Anticipation of what today would bring had some cyclists worried – the last 40 kilometers would get us to the top of Andermatt some 3300 feet of climbing. Read to the end of this entry and you will find out if they were justified in worrying. Leaving the youth hostel at 8:30, the cyclists were to lead the van to a location where we were to meet. Lo and behold, they made a wrong turn and then Anna had no choice but to get on the freeway and not to downtown Luzern where we had arranged to meet. I have to say that those of us in the van said a few prayers hoping we would be able to get back to where we were supposed to be. Thanks to our trusty TomTom we did get to Luzern where we took pictures of the famous bridge – this bridge is known as the Chapel Bridge - a wood bridge first erected in the 14th century. Due to its location on the shore of Lake Lucerne, within sight of Mount Pilatus & Rigi in the Swiss Alps, Lucerne has been voted 5th most popular tourist location in the world. I had to glean this info from a faithful blog follower back in Canada.
From downtown Luzern the cyclists followed the bike paths which would take them around Lake Luzern – I should mention that the sun came out this morning and it was clear blue sky. At a designated spot we were all to meet up again before a ferry would bring us to a point on the other side of the lake. We were thankful to connect – you feel so much better when you have seen each other and know that everyone is safe and accounted for.
Another stop was planned for 20 kilometers further – those getting groceries had been told to make sure we bought some honey – this would be the energy food that would be added to the water bottles and eaten on bread before the steep climb. We found the honey and the cyclists were like bees around the van getting their fix. Then the climb started in earnest – the van would start up first and wait at spots where it would be safe for the cyclists to stop. Pictures will never do justice to what we saw today – everywhere you looked you would see mountains and the mountains in Switzerland are so different from those in Canada – lush green grass and trees almost to the top. Little villages are nestled in the mountains and we wonder how any one can even get to the houses that are so high up. The sun just continued to shine – at one point we saw a thermometer and it read 22 degrees. In the shade it was a lot cooler and the cyclists had to pass through some tunnels and would feel chilled when they got out. It was amazing how many cyclists were on the road today as well as lots of cars and motor cycles. It was a bit scary to say the least but I am writing from a passenger in the van’s perspective. There was no room for error and motorists would get very frustrated driving behind Anna who was protecting the cyclists.
At some points the TomTom would be so confused especially when there were railway tracks, an actual freeway and the road that we were travelling on all crisscrossing the mountain side. Betsy would tell us to turn around when possible – we did not listen…. The road we were on is the original road that went up to this place hundreds of years ago. It goes back to the Roman days and was used for horse and carriage travel – consequently the grades were forgiving. The van was instructed to make a trip to the motel at the top, unload the passengers and luggage and go down again to see where the cyclists were at. We were amazed how quickly the first cyclists came into view – they were only about 2 kilometers from the top and as we made our way down, we only had to go about 9 kilometers in total and all the cyclists were accounted for. The first cyclists arrived at the motel just before 4:00 – the last cyclists made it in by 5:00 – we were all so pleased when everyone arrived. The outdoor patio was in sun light yet and happy hour was outdoors. Those who cycled to the top said it wasn’t so bad – it was a perfect cycling day – lots of colour on faces and arms and legs – really healthy glows.
We are staying at the Hotel/Restaurant 3 Konige tonight – a few steps up from the youth hostels - a well deserved rest for those weary bones…..dinner was there as well and our menu included salad with smoked duck breast tranches, consommé with vegetables, Picatta Milanese Spaghetti, followed by coupe Nesselrode for dessert. The meal was delicious and having some red and white wine served along with it made everyone very sleepy so it was off to bed very early.
Tomorrow we have a day off and we have a train trip planned……will tell you more about that tomorrow….or whenever we have internet connection – I have 3 days events waiting to be posted but the signal is too weak here to do so….it will be coming.
Distance cycled 90 kilometers Flats 1 Total Flats 17
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