I just moved to Zurich two weeks ago and now i also have my racebike here and want to try out the local roads. Is there any sites showing good and interesting routes with paved roads? Are there any fun groups to ride with to learn the roads from? (I will be out of town the coming two weekends but might be able to squeze in a weekday ride).

Are there any interesting passes which can be reached with less than a 200km (preferably less than that) roundtrip from Zurich?

I can also be convinced to come for a run, swim or lake swim (as soon as my wetsuit gets here or the water gets warmer).

Hi there,

I've been in Zurich for about 3 months now and know a few nice road routes and have done some of the local passes. Would be happy to go for a spin sometime and show you a few of the routes.

Cheers
Nick

Sounds good. I will be out of town the coming two weekends but either a weekday morning anytime or a weekend when i am in town and i am on! I have sent a private message with contact details.

I am somewhat of a sunshine cyclist so i avoid riding when it is raining.

There are a few on here:
http://www.bikely.com/listpaths/country/234

The real mountain passes should open up in a few weeks. Catching the train is ideal for bike riding, eg train to Fluelen, ride the Klausen pass, train back from Ziegelbrucke (or as far as you get), all up CHF 32- (tickets+bike with half price card).

Its been good to start some training in the last sunny four weeks we had. Post here if you are going out for a ride and I'll do likewise.

We lived along the Sihl river between Zurich and Leimbach, near Manegg station of bus and train stops. I can recommend two good rides for after work. You could also start these rides in Zurich, just follow paths along Sihl river. One path follows Sihl river and train line upstream, and you will find climbing roads from the terminal station of Sihl line going east to Thalwil area. Another good workout climb takes the path from Sihl river area up Uetliberg, also parallel to a train line. To qualify my suggestions, I'm a mountain biker, and as I recall they had only a few areas of pea-gravel, with rest being hard surfaces.

Otherwise, I found good bike trail maps available in Jura region (Chaux-du-fond?, city clock making museum), where you can ride from French border back to valley of Cressier to Neuchatel (all paved, well marked, scenic, few cars, with bike friendly trains). I suggest taking a camel bak for the end of ride wine tastings. I would caution about leaving anything on a bike you chain to bike stops, as ours were stripped of toolbag and pump.

I quite agree - use the train to make sure that you can explore as far and wide as possible with the bike. Last year, I started this thread about all of the different options you have for taking a bike on a train in Switzerland. If you ever make it down to the Lausanne region, then let me know and I can give you lots of tips. E.g., if you're looking for a virtually flat and extremely scenic ride, then the 180km around Lake Geneva is pretty nice. There are also many nice passes in the Jura and Alps around here too, though.

@Kevinmatrin: I was running along the tracks down from Utliberg and to me it was clear that there was way to much gravel for my taste. I have followed the Sihl for awhile on foot and even if there is much paved road it is narrow and I would not like to try to ride it a good speed, does it get better further away from town?

I prefer doing the training riding from home so that not to much time is spent on trains and such.

No, behind Adliswil there is a small, unpaved path on the left side of the Sihl and a paved but interrupted and a bit curvaceous bicycle path on the right. Nothing for road bikers really, but the left side is interesting for those who favor unpaved routes.

These two routes, especially the lake tour, are better choices for you: