Once pro, now slow – through Switzerland with Emma Pooley and friends

It has been a few years since I rode with my old teammate Emma Pooley. During our career we have experienced a lot, on and off the bike, and because of many highs and lows together we have a special bond. Needless to say, I was thrilled about her invitation to Switzerland for a two day bikepacking adventure.

The plan of our trip was as follows: staying in Hausen-am-Albis south of Zurich, riding the Chinzig Culm pass (2,073m) via Muotathal and back the following day. That sounds easy, but when you go cycling with Emma, you know it will be a tough ride...

To survive this trip, I made sure I was well prepared. I took enough Snickers, sandwiches, chocolate, coffee, winegums, inner tubes and of course actual wine with me. It reassured me a bit when I learned that Emma had brought a few more friends along with her. I wasn't the only one she would have to wait for during the many climbs...

What followed was a tough but beautiful route with an insanely beautiful climb over the Chinzig Culm pass. The higher we cycled (or walked), the better the views got. Switzerland is so beautiful, so clean, it hurts your eyes.

On top of that, Emma and I realised something; after our careers as professionals, we reinvented cycling for ourselves, in a different and more fun way. This trip was great and illustrated that you can make new friends in such a short time. The living proof that you don't have to race together for years to become best buddies, but that you can really bond on a two-day cycling adventure.

Have a look at the routes of this stunning bikepacking trip through Switzerland below and for the complete travelogue and more pictures visit my website i-ris.cc/2020/07/24/switzerland-hike-a-bike-adventure-weekend.

By the way, the beautiful pictures were taken by Yorit Kluitman: instagram.com/pathfinder_giro.