La Riondaz

Click on this photo to see more pictures...



One of our Bike Switzerland riders (thanks Ed) joked that we should add this climb to the Challenge Tour...It's rated the hardest climb in Switzerland, and the 5th hardest in the world (out of 5,000 rated climbs: http://www.climbbybike.com/climb.asp?Col=Rionda&qryMountainID=5550) .

Not one to shy away from a challenge, I not only attempted the climb but tacked on an additional 100km to get to and from the base. I'm also wanting to put my bike through the works having just re-adjusted my hub and perfectly trued my wheels.

I got off around 10 am and rode pretty easy through Montreux and up to Lavey-Les-Bains except for one stretch where I hooked up with a group riding in from Geneva.It's just too hard to let a peloton go by!

At Lavey-Les-Bains I stopped, stretched and refueled. I was a bit worried about the temperature...it was hot and sunny and high noon. Still, ignoring the temptation to enjoy the springs and pools in Lavey-Les-Bains, I started up the climb.

The 15km climb went from steep to steeper with very few stretches below 10%. Switch backs were spaced very close together and I could tell the descent would be a nightmare.(and it was)...After a few hundred meters of climbing, I reached the small village of Morcles where I found a much needed 'Swiss water bottle filling station'! I drank a few bottle fulls and filled up my two empty water bottles. I was sweating profusely and did not want to get dehydrated. I also dunked my head in the water to try and cool down.

From there I continued to climb and the conditions got worse. The paved road ended at a farm and now I'm struggling through gravel and sharp rocks with a 14% grade. This has to be what gave this climb the high difficulty rating. I passed a few hikers on the way up, and all cheered me along.

Finally I made it to the 'summit' where I strolled around a bit, took pictures, and enjoyed the views and fresh air.

The ride down though was a rude awakening. After about a km of steep descents while navigating my littel wheels between menacing rocks I decide this is too much and just walk the bike down. I touch my rims and they're hot enough to cook eggs on. Good thing I stopped. What a waste though to walk down a hill!

When I finally reach pavement, I try to ride, but here too, it's so steep and the switchbacks are so close together, I quickly note that my rims are getting hot and hotter.Nice smell of burning rubber... I walk a few switchbacks and finally decide, enough is enough, and I'm going to ride.

I go as fast as I dare (hoping the wind will cool my rims) but I'm still braking hard at these switchbacks.... Finally, after a few kilometers my rear tire blows out.

At this point, I call Zach and ask if he can walk Tigger and Telly as I'm not sure how long it's going to take me to get off this hill. Fortunately he can do this, so the time pressure is off.

So I go into my Zen bike mechanic mode, let my rims cool down, and replace my tube and nicely patch the blown one (for next time!).

I finally walk,ride, walk, ride my way down and then kick up the burners to ride from Lavey-Les-Bains back home. It's so nice to be on flat terrain. And I have a tail wind too!

I stop in Aigle at a farmers market and buy some fresh squeezed apple juice and 3-4 apricots. The sellers got quite a kick out of my bike and I enjoyed some light conversation with them.

From Aigle, I hoped to find another group of cyclist to share the work, but no such luck. Still my legs felt reasonably good (hydration is key!) and I pumped my way home!

All in all, I'd say this was an adventure, but not one I want to repeat!