Switzerland 2021

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Monday September 6, 2021
Passo del Bernina

Tuesday September 7, 2021
Julierpass and Albulapass

Next
Wednesday September 8, 2021
Alp Anarosa

Today's goal is the 104km 2260mv loop of loop of Julierpass and Albulapass.

https://www.cycling-challenge.com/julierpass-albulapass-and-passo-del-bernina/

Down...

Up...

Down...

When I got to the tunnel in Silvaplana at the base of Julierpass, the sign pretty clearly said no bikes.
The tunnel did not appear to be bicycle friendly, so I assumed there was a better way.
I rode up... and I rode down....

08:52 Switzerland time 00:52 California time

I saw this sign and decided the road must be closed, and there must be another way to Julierpass.

I rode to the other end of town.

I then realized there was no other road other than the road they said was closed.
I went back and rode up the closed road.
There was construction at the top near the top of the tunnel on the main road, but yes this is the only road up to Julierpass other than the tunnel.

09:23 Switzerland time 01:23 California time

I noticed a several guys on a truck on the other side of the road with telescopes and rode over closer to them.
Then I realized they all had hunting rifles, they were searching for something to shot, ibex or chamois I assume.
I kept riding...

09:56 Switzerland time 01:56 California time

I underestimated the presumably easy side of Julierpass.
It was a busy road and not terribly scenic.
As usual, I bought some candy and a coke at the kiosk.

Dusty: That red building on Julierpass is one of the ugliest buildings I've ever seen, perhaps the ugliest considering its location
Dusty: Not even a hotel, i think it is art of some sort
Dusty: A few lights were on in every floor, nothing inside that i could see...

10:33 Switzerland time 02:33 California time

Bivio

10:35 Switzerland time 02:35 California time

Lai da Marmorera 1676m

10:45 Switzerland time 02:45 California time

Lai da Marmorera 1676m

10:46 Switzerland time 02:46 California time

While riding along Lai da Marmorera I realized I had a large truck on my tail.
The truck didn't have enough room to pass me safely, so he was stuck behind me.
It was flat to slightly downhill along the lake so I made decent time for a bike, but poor time for a line of cars.
There wasn't any place to pull over along the lake.
Finally I saw a small turnout at the end of the lake.
I aimed for it and nailed the brakes...
I then realized I may not have enough distance....
I started to swerve as I quickly approached the rock wall at the end of the turnout...
....and then I stopped.

Then the truck roared past, along with a line of cars behind the truck.
That was exciting!

Turnout above, after a motorcycle had pulled into it later...

11:27 Switzerland time 03:27 California time

I was finally at the bottom I could start riding up now.
I had seriously underestimate both side of Julierpass, and I didn't find much of it terribly scenic.
Fortunately I'd already seen Albulapass yesterday and fallen in love with it.

11:35 Switzerland time 03:35 California time

Tiefencastel

11:44 Switzerland time 03:44 California time

Surava

11:55 Switzerland time 03:55 California time
The road to Davos.
The train to Davos is a ways ahead still.

12:04 Switzerland time 04:04 California time

Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur

12:14 Switzerland time 04:14 California time

Filisur

12:41 Switzerland time 04:41 California time

South of God da Streda

12:50 Switzerland time 04:50 California time

12:59 Switzerland time 04:59 California time

Bergün

13:04 Switzerland time 05:04 California time

Bergün

13:07 Switzerland time 05:07 California time

Bergün

13:08 Switzerland time 05:08 California time

Bergün gondola

13:53 Switzerland time 05:53 California time

There are several loops and bridges to get the train up to the tunnel

13:56 Switzerland time 05:56 California time

14:19 Switzerland time 06:19 California time

14:20 Switzerland time 06:20 California time

14:42 Switzerland time 06:42 California time

14:42 Switzerland time 06:42 California time

14:50 Switzerland time 06:50 California time

This was the only time I've seen a gutter like this

15:36 Switzerland time 07:36 California time

Finally I made it to the top of Albulapass...

Turns out I also underestimated how long it would take to get back to St Moritz once I finally topped out on Albulapass..
I was still 23km from St Moritz.
Part of it was downhill, the rest was pretty flat.