As this is the Easter Weekend and I knew many people have other things to do than go for a cycle so I invited the group to join me on my Friday ride. I have the day off work, as does nearly everyone else in the area and wanted to see if I could collect another col. I was delighted to have 3 others to join. The plan was to take the S3 train to Delemont and cycle back from there via some beautiful Jura gorges and over the mighty Scheltenpass. As it was a holiday weekend, the SBB decided it made sense to halve the size of the train - so we had to huddle together with the another approx 15 bikes (seemed like 500) all trying to get into the 2 bike areas of the single train. It was a bit of a squeeze, but we managed.
Once at Delemont and suitably prepared (read: toilets), we set off towards some ominous dark clouds. The weather forecast had been good - cool but little chance of rain and a tail wind most of the way - I began to wonder if I had put the correct date in the app. The Epic Ride app is really good - highly recommend :).
Cycling through the countryside mid morning was great, we chatted a lot and were looking forward for the day. We had done the same route at this time of year last year when we got soaked and cccccold, so those clouds didnt encourage much ...... Never mind, we continued on educating me that the German for "Sculpture Garden" was Skulptur Garten. I try my best :). We passed this on the way to the first gorge, Gorges du Pichoux. The road narrows, the gradient increases and the side of the roads becomes steep and rocky. Here we split into the fast and not so fast.
Once through the small tunnel we soon reached the hairpin where the fast amongst us had continued, we should have turned "left" towards Souboz, some shouting achieved the desired result and we regrouped. It was here we realised that one of the bikes needed some adjustment as it wasnt staying in the easiest gear - we would need this later. I managed to tweak the barrel adjuster and realign the derailleur - fixed!
Then onwards to Souboz for a rest at the top of the hill and some more food. We tried to eat regularly, last time we didnt stop for food till Souboz, probably due to the rain and I need to get better at eating more so had made a pre gorge eat stop.
The descent from the top after Souboz is full of sweeping corners and we had a great time. A quick stop to regroup and we were off again with the next planned stop Crèmines station toilets. To get there we first needed to navigate the town of Moutier and the main road. Luckily, probably helped by the cool temperatures, the roads were very quiet here too, with all of the shops closed. As we approached the station it was clear there was lots of building work going on and we wondered if the toilets would be open - they were, phew! but we needed to dig around for a 20rp coin to open the door. More food and all refreshed we set off for another gorge. The weather was still cool but no rain so far. We reached the top of La Hauteur, were ignored by the goats, so we carried on towards our main climb of the day.
We took the shortcut road from Vermes to Mervelier, were passed by a very fast cyclist -woosh! he went as he passed. Last food stop to prepare for the pass, then a rush down to the main road, right turn and off we go. Steady as you go - this pass has it all - alternating steep, shallow for a while, a flattish middle section and the final steady ramp. Last year we had wet snow and fog all the way up - this time we could see the scenery. We all took the climb at our own pace and reached the top alone. To get my new col we had to turn left just before the top and go to the restaurant. We took the opportunity for more calorie intake and a rest with a view.
Now all that was left was the epic descent then on to Ramiswil, Mumliswil and the Breitenhochi climb to Langenbruck. Fortified by the sugar, my legs felt OK at this point, normally I would be feeling it by this time but I felt fine - very happy. We managed to get a brilliant action photo
Once at Langenbruck we were "nearly home". The road from there to Liestal was well known to all I think. The bike path along the burn (Vordere-Frenke) was quiet but we were still careful. All that was left was the bike path to Liestal, skirting the edge of Bubendorf and we were at our last stop where we said goodbye. 3 went to Basel, I turned the other direction towards Gelterkinden.
It was a grand day out, lots of climbing and cycling fun and no rain!
Thanks to all who joined, see you on a bike soon!
Distance: 110km
Climbing: 1986m
Avg Speed: 18km/h
No comments:
Post a Comment