the valley below.
I celebrated this achievement by buying myself a beer at what seemed to be the only place open on a Sunday through all the ghost towns I passed through.
I could mention something about the views I saw today but the pictures below will explain things better.
Gotthard pass is the highest pass I will cycle on this trip which in hindsight makes me a little disappointed; I dont think ill be cycling anything as spectacular in the coming weeks or months on my way down to Israel, but the terrain may, and I hope surprise me. We will have to wait and see.
There was a notable difference in the climate on the south side of the pass, much warmer but it seemed that the few people I met did not speak German but some crazy dialect mixed with Italian - not surprising though.
I camped on another pass on my way to Lugano where I think I only made it up half way, so tomorrow morning I start the day sweating up a mountain and I would not have it any other way.

Leaving the hostel with a filled tummy, two bowls of Cereal, 4 pieces of toast, Yogurt and Coffee

Climbing the 600 meters to the top of Gotthards pass

The highest point i will get to on this trip. HELL YEAH!!!

I thought it would be nice to get a family photo at 2106 meters

At the top

And on the way down, despite the road being cobblestone it was still FANTASTIC!

It took a loot attempts to get this photo and almost bailing off my bike too. Appreciate it!

…and what a day it was…

20/10/2012 – Oslo to Israel. Day 37

Distance cycled: 58.3km from Brunnen to Hospental, Switzerland
Average speed: 15.6km/h
Moving time: 3h44m
Total distance: 3262km
Border X'ings: 12
Money spent: 20CHF on groceries and coffee. 29CHF on accommodation at a hostel

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see this! 400 meters to 1500 meters!

Again, like yesterday, today was beautiful, a big grin on my face as the sun was out and scenery, stunning. But today I had some hills to climb, I peddled from 500m to 1500m in altitude by the end of the day.
As the mountains came into play the road narrowed down and I was left cycling on the very edge of the road with passing traffic not too happy with me especially later in the afternoon where i had to climb a crazy winding road where rich folk would race past in their wide Lambo's and loud Ferrari's.
Despite there was a sign suggesting cyclists to take the train up the mountain because of the lack of shoulder, I made it up with no issues, well, I wasn't injured nor did I die - both bad things.
Andy was incredibly hospitable this morning, buying me coffee at the cafe beneath his place and it wasn't till close to midday that I left. He was a cool guy and understood the traveling life, so what I got to say is: thanks buddy! It was great meet you.
At a stop in Andermat I was looking for Internet to upload some more route data to my GPS and was directed to a cafe where the owner had cycled a worthy amount around Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australasia. Bernard had some great advice for me suggesting to skip Milan and enjoy the mountainous terrain of the Alps as the weather for the next 4 days or so is going to be perfect for cycling - and he's right, I've throughly enjoyed the past 2 days and I can continue this enjoyment the more I cycle in the Alps.
I now have a route sorted out and some passes to conquer for the next 4 days, great advice Bernard and I appreciate the gift. (a crystal).
Cycling a little further down the road in another small town i checked into a hostel that was shutting down for the season. The owner let me stay regardless and I spent the evening updating this blog.
Kitchen use in this hostel was prohibited but again he let me use it, otherwise though I would have just used my stove outside. The owner was incredibly anal but he made a few compromises for me so I appreciate that.
Tomorrow I have to tackle the hardest pass of the trip at 2100m, this may seem daunting to some but me, I'm bloody excited for it.

 

View from Andy’s place

The breathtaking views of the Swiss Apls

Exposure Fusion making this photo of the Swiss Alps just (insert appropriate word here)

I dont want this to happen

In the Valley – cant see it but just a huge grin on my face

Just lovin’ it

1001 meter in Altitude!

Im surprised i had the energy to be able to do this after tackling that crazy road (Below)

HDR during sunset

Bernard and me – what a guy, he gave me so much good advise

19/10/2012 – Oslo to Israel. Day 36

Distance cycled: 123km from outside Bern to
Average speed: 21km/h
Moving time: 5h52
Total distance: 3203km
Border X'ings: 12
Money spent: 4CHF on junk food

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What a day! Easily the best day i have had on this trip so far, cycling around the foothills and mountains of Switzerland, with tailwind and sun beating down on my back, passing through beautiful Swiss towns and cities, meeting great people; simply enjoying every moment of everything that is Switzerland.
I woke up at 6:30 to join Anna, Anja and Aline for breakfast and prepare myself to get on the road, it was still dark and I was not nearly rested enough and as such I went right back to bed after breakfast. The family were even kind enough to leave me alone in in their home until I had some more shut eye to leave.
They left me some food to take with me which is again so lovely of them, so even before I left I knew it was going to be a good day - and it was!
Cycling through the small country towns of which consisted of many traditional Swiss made houses, farms sitting amongst almost fluorescent green grass where the dinging of cowbells from the livestock would graze; all this added appeal to the day. At this point I thought things couldn't be better until i cycled into Lucerne, a stunning Swiss city located around a lake with incredible mountain view, the new town was nothing to rave about but the old town with the bridges, old structures and cobblestone streets was only offset by the thousands of tourists that got in the way with my photography techniques.
Still I took many photos today and added to my good karma by returning an emptied of cash wallet I found on the side of the road to an information center at the train station.
Reluctant to leave the spotlessly clean city I knew I had to move on and cover a bit more distance. So i continued in the comfortable mild climate shirtless, as this saves me from doing laundry and to darken my pale skin.
The cycle paths and shoulders of the road for cyclists are better here in than anywhere else I have cycled, at least a 5 foot shoulder or path that makes things safer for me but also enables me to enjoy the scenery and enjoy the fresh mountain air.
I was wanting to camp as the sun was setting but found myself in a picturesque town named Brunnen where it seemed that the road i needed to cycle heading south that ran alongside the lake heading into the mountains was too steep to find a decent camping place. Instead I asked a guy watching the sunset eating dinner if he knew of a place that I could find wifi to look at the warm-showers list to see if anyone was willing to host me in this town. After a beer and some stories with this guy he invited me into his place across the road to speep on his couch with perhaps the best view in town.
This just topped things off; no need to camp and a bed to sleep in, shower. Just awesome! Thanks Andy.
And I'll finish things off saying what I began with: What a day!

View from Anna, Anja and Aline’s place in Worb, Switzerland

All pictures i took cycling towards Lucerne… note. no shoulder and big bike paths, also fantastic views

Around Lucerne, just a fantastically beautiful city, and just look at that weather!

2 panoramics of Lucerne, Switzerland

Lake side stop

as the late afternoon mist came into this town

Looks like I have to return to Switzerland to cycle all the other routes

A bit of eye candy after such a fantastic day