I decided before we traveled
to Switzerland to rent a bicycle. I had
to run into town enough last year, for groceries or whatnot that it would be worth
having, and I could go on some rides from Kandersteg or on days when the other
wanted to shop or rest.
Based on the untours
recommendation, I searched and found Veloschoepfli
Zuercher, and Rolf himself. We made arrangements via email before I left
and he had a bike picked out and ready for me.
Rolf speaks great English (Aussie style). I took the train down from Kandersteg to Frutigen and he set me
up with an emergency tool kit and a spare tube, and gave me directions to
Kandersteg. On this first trip, I missed the bike route and ended up on the
main highway. Not a problem, the road was fine and traffic there is very
respectful. It just wasn’t as pretty. I
gradually climbed the valley and don’t see the turn he had described to get on
the mountain bike route.
Eventually, I was wondering
if I had missed it. I had, but I was able to ask a Post Man for directions, and
he told me where I could catch the route.
In a mile or so I found the turn. Now, this is how it is supposed to
be. A nice gravel path through farms
and woods, over small streams. Suddenly
the trail climbed a very steep hill. I could not stay in the saddle. I ended walking almost the entire hill, 200
yards or so. Only when I reach the top
is there a sign-“Steep Hill. Walk Bikes. Watch for Others. Warning!”. I didn’t feel so bad after that. The trail then was more gentle, and followed
a rushing river, crashing over rocks.
Another warning sign told of rapid rises of the river in the event of release
from the hydroelectric dam above. Very
few people were around, as I approached Kandersteg they gradually increased in
number. Most of them were out for casual walks along the river. The houses
gradually increased in number and soon I was in town. Time for a cold bier or an ice cream.
The first time down was at
the tail end of the Gasteranal bike ride, and back up! That was one of the most beautiful days I
have seen, and the day I found the complete bicycle route.
The last time on the route
was the day had to return my bike. I
was not very happy about that! It was
another warm, clear day. I knew the route now, and knew how to stay on the nice
bike path the entire route. As I
entered town I noticed something I had not passed before, or had not
noticed. For a considerable length of a
fence, between the rail line and the road, the fence had been painted with
large drawing of Swiss things. Toblerone chocolate, a Swiss guy yodeling and
making cheese. SBB railroad.
FRUTIGEN. Green Peace and more.
I headed further into town.
It was really getting hot. Suddenly I
came upon 50 or so kids, a big mob, marching and shouting. Some had their faces
painted, a couple were in costumes.
They were high school age and led by several boys carrying huge cow
bells and banging on them loudly chanting.
They were obviously competing to see who could be the loudest. I approached them from behind, and as I
overtook them, one broke off from the group. He quickly moved towards me, and
at the last minute, I see he has a plastic bucket and he douses me with
water. IT FELT GREAT! I kept going and pulled up in front of them
to take a picture. I located the one
who got me and waved him over. He was a little nervous, but finally did. I gave
him a card with my website and told him in broken German to look for picture
next week. Then he shoves a megaphone
in my face and tells me to say something.
I yell into it “Nexte Wock, Nexte Wocke!” Laughing Out Loud, I head on to the bike shop. I related the story to Rolf, they were high
school kids celebrating the last day of school before the summer holidays.
I returned my bike and chatted with Rolf a little. He surprised me
with a water bottle with his Team/Shop logo and some postcards. Shaking my head about the kids, I walked off
the train station for the ride back to Kandersteg. We left the apartment the
next day to spend a couple of nights in
a B & B in Reuti.
Photos, Frutigen to Kandersteg-shots from several bicycle
rides between Frutigen and Kandersteg
Topographic
Map-(this links to Swiss Geo, need specific link for area)