27.03.2009, 10:21
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| Seeking tips on bike route Lucerne-Interlaken-perhaps further
Warning: long post Dear cycling friends, I am unfamiliar with planning and nuances of cycling in Switzerland, so I would appreciate any tips/guidance on a holiday I am planning for myself. Note: this is not a hardcore biking trip, but a normal sight-seeing holiday into which I am squeezing in as much cycling as possible without torturing myself. As of now I am alone for the biking part, but I might get lucky and pick up some company along the way, or at stopovers. Proposed itinerary: 2 April Thu: Zurich to Lucerne. Approx 50 km This leg seems manageable. After the first 25 km or so, I enter National Bike Route 9, and just follow it to Lucerne. Overnight halt at Lucerne Youth Hostel. 3 April Friday: Lucerne to Interlaken. Approx 65 km. National Bike Route 9. Overnight halt at Interlaken Youth Hostel. Park the bike there. 4-5 April: Non-biking day 4th morning: Catch train to Chateau de’ Oex. Join a Zurich-based friends’ group which will be reaching there by train. The plan is to celebrate some private event there with snow hiking and relaxation. 5th Evening: catch train back to Interlaken. Overnight halt at Interlaken. 6 April Monday: Depending on body condition, return to Zurich by train, or cycling full or part way. I am not reserving accomodations for return leg, to stay flexible. So, the route is Zurich-Lucerne-Interlaken-Chateau and back. I am using the standard Switzerland biking map available from the Swiss Post; I could only briefly make out the altitudes on the route, but not much. As I said this is not a hard core biking trip. I don’t mind stepping off the bike and pushing it for the uphill sections I encounter on the way. Now I have some specific queries/concerns: Is the Lucerne to Interlaken section doable by bike now? I mean, does it have some mountain passes which aren’t open at this time, is it that high, or is it more like our Uetliberg in terms of topography? Will it be more than 5 degrees colder than Zurich? Will the road have snow, in which case cycling may be impossible? Can any of you post the altitude-distance graph such as the ones Patrick posted recently, for this route? Given that I won’t be biking steep uphills, and given that I am not too comfortable on my road bike, is it better that I use an upright touring bike? Don’t want to bother myself renting a touring bike unless it is worth it. And this one is just in case : Suppose me and bike are in good shape; body and soul are willing: does anyone know about the Interlaken-Chateau section on National Bike Route 9? Does it entail mountain passes, or can I attempt it on bike as well? I would appreciate your suggestions/pointing to aspects which I, coming from a tropical country, may have overlooked. Also I have intentionally not looked at weather forecasts becos it is so hard to predict, and I will plough on in rain or cold (I will have flashing light and flourescent bands, warm clothes and a firm resolve ) Thanks! p.s. apologies for any trolling readers who might not have found anything useful after such a long-winded post; as I said it was addressed to my cycling friends  |