Biasca -> Brig Via Lukmanier, Oberalp and Furka

The warm summer continues, certainly making up for the extended winter in central Europe this year. So heading out again on the first train from Basel to Biasca, breakfast prepared in disposable cartons to be eaten once on the train after changing at Arth Goldau. Works for me like this, breaks up the journey and you get to eat 1-2hr before the ride starts.
Stepping out of the train, onto the road, and its obvious that the temperature is warmer than when I started from Biasca two years ago -  but looking back, it was October 1st when I rode Lukmanier and Oberalp - hope the summer lasts as long this year!

Uri -> Valais

The major difference today of course is that I'm set for a triple pass ride, a big stepup from a double. Today I climbed the never ending Lukmanier at a slow pace, and took the friendlier bike path sections in places, not a major divergence from the main road, but enough to make it a bit more interesting.
First time to tackle the Furka from the east, and its a different beast from here. Normally its a relatively short ride up from Gletsch, but today it would be over 1000m climb, so much more time to enjoy the scenery.

Hotel Belvedere, Furka Pass

Once off the major part of the descent of the Furka, its still 40km to Brig, but this is all downhill, with some minor undulations for small villages, down through Valais and certainly one of the best parts of this ride. Nice to be able to pedal at speed, passing through the small villages and finish on a high, descending to Brig is a recommended endpoint for these alpine passes, much nicer than starting there and heading upwards for 40km like I did last year.

Belchen / Blauen

This ride has to be worth a mention as its the first time to do Belchen and Blauen in a single ride. Each is a good distance and big ride out and back from Basel, and to get between the two would involve an additional 2 passes, so this was always going to be a big day.

Also first time to sample the Schwarzwald kirschtorte at the Belchen restaurant. This fuelled me all the way to Blauen, no need for power bars after this coffee and cake stop.

Basel -> Interlaken

Tested the Boardman CX Pro for the first time fully loaded with camping equipment on a trip from Basel to Interlaken. The bike coped well, apart from 2 punctures. One was unexpected pinch, could be a spoke, then the replacement tube went which I thought was new until I found it was a repaired patch which eventually melted in the heat and came unstuck. Is it worth repairing tubes? It might be in Switzerland, as 3 spare tubes cost me 30CHF in Steffisberg.

Next day was the Klein Scheidegg free from luggage which always feels good to shed early in the morning. Had to wait for a heavy thunderstorm to pass in Grindelwald, after which I had a free route up the Scheidegg. Pity the garmin ran out of juice here.

The route up is totally always too boring for a mountainbike, the CX bike was good but my gears are far too high generally so making this uncomfortably steep at times. Down to Wengen the path is smooth, some parts would benefit from suspension forks, but its the part down to Lauterbrunnen which is not so nice. Rideable, just on the brakes the whole time.

All done, back to Manor Farm campsite, showered and tent packed before checkout at 12noon!

Leaving the Jura behind

Lauterbrunnen

1st August - Swiss National Day

Susten - Grimsel - Furkka equivalent of AlpenBrevet silver, with additional run down to Flüelen.