With a stage overview and team strategy out of the way the Aussie boys showed their travel experience by stockpiling fruit and rolls to eat on the trail - something Ross picked up on very quickly !
Leaving Basle was a breeze compared to arriving as we rode past the city`s outer environs into the wide open green fields and meadows that make Switzerland so picturesque although passing a piggery that made Henleys socks smell like Eau due Cologne and singed nasal hairs !
Early climbing in sunny conditions saw us joking about the beaut weather and about bagging an easy Col - how wrong we were to be on both fronts !
Soon losing our route sign we navigated by off line GPS taking us through lovely villages that swept us from Switzerland to France and back to Switzerland on numerous occasions.
Taking time out for a mid morning cuppa gave us a chance to talk to Ross about all the valuable things that Australia has given to NZ over time - e.g. possums, lessons on under arm bowling and an opportunity to become our 7th state - decision pending !
Back on the bikes we climbed out of Winkel to have our first high speed descent with my pannier fueled bike reaching warp speed (about 68 kms /hr) with my front brake still on - scary !
We mistakenly took the undulations one hill too far realising that we had to backtrack completing the climb kust in time for a passing shower and a 10c temp drop !
Cycling to Courgenay took us on paths through beautiful Swiss countryside and then onto our first big challenge of the trip a 4 km climb at an average of 10% (in parts 15% plus) to bag our first Col !
The lightweight Kiwi and his carbon fiber bike excelled leaving the big Aussie boys in his wake, Kev battling away from one side of the road ( down to 4.8 km/hr at one stage) to the other and self walking about 3/4 of this testing climb not much slower than Kevs cycling !
Regardless we all made it safely to the Col De La Croix at 795 meters with Kev lamenting on my decision to bring the camping gear ... ` you fu&%ing idiot Litchfield`!
The descent into the next valley and St Ursanne was breathtaking with brilliant views of forest scenery as well as of an impending rain cloud of end of earth dimensions !
Sure enough half way down the heavens opened up causing a mad scramble for the wet weather gear. Both Kev and Ross struggled to stay warm Ross in particular suffering !
We made it into the superb medieval village of St.Ursanne cold and wet with H pleading for a room at the first hotel we saw ! Ross feeling the worst grabbed a hot shower and slipped under his bed blankets to warm up rueing his earlier outrageous claim ` no probs I brought the good weather with me `! (Hogwash!)
Refreshed, the boys snuck out for a well earned meal of pasta and vege at slightly less than Kenyas GDP !
With stage 1 described as moderate it is a little worrying to read that days 2-4 are described as strenuous to difficult !
Ok you two, now the real fun starts. H make sure you take your 12 doses of oxygen improver before starting, and Mega you had better do some walking exercises in preparation for all the unexpected uphill walking you'll be doing. Me? I'll be having a big breakfast and having a really relaxing day working! Enjoy!! PJ
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