The following will be added to over the next few days and whilst the trip happens. I shall gradually add details about rides, bike prep, bike, spares and equipment carried, and anything else that I can think of.
As some may already know, I head off to the Swiss Alps once a year and this year is no exception. Sadly it is only for a week though this time, as we are visiting friends in Germany for the first week. Hopefully, I'll get back out there again in October though, to make up for it.
For those that don't know about my Swiss trips, we have been visiting the Jungfrau region for over 30 years, and for the last four years I have been taking an eMTB for some 'proper' climbing fun. I've never really had interest in down hill riding, so being able to put in some epic climbs in the mountains, is my dream holiday.
I've completed many notable climbs and rides, but as a starter the following one has been my most meaningful. (please excuse the link Rob) Giving something back
Beyond the above, YouTube has proved quite inspiring, and created two more memorable rides, each of which I have completed on more than one occasion.
The first was this descent from the Schilthorn. I decided that if it can be ridden down, then it can be ridden up. It still remains my toughest climb, but it is one that I complete on each visit. The guy in the clip took the cable car up to the start of his descent, and when I first watched the clip I couldn't understand why he went seemingly slowly down the concrete section. When I reached it on my climb, I quickly realized why! I still haven't made it up it yet, as the bike either looses traction, tries to loop, or both! I'm going to do it this year though.
Even riding down it for the first time was very scary. The route isn't actually an mtb trail, and is just a hiking trail. The first time that I rode it, I was given permission to do so. This climb also showed me just what kind of stress that the poor old batteries have to put up with. When removing the Bosch battery to change over, the outer case was so hot that I didn't really want to put it into my back pack.
Strange how film never shows just how steep that something is. From the clip, the ride looks almost flat, and I can assure you that it isn't. To date I have only made it up as far as the 1.10 point in the clip, and the concrete strip is at the 1.50 point.
This is how the climb to roughly the 1.10 point looks from the ride stats. I have reached just beyond Birg, and hope this time to reach Piz Gloria, although I may well tackle the climb from a route that no one has yet documented, or even possibly tackled. More about that another time.
The dreaded concrete strip.
Getting near to the top.
This is hopefully going to be my alternative route. I have got as far as the 34 second point but from a different direction, but had to abandon the climb due to two very nasty and aggressive dogs.
More to follow.
As some may already know, I head off to the Swiss Alps once a year and this year is no exception. Sadly it is only for a week though this time, as we are visiting friends in Germany for the first week. Hopefully, I'll get back out there again in October though, to make up for it.
For those that don't know about my Swiss trips, we have been visiting the Jungfrau region for over 30 years, and for the last four years I have been taking an eMTB for some 'proper' climbing fun. I've never really had interest in down hill riding, so being able to put in some epic climbs in the mountains, is my dream holiday.
I've completed many notable climbs and rides, but as a starter the following one has been my most meaningful. (please excuse the link Rob) Giving something back
Beyond the above, YouTube has proved quite inspiring, and created two more memorable rides, each of which I have completed on more than one occasion.
The first was this descent from the Schilthorn. I decided that if it can be ridden down, then it can be ridden up. It still remains my toughest climb, but it is one that I complete on each visit. The guy in the clip took the cable car up to the start of his descent, and when I first watched the clip I couldn't understand why he went seemingly slowly down the concrete section. When I reached it on my climb, I quickly realized why! I still haven't made it up it yet, as the bike either looses traction, tries to loop, or both! I'm going to do it this year though.
Even riding down it for the first time was very scary. The route isn't actually an mtb trail, and is just a hiking trail. The first time that I rode it, I was given permission to do so. This climb also showed me just what kind of stress that the poor old batteries have to put up with. When removing the Bosch battery to change over, the outer case was so hot that I didn't really want to put it into my back pack.Strange how film never shows just how steep that something is. From the clip, the ride looks almost flat, and I can assure you that it isn't. To date I have only made it up as far as the 1.10 point in the clip, and the concrete strip is at the 1.50 point.
This is how the climb to roughly the 1.10 point looks from the ride stats. I have reached just beyond Birg, and hope this time to reach Piz Gloria, although I may well tackle the climb from a route that no one has yet documented, or even possibly tackled. More about that another time.
The dreaded concrete strip.
Getting near to the top.
This is hopefully going to be my alternative route. I have got as far as the 34 second point but from a different direction, but had to abandon the climb due to two very nasty and aggressive dogs.
More to follow.
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