Our planned 9am start was nearly 2 hours late but worth the wait. Rode a loop west of Andermatt taking in St Gotthardpass, Nufenenpass, Grimselpass (again!) and Sustenpass. All superb but didn't realise until it was too late that St Gotthardpass has an old and a new road. We rode up the superb new road but inadvertently came down the old. Scenic and quiet but not a patch on the new one. For a start, there's lots of cobblestones and very little silky smooth fast tarmac. The cows were quite amusing though - hanging off rock faces and ringing their little bells. Definitely won't make that mistake again!
Pulled over in Andermatt and got chatting to some Italian chaps about routes east. Catherine didn't find the language barrier a problem and used the age old method of going doughy eyed, nodding and laughing loudly at everything they said. She's not seen a comb or makeup all week so despite her best efforts she had about as much chance as I did with the two young French lesbians in the tent next to mine the previous night.
Oberalppass good but not as good as i thought it would be from reading up on the routes around here.
Started scraping stand for first time today. Also first near miss dropping bike at standstill. Stopped near a junction and bike started leaning too far to right. Catherine didn't notice but thankfully she moved over to left at exactly the right time to get a better view of some cyclist having a wee at ride of road.
Hoofed it past a Ducati 996 at full bore on Nufenenpass. Now that's a great road!
The 19 from Disentis to Ilanz doesn't look special on the map and Catherine's new Italian pin-up said it was nothing. We actually thought it was quite entertaining so were pleasantly surprised.
Got talking to some Swiss chap at a fuel stop. Don't think i'm getting old or anything but he was riding a Harley that actually looked kinda ok. All black, quite 'modern' looking (for a Harley). Belt drive so obviously part of their 'sporty' range. He then told me it weighed 250kg! What on earth do they carve those things from?
Overtook a little French looking 3 wheeled tractor thing on way to campsite. The driver started shaking his fist at us as we passed. Judging by speed he was going I think we woke him up.
Loads of cows in valley near campsite. In true Swiss fashion every one of them had a cowbell. They were restless and noisy during night. We actually hoped for rain just so they'd lie down and shut up.
Picked up some muesli from shop. it's quite funny to hold the packet in front of your face then move it away and the view doesn't change!
Ate dinner in restaurant by campsite tonight. It looked like cafe food - spam (although Catherine assured me it wasn't), fried egg, Mattersons sausage salad etc. Bottle of house wine, beers, coffee and apple strudle. Bill came to best part of 50 quid! For some reason we both honestly thought it was delicious and agreed it was worth every penny! I think we've been away from Yorkshire too long!
172 miles
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