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After a hearty breakfast of müsli, eggs and some Delizio java, mo and I kissed Siggy goodbye and headed to the Engelberg bahn to drop a bag (Mos clothes to Grindy) and a box (random ish we are sending to Andermatt). Free of belongings, we set out on the descent from Engelberg to Stans. Nuking along, we passed a few small towns and made good time for the first ~15 miles

As we turned around Stans to head back up, a light rain fell and we passed some top notch Swiss barns (VT take notes)

We climbed up passed Stöckalp and the gondola base for Melchsee-Frutt. Just as we passed the base station, a nice thunder crack had us bunker down for 15 mins and wait for the rain to lighten up

Rain turning to mist, we set out on the switchback climb up to the top of Melchsee-Frutt. The ski area here looks incredible with night skiing and plenty of A net to go around. While steep, the climb began to reap panoramic view rewards

Frigid once reaching the top, we hopped into a restaurant to crush some hot cocoa and soup. No also got her Garmin charged enough to last the remainder of the ride

We had originally planned on doing this ride in reverse the day before, but were advised the top section was too snowy. Luckily the part we rode was free and clear (except for one patch of snow) and we cruised around the three lakes. Also at this point, the rain stopped and we were graced with some life saving soleil to go with the views

Then came the descent from Engtenalp to Innertkirchen. Mo loves cows and they were nice enough to let us pass

Reaching Innertkirchen, we started the long ~4.5k ft climb up the backside of Grosse Scheidegg. A pit stop at Rosenlaui for water and barely enough food to avoid a major bonk had us summiting around 4:15pm (~7 hrs since leaving Engelberg).

We cruised across to Shreckhorn to try to grab some food but the restaurant was closed. Turning around, we made a beeline for town

We bought some new brakes (prob long overdue) and settled into C and M restaurant for some bier and salmon and ravioli and tomato/mozzarella and bread and anything else the waitress put on our table. Fairly zonked we soft pedaled to the hotel to check in and are now crushing some Pizza, ice cream, and more bier (college never ends!!)

After a long sleep and relaxing breakfast, we headed into town for another bike rental expedition. While doing so, we asked some people at the shops about our planned ride for the day. All around we got a resounding “yeah that ride’s not possible, there’s way too much snow on that route.” Undeterred, we were advised on a few other routes. First up was an out n back up the valley to blackenalp. The riding was paved at first, but turned into some tough climbs at the end – as well as a pretty spectacular view.

We also ran into some sheep and cows along the way.

After reaching the end of the riding trail, we turned around and headed back to the apartment for some lunch. We also packed a bag to send on the train to grindelwald so the that we have fear when we arrive there later this week. Then we headed out for another “quick loop” up to trüebsee – a lake on a plateau above engelberg. The climbing was pretty brutal – and even the mighty Gunnar had to get off his bike and walk a few sections (I know, very rare). But the views were worth it, and so was the descent.

A hearty Swiss breakfast and we were off from Interlaken towards Grindelwald and then Grosse Scheidegg. Google maps took us an alternative way up to the Grindelwald/Lauterbrunnen split which was ideal until we got on some gravel (Siggy had rented a true road bike). Undeterred, we eventually rejoined the car road to Grindelwald and made it up to town by 11. Siggy made a strategic water bottle purchase while I sneak attacked Mo with some sunscreen to the cheeks.

From Grindelwald we began the ~900m climb up Grosse Scheidegg. This paved road is only open to bikes and a bus, so it’s great for climbing/descending. The views aren’t too bad either.

From the top we watched some guys fly their gliders (motorized takeoff then riding the thermals and doing loops)

Also, Mo debuted her innovative Split (p/b Jake Perkins) and apple combo

We descended the backside of Grosse Scheidegg towards Meiringen which is also paved with 10/10 views

We also stopped at Rosenlaui hotel for lunch featuring an apple (the fruit) designer and some Apfelschorle

After descending we rode towards Brienz where we were treated to 4 Swiss jets coming in for landing and then forced to stop so they could taxi their planes into their “hanger” (the side of the mountain)

We cruised around Brienzersee and made it back to Interlaken in good time. Siggy had to return his bike to Lauterbrunnen so we all biked up and then Mo and I raced (on our bikes) Siggy (on the train) back to Interlaken. Winner will be announced later, but I heard it was a photo finish as the bikers barely caught the beginning of a torrential downpour. In Engelberg tonight plotting tomorrow’s adventures as this blog is being penned. Stay tuned…

We arrived in Zurich this morning, picked up Sigfried and the rental car, and headed up to the mountains. After checking in to our pad for the night, we build our bikes on the patio – with a stunning view of the jüngfrau.

After all the setup, we headed into town to pick up a bike for Sigfried. Little did we know that the demand for road bikes in these parts is slim, and hardly any shops carry them. The afternoon turned into a chase around town to find a bike. Ultimately sigfried ended up driving to lauterbrennan to get a bike from the shop there, and Gunnar and I road up there to meet him. Along the route were some more tremendous views.

After making our way back to Interlaken, we headed into town for an inaugural Swiss dinner. The roesti, Wiener schnitzel, and geschnetzeltes really hit the spot.

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Short spin out to get the legs going

soon

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Short little warmup ride with Steve before packing up the “medical rehabilitation equipment ” and loading the bags into the rental car (thx, Jeff!)

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

heading to JFK for an evening flight to Zürich. Siegfried will be picking us up and then we’ll drive to Interlaken for the night. System is ready for some fondue and kubels.