Switzerland - September 2001

Switzerland - September 2001

The Wickershams, the Joneses, and Jim Williams, on his first overseas adventure, navigated the country with the assistance of a book detailing the nine Swiss national bike routes and a plethora of local routes. This book, which is published in German, French and Italian, lists accommodations, special sites, and information, along with excellent maps (available at book stores and tourist information offices throughout Switzerland).

It was our intention to circumnavigate the central mastiff area of this mountainous country. We began our journey in Zurich, with the usual first and last night stay at a small hotel that stored our bike boxes. We then headed northwest to Baden, Brugg, Aarau, west toward Solothurn, following the Arae River Valley to Biel, Bern, Thun, Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen Valley, heading east to Brienz, over the Brunig pass to Lungren, Lucern, Zug, Rappersil, then back to Zurich. The route finding was made easy by the well signed routes, red with white numbers 1-9 were the national routes, and brown or purple signs designated local routes. These routes took us down country lanes, through farm yards, and downtown inner cities. Much of the time we spent on designated bike/pedestrian/horse paths and as you can imagine, many were gravel or dirt.

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Campgrounds were wonderful and almost empty in September. The facilities included indoor cooking and eating areas that often furnished hotplates and utensils for campers' use. Many had stores, small cafes, TV and recreation rooms in addition to the most spotless bathroom and laundry facilities we've encountered. One unique campsite was a hillside farm where we were invited to cook and dine in the lower level of the house/barn, sharing space with the family herd of bovines, the family dog and cats.

Our introduction to the cleanliness of the Swiss was on our first night, as we inspected the cows and noticed their tails had been tied by cords to the ceiling. While riding through the countryside we were amazed by the fresh-scrubbed appearance of all the farm animals, particularly the cows and pigs. It wasn't difficult finding these aminals, due to the bells. One bell to each animal - always! Switzerland is both a visual and an auditory experience.

Serendipity always plays a significant part in our travels. For example, one late afternoon we arrived in a community to search for a campground through the local tourist office and found that only a hostel was available. Upon arrival at the hostel, we were greeted by 50 rambunctious children. We had to seek accommodation elsewhere and evening was fast approaching. A mile or two down the road we passed a large community sports complex. On impulse, we decided to inquire if we might eek out a little camp space somewhere on their grounds. To our surprise we were invited to set up our tents by the Olympic pool, shown the shower and bath facilites and given carte blanche for the evening.

Because these trips are our dip into another culture, our travel itinerary approximates 40km to 80 km per day which leaves us time to sight see, grocery shop, and smell the roses each day. Shorter ride days also allows for addressing problems, such as flat tires, and still make our destination before dark. Days were short in Switzerland in September. We also take days off the bike to experience other modes of travel: cable cars, boats, ferries, buses, trains, funiculars, and feet. By slowing the pace of our daily travel, we attempt to stay rested, relaxed and healthy. The challenge on this trip was not the terrain, but the weather. We experienced many days of cold, wind, and rain. Spirits flagged and caused tension for all of us.

At noon, we would usually stop and prepare a picnic in a town center and watch the children go home for lunch. It was a delightful novelty for us to watch these kids comfortably negotiate traffic on foot and bikes, since American children are chauffuered everywhere in their mother's SUV.

Impressions of Switzerland are mountains, crystal clear and ever-flowing water. Flowing fountains are found in every city and hamlet to fill your water bottle. Mountains are never out of your sight. People are fearful of riding Switzerland because they think it is so mountainous. Nothing could be further from the truth. We followed river valleys 90% of the time. We had a few challenging climbs negotiating from one valley to another. Real vertical challenges were accomplished by funiculars and cable cars.

Home

Over the Pass

Things are ducky in camp.

The day the sun shone!