04/08/2019 – Getting schooled

Fortunately it wasn’t too much further to Strasbourg and I was certainly rewarded for my efforts.

Next thing on my mind was food. I found a lovely little pizza place where each slice was individually made. After a few slices I got back on the road to find my bed for the night which turned out to be in the edge of a farmers field again.

With an early start (ensuring the farmer didn’t catch me) I set off for Colmar. It wasn’t the nicest cycle of the trip just being down another canal but it was flat and easy so couldn’t complain too much knowing what was to come.

Colmar was stunning. Certainly the prettiest place I’ve been to this far on the trip.

Eating my lunch in the shade of a tree next to the river was certainly relaxing. Next stop was a campsite closer to Switzerland. Sadly the pool was closed when I arrived so I had to make do with a shower.

Another early start was required as the toughest day of the trip so far was ahead of me. 107km with 2,300m of climbing up to an elevation of 1,250m.

Stopping off early to load up with snacks and water, I headed off. The perk of all that climbing was that there were some exhilarating decent. Switchback roads through alpine passes made it all worthwhile. I also managed to see contrasting techniques of cow herding, one successful, the other not so…

Having arrived at the campsite in Switzerland, I was informed that I got a free pass to the leisure centre next door which had a pool. Even better than that, there were diving boards. There was no way I was doing the 10m board so I went straight for the 5m one and jumped off. On my next walk up there was a french kid who seemed really nervous. After trying to console him and say it’s fine, it’s not that scary and then preceding to jump off again. Swimming off to the side, I pause to see if he will jump in. He goes to the edge and then does a double backflip. When he surfaces he is chuckling away, turns out he was only nervous as it was a bit chilly.

Dinner that evening was at the campsite were left over snacks and some chips. Sadly I mistook the sugar on the table for salt so the chips tasted a bit funny…

In the morning I had my sights set on Lake Geneva and the town of Lausanne. To get there I went down some more incredible switchback decents and had unbelievable views of Lake Neuchâtel.

After some pizza for lunch the campsite was only a few hours away. It was certainly worth the wait as it backed onto Lake Geneva. An evening dip was certainly in order.

An early night was on the cards as I wanted to get an early ferry across to head to Les Gets where I’m planning on having a day off for the first time this trip. Not sure what to do with the day, may go out for a quick spin…