We awoke to a misty rain in Luderenalp.  Descending in the mist was followed by ride through another green valley where skies broke and we were riding through another green valley.  After our second climb, Glaubenbielen Pass, we descended down with gorgeous views of mountain lakes along which we rode until we reached the ferry to cross Lake Lucerne to Weggis.  We needed to be there by 2pm to catch the ferry.    The last few kilometers ran along a narrow ridge road along the lake.  When our group rounded one of the tight bends, we found others from our squad using a rope swing to jump into the lake below.  Boys will be boys!   Our ferry trip was quick and efficient and enabled us to take the oldest, paddlewheel steam boat into Lucerne for dinner.  In the center of the boat, the engine is visible and as pristine as a Swiss watch.  We walked around Lucerne which like most European cities has buildings that pre-date America's oldest buildings beginning in the 1500's.    Prior to the ferry ride, I calculated our total elevation gain and mileage.  We climbed over 40,000 ft and traveled over 380 miles in 6 days.  As was noted at dinner, 12 guys, many of whom never met, enjoyed each other's company, dealt with the challenges of the journey with grace and humor throughout.  As my son said after viewing some of these postings, it often seemed as though we were cycling through the set of the Sound of Music with soaring mountains and richly green valleys enveloping our senses every day.  We lucked out with just enough rain and cold to add to the memories but not so much as to make it miserable. 

We started out the day with the sense that this would be an easier day with just two climbs that were shorter than most we've done.  In some ways it was, and in others it wasn't.   We started out from Grindelwald with a nice downhill followed by a quick uphill to a bike shop that had nice stuff which most of us purchased...a big day for the Swiss economy in case they needed help.  We then descended and headed for Thun via a route that was supposed to take us around Interlocken.  Supposed to suggests that maybe something happened and it did...we got confused but not lost which did become the theme of the day.  Not lost means we were generally headed the right direction but confused means not necessarily on the pre-defined route.  To my way of thinking this is not a problem but an adventure.  However, it can be unsettling for some, particularly as the day gets longer and you're not sure when it's ending.  We started later than we have out of Grindelwald, spent time at the bike shop, rode up the valley from the bike shop and meandered on a short 500' climb up a hard-pack but unpaved road and then headed to Thun.  All was fun and good.   In the valley, we saw people hang gliding using parachutes.  Jack, Howie, Steve and myself formed a group that rode from the valley to Luderenalp.  We were pretty consistent and a good team at managing a pace that all could sustain.  The first climb was about 6-7k through open pastures.  The last climb to Luderenalp has some very steep sections.  Ludernenalp is a small town with one hotel that is essential a dead end.  We arrived first and based on the miles in very good shape just as it started to drizzle.   Turns out there was minor mishap with a curb that caught one rider.   Minor road rash, thank goodness, but enough to cause our guides a little worry.  Pizza lunch in Thun was perfect as the 4 of us shared two pizzas between us.    Tomorrow is the last ride and bike packing....too soon.    

It's been impossible to capture with a single shot the breadth of gorgeous views we have while riding.  Today I stopped and turned the camera into "video" and panned back and forth about 2km from the summit of Gross Scheidegg.  

I realized that the facts of our rides are not insignificant but not mentioned to date.  Our altitude gains have been 3077, 6437 and 8278 for each successive day through yesterday.   Mileage has been 53, 59 and 50 per day. Yesterday was more consistent either you're up or down.   And to not leave you photo free....here's a shot of Howie, some Marmots at the summit of Furka begging for good and us having beer after

We woke up to a very misty/wet Andermatt and elected to shuttle over the first climb which would have been socked in with fog and mist.  We then climbed the Nufenen (or Novena in Italian) and the Furka Pass.  We had strong headwinds during both climbs.  You'd think they would even out and provide tailwinds as well but it never seems to be that way.    Both were of course pretty with the Furka reminding me of the Stelvio as you can see the Hotel near the top of the pass and the switchbacks before it from many kilometers before it.  At the top of both, and particularly the Furka, the temperature drop was significant.  Descending the Nufenen was cold but clear whereas descending the the Furka we could only see literally 20 feet ahead for the first 10 or so kilometers.  We were literally in the clouds.  You had to follow the white strip on the right and watch carefully for headlights of upcoming vehicles.  At times the road narrowed to nearly one lane which added another element.  Bundled with gloves, Gore-tex and leg warmers it was still extremely cold.  It was delightful to emerge from the clouds into a slightly warmer but not really sunny lower elevations.   Along the way there were the now normal spectacular vistas, waterfalls, cow bells (with cows) and even a coal-fired cog railway locomotive.  Snow was evident in large patches near the road. 

  We lucked out with terrific and reasonable warm weather climbing the Klausen Pass.  As usual, the photos don't do justice to the rich green valleys, waterfalls and panoramas.  It's a 24 km climb and while there are not that many super steep sections, the overall length more than compensates.    Perhaps the most interesting event was my stopping at the hotel at what I thought was the top of the pass.  No one from the group was there yet there were at least 4 folks who I knew where ahead of me.  I used the facilities and walked around waiting.  Then Howie came by and yelled, "this isn't the top!".  Turns out the summit was a couple of kilometers up the road.  I jumped back on and soon was there.    With the exception of one person, we all elected to shuttle into Andermatt vs. riding a heavily traffic route for another 30km what was both uphill but more importantly not ideal for cyclists.  Instead, we got here early enough for a few beers.

Highlights from the flight and our warm up ride:   1.  Discovered 15 minutes before take off in SFO that I'd left my helmet and sunglasses in the limo.  Ouch, what to do?  Called Nel, our trip leader, to get backup rental.  Then fantasized that the rental was the worst, ugly helmet left on the planet, having been worn by a troll with severe skin diseases.  Calculated layover time and jumped on the web via Blackberry to see if I had time to get a helmet in DC.  Net was an orchestrated mission to Performance Bike in Reston only to find that the box marked medium was actually a small.  Sharp U-turn!  Exchanged...recalculated cost as the seconds to departure were ticking.  Made it back in time.   2.  Warm-up ride:  Basic facts - 53 miles/2,800 feet climbing around Lake Lucerne, inland climb then down to Lake Zug, hug the coast and back to Lake Lucerne and Wiggis where we're staying.   3.  Warm-up ride - beyond the facts - Picturesque storybook setting with farmhouses, churches and towns that all look like they've been dropped in by Walt Disney & Co.  There is the German trait of neat, orderly and tidiness combined with the French country use of flowers against an Alpine backdrop.  Everything looks just amazingly neat, perky and pretty.  It literally is picture perfect...much more than my photos suggest.  Stopped in Zug for a little tour...note the bakery with the cheesecake through the window as well as the cute town shot.   4.  Riders - Some very strong riders who can accelerate as though they have afterburners (which I don't).  At the same, all great biking enthusiasts who know we all have limits.  Ended with beers.  

This should be a terrific and challenging trip.  Days 2-5 each have over 7,000 ft climbing each day.  Based on current weather reports, temperatures will start in the 40’s and go to the 70’s.  We’ll get some rain but mostly showers that pass.  It will be good to have the SAG wagon for clothing changes as we go up and down.

Based on the email traffic between folks, there will be a mix of speed and endurance.  Our route is:

Day 1, Thursday; Zürich airp to Weggis – warm up loop ~ 66 km

Day 2, Friday; Weggis to Andermatt 120 km (Klausen pass, half Gotthard to Andermatt)

Day 3, Saturday; Andermatt Loop 139 km (Gotthard, Nufenen and Furka pass)

Day 4, Sunday; Andermatt Loop 169 km (Oberalp, Lukmanier and Gotthard pass)

Day 5, Monday; Andermatt to Grindelwald 85 km (Susten pass, Grosse Scheidegg)

Day 6, Tuesday; Grindelwald to Luederenalp, Emmental 90 km (Schallenberg)

Day 7, Wednesday; Luederenalp to Weggis 85 km (Glaubenberg pass)

Day 8, Thursday; transfer to Zürich airport

That’s it for now.