Mittelland Route #5

We made it! Jeff and I arrived back today from our five-day Switzerland bike tour. We had planned to leave 14 June but we postponed a day due to poor weather. The tour started in St. Gallen and brought us through Zurich Airport, Baden, Aarau, Olten, Solothurn, Biel, Yverdon-Les-Bains, and finally to our destination Lausanne (google earth). It was a painful and enjoyable 408km (my butt is killing me). We had perfect weather and Jeff has the sunburn to prove it.

We were fortunate to be joined by friends during various parts of the trip. Simone joined us on days 1 & 2, Esther on day 2, Antonia on days 2-5, and Rahel on days 4-5. Our first night was in a Schlaff im Stroh near Kloten, but instead of sleeping on straw in a barn we slept on plastic mattresses in a garage with farm machinery. The second night was a bed and breakfast near Aarau with an anal retentive host. There was literally a sign hanging in the washroom explaining how we must brush our teeth over the sink. The third night was in the Lago Lodge Bistro, Brewery, and Backpackers in Nidau (near Biel) and the fourth night was in a Backpackers in Yverdon-Les-Bains. We had a delicious barbeque on the last evening.

I am extremely pleased with the progress I have made with my fitness level. Back in March I committed myself to controlling my weight, changing my eating habits, and getting in shape. This bike trip clearly demonstrated to myself that my efforts were not in vain. I biked harder, faster, and farther than I ever did before. No more bonking!

I hope to make another multi-day tour this summer. There are still numerous places to explore in Switzerland and I may even feel up to trying one of those mountain passes.

Enjoy the photos!