Epic ride through Dolomites and Alps

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Epic ride through Dolomites and Alps - part 5

By John Harden, 28/12/2013 20:16:09

Log book says I had 2 beers in one of the small local bars last night. There were only 4-5 other patrons and the bartender spoke very little English. It was a good night.

Swiss Alps

Log book says I had 2 beers in one of the small local bars last night. There were only 4-5 other patrons and the bartender spoke very little English. It was a good night.

Up early the next morning, had a quick breakfast at the hotel and it was off on the road.

Andermatt is fairly high up in the Alps, so at 8 AM, it is pretty cold.

Well, actually, it is just below freezing F., so the going was a bit slow.

Even at these altitudes, the water run-off is still evident. It is also very beautiful!!!!!

Getting close to the top of the first pass out of Andermatt!!!!

The higher I go, the colder it get's and the fog is still hours away from lifting.

Yes, it is both high and cold!!!!!!

If you're not familiar with what glacier movement will do to solid rock over a generation or so, take a look at this road side mountain face. Glacial action is slow, unstoppable and leaves very definite signs when it has passed by a particular area. Very cool!!!!

Yes, it is cold, but the temperature isn't nearly as bad as you might think!!! I'm a total sissy when it comes to being cold. Here in SoCal, when the winter temps drop to less than 50F, I break out the heated gloves.

Big differnece between home and the Alps is speed. At home, I'm buzzing along at 75+ MPH on the freeway. At altutiude in Switzerland, I was MAYBE averaging 30 MPH.

Very stark difference in the comfort level!!!

In any event, here's my very lonely bike parked at the top of Furka Pass!!!!

Only other people I saw up there was a local couple who offered to take my pic!!