Bike to Work 2010

Bike2Work organised by Bicycle Victoria. Cloudy and drizzle, 17km Bonbeach to Moorabbin and back.

Dave prepared breakfast at the office.

Zermatt

This is the last ride in Switzerland, taking the train to Zermatt (1600m) via Visp by train. Then up towards Gornergrat (3000+m) but only halfway due to the unridable and extreme terrains.










From Visp the MGB continues the journey towards Zermatt, a very beautiful resort where there were no cars allowed. The transport inside Zermatt is done by electric vehicles.










From Zermatt the Matterhorn, a famous and deadly alpine peak, is clearly visible and looks majestic. From there I took the road up in the direction of Gornegrat which normally taken by train. The road soon became narrow gravel track - first rideable then impossible.










Some photos of the more rideable section. At this stage I had reached halfway and about 2000+m. It was very tiring to ride at this altitude.










There is a restaurant in the middle of nowhere and mainly serving hikers and occasional mountain bikers. The view from the table was amazing and food was great.

Lausanne to Vevey via Lavaux - Mt. Pelerin

An easy 30 km ride from Lausanne to Mount Pelerin, via the beautiful winery region of Lavaux. This was the route taken.










At Lavaux and meeting the Lavaux Express taking the tourists for a view which I rode before.










Beautiful Villette.










Towards the left of Chexbres the view is Swiss Alps, to the right it's Lausanne.










Nearing Mt. Pelerin and the famous Vevey-Mt. Pelerin Furniculaire. I had a Rivella drink then rode downhill to Vevey and took the train home.

Morzine-Avoriaz (Tour de France)

I took the Elation to another long ride, this time up the mountain of Morzine-Avoriaz to see Tour de France.










The climb was 500m to 1700m in 45km. I tried to conserve the battery by pedalling but it's just simply a big climb. Battery was ok up to Morzine (45km) but on the way down I was tempted to race a few bikes downhill and flatten the battery at km 60. But from there it's all downhill,

I did 50kph with no motor and no pedalling. So the total trip was 90km with battery available to 60km.

Around Lake Geneva

Note: This was originally written for Endless Sphere. It is also featured in Elation website.

I took the Elation for the most torturous test to date. Starting from Lausanne then going around the lake Leman (lake Geneva) to Montreux, Vevey, Villenueve then crossing to France - Evian, Thonon and various small towns along the way back to Switzerland in Geneva.

Total distance was 136km and took 11hrs to complete (relaxed riding and enjoying scenery). Hence I took the frugal approach with the battery, basically to use it only on ascending part. And there were *a lot* of it. I saw the first yellow indicator light at 120km past France and approaching Geneva. Then the next 15km saw the first red light. Not bad at all for a tiny battery package!

Route map (google)











Departed 9:30 at the picturesque Ouchy area of Lausanne then on to the road between Lausanne and Montreux. Perfect weather!











Off the beaten track nearing French Border. The border itself was like a toll booth and the person just simply waved me on, not interested in any passport. Visited endless French villages like this at Yvoire. If I had to stop and take pictures everytime I saw something interesting I would never got to my destination!

Everytime I park the bike people would glance at the motor/battery. Why eBike is not yet a primary transport in such beautiful and hilly countries actually beggars belief.

Lausanne to Lutry

Cycling from Lausanne to Lutry. Close ride of 15km return. 30°C. Moderate to Extreme climb