Crossing Switzerland from North to South by Bicycle!

They claim the best way to experience a country is by bike.  I have to agree.  It's not everyday that you can find a group of people all willing to take time out of work, jump on a bike and cycle approximately 400 kms from the northern border of Switzerland to the southern border just to "experience a country".  I feel so lucky to live in Switzerland!

In May 2011, myself and 4 friends decided to cycle and camp our way across Switzerland.  After all, what's the value of having a bike and tent if you're not prepared to put it to good use?

The idea was to average approximately 100 kms per day as we made our way across Switzerland.  The bags were packed, the bikes were modified, the chains were greased, the shorts were tight and we were ready to go.  After guaranteeing the children of the owner of the nearest bike shop a robust inheritance, the 5 of us left Basel (Border town with France and Germany) for the southern border town of Chiasso (Italy).

The plan was to cycle approximately 400 kms north to south from Basel to Chiasso in three and a half days.  Sorry for the glare

The first two days were going to be a good opportunity to stretch the legs.  With the exception of a small climb (short but steep) on day 1 it was going to be an easy ride.  Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate and we finished day 1 in the driving rain.  The extremely friendly campsite operator offered to order us pizza and keep our thirst quenched with local beer.  Fortunately, the rain has ended (and the heads cleared) by the start of day two.

Getting into the groove.  The first two days were going to be easy riding so we settled into a good routine.  Note the quality of the trail system....incredible!

An early start had us pedaling towards Lucerne.  The only time crunch was a ferry crossing around 1 pm.  A lovely lunch by Lake Lucerne and we were making good time towards the second camp site.  The mountains were now visible in the distance hinting at what was still to come.

Lunching spot after the ferry crossing on Lake Lucerne

A view down the valley towards the mountains that awaited us tomorrow.  Much of today's ride was up and down along the shoreline of Lake Lucerne

Day 3 was always going to be the killer.  It was on this day that we faced the Gotthard pass.  The plan was to cycle the 34 kilometer, 1504 vertical meter ascent up through the Gotthard pass (through Andermatt) in the morning.  The weather turned foul just after Andermatt with a stiff cold wind, driving rain turning to wet snow by the top.  Once reaching the pass (thank you to the nice lady who honked her horn and cheered as we crested the top...you made our day!), we took a few minutes to refuel with cake and coffee and then started the eagerly anticipated descent.

Through the cold wind, driving rain, wet snow and fog we made it to the Gotthard pass (2106 m).  The only thing left from here was some coffee and cake and a very rapid and exciting descent!

What took us almost 5 hrs to climb was descended in less than 20 mins.  You've not lived until you've dropped from one of the highest mountain passes in Europe on a bicycle loaded with clothes, tents and camping supplies.  Genius!  The driving rain did not let up and one rider had a major break failure (horrible timing!) so it was decided to spend the night in a hotel approximately 23 kms from our desired campground.

Day 4 was fantastic!  We woke early and enjoyed a downhill ride for much of the day.  We reached Chiasso around 4 pm on Sunday afternoon after spending a fantastic lunch beside Lake Lugano.

We enjoyed a well deserved lunch in the hot sun by Lake Lugano

A quick train ride back to Lugano for some beers and roasted chicken and we were soon on our way (via train) back to Basel.

What's great about this expat Switzerland Adventure is that it is possible to complete trips like this on a long weekend.  Moreover, there are so many people living in Basel that are willing to take on a trip like this!  Oh yeah, not to mention that the trail system in Switzerland is so well marked that the entire trip was completed without a map.  What's next, East to West?  (Thanks to MH who was the trip's photographer and supplied most of the photos!)