Toughest ride of my life

Toughest, because I didn't have an e-bike with me!

22.5 miles, pretty much all off road with an elevation gain of 5,290ft and a maximum elevation height of 5,646ft.

About quarter of the way into the ride out here in Switzerland, I met some hikers who's reaction was " Oh my God, you must be crazy" and then went on to tell me to turn back! After carrying the bike for the next mile or so, I could see why! I received a similar reaction when I went into a sports shop at the next village. I'm a stubborn and competitive git at heart, and the reactions made me even more determined. I actually made good ground, but had to set myself targets of trees, rocks etc to reach. Interestingly despite the hundreds of pedal mtb's here in Lauterbrunnen, I came to the conclusion that the riders must just use them on the flat, as I didn't see any other bikes on my ride today.

The ride taught me that my fitness level is way better than I'd thought, and that despite the hundreds of e-bikes that are out here, I have only seen one e-mtb for sale. Okay, my route today was pretty extreme, but it does seem as though the bike shops here are missing a trick.

I'll have to wait until I'm back in the UK before I can link to today's route, and the various photos of e-bikes that I've been snapping.

The average speed belittles my effort, but if you look at the two previous rides from the same location, it's easy to see the difference. The satalite image also helps.

http://app.strava.com/activities/173489863

Edited July 31, 201411 yr by EddiePJ

Wow Eddie! Can't wait to see your pictures!

I bet the scenery is glorious to ride in! I read an article about the Tour de Mont Blanc in a mtb magazine a few months ago. I expect that was pretty similar. They had to carry their bikes lots too. Pity you can't have a sherpa to do it for you!

Thanks TK.

I'm struggling about uploading photos etc using the mobile, but hopefully this first one of the rough terrain will work.

http://rs973.pbsrc.com/albums/ae217/eddiejefferies/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140731_120907_zps5b3e47d7.jpg~320x480

Eddie, sounds brilliant.

The question is, did you miss the battery?

My guess is that you had a fantastic ride despite its absence.

Yes and no really. I've managed to sneak out and do three rides so far, and I have to admit that upon the return from each, I've looked at Strava and thought that I must have ridden double the distance that I had. I was grateful for not having the battery when I had to carry the bike, and equally, I have loved the challenge of pushing myself. The downside is that my joints are agony, and it even hurts to touch my knees. I'm definitely going to be getting a peddle only MTB when I get back to the UK though, and have been hassling for the owner of this bike to sell it to me. Sadly it won't happen though.

Sorry that the photos are grainy. The weather and light have not been good. Today has been the only 'almost' rain free day!

Can you imagine leaving this miles from anywhere in the UK.

http://rs973.pbsrc.com/albums/ae217/eddiejefferies/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140731_105821_zpse8715449.jpg~320x480L

http://rs973.pbsrc.com/albums/ae217/eddiejefferies/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140731_110634_zpsd3c0bcbb.jpg~320x480

At least the view from the chalet was good this morning.

http://rs973.pbsrc.com/albums/ae217/eddiejefferies/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140801_125110_zps0a0792f1.jpg~320x480

I have also been out snapping photos of e-bikes again and spotted one of those lovely red Specialized in shop window.

Edited August 1, 201411 yr by EddiePJ

The downside is that my joints are agony, and it even hurts to touch my knees

Volterol Pain-Eze Emulgel has helped me a lot. worth a try if you can get hold of some. I tend to be very dubious of stuff that's advertised so much but worked miraculously for me.

Smells good, doesn't burn and also takes the itch out of insect bites!

Dave

I've changed my mind, this has been the toughest ride of my life!

Sitting down to pedal and the front was lifting, standing up to pedal the rear just span. This was one tough short ride, that had me trying to spew up:(

1683ft elevation gain over 2.1 miles.

http://app.strava.com/activities/175353799

http://rs973.pbsrc.com/albums/ae217/eddiejefferies/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140804_173110_zpsbd157bc0.jpg~320x480

http://rs973.pbsrc.com/albums/ae217/eddiejefferies/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140804_174217_zpsb309feac.jpg~320x480

Edited August 4, 201411 yr by EddiePJ

Photos never show the severity of the slope do they. I'm beggining to think that there are some trails that two feet cope with far better than two wheels. Before now I had the expectation that it was possible to ride up virtually anything.

Did you enjoy coming back down?

Thanks Tk. Holding the phone on the cross bar in the photo on the bend, I was getting a consistent 30 degree. I guess that most of the route was this.

The ride down was sadly spoilt 22yr old V brakes, hikers, and those angled metal grates, which were very slippery on the bikes bald tyres.

You are right though, walking it would had easier. I'd still like to try it on an e-mtb though.