Ok, I'm still recuperating from a run on Saturday with my new club - VC Aegeri.

Oberageri, over Ratten, down to Pfaffikon, back up over Sattelegg and then Ratten again. 1500m climbing in 80km.

Long story short: I got a total beasting, and I don't even think the super tanned and super skinny swisses broke a sweat. The only time I saw any weakness at all was when the "fat" german had to sit on a wheel for a while on a flat section. And by fat I mean he had a BF index of about 15%.

I mentioned that I was still 6kg overweight (25% BF too ), but the polite swiss look I got tells me "hmm...more like 16kg mate".

My query is: is my experience normal? Should I resign myself to a lifetime of hanging the wheels of these whippets? When and where can I use my strengths (sprinting) on the road to exact some revenge?

Consider yourself lucky. You just found a group who will help bring out your best. Be gentle with yourself as you catch up, and persevere!

Stick at it - take enough 'beastings' and the extra kilos will come flying off and soon you'll be keeping up with them without problems.

Just don't over do it lke I did and end up with an injury!

...man up, hang in there and work hard. It's all a matter of getting used to the work out. If you got a pair legs and can ride a bike, then it only has to do with determination, resilience and hard work. Get out there and check back in a month or so.

Are there any other cyclists here who are members of any clubs? Any racers etc?

Not sure, but none of them are as fit as our Vicky, surely?

nice bike !

Bike? What bike?

that chunk of carbon fibre that the beautiful sexy naked woman is holding.

do you suppose that comes with pedals?

( there don't appear to be any in the photo )

That bike'll go faster if it had some pedals on.

NIL NIL! You remember your Dove vs VS post?? Now, THIS is a woman

That's because the Swiss have been genetically engineered.

They're not human.

They're all Replicants, I tell you!


(A little reference to my favorite film, Blade Runner.)

Next time use an electric bike.

Me too. Did the 4-lakes route from Engelberg over to Melchsee-Frutt and then down to Stans. http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/118740321

Took some lifts on the first sections out of Engelberg (though not ll the ones we could have) but then rode (or walked, up one or two steep cliff climbs) the rest of the way. About 45km riding, I reckon, with perhaps 15km of that off-road, some of it _very_ hairy.

Knackered, I am.

The entire range of levels exists here. But, the ones that are serious about it are very fit. They've been riding up passes since before us auslanders knew what a pass was. Some of the fittest riders I've met have been locals.

Only 15km of off road on a 45km route around there... You're doing something wrong.

Yeah, wanting to survive it. The off-road was 40% tough climbing, 40% narrow, rocky, unstable and steep downhill and only about 20% nice enjoyable flattish riding. And off-road doesn't include surfaced cycle trails and the like.

Anyway, it was the most I've done for years, and I was pleased to still be cycling on the uphill sections back to Stans.

Ah so you mean 40% of the off road was real mountain biking?

But I thought it was just about "Pedal to go faster, balance well coming downhill, try not to fall off" Maybe you need a lesson!

About "do you suppose that comes with pedals?"

You mean the bike?

You are definitely gay.

You have got further than I have. I used to enjoy (ok, that's a bit of stretch) participate in 4-6 hour weekend rides (with a cake stop) before I moved to Switzerland... they were nice, pleasant affairs with friends where nobody got dropped and it was possible to have a conversation on the flat if you really wanted to.... and cyclists would wave at each other as they went past. Then I moved to Switzerland, took one look at the local road cyclists and haven't got on a bike since. Yes, I'm a quitter. I don't stand a chance of keeping up with those club cycling machines, and while I'd love to think that I could take on a pass or two, the reality is that I'd still be peddling forwards as I actually rolled backwards. Good for you for taking up the challenge!