December 2024 Fun in the sun

The date had been in the calendar for weeks and had attracted a few brave cyclists to come out in December - hoping the weather would be kind. On the day itself we had 5, then 4, then 5 :). I picked up number 1 at Liestal, on the way in to St Jacob and the others. As soon as we started I knew I would need to try my hardest to keep up. This winter dynamo wheelset really has an impact! :-). 

We soon reached St Jacob and greeted the others gathered for the start. Meeting some who had never been on a BLVF ride but plenty of FAFB ones - too far east perhaps? but as we were going west, it fitted. With the introductions to our new joiner done, we stopped for a few photos then headed off towards Munchenstein.

We were soon over our first set of tram lines. At Dornach we turned right through the trees to Reinach where my "local" knowledge mean we avoid more cars and crossed tram line number 2. We weaved through the housing streets, past my old road, and crossed over the main one. We passed empty allotments and the Erlenhof centre and suddenly it felt very much in the countryside. Avoiding dogs and absent minded runners, we arrived in Ettingen where I had to admit that the toilet stop I knew of, was miles away. I failed in my duty of toilet planner! As luck would have it there was an open toi toi at road works in Fluh which solved the problem. It wasnt long after (tram tracks 3) we turned right and on to the new veloweg to Leyman (tram tracks 4, 5, 6). With the slight detour to the other new veloweg, we were only on the main road for a few hundred meters in Rodersdorf before we were again on empty farm roads. Between there and Oltingue we had to negotiate the section that Komoot had suggested could be unsuitable - this turned out to be about 500m of very wet leaves squishy and some greeny gravel. We all survived - see! my heavier winter wheels do OK.

We had had a head wind all the way till now, and it started to turn into a side wind and would soon be blowing us all the way back to Basel. A stop to eat and warmup was needed, we pushed on till Wolschwiller. where I knew there would be a bench. We managed to take the group selfie here.

It was here that our newest companion headed home as she was really suffering from the cold. Despite having 5 layers, her legs and feet were very cold so she headed off and reached home & warmth, safely. We stayed for a longer stop, ate some more food including vegan gummy bears - hmmm - and we set off. The last big climb of the day up to Metzerlen was taken at our own pace (guess where I was) and onwards over rolling hills ending back in Ettingen. We said goodbye to 2 more here as they went back to Basel while companion 1 and I would continue on to Liestal. To get to Liestal we followed my old cycle to work route to Munchenstein (tram tracks 8 and 9) and then to Muttenz for the toilets (tram tracks 10 and 11)

As it was on our way home we decided that the climb to Frenkendorf from Pratteln would be fun to try - where do I get my ideas from? 

In Liestal again, we said goodbye, she went up her final hill and I continued back to Gelterkinden.

In the end I was pleased with the route - headwind for the first half, tail wind for the second half is always helpful. 

Thanks to all for joining, hope you are all warmed up again and see you on a bike soon!

Total Distance - max 107km, 64km smallest as we started from different places

Climbing - 993 - 657m

Avg Speed - 19.3km/h

Tram tracks crossed - at least 11 that I can remember. It felt like more. I hate them, at least it wasnt too wet.

November ride, hunting for a bit of blue sky

The November ride had been in the Strava group event calendar for a few weeks, to give anyone who was interested time to see it, decide its a great route and sign up :). At one point there were 6 of us, on the day itself we still had 4, so I was very pleased. We met up at Gelterkinden station, wrapped up warm and set off.  Some wore red/orange, others light cream and I was sporting my best "highlighter pen yellow", so we could not be missed. I had also fitted my winter wheels with dynamo - and that is my excuse for being the slowest on the day. 

The route would take us over the hills towards Laufenburg, along the river before turning back on ourselves to go over more hills. The wind direction was that horrible 2tail on the way out and head wind on the way home".. so basically backwards to ideal. Never mind.

We had a good start over the first hill and were careful on the downhill. The road surface isnt the best and it was cold so we were a bit worried there may be some ice. Thankfully there was none, it was just damp and foggy. The 2 fast ones were off up the hill, I plodded at the back. Im sure it was the effect of the dynamo :). I never trust battery lights at this time of the year, there is just too much dark and fog to rely on a battery to last. Left turn at Schupfart and soon on to the veloweg, away from any cars. We had to dodge one bike coming the other way but other than that we had a free run all the way to Mumph. The main road is busy so we needed to be careful and set ourselves us in a line, me doing my best at the front. 

First stop was Laufenburg station - toilets and, for some, coffee to warm up. Refreshed we set off again to go into the unknown. I had been here a few times but for some of us it was a first. The roads are good, often with a veloweg for traffic avoidance and we finally found the blue sky!!!

A selfie and admire of the sun/sky and then it was a fun downhill to Villigen for stop number 2.  I always like the rock conveyer that you pass under.

We were now on the return leg so this was when the head wind really started to be felt. The route took us parallel to the road again until we spilled out onto the main road at Mönthal for the climb to Ampherenhöhe. This felt steep. I know it is fairly steep but to day it felt worse. Perhaps my dynamo lights were very bright...... The others had stopped at the top to admire the fog, I puffed my way up. At the top we had a rest, ate some food and I stuck a sticker on the pole that is supposed to hold the Pass sign. There was not sign, just the empty pole. It now has a BLVF sticker adorning it. Off we set again down the 13% part before a very sharp left and down/up and rush to the top. My companions permitted  me to be at the front when we were going downhill :). As soon as we go up again, they pass me. It was a fun route with lots of veloweg to separate us from the cars. We entered Frick, managed to cross the road at the garage and ended up in Wittnau church wall for our final rest. 

When we set off again we were in a tight bunch on main road and had a ridiculous close pass. The car over took and pulled in really tight as soon as he was shoulder to shoulder with us.  It was horrible. I shouted a few choice words  - I know the driver doesnt hear but it makes me feel better :).

Now on the last climb of the day, again I was dropped fairly early on, passed them at Kienberg as I didnt stop and was passed again before the top. The only thing left for us now was a brilliant ride down to Rothenfluh and on to Ormalingen. It was great fun, me at the front - we were descending after all. I guided us through Gelterkinden again and we were soon back at the station. We had covered about 95km. So the only thing for it was to try to squeak it over the 100km. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity. I headed home with a detour towards Runenberg, the others went to Sissach and Itingen to achieve the target.

A great day out, and I'm sure that dynamo made my bike 10kg heavier. Its either that or the post covid recovery or that hike I had been on a few days before. Old age doesn't come itself - as they say :).

Thanks to my companions, for the company and pushing me to a few PRs - oeff!. Hope to see you on a bike soon.

Distance - 100km!!

Climbing - 1150m

Avg speed - 20kph

Close passes  - 2

Cats staring into fields - too many to count

October ride with views, new roads and idiotic cats

The October ride had been in the calendar for weeks, complete with route. That meant the anyone could see where we planned to go. The route went over 3 significant climbs. The first 2 are pretty well known but the 3rd was new, even to me and I planned it... I had done the climb from the other side of the hill and had to push my bike for some of it.  I remember riding down what we would be climbing up but couldn't remember how steep it was. But I am getting ahead of myself.

I had 3 companions today, some looking for a good ride, others keen to see what the 3rd one was like. We met up in Sissach at the station and headed back to Gelterkinden and on to Tecknau. As we meandered through the main and side streets, the realisation that "ah this is Gelterkinden!" was heard to some surprise :). Through Tecknau towards Kilchberg before finally arriving at Zeglingen for climb number 1. After a stop to remove a layer, we headed towards Oltingen, thankfully turning right just when it starts to get steeeeeeep!

We now plodded us the normally empty road, the stream rushing past on one side. As we went up through the trees the leaves fell like snowflakes. It was quite magical, I obviously didnt manage to be impressed enough to stop and take a picture. We had to stop twice, to let a tractor and a car pass so all concentration was on getting back on the bike and keep going. @ had gone ahead, and two were slower. We would meet again at the top when we admired the view. I think it was the top, Given the view it was hard to tell. 

Once refreshed we rushed down towards Rohr and passed a no traffic entry sign. I wondered why. We descended in what seemed to be a long pile of leaves. The absence of traffic had resulted in the falling leaves to stay where they fell. We reached Rohr and the reason was now clear. The entire road was a building site and there was no tarmac just stones and mud. This slowed us down, so much so that the locals started yelping like mad dogs. This racket turned out to be a "string" of sausage dogs. What is the collective noun for a bundle of yappy wee dugs?

The owner seemed to be there but the dogs were still very annoyed.

It was at this point one of my companions lost balance when trying to restart on the gravel/mud road in the same huge gear that had been needed for the descent.  Over she went, saved by some building fence. There was still a small hole in the leg warmers but the bike is fine.

Now down on flatter and more tarmac roads we rode on towards Olten at a decent speed. There weren't many cars at this time on a Sunday morning.  Over the Aare river, along the side until near the centre of town before over the other side and on thorough the main traffic street. Once out of town it wasn't long before our next planned stop. Past the sculpture of the sleeping faces

https://www.komoot.com/highlight/6163746

We stopped at the fountain just before we turn to climb Teufelschlucht.  We took the opportunity to open the tool kit and straighten the levers of the one who had fallen.  Repacked and fed, off we went again. The climb feels steeper lower down before levelling off to allow me to find a rhythm that worked. It wasnt long before we reached the top, the weather improving to give us a fantastic view.

Our next section was a great run down to Langenbruck and on to Balsthal.  The smiles are wide when when reached Balsthal station for refreshments. What a great downhill section, wonderful views of the valley as you go sweep down.

The kiosk and toilets provided everything we needed and it wasnt long before we set off for the last section and into the unknown. Quickly getting to Mumliswil, right turn and up the hill towards Langenbruck. 

The roadworks are still there and some of us went up the mud/gravel road, others went the very steep part and we regrouped at the sawmill.  The last climb over Hauberg was inspired by this Komoot recommendation.

https://www.komoot.com/highlight/6163852

Like I said at the start, I had been here before and remembered gravel and steep. I was not dissapointed. The road was empty save for a few cows who (I assume) admired us as we slogged past (I speak for myself only you understand).  The ride up and the view from the top were worth every effort. We sat at the top and admired the views.  I discovered a Gipfelbuch and we left a BLVF sticker in it as our contribution. Did I mention the views?

All that was left for us now was to go down the other side and get back to Liestal where half of the group would turn left and the other half right. It was on the swoosh through the veloweg through the various villages that we encountered the cat. It decided that instead of waiting at the side and watching us pass, it needed to cross the road NOW. There was some swerving and the cat sped from one side  of the road through a bike to the other. There was a bump...we hope its OK. 

From Liestal it wasnt long before we were all home and had time to rest in the sunshine that had appeared. 

Great ride, the leaves and views were wonderful and the climbs were hard!! Thanks to all for the company.

Distance: 87km for the original route, most did 100km by the time we got home

Climbing: 1574m

Avg Speed: 18km/h

September adventures

Preparation for todays ride included hunting for my "longs", long sleeved base layer, long legs and overshoes! We had planned some good climbing to keep us warm, knowing that the downhill would be chilly. 

A slightly delayed start meant, we started at Sissach instead of Liestal, so one more stop on the train for my companion and I got to leave the house later. More time to find things....

We set off, all chatty and headed to Diegden. The road was fairly quiet, I dont normally cycle on Saturdays, Sundays are much quieter but this was OK. We turned right at Diegden, under the motorway and then directly onto the farm roads. A short climb later we stopped to admire the cows and the Bank bank.

Continuing on to Bennwil and up the ramp! we encountered out first tractors at the top when we were admiring the view. We quickly started again as we would be faster than the tractor downhill. Once in Oberdorf we turned left to Waldenburg (admire the seemingly endless pieces of artwork along the roadside) and finally Langenbruck for the first toilet stop. After the largest public toilets has been admired, it even has a carpet to help you if you have short legs..... locals appeared and admired out bikes. We are apparently young and therefore fit so have no need of an ebike :-).

Going back up towards the the turn to Mumliswil the signs indicated that the road was closed. We thought we would chance it - I have recently had both good and bad experience of "chancing it" and hoping that a bike can get through where cars cannot. We had just said how good it was that the road was closed meaning there would be no cars, when a numbers of cars appeared.. hmmm. The road turned out to be totally fine and the roadworks were so limited that it was easy to get back to the main road and right towards Rumiswil and Passwang. Clearly all of the traffic that had passed already knew this

Now on to the big climb of the day - Passwang from the south. Jacket off at the bottom to try to avoid overheating and off we set again. Only the one bus to contend with coming in the other direction, other than that there was very little traffic. Great. I have been here with hundreds of bikes so a cool Saturday morning in late summer is apparently the best time to go. Reaching the tunnel and the Pass sign we realised that it was stickerless... so was added ours to the sign post instead.

One scary tunnel transit later and we were on the north side round the corner of the fence sheltering from the wind where it was a bit warmer. Refuelled, we set off again down to climb Nunningerberg. This is a lovely climb, the scenery is great, its warmer as on the south side and there is normally little traffic. Today, we had only 1 car behind us who was patient and waited till it was not so steep so we could stop and let them pass. There was no-one at the top, surprisingly enough, I had expected children, dogs and grandparents. We didnt stop long and headed down the north side, admiring the views and the trees. The toilets next to the church are fixture of cycling in this area and did not disappoint. I was admiring how good it was not to have had any punctures - my last rides had been blighted - I will remember not to do that again.

We hadn't even got out of Nunningen when I punctured my rear tyre. I changed the tube and fished out a piece of glass. Changing the tube was easy, pumping it back up again, not so much. It inflated, but never "ping"ed and you could see the rim hadn't seated properly. So I deflated, inflated multiple times and gave up and we got going again. All was OK for about 500m then it felt funny and wobble, wobble, wobble.. so we stopped again. Deflated again, inflated deflated, inflated - set off again.... After about 1.5kms it felt better and by Seewen felt OK. 

I decided I would ride home after all, and not get the train at Liestal. The long descent to Liestal from Büren was taken carefully and we arrived in Liestal in good time. My companion had also decided that we had warmed up so much that the ride back to Basel was going to be OK and we said out goodbyes. Thanks for coming and see you on the next ride!

So now I was now on my own going to Gelterkinden. Everything was fine, I passed Sissach station, where we had started, and was on the final stretch just before the station when my back tyre started to feel strange again. I stopped and sure enough it was soft....

I finished the ride at the station and was rescued by car. Nightmare. I later dug a small piece of wood out of my tyre wall. I have now replaced the tyre. New spare tyres and more inner tubes have been ordered as well as a patch kit!

Distance: 80km

Climbing: 1531m

Avg Speed: 18km/h

Punctures: 2

Tyre inflations with Tattico - 5 or 6 thousand strokes

Inner tubes ruined - 1 and 1 patched (fingers crossed)

Hope you like the ride stories, come and join us on a future one! All details are on the Strava club. If you have any questions you can send a comment using the contact form or send me an email to "basellandvelofrauen@gmail.com" If you write in German, this is fine. I will reply in English :).

BLVF visits Romandie again! And then there were 2.

Just like last year, the FastandfemaleSUI team at Swiss Cycling asked if any of their affiliated groups were willing to host a ride to Stage 3 of Tour de Romandie Femenin this time in Morges. As we had had such good fun last year - see the blog post - I volunteered again. The timing was unfortunate because there were lots of other events like the Alpenbrevet, Klausenpass with no cars, and people wanting to ride their first 100km for the Rapha Womens 100 badge on Strava on the same weekend. All this to say that a week before the big day, we had 4 other ready to join me. Not a huge group, but a group! As the week went on and I had progressed the planning, the small but perfectly formed group, became smaller and smaller. On Sunday morning, when the rain was lashing between Lausanne and Yverdon, we were 2.

We started at 5.59 in Gelterkinden changed at Olten and arrived in Yverdon-les-Bains at 7:50, raring to go. Rain jackets on! route loaded on the Wahoo and off we set. 100m down the road there was police motorbike stopping traffic and the road was taped off. There was apparently a cycling event here too :). We were directed to the "Hauptstrasse"! but then I remembered that I had been here before and we turned round to go a more bike friendly way out of the town. We were soon riding along farm tracks trying to spot the occasional bit of blue sky.

We continued on towards Morges admiring the sunflowers, all with their heads down ready to be harvested. The weather at this point was cool and just a bit drizzly but no wind and it was fun to be able to swoosh along the quiet roads early on a Sunday morning. The heavy showers that had been over the Lausanne area never reached us.

It took us about 2 hours to reach the host town for the 3rd and final stage. I was sporting my Tour de Romandie socks - where else can I wear them? I ordered them last year and they arrived 2 weeks after the race... so this was their first airing.

We arrived, found the toilets, took some photos of some water then set off to find the race start. When we arrived at the arena they were in the middle of introducing the teams on the stage. We cheered them all, with a special cheer for the Swiss National team and Noemi Rüegg, her mother was standing next to us :).

We took lots of team presentation pictures.

https://tourderomandiefeminin.ch/parcours/

After the presentation it wasnt long before they all moved to the start line. We spectators all moved behind the presentation stage and there were marshals with very loud whistles trying to herd the riders to the start. I stood on a small kerb to get a better view and had a perfect vantage point as the passed by, ready for the off.

And then they were off!  Total distance was 144km with 2000meters of climbing. This undulating route had a few specific climbs, but was mostly up and down and up and down and oefff! again and again and again.

They did a loop and would pass back through the start/finish before a second loop with a final climbing baby loop. We waiting around, drank coffee re-fulled with chips! essential cycling nutrition and wandered around the team buses. The buses were quiet, I assume everyone was out on the course handing out bottles and food to the riders.

The plan was to see them pass the start again and then cycle 20km to the top of a climb and beat them to the top, watch them go past and then make our way back to Yverdon. There was no time to make it back to the finish. We were ready to leave but they hadnt arrived back yet. We got ready and set off but stopped again at the flamme rouge, sheltered from the rain and waited to see them splash past before pushing on to Signal de Bougy (4.5km, avg 6.3%, max 10%) hoping to get to the top before we had to stop and let the race past.

With lots of effort and my max HR achieved we got to the top with more than 15mins to spare - I could have gone slower after all!!!  but panic had set in so we pushed it - well I pushed it. I dont think my companion was as near the limit as me....

It was great, we saw the entire caravan of cars, bikes, police, security and chatted to the locals. We were gifted some water they had kept in the car for the dog as we had missed a fountain and needed a refill. We were very grateful to be helped.  Then the head of the race arrived and it was a 2 woman break flying round the corner and off down the hill again. We waited another minute or so for the big bunch, then more minutes for more and more for more the race was in pieces by the top of the hill - see! told you it was hard! This was going to be the last place to see them, or so we thought. The friendly locals advised to change my planned return route and go via Saubraz where we were directed to a water fountain. When we arrived there was a line of cars... waiting for the race! so we managed to see them another time. We were also pleased to be able to use the facilities at the very friendly Auberge Communal! - they have the best smelling toilets apparently... I cant comment.

So that was us finished, now just the small matter of the ride back to Yverdon and the train. The route I had planned was hilly for a while then downhill and flat, the route we adjusted took us on more ups and downs and up and down. It took longer than expected so the initial bike space bookings were cancelled and we book the next train. Well done to the SBB to now facilitate the refunds!!

Arriving back, cold now, not too wet but hungry and tired, we got some food from the COOP and headed off to the train. 

Arrived back in Gelterkinden just after 8 after being chatted up in Olten and our cycling prowess admired by some random stranger :)

Great day out.  Congratulations to Noemi Rüegg for her sprint effort to come 4th on the day. 

I hope all who crashed are recovering well and well done to SD Works for the 2nd on the day and 1 and 2 and 4th overall. Great race.

Our day stats:

Distance - 117km

Climbing - 1296m

Avg Speed - 19.8km/h

Trains - 4

Coffees - 2 each

Friendly locals - lots 

Birds of prey seen - millions

August rain avoidance

 The weather has been tropical for a while, so obviously for our ride today, it rained. This ride would take us east of Gelterkinden, over the hill at Rothenfluh and beyond. As the week progressed, more people signed up for the ride and by Friday we had 6! By Sunday morning we were down to 4 - only the very mad/dedicated go out when the weather is predicted to be wet.

We met at Sissach station, 2 arrived by train, the third by bike from Liestal - so she started the route at a different place, and would leave it there too. Extensive hellos, as we hadnt seen each other for ages, then we set of towards Gelterkinden. Following the velo route - never go up the main road, always go the side roads and past the station, before a quick detour through the village itself and on to the veloweg on the pavement where we share the pavement with pedestrians. This being a Sunday morning, they were none. To Rothenfluh via the farm roads and then on to the first climb of the day. A short stop for jacket/arm warmer removal and off we went. It was quiet, with hardly any traffic except a bunch of old cars on some sort of rally, we climbed together for a while before settling down to a comfortable tempo where I could chat :). At the top I had expected to see my BLVF group sticker but it was gone! We didnt stop too long as the first real stop of the day was planned to the toilets at Wittnau - which we duly did. 

Next on to the climbs along empty farm roads. The first was from Wölfinswil where we were confronted by a stationary bull in the distance, next to a tree. The conversation was- "is it real?", "it cant be real", "no its not real".. It wasnt real.

The bull was there as of a farm awareness route.  https://landwirtschaft.ag/erlebnis/buurelandweg

There are apparently more statues, have a look!

The rain we had at the start had stopped but it was still cool. Continuing on to the next climb we passed a huddle of tractors with people milling about and dogs all over the place. Safely navigating this obstacle led us to the next as we turned right to climb up the next hill. The smaller climbs today had the same format - stupidly steep at the start and just when you think you will explode, they level off a bit and you manage it. Then a bit of flat at the top before a scary wet/dry rush down the other side.

Our last climb through Elfingen was shallower at the start and not as steep at the end, but as it was climb number 5 it took its toll. Stopping at the top for more to eat and a regroup we learned that i am the only person who regularly makes my own cycling snacks - I highly recommend it. I have no idea if its cheaper but for me its part of the cycling enjoyment and I normally  have a freezer full of part batches of left over snacks. Today food was Banana Bread, Flapjacks, my attempt at a panforte and 3 dates. All washed down with a mixture of water, lemon juice salt and honey in my SD Works pro team bidons we were gifted at last years Tour De Romandie Feminin when we had a look around the Team Buses. But I digress!

After refuelling, we continued to the main road for the fun and fast descent all the way down through Sulz to Rheinsulz, a quick right turn and then left to get on to the Veloweg separate from the main road. Onwards to toilet stop 2 in Laufenburg at the station. It was at this point that the heavens opened and the rain started again, we rushed to reach the shelter at the bike shed. It wasnt long before we set off again through Kaisten (memories of the Schwarzwaldrundfahrt) and along the long straight veloweg through the trees. Companion 1, in front, pulling like mad person (or it felt like that to me) in the headwind. I had to ask to slow down, phew!

In Eiken a few corners then again on the road and down towards Wallbach. Here we go right and admire the river which was huuuuge. The impact of the heat not visible, the impact of the rain was massive. Up we went for the "last time" and stopped again at the tree. I was here last week and saw a huge flock of stocks circling above the field. This time there were only crows. We admired the field of carrots, ready to be harvested.

The last leg was via Rheinfelden, Kaiser Augst and Füllinsdorf which was where we parted and those from Basel turned towards Pratteln. I continued to Itingen where my last companion turned back to Liestal having made sure to have completed the 100km :). When I arrived back in Sissach, the counter was at 94km as per the plan. We all managed over the 100km by the time we all arrived home.

Thanks to the group for daring to come out when the weather forecast had been so rubbish. The weather turned out to be OK. Cool and a bit wet, but it stopped and we were not soaked.

Distance - approx: 100km

Climbing : 1255m

Avg Speed : 19.6km/h

Notable sightings:

Fibreglass bulls - 1

Dogs - lots

Cats in the middle of a field - 1

Carrots - millions

Oldtimer cars - loads

Off to the mountains 3

The reason I cycle during the bad weather is so that when the weather is better in the summer I can get on a train and go for an adventure. I had planned 3 "Off to the mountains" days in the BLVF group where I would go out and about and if anyone wanted to join they are welcome.  This ended us with one with a companion (Grosse Scheidegg)and another on my own (Glaubenberg). The third one was again planned with a companion but, given that we are useless with train times..... we missed each other at the connection and I ended up through the tunnel and she couldn't get to through for another 1.5hrs, so it was me on my own again. 

Col de la Croix de Coeur from Riddes was the plan. Starting from Sion (via train to Visp) a fast warmup for nearly an hour to the pre climb toilet and food stop :) at a playground in Saillon. All refreshed, I set off to Riddes and the climb. The first half was direct to La Tzoumaz through 4 tunnels and a gallery tunnel. The tunnel that had collapsed in February this year (causing many route planning websites to decide it was impassible) had been repaired and the only hindrance getting to La Tzoumaz was the gradient. Jings its steep. See the tunnel collapse video here https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/tunnel-in-iserables-gesperrt-teil-eines-strassentunnels-im-wallis-eingestuerzt

Some trains do have empty bike storage after all

Just about to start climbing

The first of many hairpin bends

The road was a normal size and the tunnels are narrower so that its a bit scary on the long one. I always have lights but am still very apprehensive. All was well though and I reached the village safely. Now out of the shade of the trees and the sun higher in the sky, it was getting hot. I stopped here for toilets and water and for a "sit down".

The area seems to be open later in the day so I had it practically to myself. There is also water fountain here so everything was refilled at this point.

Now with 1 bottle with sugar and 1 with only water for pouring over myself, I set off again.

I was now slower than normal as the heat was getting to me. I plodded along, hairpin after hairpin getting less and less shade as I climbed.

I stopped a few times more to cool down in some shade at the side of the road. There was very little traffic from about 2km out of La Tzoumaz all the way to the top. A few cyclists passed me, mostly e-mountain bikes, the owners chatting to themselves. I could only concentrate on breathing and turning the pedals. The temperature when i got to the top was about 32Deg.

The climb is pretty steady and steep all the way up.

The bottom climb and hairpins.

The top climb, slightly less steep, more exposed, I cooked.

I finally reached the top, had cola and ice-cream in the cafe before the long long hairpinny descent and on to the main road to Martiny and the train. I had originally planned to also climb Col de Lein and go back down to Riddes and on to Sion, but I was cooked.

Home for a rest and a sleep. Here is me sporting my Club des Cent Cols club shirt - so now I have another reason for collecting climbs. The club has great resources to find climbs - which is how I found my next adventure. A BLVF sticker was attached to the pole - of course.

Distance: 82 km

Ave Speed: 15 kph

Climbing: 1942m

Litres of sweat - millions