motorradrudi
Tour Pro
Hi folks,
here is another ride-report from the european alps.
Many thanks to Pete for helping with the translation!
Switzerland 2007
7th- 10th June
IF the weather holds!!
The Prepping
The Club-ride of the Free-Biker Sonthofen is a fixed item in the annual calendar and always starts off with the question: Where-to this time??
As to me Switzerland is the crown jewel of the Alps, plans were ripe for a Swiss-Ride, regrettably the fact that Switzerland is quite expensive still holds true.
Time for a snoop around the Swiss Forums and I hit pay dirt at http://www.toeff-forum.ch, the reply came 2 hrs after posting my queries. Great accommodation and food was promised at the Simons-Herberge, and with SFR 13 dinners, the email was promptly on its way.
Just as prompt was the reply…. BINGO!!!
Switzerland…here we come!!
Lake Brienz
To be more exact: the Bernese High Country, one of my favourites and one of the prettiest areas of the Alps!
7 bikes and 10 people, with Hannes splitting off at Meiringen for his trip to Lake Geneva.
The forecast was so/ so…a bit of everything from sunshine to thunderstorms.
What the hell, let’s go with the usual 9am start!
Day 1….Sonthofen - Meiringen
Start was – as usual – at 9 am.
At the start
It was dry, but the clouds covered the mountaintops. First to Altstädten and Fischen then up the Riedbergpass (1420 m) via Hittisau and Lingenau to Alberschwende and Dornbirn.
Then into Switzerland and the town of Au for a fill up and a short conference to decide, which of the two possible routes to take.
We settled on the slightly longer but more scenic way via St. Anton, the Ruppenpass (1003 m) and Trogen, the glorious bends to Oberegg and on to Appenzell.
Near Hemberg
From here via Urnäsch to Bächli and Hemberg… the Restaurant Hörnli offered itself for lunch.
Off we went again via Wattwil, across the Rickenpass (794 m) to Rapperswil and Lake Zürich. Past the lake it a quick right/ left and up into the saddle (932 m).
Following the signs to Zug to get to Arth at Lake Zug proved to be wrong after getting to Lake Ägeri. A quick turnaround got us via Steinerberg (brilliant views onto Lake Lauerz here) to Lake Zug, skirting the southern shores to get to Küssnacht at Lake Vierwaldstätter.
Entering Luzern, the Collective decided on a Coffee break, the bridge across the River Reuss just too picturesque and unique to fly past. Hard to image that the bridge burned down a few years ago…
Lake Vierwaldstätter / Luzern
Stefan had lost the key for the helmet lock! …Hannes took off towards Lake Geneva and the rest boiled in their gear, waiting. A small Allen key from the next service station fixed the problem and the flipper-helmet came off, yeeha !
Along Lake Vierwaldstätter towards Sarnen, and the skies looked dark but the rain held off. Past Lake Sarnen and Lake Lungern it was up the Brünigpass (1008 m) and on to Meiringen, the day’s target.
The Simons-Herberge was easy to find, the rooms proved simple and rustic with not too much comfort, but they’re very reasonably priced…for Switzerland, anyway.
Simonsherberge Meiringen
Here we met Fred from Frechen (near Köln), who wanted to hook up for the next 2 days. Dinner (Sfr 13 Franken /~9 €) was Geschnetzeltes, Rösti and Salat and a small dessert…. and Stefan made up for the Luzern-wait with some complimentary drinks for the bunch.
Day 2 Swiss Highlights!
Start around 9…. and 4 Passes above 2000m were on the program….the skies clear for a great day ahead.
From Meiringen to Innertkirchen before the cracker of a run up the Grimselpass (2165 m). Past Lake Räterichsboden and Lake Grimsel to the top – what a dream-road!!!
Grimselpass
At the top, the small road to Lake Oberaar was closed due to road works; the 6km stretch (toll-free) is useable for 10 mins at full hour, and 10 mins every half-hour for the return. What a disappointment, the views to the Oberaar Glacier, the Finsteraarhorn (4274 m) and the Lauteraarhorn (4042 m) are magnificent from there.
Missing out this time around, we went on to Gletsch, as the clouds decided to move in a little.
At the Grimselpass
The way down offers great views onto the Rhône-Glacier and the Furkapass.
A right turn in Gletsch and Ulrichen isn’t far, the start of the Nufenenpass (2478 m) As usual, this means a “free for all” …pegscrape or tootle to your hearts content.
Nufenenpass
A short Photo-Stop at the saddler before the descent to Airolo – I took it slowly here, the views are just too beautiful.
Then up the St. Gotthard-Pass (2108 m) using the old cobblestoned road and its 24 hairpins—The Tremola needs some care but is an absolute “Must-Do” when in the area!
Old Gotthard-Road (Tremola)
Another shortstop before the drop into Andermatt and an experience of the “special kind”…
Needing to fill up, I stopped at the petrol station at the edge of town. Taking the browser—nothing works.
The young attendant grabs the hose and proceeds the fill up someone else !!?
I wait, and then try again. Once more, nothing works. He asks if I want to pay by card, confirming that, I’m told to punch in my PIN.
“That won’t work with a German card! Always the Germans—nothing but trouble”
Some back and forth, we settle on cash.
Petra asks him if he doesn’t like Germans…. No, hates them!
Handing over the change he drops (deliberately) some coins to the floor…he also hangs onto part of the change…as a tip!!!
By now I had enough and insisted on all of it, last time ever I’ve stopped at this place!
The Andermatt- Göschenen stretch calmed the nerves again.
Here a beautiful, narrow road climbs to the Göscheneralp (1797 m) ab, a little side-trip NOT to be missed. Everyone enjoyed the winding and traffic-free asphalt crowned by a good Cappuccino.
A quick return trip to Lake Göscheneralp, with some grand views into the High Mountains
Lake Göscheneralp
Back to Göschenen and on to Wassen, turning up the Sustenpass (2224 m) Another brilliant bike road of Central Switzerland, this is a load of fun.
A-grade bend-surfing!!!
Sustenpass/Stein Glacier
Another short stop at the saddle before descending past the Stein Glacier and some exceptional bend-carving to Innertkirchen.
Instead of taking the direct route to Meiringen, we turned left just short of town into the Reichenbach Valley and Schwarzwaldalpe / Rosenlaui.
Schwarzwaldalp
We just couldn’t miss out on the steep, wet and slippery climb to the Rosenlaui-Glacier-Gorge, the narrow path is permanently drenched by the wet fog of rushing water tumbling down from the glacier, the rock walls easily 70 to 80 Meter high.
It’s like being inside a dishwasher, what a spectacle of nature!
Rosenlaui Gorge
From here it’s finally back to Meiringen, ending a fantastic day with some drinks in cosy surrounds.
Toursheet "Swiss Highlights”
To be continued
With the best greatings from good old Germany
Rudi
here is another ride-report from the european alps.
Many thanks to Pete for helping with the translation!
Switzerland 2007
7th- 10th June
IF the weather holds!!
The Prepping
The Club-ride of the Free-Biker Sonthofen is a fixed item in the annual calendar and always starts off with the question: Where-to this time??
As to me Switzerland is the crown jewel of the Alps, plans were ripe for a Swiss-Ride, regrettably the fact that Switzerland is quite expensive still holds true.
Time for a snoop around the Swiss Forums and I hit pay dirt at http://www.toeff-forum.ch, the reply came 2 hrs after posting my queries. Great accommodation and food was promised at the Simons-Herberge, and with SFR 13 dinners, the email was promptly on its way.
Just as prompt was the reply…. BINGO!!!
Switzerland…here we come!!
Lake Brienz
To be more exact: the Bernese High Country, one of my favourites and one of the prettiest areas of the Alps!
7 bikes and 10 people, with Hannes splitting off at Meiringen for his trip to Lake Geneva.
The forecast was so/ so…a bit of everything from sunshine to thunderstorms.
What the hell, let’s go with the usual 9am start!
Day 1….Sonthofen - Meiringen
Start was – as usual – at 9 am.
At the start
It was dry, but the clouds covered the mountaintops. First to Altstädten and Fischen then up the Riedbergpass (1420 m) via Hittisau and Lingenau to Alberschwende and Dornbirn.
Then into Switzerland and the town of Au for a fill up and a short conference to decide, which of the two possible routes to take.
We settled on the slightly longer but more scenic way via St. Anton, the Ruppenpass (1003 m) and Trogen, the glorious bends to Oberegg and on to Appenzell.
Near Hemberg
From here via Urnäsch to Bächli and Hemberg… the Restaurant Hörnli offered itself for lunch.
Off we went again via Wattwil, across the Rickenpass (794 m) to Rapperswil and Lake Zürich. Past the lake it a quick right/ left and up into the saddle (932 m).
Following the signs to Zug to get to Arth at Lake Zug proved to be wrong after getting to Lake Ägeri. A quick turnaround got us via Steinerberg (brilliant views onto Lake Lauerz here) to Lake Zug, skirting the southern shores to get to Küssnacht at Lake Vierwaldstätter.
Entering Luzern, the Collective decided on a Coffee break, the bridge across the River Reuss just too picturesque and unique to fly past. Hard to image that the bridge burned down a few years ago…
Lake Vierwaldstätter / Luzern
Stefan had lost the key for the helmet lock! …Hannes took off towards Lake Geneva and the rest boiled in their gear, waiting. A small Allen key from the next service station fixed the problem and the flipper-helmet came off, yeeha !
Along Lake Vierwaldstätter towards Sarnen, and the skies looked dark but the rain held off. Past Lake Sarnen and Lake Lungern it was up the Brünigpass (1008 m) and on to Meiringen, the day’s target.
The Simons-Herberge was easy to find, the rooms proved simple and rustic with not too much comfort, but they’re very reasonably priced…for Switzerland, anyway.
Simonsherberge Meiringen
Here we met Fred from Frechen (near Köln), who wanted to hook up for the next 2 days. Dinner (Sfr 13 Franken /~9 €) was Geschnetzeltes, Rösti and Salat and a small dessert…. and Stefan made up for the Luzern-wait with some complimentary drinks for the bunch.
Day 2 Swiss Highlights!
Start around 9…. and 4 Passes above 2000m were on the program….the skies clear for a great day ahead.
From Meiringen to Innertkirchen before the cracker of a run up the Grimselpass (2165 m). Past Lake Räterichsboden and Lake Grimsel to the top – what a dream-road!!!
Grimselpass
At the top, the small road to Lake Oberaar was closed due to road works; the 6km stretch (toll-free) is useable for 10 mins at full hour, and 10 mins every half-hour for the return. What a disappointment, the views to the Oberaar Glacier, the Finsteraarhorn (4274 m) and the Lauteraarhorn (4042 m) are magnificent from there.
Missing out this time around, we went on to Gletsch, as the clouds decided to move in a little.
At the Grimselpass
The way down offers great views onto the Rhône-Glacier and the Furkapass.
A right turn in Gletsch and Ulrichen isn’t far, the start of the Nufenenpass (2478 m) As usual, this means a “free for all” …pegscrape or tootle to your hearts content.
Nufenenpass
A short Photo-Stop at the saddler before the descent to Airolo – I took it slowly here, the views are just too beautiful.
Then up the St. Gotthard-Pass (2108 m) using the old cobblestoned road and its 24 hairpins—The Tremola needs some care but is an absolute “Must-Do” when in the area!
Old Gotthard-Road (Tremola)
Another shortstop before the drop into Andermatt and an experience of the “special kind”…
Needing to fill up, I stopped at the petrol station at the edge of town. Taking the browser—nothing works.
The young attendant grabs the hose and proceeds the fill up someone else !!?
I wait, and then try again. Once more, nothing works. He asks if I want to pay by card, confirming that, I’m told to punch in my PIN.
“That won’t work with a German card! Always the Germans—nothing but trouble”
Some back and forth, we settle on cash.
Petra asks him if he doesn’t like Germans…. No, hates them!
Handing over the change he drops (deliberately) some coins to the floor…he also hangs onto part of the change…as a tip!!!
By now I had enough and insisted on all of it, last time ever I’ve stopped at this place!
The Andermatt- Göschenen stretch calmed the nerves again.
Here a beautiful, narrow road climbs to the Göscheneralp (1797 m) ab, a little side-trip NOT to be missed. Everyone enjoyed the winding and traffic-free asphalt crowned by a good Cappuccino.
A quick return trip to Lake Göscheneralp, with some grand views into the High Mountains
Lake Göscheneralp
Back to Göschenen and on to Wassen, turning up the Sustenpass (2224 m) Another brilliant bike road of Central Switzerland, this is a load of fun.
A-grade bend-surfing!!!
Sustenpass/Stein Glacier
Another short stop at the saddle before descending past the Stein Glacier and some exceptional bend-carving to Innertkirchen.
Instead of taking the direct route to Meiringen, we turned left just short of town into the Reichenbach Valley and Schwarzwaldalpe / Rosenlaui.
Schwarzwaldalp
We just couldn’t miss out on the steep, wet and slippery climb to the Rosenlaui-Glacier-Gorge, the narrow path is permanently drenched by the wet fog of rushing water tumbling down from the glacier, the rock walls easily 70 to 80 Meter high.
It’s like being inside a dishwasher, what a spectacle of nature!
Rosenlaui Gorge
From here it’s finally back to Meiringen, ending a fantastic day with some drinks in cosy surrounds.
Toursheet "Swiss Highlights”
To be continued
With the best greatings from good old Germany
Rudi
