Tour of the Swiss Giants Picture 1
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Best Time of Year: May - October
Swiss Giants Cycle Challenge
Bike Adventure
Four days of cycling through some of the world's most spectacular mountain scenery, on impeccable Swiss roads, past lakes and waterfalls, over high mountain passes, and spending our evenings in idyllic resort towns.
We begin our Alpine adventure with a gentle warm-up along the banks of Lake Geneva, ridng the complete length of the lake before continuing up the valley towards the first climb of the trip, the 23km Col du Pillon. After summitting our first mountain, we will sweep down through the valley to our overnight in the pretty ski town of Schonried.
The first half of today is spent descending down to glistening Lake Thun, considered maybe the prettiest lake in Switzerland. After a 20km spin along the lake, we turn up the valley side, heading to the famous town of Grindelwald and our second major climb, the mighty Grosse Scheidegg. Grosse Scheidegg is almost unique in the world in that it is, for the last 18km of the climb and the 16km descent, completely car-free. You will be sharing the road only with other cyclists and the hourly postbus. Cycling heaven!
Day three is the big one. 140km and over 4000m of climbing, taking in 3 iconic passes, the Susten Pass, the Furka Pass, and the Nufenen Pass. This promises to be one of the most epic days on a bike you'll ever have, with unbelievable views, breathtaking climbs, and some of the best descending in the world.
Our final day of riding has us starting out of the hotel straight onto the St Gotthard Pass, one of the few cobbled passes in the Alps. Its snaking switchbacks, waterfalls, and tumbling streams make this an unforgettable climb. Don't worry, the descent is wide, fast, and flowing; completely cobble-free! The rest of the day is spent cruising through rolling countryside, hopping from lake to lake, soaking in the Alpine atmosphere. Upon reaching our final destination of Zurich we can rest up and celebrate an incredible achievement.
Itinerary
Day 0 Arrival Day - Arrive to Geneva in time for evening meal and event briefing (timings TBC).
Day 1 Geneva to Schonried– 132km / 2150m: Ride via Lake Geneva and the Col du Pillon.
Day 2 Schonried to Meiringen - 107km / 1930m: Ride via Lake Thun and the Grosse Scheidegg.
Day 3 Meiringen to Airolo - 140km / 4600m: Ride via the Susten Pass, Furka Pass, and the Nufenen Pass.
Day 4 Airolo to Zurich - 133km / 2200m: Ride the iconic cobbled side of the St Gotthard Pass.
Day 5: Return to UK.
Accommodation
We will be accomodated in comfortable hotels in twin and triple rooms.
Visas / Redtape
Non EU citizens should seek advice.
Included In Trip
Pre event support (training plans and guidance).
5 nights comfortable hotel accommodation in twin / triple rooms.
5 breakfasts.
Adventure Cafe cycle leader (mechanic + first aid).
Adventure Cafe support vehicle.
Adventure Cafe support driver (mechanic + first aid).
4 picnic-style lunches.
Baggage transfers between hotels.
Excluded From Trip
Evening meals (we will reserve a table for the group each night).
Flights.
Airport transfers (dependant on flight times Adventure Cafe will be able to transfer your bike to/from the airport).
Equipment Required
Kit lists specific to your trip dates and location will be issued upon enquiry...below is our guide advice to give an idea of what you should bring on a multi--day ride in Europe
Bike Items
Road Bike / Hybrid Bike (with puncture resistant tyres) - please call us for guidance on type of bike on a trip by trip basis
2 X Water Bottles (bladder system/cycle water bottles)
Cycling Gloves, Bike Lock, Neck Scarf, Inner Tubes*, Multi-Tool (with allen keys)*
Day Bag for support vehicle, Small Holdall (for overnight gear)
Bike Lights (front and rear, head torch can be worn)
Saddle Bag (recommended - can be used to carry asterisk* items)
Puncture Repair Kit*, Spare parts for your bike (specialist parts and spokes), Pump (suitable for your valve type)
Helmet (compulsory)
Personal Medikit Suncream, Plasters, Vaseline, Painkillers, Sunbloc, Insect Repellant
Washkit
Warm Clothing Medium Weight Softshell, Long sleeve Jersey / insulating layer Lightweight Gloves.
Cycle Clothing
Padded Lycra Cycling Shorts, Cotton Shorts, or Long Cycling Trousers (Tights/Tracksuit Bottoms)
Short Sleeve Cycling T-Shirts (wicking type material) or Cycle Top with rear pockets
Cycling Shoes (approach shoes or sturdy traners suitable),
Spare Shoes/Sandals for after ride
Casual Evening Wear - tracksuits, jeans, T shirts, fleece ...
Waterproof Clothing
1 Outer Fully Waterproof Jacket (gore-tex, e-vent) - comfortable to cycle in
Other
Travel Documents, EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) Credit Cards, Cash, Local Currency, Mobile Phone, chargers, EU plug adaptor, Sunglasses
Snacks for Cycling Days (dried fruits, nuts, flapjacks, cereal bars etc)
Travel insurance (not included), Passport
Important
Make sure you do not ‘over pack’ - bring only what is essential for the trip. It is advisable to check that your travel insurance covers the value of any expensive items of kit that you chose to bring along with you.
A final kit list will be provided in your ‘Final Joining Instructions’ pre-departure
Safety Information
Helmets are compulsory.
Please ensure you have had your bike serviced before departure.
Weather
We can expect calm and clear weather; make sure you pack sunscreen and sunglasses. As with any trip, we always hope for the best but plan for the worst. Particularly in the Alps the weather can change quickly; make sure you bring waterproofs and a warm layer for the descents. We may even have a sprinkle of snow on the summits.
Notes on Cycling Events
This is our standard range of Cycling Challenges in the UK, Europe and further afield. However, we offer completely tailormade itineraries to your specification. Call us to discuss!
Please note that for overseas point to point cycling challenges we can transport soft cases for bike transport - but not hard cases, due to space limitations on board our support vehicles.
On all our cycling events, please pack sensibly and bring a reasonably sized soft holdall type bag.
To participate in an overseas Adventure Cafe challenge - you must carry Travel Insurance (to be for the activity you are participating in, and to include repatriation to the UK).
Please also note that you should have a good level of cycling experience and be competent to handle your bike. We ride on roads shared with other vehicles - and you need to be able to deal with this safely.
Adventure Cafe Booking Terms and Conditions
By booking an event with Adventure Cafe, you agree to these standard terms of booking. Please ensure that you read the appropriate document for your type of event carefully.
Adventure Cafe Terms & Conditions - For all types of event
To Reserve Your Space on this Challenge
You should fill in the Google Form - linked here below, and then please call us on 01823 444 246 to advise of your payment method. We can accept card payments over the phone, or Bank Transfer.
Please note that your space is not confirmed until you have received your booking receipt.
CLICK HERE:
Adventure Cafe Challenge Booking Form - For Challenge Events