Tour 1994, 17 - 23 July
| stage | distance (km) | climbing (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Oetwil a.d.L. - Gaschurn | 191 | 690 |
| Gaschurn - Sta. Maria | 158 | 2180 |
| Sta. Maria - Stelvio - Sta. Maria | 64 | 1870 |
| Sta. Maria - Preda | 130 | 3690 |
| Preda - Leuggelbach | 167 | 1080 |
| Leuggelbach - Oetwil a.d.L. | 146 | 1860 |
| total | 856 | 11370 |
Stage 1: 17 July 1994
It had been quite a stress to prepare this tour. The day before (it was a Saturday) i
had to go to my office to check something. The next thing was to go to town to have my
hairs clipped. I then arrived just in time at Horgen to meet a couple of colleagues
who wanted to swimm across the lake of Zurich. After 2.5 km swimming we reached
Feldmeilen and came back on the accompanying boats. Then we had a barbecue together,
and it was already nine o'clock when i was finally back home. With a cut in a toe
(done on the shore) and still everything to pack for the tour.
After all, i was able to start at half past six the next morning. The weather was nice
and it became warmer and warmer. I first rode to Zurich, then along the lake. The
stage was almost flat as it continued along rivers and lakes. My route was also more
or less parallel to highways, and this is a good point since most of the traffic is
there rather than on the normal road. It is only after Bludenz, already in Austria,
that this changed. There were a lot of cars (week-end tourism) and the road started to
climb a bit. I was getting tired. The valley of Montafon is very touristic and the
Austrians are very well organised: all along the roads you find not only hotels but
also "bed and breakfast" with clear signs indicating if free or occupied. It was
therefore easy to find a place to rest for the night.
| distance (km) | altitude (m) | climbing (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oetwil a.d.L. | 0 | 420 | |
| Zürich | 12 | 430 | 10 |
| Wädenswil | 35 | 410 | - |
| Niederurnen | 69 | 440 | 30 |
| Walenstadt | 93 | 420 | - |
| Sargans | 109 | 490 | 70 |
| Vaduz | 125 | 450 | - |
| Tisis | 139 | 490 | 40 |
| Feldkirch | 141 | 450 | - |
| Nenzing | 153 | 510 | 60 |
| Bludenz | 163 | 560 | 50 |
| Tschagguns | 175 | 680 | 120 |
| Gaschurn | 191 | 990 | 310 |
| total | 191 | 690 |
Stage 2: 18 July 1994
After a good night and a good breakfast, i felt in good shape to finally climb the
first pass of this tour. Both the Arlberg and the Silvretta road (over the
Bielerhöhe) link Bludenz with Landeck. Since the Arlberg is a shorter and better
way for transit, there is not much more than touristic traffic over the
Bielerhöhe. The climbing was only disturbed by the presence of irresitible wild
strawberries along the road. I also stopped at the top to look at the dam, at the lake
and at the technical information about this hydroelectrical complex.
The Paznaun valley, on the other side of the pass, was simply beautiful. I enjoyed the
ride very much... down to the point where the road joins the Arlberg way. About
Landeck i mainly remember the heavy traffic and the red lights. The ride along the Inn
valley was also mostly on the main road. I came again close to Switzerland but took
rather up to the left towards Nauders and Italy. Before reaching the Reschen / Resia
pass and the border, however, i had to stop to protect myself from a thunderstorm. It
was still raining a little bit when i hit the road again. I saw the famous church
tower in the lake, the only visible part of a village submerged after the construction
of a dam. It rained heavily again before i had reached Mals / Malles. Then i stopped
to drink a tea at a restaurant. It help, but i was still cold when i set again into
saddle. My leg muscles were aching, and this did not get much better even when i was
climbing again towards Müstair. I was now back in Switzerland. There was just one
bed left at the Hotel Alpina at Santa Maria. Enough for me.
| distance (km) | altitude (m) | climbing (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gaschurn | 0 | 980 | |
| Partenen | 5 | 1050 | 70 |
| Bieler Höhe | 19 | 2040 | 990 |
| Galtür | 29 | 1580 | - |
| Ischgl | 39 | 1380 | - |
| Kappl | 49 | 1260 | - |
| Pians | 63 | 1020 | - |
| Landeck | 69 | 820 | - |
| Ried | 85 | 880 | 60 |
| Pfunds | 99 | 970 | 90 |
| Nauders | 112 | 1370 | 400 |
| Résia | 119 | 1510 | 140 |
| S. Valentino | 129 | 1470 | - |
| Burgùsio | 137 | 1240 | - |
| Laùdes | 144 | 950 | - |
| Müstair | 153 | 1250 | 300 |
| Sta. Maria | 158 | 1380 | 130 |
| total | 158 | 2180 |
Stage 3: 19 July 1994
The third stage was designed as a round-trip with just one pass. Not any pass,
however: the Stelvio. There had been more thunderstorms during the night and the sky
was still very cloudy when i hit the road. I had first to ride down back to the Val
Venosta / Vinschgau. After a flat stretch in this valley, i arrived at Prato, at the
foot of the Stelvio.
From this point there are 1850 m to climb to the pass. The road has some 40 hairpin
curves from Trafoi on. These curves are marked by numbered roadside stones. The
altitude is usually also indicated, helping bikers to control their progression to the
top. I passed several groups of cyclists. Unfortunately, some were followed by cars.
One of them didn't stop to pass me, wait, pass me again etc. etc. Apart of this
lasting one there were only few cars over the pass.
It was still cloudy and cool, a good weather for climbing. The countdown of the curves
was accelerating because they came closer and closer. I didn't make any stop before
reaching the top. There i drank a tea, tried to dry myself a bit (sweat and cold wind
don't match well!) and bought some postcards. On all these postcards it was written
that the Stelvio is the highest pass in Europe. This is obviously not true if you
count also passes with non-paved tracks. And even then, the Italians forgot about the
French pass Col de la Bonette, which is 44 m higher.
After the short descent to the Umbrail i found the border closed. At the customs, they
told me that a landslide had occured and that the road down to Sta. Maria was being
repared. After a short discussion, it was decided that i could just go around that
place pushing my bike; and they let me go.
During the afternoon it rained again. But i was back at the hotel in Sta. Maria.
| distance (km) | altitude (m) | climbing (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sta. Maria | 0 | 1380 | |
| Müstair | 3 | 1250 | - |
| Tubre | 6 | 1240 | - |
| Glorenza | 14 | 920 | - |
| Schacht | 16 | 900 | - |
| Montechiaro | 19 | 920 | 20 |
| Prato | 22 | 910 | - |
| Gomagoi | 28 | 1260 | 350 |
| Trafoi | 32 | 1530 | 270 |
| Franzelhöhe | 36 | 1860 | 330 |
| Stelvio | 47 | 2760 | 970 |
| Umbrail | 50 | 2500 | - |
| Sta. Maria | 64 | 1380 | - |
| total | 64 | 1870 |
Stage 4: 21 July 1994
I took a day of rest before this stage. We went hiking with Ruedi, a colleague of
mine (whose parents are from Sta. Maria), his wife and their child. And it rained
again. When i left again by bike the weather was getting better. I was glad because
i planned a big stage, with five passes higher than 2000 m. The first one was the
Umbrail, where i came down two days before. Its road is not paved on a stretch
of several kilometers. This is, however, not a big problem because the gravel is
fine and not too bad for the tires. No puncture to report. When i arrived at the top
i had climbed (really this time, not like from the Stelvio) the highest pass of
Switzerland that can be done by race bike.
Riding down to Bormio was not very funny because the road was not good. Many
potholes and tunnels without light. Anyway, i came down safely and went towards
the next pass: the Foscagno. The climb was first very gentle (but long) and then
became a bit steeper. There was some traffic, including trucks. The worst ones
are those you cannot see. I mean those you cannot see behind the cloud of
fumes they produce! Between Foscagno and Passo d'Eira the road does not
lose much in altitude. It does not even go below 2000 m. Once on the first,
you are therefore almost already on the second of these passes. Almost.
The region around Livigno is a duty-free zone. You notice it immediately at the
numerous alcohol-cigarettes-and-perfume-shops. Don't try to go there by bike
during the week-end: gasoline is also much cheaper, and this obviously
attracts many many cars. Coming from the Passo d'Eira i did not have to ride
into Livigno. Instead i took to the left towards the fourth pass of the day,
Forcola di Livigno. It was the afternoon and it was rather warm, despite of the
altitude. I began to feel tired, but the climb was not too long. When i arrived at
the top i was back in Switzerland. The customs, however, are further down, just
before the crossing with the Bernina road. The Bernina was to be the last pass of
the day, even if i cheated a bit by starting from above 2000 m. I felt anyway very
good when i had done this short and easy climb: the fifth pass was done.
After a pause at the pass i began to ride down to Pontresina. Broad road, not
steep, just let yourself roll down! When i saw the big hotels of Pontresina, with
all the tourists around the place, i did not feel so good. The landscape was
brown and grey because it was dry. I did not like this either. Well, then why
stop here? I decided to ride a bit further. And, without thinking much about it,
i just swallowed a sixth pass (all over 2000 m): the Albula. I was more or less
in an euphorical mood, no longer feeling any pain or fatigue. That's how i
reached the pass. Then i stopped at the first hotel down from the Albula. It
was at Preda.
| distance (km) | altitude (m) | climbing (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sta. Maria | 0 | 1380 | |
| Umbrail | 14 | 2500 | 1120 |
| Premádio | 32 | 1320 | - |
| Isolaccia | 37 | 1350 | 30 |
| Foscagno | 53 | 2290 | 940 |
| Madona di Soccorso | 57 | 2020 | - |
| Eira | 60 | 2210 | 190 |
| S. Rocco | 68 | 1820 | - |
| Forcola di Livigno | 78 | 2320 | 500 |
| douane (pt. 2054) | 83 | 2050 | - |
| Bernina | 86 | 2330 | 280 |
| Pontresina | 101 | 1800 | - |
| La Punt | 114 | 1680 | - |
| Albula | 123 | 2310 | 630 |
| Preda | 130 | 1790 | - |
| total | 130 | 3690 |
Stage 5: 22 July 1994
There is still a long ride down from Preda. Unfortunately the road is no longer good
andits surface is very irregular. If this is not important while riding up, it is hard
or even dangerous while riding down. At Bergün i almost had an accident. A boy
was running on the pavement (US English: sidewalk) when i approached. I thought that
he may want to cross the street and was therefore ready to brake. And actually he
crossed just in front of my wheel. I had no time to do anything. even if i had
envisioned this situation. Fortunately i just didn't hit him. Sometimes the noise of
an engine would be better than the silence of a bike...
When i arrived at Filisur i still had to ride further down along the valley in order
to pick up the street that climbs on the other side towards Davos. To add more
useless climbing, this road goes down again between Wiesen and the Landwasser
tunnel. This tunnel is almost 3 km long. Uphill. Not a nice ride by bike. I
therefore decided to take the way along the river. It is actually prohibited to any
traffic and is not very well paved, but still much preferable to the tunnel!
The ride up to Davos was nice, first between steep rocks, then in a broadening
valley with more pastures. From Davos, the road goes along the small lake of
Wolfgang, then over the pass of the same name. The descent to the Prättigau
valley is cut by a short climb at Klosters and by some flat stretches. The steeper
stretches allow interesting speeds. Once in the valley, however, i still had the
second half of the stage to ride, almost completely flat and much less
interesting.
When i finally entered the Linth valley (canton of Glarus), i was able to take
advantage of tail wind. This is a common feature of alpine valleys that the wind
blows uphill during the afternoon when the weather is good (i don't want to bother
you with the thermodynamics behind this). I therefore continued to the town of Glarus
and then looked for a place to stay. I was really surprised to be out of town again
before seeing any hotel. Not willing to ride back i decided to ride on. Once there
was a sign indicating a free room, but when i went there they told me that it
was actually already rented and that, no, they don't change the sign in this case.
What a service, especially compared to what i saw a couple of days before in
Austria! Finally i found a room in a very small hotel at Leuggelbach. The room
service had not yet been done because the room maid had her free afternoon.
She finally arrived... just when i was coming out of the shower.
| distance (km) | altitude (m) | climbing (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preda | 0 | 1790 | |
| Filisur | 16 | 1030 | - |
| Alvaneu Bad | 21 | 970 | - |
| Wiesen | 31 | 1420 | 450 |
| Landwasser-Zügen | 34 | 1210 | - |
| Davos-Wolfgang | 54 | 1630 | 420 |
| Klosters-Selfranga | 62 | 1180 | - |
| Klosters-Platz | 63 | 1220 | 40 |
| Saas | 71 | 990 | - |
| Küblis | 74 | 810 | - |
| Landquart | 96 | 530 | - |
| Walenstadt | 123 | 420 | - |
| Netstal | 153 | 500 | 80 |
| Glarus | 156 | 470 | - |
| Leuggelbach | 167 | 560 | 90 |
| total | 167 | 1080 |
Stage 6: 23 July 1994
There was a further surprise at that hotel. I had asked if it was possible to pay by
credit card and had been told that it was. When i asked for the bill, however, the
lady of the hotel did not really know what a credit card was. I had only three or four
swiss francs left, but finally the boss decided to accept to be paid in italian lira
(i still had enough of them from the previous stages).
The first part of the ride was a good warm-up: up along the valley towards Linthal.
Then the things became more serious with the steep (but beautiful) climb towards the
high valley of Urnerboden. Once there, it is possible to relax a bit because the slope
is very gentle for a couple of kilometers. This gives a good opportunity to appreciate
the landscape, especially the great rocky barrier on the north-west side of the
valley: magnificent in the morning sun!
Then the climb to the Klausen pass went on. The road was again steep and winding.
This pass is really one of the most beautiful i know. And i am not the only one to
like it, according to the number of bikers and motorbikers seen on the road. It was
Saturday and the traffic was increasing when i reached the pass. After a well
deserved stop, i hit the road again towards Altdorf. It is a long and fast ride down.
Some stretches are cut in almost vertical rocks. Vertiginous!
As i reached Altdorf i still had some 90 km to ride, obviously less exciting than the
Klausen. The heat and exhaustion were slowly getting their toll on me. After the
climb to the small lake Türlersee i made a last stop at Aeugstertal. Paul, a lab
technician who was working in our research project, lives there. I was glad to get
something cold to drink from him. After talking a bit about my bike tour with Paul
and his wife Olga, i went on towards Oetwil an der Limmat.
This had been one of my most beautiful tours but i was glad to get back home. To
relax... and to review the great memories gained during this week.
| distance (km) | altitude (m) | climbing (m) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leuggelbach | 0 | 550 | |
| Linthal | 10 | 660 | 110 |
| Hinter Stafel | 19 | 1310 | 650 |
| Port | 22 | 1370 | 60 |
| Klausen | 31 | 1950 | 580 |
| Unterschächen | 44 | 990 | - |
| Derelen | 45 | 1040 | 50 |
| Altdorf | 56 | 460 | - |
| Flüelen | 59 | 440 | - |
| Tellskapelle | 63 | 510 | 70 |
| Brunnen | 72 | 430 | - |
| Seewen | 78 | 500 | 70 |
| Baar | 108 | 420 | - |
| Türlen | 119 | 660 | 240 |
| Landikon | 134 | 490 | - |
| Dietikon | 142 | 390 | - |
| Oetwil a.d.L. | 146 | 420 | 30 |
| total | 146 | 1860 |
PS / 3.11.1997