Belinda's Black Forest Raid: part 3

The plan for the first day in the Alps was to ride the famous four local passes, each in excess of 2100m. But it was very wet and cold, even in Meiringen, so we decided to drive the route instead. Glad we did. It was grim on the Grimsel, there was fog on the Furka and gloom on the Gotthard and it was nasty on the Nufenen. But on a clear day (and it was when we did these on a previous trip), this route is about as good as it gets. Better than the Selle Ronde and the Marmotte, in our opinions. The following day was bright and clear. We were to climb the Grosse Scheidigg, then back via Grindelwald and Interlaken. The Gosse Scheidigg (1961m) is a 17km climb on a steep, narrow road, but there are two or three flattish sections mid way, which does help to relieve the pain of some (15% plus) ramps. The views were spectacular. To our left were the Wetterhorn, Jungfrau, Monch and Eiger. This really is the most beautiful climb and descent imaginable. We had a rather lumpy 12km ride back beside Lake Brienz and then a final flat 16km to finish an 80km loop.

We are already planning a longer stay at the Bierhaeusle next year...

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