For a long time this year I was plagued with the problems with my shoulder and was unsure whether I could even do a ride like this with three passes. This year I have only been on the Schwägalp, Vorder Höhi, Klausenpass and a few small passes in my region by bike. The desire for an adventure was profound to say the least and I finally wanted to know whether my shoulder could withstand such a ride.
On Sunday morning I spontaneously decided to take advantage of the weather and finally do this ride with the three passes. I didn't have a plan B if I couldn't make it, so there was only the option of arriving back in Andermatt. 😀
The starting point was Andermatt, which I already knew from other mountain passes I had ridden. And so after a short ride to Realp, the first ascent to the top of the Furka pass would be on the agenda. The ascent is very even and the landscape is mesmerising. The 13 kilometers with 893 vertical meters were really over in a flash, even with some sections having double-digit percentage inclines. I've already ridden the Furka Pass from the other side and I personally think it's more scenic from Realp. Without a break, I went straight into the descent, past the abandoned Hotel Belvedere. After about 20 kilometers I came to Ulrichen, where after a short flat stretch I started the ascent from the Nufenen Pass. The temperatures were finally so comfortable that I could take off my leg warmers for the climb.
I hardly encountered a cyclist or car on the Furka Pass, however the ascent from the Nufenen Pass was busy. On the 14-kilometer ascent, the gradient was actually always between 9 and 12 percent, which I felt. Towards the top the switchbacks became less, this caused me to slow down 😀. However I didn't want to stop until I got to the top. After I had covered the last few meters of the 1132 meters in altitude, it was time for a break, eat a bar, refill water and enjoy the landscape for a moment. After I had put everything on again, I went to the next descent to Airolo where the third ascent was waiting for me. The descent from Nufenen left its mark, my shoulder was getting tired from the ride.
It was at this point that I had to stop after the first 3 kilometers ascent from the tremola, the cobblestones were too much and my shoulder became too tired for the continuous shaking. I stopped in a small bay and sat down for 15 minutes to eat something again and thought about how I could do it now. I plan to stop every 3 kilometers and take a short break to loosen my shoulder. I was still motivated and with my plan in mind, I continued on the last 9 kilometers of ascent. Back on the bike, I was able to really enjoy the ride again and my shoulder was no longer proving to be an issue. However, after 6 kilometers I actually wanted to stop, but it went so well that I just kept going and thought to myself that I only need a break at 3 kilometers before the top of the pass. But the break wasn't necessary either, as I could really go up at my pace and in the end I rode through it and was once again fascinated by what the body was capable of.
When I arrived at the top, I was really happy and also relieved to have made it. It's just always an indescribable feeling to have done such a ride with multiple high mountain passes and I can't put into words how much I enjoy each one.
Then the last descent went straight to Andermatt. My adventure had come to an end and I was already looking forward to the next one.
Here is the link to the tour on Strava: Furka - Nufenen - tremola
