Time to start to piece together a few of the rides from the recent trip to the Swiss Alps.
This particular ride which was a climb of 10.2 miles (16.41km) with an elevation gain of 6,354ft (1,936m) started in the Lauterbrunnen valley, and finished at the cable car station of Birg.
The intention had originally been to continue past Birg, and try to make it all the way to the top of the Schilthorn. I was quite apprehensive about tackling this particular climb, as I completed it last year, and found it very daunting and tough. The first half of the climb is okay, and just takes in a compacted road stone surface and relatively easy rock gardens. From the mid-point, the riding conditions and gradient of ascent change dramatically and according to the recorded stats, vary from 30% up to 48%. The biggest issue last year was the altitude. With a final elevation that is 8,064ft (2,458m) higher than my home town in the UK, I became very out of breath, and struggled badly because of this. Last year when I tackled the climb, I had no idea of what to expect, and came close to quitting the attempt several times. It was only encouragement from passing hikers that spurred me on to complete it, and I received a cheer when I reached the cable car station. This year, knowing what lay ahead, I felt beaten before I had even begun. Not a good place to be in your head.
The climb to the mid-way point was uneventful and fairly easy, but when faced with the first major climb which was loose stone, I came very very close to turning the bike around. As I had started out on the ride fairly early in the day, there were no hikers about, so at least that was one less pressure to deal with for the first climb. The route is a series of zigzags, and last year I just about made it to the top of the first stage of the climb which was probably about 164ft (50m) long. Things didn’t go well this time around, and I lost traction about three quarters of the way up, and ground swiftly to a halt. At approaching a gradient of 30%, I had no choice but to either push the bike or go back down to a ditch that had been dug to act as drain, and start from there. I choose to go back down, and somehow managed to claw my way back up again.
At the first corner and grateful breathing space, I was once again contemplating turning back. After catching my breath, gave myself a kick up the backside, and decided there and then that quitting was not going to be an option.
With the change in mental attitude, the next few sections of the climb went surprisingly well, and I became very positive. Last year I had to stop at every single bend to regain energy and breath, but this time around, I was managing to skip about every second stooping point, deciding to dig deep for energy.
Then my nemesis came into sight. Two concrete strips cast into the mountain at an indicated 47% gradient. I don’t know about 47%, they looked near vertical as I approached them. They are also covered in pea size stone, that has washed or rolled onto them, and trying to climb the 262ft (80m) long strips is I suspect nearly impossible to do. I say nearly, as I don’t like being defeated, and will make this climb one day. As you can already guess, that wasn’t the case this time though, but I gave it a good shot. Loss of traction, inadequate gearing and front end of the bike that was trying to loop backwards, all conspired against me. I was left with no option, but to sort of fall sideways from the bike, pick the back wheel off the ground, change down through the cassette to a high gear, and use walk mode. It is highly frustrating that walk mode is completely useless, unless a high ration gear is selected. Selecting first gear, the bike wouldn’t even move forward.
With this section of the climb out of the way, I remembered that the rest, whilst very technical, wouldn’t present any issues. How wrong I was! It hadn’t occurred to me that this is an ever-changing environment, and what was passable last year, had now turned into a path of loose sliding rock. Momentum was key to keep moving forwards, and once again luck wasn’t on my side, and I was forced to stop, when I met two groups of hikers. Once again, and after they had passed, I was left struggling to get started again, and once again walk mode had to be used for about 10ft (3m)
After this, the latter stages of the climb went fairly well, but the route that I choose last year, was no longer even there, and I was sort of forced to make the rock climb up as went, trying to look way ahead to pick a clean line through.
I decided when I reached the last climb that lead towards Birg, that I had the energy to continue along towards the Schilthorn. Within minutes I decided to turn back and just head up to Birg, as I could see many hikers, and as wasn’t overly sure which pathway to take. I was meeting my wife and daughter at Birg anyway, and the original plan had been to take the cable car up to the top of the Schilthorn, which would then also give me the chance to view the climb from above.
I reached Birg to yet another cheering and complimentary group of tourists, that then proceeded to take photos of me, and fire an endless amount of questions at about the climb and the bike. Of course, I was quick to point out that I’d never have attempted to the climb on anything other than a KTM.
After locking the bike up, and catching the cable car up to the Schilthorn, I quickly crossed any chance of tackling the rest of the climb off my list, as there were just too many hikers on the trails. Given that the whole route was a hiking trail, I wasn’t about to go upsetting any hikers by trying to force my way past. As an old friend* once said to me, “the mountains will always be there waiting for me” so I shall just add the final stage of the climb to either an early morning, or late even attempt when no one is around.
One last point... Just as last year, the altitude took it's toll on my climbing abililty, but after completing other rides, I know that it takes me approx ten days to become accustomed the altitude, and the difference in respect of fitness is measurably improved.
https://www.relive.cc/view/1086419096
* For those that know me through TRC, it was Single Speed Pete that gave the wise words of wisdom, and whilst he may not be with us any more, I still think of him when I am riding in the Alps.
Approaching the start of the climbing 'proper' with the destination cable car station in sight.
The start of the first tough climb, begins at the wooden hut.
The two concrete strips of dread! Photos just don't do the steepness of this any justice at all.
Next challenge, which again the photo does no justice to the slopes true steepness. Frustratingly traction was lost when I reached the hiker. The surface was very loose, and surprisingly difficult to ride.
Something easier.
Back to technical fun again.
Nearly there.
Final destination.
Just commuted my ride with some new topeak defender guards and another ultra bright front light. Tested the guards in the pouring rain.. again. Love the bike, never skipped a beat! 
