Test tour around Lucerne
Only 50 days until I head to Alaska. I've been looking for cycling partners for my upcoming Pan-American Highway tour (and am still looking for those starting in the US and further south), and Till has contacted me. He'd like to cycle with me in Alaska and maybe again in Bolivia.
Cycling Basti
To see if we could get along for three weeks, we originally planned a tour around Siena two weeks ago. While I was already on my way there, I received a call that he wouldn't make it in time due to bad weather in Norway. I still visited Florence and Siena, but without my bike.
Florence, Siena and Mantua.
Last weekend, at Easter, it finally worked out. After a pleasant 5-hour train journey from Munich, I arrived in Lucerne.
Day 1: Northwest
Under beautiful sunshine, but still a bit chilly, we drove through Lucerne into the hilly pre-Alps, similar to the area south of Munich.
Till initially had some trouble with his clipless cycling shoes. Once we found the problem, we had to cycle back a few meters because one of the screws in the shoe had come loose and been lost during our last photo stop.
The route wound up and down along small roads. For lunch, there was a bread roll and an Ovaltine milk at a gas station. Since Till avoids main roads at all costs, the route added up some elevation gain and a bit of gravel.
In the evening I racked up some more kilometers when I cycled to the cinema, as Till had plans to meet me (17 km). I had actually wanted to explore the city after the film, but the movie lasted longer than expected.
Day 2: Northeast
Day 2's route took us back through Lucerne. The first real climb began right in the city: 200 meters of elevation gain with an 8-10% gradient.
All the elevation gain that day was absolutely worth it. Reaching the highest point, we found a nice inn and enjoyed a good lunch.
We continued our journey along fantastic switchbacks and a high-altitude trail with superb views of snow-capped two- to four-thousand-meter peaks. Given the warm temperatures, we treated ourselves to ice cream by the lake. For dinner, we enjoyed the delicious Barilla Bolognese with spaghetti.
The return journey the next day also went smoothly (just the usual train delays). Before heading back, however, I took a look around the old town of Lucerne.
Conclusion
We would have liked to drive further into the mountains, but due to the snow conditions and the resulting closure of the mountain passes, we had to head north into the hilly foothills. With the beautiful weather and the altitude gain, that was perfectly sufficient.
Even though we weren't camping or traveling with luggage, it was fun, and we got along well. Till was significantly faster and more athletic, so he's still considering it. But I would be very happy if he joined me from Fairbanks to Whitehorse.
Next…
… I'm off to get vaccinated. My bear-proof jerrycan has also arrived. Otherwise, I still have a few small errands to run, like getting wider tires for a more comfortable ride on Alaska's gravel roads (better suspension).
Cycling Basti
Just a few more days and the adventure begins. The first 10 days and 800 km in Alaska will be truly unique, without cell service and with only two gas stations. More on that soon. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss a thing.
I'll be doing a Q&A (question and answer) on Instagram in the next few days. So stay tuned.