Since I uploaded these already and I thought I would share with ST. There are quite few pictures so it might take a while to load.
These 3 alpine passes are located in the middle of Switzerland (roughly). The loop (below) is about 130km long and you end up doing about 3500-3600m of climbing.
I wanted to start this ride early so that I didn't have to spend the whole day in the sun. Alarm was set for 4:15 (having gone to bed at 11:45 - ouch). I arrived at Innertkirchen (today's start) at 7:10 after a 1:45hr drive. Not bad. The valley was still in the shade and cold (13degC).
Started out with my jacket on and headed up the first of the three passes, Grimsel. Here are some pictures from the way up - note how I'm still in the shade for most of them.
About half way up now. Behind me is a sign that says something like "The next 11km gain 800m".
Cyclists take the old roads instead of going through the tunnels.
The first dam - with the Grimsel Hospiz/Hotel in the middle.
Finally in the sun - a few km's from the top.
The last few 100m.
Nice views at the top.
Down the other side of Grimsel, OH YEAH. Heading to the junction in the middle.
View up Furkapass from the junction. You can just make out the roads on the right.
Half way up Furka looking back down at the junction. Grimselpass on the right.
Heading down Furkapass towards a town called Andermatt.
Andermatt at the end of Valley.
After the descent you follow the valley for what seems like forever to finally get to Sustenpass. A picture about 3km into the climb. Legs starting to hurt now.
Looking back down. About 15km to go.
Nearly there. It was at this stage that I ran out of Gel and water. It was so hot coming up Sustenpass. I stopped a few times to stick my head under/in some mountain streams.
Running on fumes I finally make it to the top. This is Steingletcher (Glacier) that is slowly shrinking. A shame.
There isn't a photo of the Sustenpass sign as I was suffering and made drink and food a priority when I got to the top. For those that care, the top is at 2259m.
Enjoying my coke and food looking down at the descent.
Looking back up at the Sustenpass after the long descent. Great.
On the way home.
Hope you liked the pictures.
------------------------------------------------------------
Searching for the bliss of ultimate exertion.
These 3 alpine passes are located in the middle of Switzerland (roughly). The loop (below) is about 130km long and you end up doing about 3500-3600m of climbing.
I wanted to start this ride early so that I didn't have to spend the whole day in the sun. Alarm was set for 4:15 (having gone to bed at 11:45 - ouch). I arrived at Innertkirchen (today's start) at 7:10 after a 1:45hr drive. Not bad. The valley was still in the shade and cold (13degC).
Started out with my jacket on and headed up the first of the three passes, Grimsel. Here are some pictures from the way up - note how I'm still in the shade for most of them.
About half way up now. Behind me is a sign that says something like "The next 11km gain 800m".
Cyclists take the old roads instead of going through the tunnels.
The first dam - with the Grimsel Hospiz/Hotel in the middle.
Finally in the sun - a few km's from the top.
The last few 100m.
Nice views at the top.
Down the other side of Grimsel, OH YEAH. Heading to the junction in the middle.
View up Furkapass from the junction. You can just make out the roads on the right.
Half way up Furka looking back down at the junction. Grimselpass on the right.
Heading down Furkapass towards a town called Andermatt.
Andermatt at the end of Valley.
After the descent you follow the valley for what seems like forever to finally get to Sustenpass. A picture about 3km into the climb. Legs starting to hurt now.
Looking back down. About 15km to go.
Nearly there. It was at this stage that I ran out of Gel and water. It was so hot coming up Sustenpass. I stopped a few times to stick my head under/in some mountain streams.
Running on fumes I finally make it to the top. This is Steingletcher (Glacier) that is slowly shrinking. A shame.
There isn't a photo of the Sustenpass sign as I was suffering and made drink and food a priority when I got to the top. For those that care, the top is at 2259m.
Enjoying my coke and food looking down at the descent.
Looking back up at the Sustenpass after the long descent. Great.
On the way home.
Hope you liked the pictures.
------------------------------------------------------------
Searching for the bliss of ultimate exertion.
