Tour De Mongrel Dog

[Digger]

The bikes are loaded and ready to leave the Hotel after two nights in Andermatt on the beginning of our journey...



I'll admit...we cheated. We took a local train from Andermatt to the start of the Rhine River which begins its flow at Oberalppass which saved us a steep climb of 10 km which would have been soul destroying so early in the journey.

[Digger]

Rhys on his descent down from the Alps which involved many switchbacks and steep turns. It appears that every other bike around these parts is a R1200 GSA....the only ingredient missing is our Outback.



Once on 'the flat' after the Alps the scenery becomes less complicated and allows for more opportunity to take in the sounds and scents of the local environment.

[Digger]

The route (in this case R2 in Switzerland) is well signposted but if you blink you'll miss it. I don't have detailed paper maps but generally you just follow the stream of bikes in front of you...very popular with tourists this time of year.



Late summer colours of Europe...and then there is the hi viz; be seen, be safe.

[Digger]

On day three we found ourselves near Lake Konstanz (Constance) and after cycling 74 km we decided to catch a Ferry to our next destination rather than ride the 40 km to Shaffhausen.



The Ferry was a 4 hour trip so it made sense to kick back, enjoy the sunshine and relax a little. We knew the following day was going to be a big one.

Distance cycled to date : 288km.

SPOT Link is here :
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[jono]

The weather and scenery looks great I'm envious, but not when you describe 10km hill climbs

Did you take your own bikes or source them there?

[KoosWA]

Did you say Bike tour or Beer tour?

[Digger]

Did you take your own bikes or source them there?

Always take our own bikes on these trips...no surprises that way and you are already familiar with the gear when you arrive.

[Digger]

Did you say Bike tour or Beer tour?

You know what they say. All work and no play makes....

[Bozo]

Digger

Great trip and photos.

Go easy with the Falken beer particularly when you are off-piste otherwise you will come back an eagles supporter or lapse into being tyred and rotational.

Bozo

[Digger]

I f***** up...missed a sign and turnoff and ended up climbing up the MOAH; the Mother Of All Hills. At around #19 on the SPOT Tracker we changed direction and left the river. We had to climb a long, steep, hill which tested both of us. Longest climb I've done for a while. Once on the other side I picked up the scent again and found the river.



A nuclear power plant...one of five in Switzerland on the banks of the Rhine used to generate electricity. The edge of a cornfield in the foreground.

[Digger]

We arrived in Basel very late afternoon....there was a Critical Incident just outside the city centre involving the bomb squad. The exclusion zone was pretty small so I figured it was a Drill (or some bodies lunch gone off).



We have been on the road for 4 days and the last day involved a ride of 120 km....including the MOAH. We took a day off in Basel to rest and fatten up. Took in some of the sights. In this case, the Basel Munster, a church dating back to the 11th century.

[Digger]

Amen brother...praise the Lord.



The main train station in Basel....light rail and buses on the outside and domestic and international rail on the inside. Both France and Germany are only a stones throw away (about 2 km).

We leave tomorrow (Friday) and head due north crossing the border between France and Germany as the mood takes us (based on food and accn preferences).
Distance covered to date - 408km.

SPOT Link is here;
http://share.findmespot.com/shared/face ... UCtYLNPufa

[spacey1]

Love yer work Digger.
Are you not carrying your drone? All your previous adventures have featured some incredible images and vision from the sky

[Digger]

Basel is a Border town and within minutes of leaving and continuing North we left Switzerland and entered France.



The riding conditions were great. Level, sealed 'Tow Roads' between fields of corn with no vehicle traffic allowed.

[Digger]

We crossed the Rhine and entered Germany for lunch and then crossed back into France later in the day for Dinner.




We stayed at Neuf-Brisach, a fortified village dating back to the early 18th century, which was designed to guard the Border. While using the Drone to get this footage from the town square (centre of shot) we got busted by the local Gerndarme who told us to pack up and move on. Always better to ask for foregiveness than to beg for permission.