Gruyère Cycle Tour

At long last it was the Swiss challenge. Up a mountain and down again PLUS the Go With Crow prizes to be drawn. When we left for Europe, the total was getting so close to the £1000 -please please let's get the target!

Anyway, down to Switzerland we go- this was not without its moments such as driving onto the ferry, the car's main engine warning light decides to come on. Oh S**t! Luckily, 400 miles and 2 pit stops later, the light went of its own accord (by this point I'd spoken to Toyota who said "oh, it might mean nothing- see how you get on"- very reassuring!) so we could relax (according to Toyota!!)
We had a bizarre stop off in Strasbourg- why the Tom Tom took us there I have no idea but after 8 hrs of driving we didn't really care.

Anyway, the following day and 2 hours driving got us into Bulle and to the hotel. Brilliant- we didn't have a room, we had an entire flat! Big enough for my bike to have its own room! Nice little town too- for a first visit to Switzerland, this Gruyère region looked like... well, it looked like Christmas!

Race nerves were hitting in (actually I think it was more about the language barrier- my French is awful but I kind of muddle through with a bit of O level French and arm waving/pointing) though when I checked my email, Go With Crow had made it to the £1000- BRILLIANT! Just in time for race day and the Ball when the tickets would be drawn!

Race day arrived with perfect weather and I set off to meet the Cervo Rosso guys- a great cross section- people from Canada, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, UK (hope I didn't miss any countries out guys) and all ages, from 15 up to.... well, up to me!

I think someone said there were 1500 riders. Great atmosphere (when I could understand!) and great riding. Team Cervo Rosso were, e'hm, somewhat faster than me on the climbs and they'd left me standing within 10 miles. No problem- I was here to ride and it was brilliant. Col de Mittleburg was a beast of a climb. Gradients ranging from 5-10% and that was (from the time-point) about 11k to the top. I was timed at 52m55s... a steady plod and not the slowest. It really didn't matter- the views were stunning. At the top of the hill (well, mountain!) I took a rest at the feed station before the descent. Plenty to drink and Gruyère cheese to eat- smashing!

at the top of Col Du Mittelberg

I'd heard to be careful on the descent so took it steady to begin with. If I couldn't see 'round the corner, sit on the brakes just in case. It was great fun! Loads of hairpins, dodgy road surfaces and marshals.

So I completed the descent and got to the split point (2 distances and I was on the 85km 'green' route) and I was pretty much on my own. I plodded on until I eventually made it to the '25km to go' sign and I spotted some Brits! I knew they were Brits as one was wearing 'Kilo to Go' shorts. Turned out, Steve was living in Switzerland but his Yorkshire accent gave him away as being originally from Huddersfield! If you're reading this Steve, get in touch! So I took shelter with his group for a while to save some energy. This I did a few times- piggy backed from one group to another and it made this last stretch far more fun. It was about now the first of the longer distance peletons started coming through- and at a hell of a speed- bloody impressive to an old plodder like me!

balcony view of the race from our apartment

We were soon back in Bulle and riding up the street where our hotel was (above pic is shot from our balcony with the hotel shown clearly- told you it was nice!) and about 2k from the finish- minutes later, it was all over. I'd survived my first Swiss hill!

We regrouped for a beer and team photo before heading our separate ways- hope to ride with some of the guys again! Think I'll need to speed up a bit first!