Cycling in Switzerland

The days available, "stolen" at work and families, not many ... but also have never, talking about vacations. We want a quiet place and wonder where to spend unforgettable days on our bikes. The difficulty for us has never been a problem and wanting to meet beautiful landscapes that we all appaghino efforts, load the "ibex" in the car and we head to Lucerne, Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Lucerne.
The finish line is dedicated to the preparation of submissions and the planning of the next few days. We already have high mileage on the legs, we are also quite prepared physically, but we also know that, especially after a whole day passed in the saddle, we do a lot of resistance in front of rivers of beer and Swiss dishes. Then choose to exit a challenging day, not underestimating the role of tours defaticanti. With just a few miles to realize that this is a corner of paradise for cyclists, who have dedicated themselves "roads" (call them "tracks" is reductive) that run along the lake and the valleys, to reach the peaks highest in the area. And it is raising its eyes to grasp the majestic peaks in the coming days we will growl in the saddle with the knowledge that they are mountain bikes, resigned to know that every stroke of the pedal will make the bike more and more heavy, and mystically driven by the pleasure of seeing new landscapes.
Thanks to the inevitable maps, which can be purchased at any stationery shop (near the train station is all), we identified the goals of our next few days.

 

Lucerne - Rigi Kulmn

The Mt Rigi can be seen well from Lucerne. Although the sky there anything good prospects, especially for an in altitude, inforchiamo our gates (I apologize to Luigino, which boasts a brand new Cannondale by weight rather than content, but this is a 'scene ... ) and we head towards the top. After a small part along the lake, when the road starts to climb, we "force" the pace, and we almost stopped in front of the majesty of the landscape that we leave behind a lake Lucerne always smaller. We stop for lunch before embarking on the path that will lead us to the top. From the desk of the shelter, shifting our gaze towards Lucerne already very small, we seem to enter into a plastic (such as trains). I do not know if it was hunger, but from there forward in that feeling, already known to Alexander and Luigino skillful climbers, will become increasingly frequent.
With mud on the wheels already, and the bike already dusty, open one of the many wooden gates that surround the space devoted to pasture, and we follow the exact directions that are on the trail: Rigi Kulm. After a few kilometers cyclists give way to hikers, the trail becomes less and less cycling, and more than once, we must bow in front of a cruel and tortuous path, which forces us to step off the bike and push. Along the route many walkers who salute us see our way clearly in difficulty. But give to Caesar what is Caesar's: I am the one that first of all passed the threshold of tolerance to fatigue. A pair of hikers stay still laughing for a truly spectacular fall that I have done practically stationary. After a stop to admire the landscape, our eyes, back on the pedals, meets the rails that guide a train from Vitznau Rigi station, which we reach after a short time. This is the oldest cog in Europe, the first view of the Alps The train our eyes meet and, after a sound laugh, we continue our journey to the top, very close now. A pair of ramps, and we are really challenging the top, where we remain in awe at the sight of Lake Lucerne and Lake of Zug, which come in a few days. Soon we are surrounded by clouds, which will accompany us on a breathtaking, beautiful, fast, but really cold.

Lucerne - Willisau

Willisau is a small town about 35 kilometers from Lucerne, typical for the two doors that enclose the medieval walls. Our route will be quiet, because we can ride freely on a bike path that leads us to Emmen Wolhunsen first and then, before you leave us a Willisau. The course, despite the 80 kilometers is not demanding: the drop is only 200 meters. Here is the famous museum of agriculture, which offers a glimpse at the life and work of peasants in Switzerland once and shows the development of modern agricultural techniques.

Wilderswil - Kleine Sheidegg

The goal today is to see the north wall of Mount Heiger, famous among climbers for its high difficulty climbing. From Lucerne we move towards the car in town Wilerswil, in the Jungfrau region, known for its winter resorts, Grindelwald, Wengen, Interlaken. From the resort part of a mountain train to the station of Europe's highest at 3454 m altitude, the Jungfraujoch, the roof of Europe. Our bikes are scalpitando and, although our legs a little implore 'of piety, starting with the top real calm. The approach takes about a couple of hours, on a road is not particularly challenging but steadily uphill, which brings us up to Grindelwald. Here we pause for a lavish succulent and packed lunch. Each of us is quietly immersed in their thoughts (or concerns) about the climb that awaits us. On the map it seems really difficult and the tension is clearly visible on our faces. With just a few rides to understand that today spitting bullets: increased to 35% so for starters. Even today the sky is overcast. Only for a few minutes, we can see the mountains that surround us, majestic above the valley. Advantage of this opportunity to make photographs of ritual and to pull a 'breath. Even today, although the effort to reach levels of heart, Switzerland offers stunning views and beautiful landscapes. Just start, after reaching the first "falsopiano", we see that they have the wrong road. Stephen, who has more miles on all legs, is offered to go to find a path that will enable us to reach the path that will lead us to Kleine Sheidegg. When we see in the distance beckoned us to join, pulling a sigh of relief and go up on the pedals. Over the next few km we enter the woods, a path always impeccable and not just a pedal stroke. When you leave the forest, our view is delighted by the refuge, which indicates the end of fatigue. We are Sheidegg Klein, a 2061 m altitude but unfortunately due to bad weather, the 1000-meter rock wall north of Mount Heiger are wrapped in fog, invisible to our eyes. Much closer are the beers that gladden our tiredness, but not enough to fill the desolate vision of the failure of the "sacred monster". But the fun is just around the corner: the descent is awaiting us, at times, very technical and we all delight in derapate and trajectories "impossible." Wengen catapulted us to the famous ski resort, where we will pause for a brief visit among the shops and the streets crowded with tourists.
Our computers show 52 kilometers, well 1500 meters in altitude, a stage demanding to be addressed with some 'training.

Lucerne - Zug

After tappone yesterday, still with bitter taste in the mouth, leaving for Zug, a town situated on Lake that we were able to admire from the top of Mount Rigie. Even today, take advantage of the track cycling track that, far from the main leads in Emmen, Ebikon, Gisikon and Cham, where we stop for lunch. This town is on the work of Zug. In front of us is our goal. Along the lake for a few kilometers, on a busy road at all and after a short time we arrive at your destination. The town is small but very beautiful, everything is within walking distance. Here you can see the Clock Tower, symbol of the city.

Mount Pilatus

The goal today is to see the north wall of Mount Heiger, famous among climbers for its high difficulty climbing. From Lucerne we move towards the car in town Wilerswil, in the Jungfrau region, known for its winter resorts, Grindelwald, Wengen, Interlaken. From the resort part of a mountain train to the station of Europe's highest at 3454 m altitude, the Jungfraujoch, the roof of Europe. Our bikes are scalpitando and, although our legs a little implore 'of piety, starting with the top real calm. The approach takes about a couple of hours, on a road is not particularly challenging but steadily uphill, which brings us up to Grindelwald. Here we pause for a lavish succulent and packed lunch. Each of us is quietly immersed in their thoughts (or concerns) about the climb that awaits us. On the map it seems really difficult and the tension is clearly visible on our faces. With just a few rides to understand that today spitting bullets: increased to 35% so for starters. Even today the sky is overcast. Only for a few minutes, we can see the mountains that surround us, majestic above the valley. Advantage of this opportunity to make photographs of ritual and to pull a 'breath. Even today, although the effort to reach levels of heart, Switzerland offers stunning views and beautiful landscapes. Just start, after reaching the first "falsopiano", we see that they have the wrong road. Stephen, who has more miles on all legs, is offered to go to find a path that will enable us to reach the path that will lead us to Kleine Sheidegg. When we see in the distance beckoned us to join, pulling a sigh of relief and go up on the pedals. Over the next few km we enter the woods, a path always impeccable and not just a pedal stroke. When you leave the forest, our view is delighted by the refuge, which indicates the end of fatigue. We are Sheidegg Klein, a 2061 m altitude but unfortunately due to bad weather, the 1000-meter rock wall north of Mount Heiger are wrapped in fog, invisible to our eyes. Much closer are the beers that gladden our tiredness, but not enough to fill the desolate vision of the failure of the "sacred monster". But the fun is just around the corner: the descent is awaiting us, at times, very technical and we all delight in derapate and trajectories "impossible." Wengen catapulted us to the famous ski resort, where we will pause for a brief visit among the shops and the streets crowded with tourists.
Our computers show 52 kilometers, well 1500 meters in altitude, a stage demanding to be addressed with some 'training.

Visit to Lucerne

The 6th and last day to pay the visit to Lucerne. Definitely worth visiting, just north of the city, the dying Leone carved into the rock. Unmistakable and visible from all sides is the cathedral, with two tall towers. The walk over the walls of the city is a real trip back in time and, by camminatoi well kept, you can admire the city from above. One of the tower houses a clock, around which winds up the steep stairs to reach the top. The picturesque old town, close to the movement of cars, it offers the ideal conditions to stroll in peace. Characteristic is the wooden covered bridge.