Radtour 1: Birsfelden – Arlesheim – Schönmatt/Gempen – Dornach – Leymen – Challpass – Laufen – Birsfelden, 77.9km, 1151hm
Radtour 2: Zürich – Buchenegg – Sihlbrugg – Hirzel – Schönberg – Wödenswil – Zürich, 64.1km, 838hm
Although this blog’s intention was to report my trail running activities, you should have already realised that I do not limit myself to running. Over the last two weekends I finally opened this year’s cycling season. 2 rides with in total ca. 150km and 2000m elevation gain is a good start – and I felt how much I missed it.
The first ride (in Basel county) was even special to me since I have not been cycling those roads before. Mastering an up-to-20%-steep wall in the climb from Arlesheim to Schönmatt and floating on the empty roads in the region of the Swiss-French border, gave the tour a very nice impression. I only got really tired – and slightly angry – on the way back from Laufen. Instead of enjoying the final flat 25km in a time-trial manner, I struggled with strong head winds that took some of my motivation and a lot of energy. However, there were some rewards waiting for me back home: feeling happy about my first cycling tour this year, delicious Schnitzel and Kartoffelsalat and one of the best Paris-Roubaix races in the last decade.
With the second ride, I also opened the cycling season in my backyard in Zurich, starting with a good pace on my favourite climb in the region (Buchenegg), continuing with nice views to the central Swiss alps (e.g. from Auegst and Hausen) and finishing with flat ride along West bank of Lake Zurich.
It is not sure what the next weekends bring (running, cycling, tennis) – what is sure is that you will read about on Lauftrek!