Switzerland is a paradise for people who enjoy outdoor activities. In the spring, summer, and autumn, one of the most enjoyable activities is cycling. Although Switzerland is known for its mountains, there are many flat bike routes in the Central Plateau.
*Topics Covered*
– The e-bike revolution
– Great, flat bike tours in Switzerland
– Cycling with the whole family
– Advice for newcomers in Switzerland
0:00 Intro
0:31 About our guest
01:18 Background
02:37 Why choose to cycle?
02:48 Combining cycling with work
05:15 The E-bike revolution
06:19 Cycling tours
06:43 What are the favourite routes that you’d recommend?
10:23 Are the routes family-friendly?
11:10 Using the routes in GPX and KML file format
12:44 Any tips for someone new to Switzerland?
13:05 The so-called “Vereine” or “Associations”
14:39 The local language
*Next Steps*
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*Who We’re Talking To*
Katrin Gygax and her family emigrated from Switzerland to Canada when she was four years old.
Now based back in Zurich as a travel writer, essayist and translator, she is the author of the cycling guide *Flat Switzerland*, and *Today’s Office Looks Like This – 60 Unconventional Workspaces in Switzerland*.
For some time now Katrin has been exploring Switzerland by bike, and in the book *Flat Switzerland*, she puts together a guide to 33 routes that are mostly flat or downhill and can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.
*About the Episode*
Three great bike tours mentioned are:
_1. Aarau to Olten:_
This trip might take you around two hours, and it is pleasantly flat the whole way. Both towns are attractive, historic, and well-connected. No matter where in Switzerland you live, you should be able to get to Aarau and back home from Olten relatively quickly.
_2. Airolo to Bellinzona:_
This tour is a bit longer, but most of it is downhill. There are some attractive towns on the way, and some parts of the path take you along the river.
_3. Neuchâtel to Yverdon-les-Bains:_
A route for those who’d like to explore French-speaking Switzerland. You’ll pass lakes and vineyards, so it’s a great one to do in late spring. There is a small incline, but it’s spread out over five kilometres, so it isn’t too taxing.
*Resources*
Katrin Gygax – https://www.katringygax.com/
Flat Switzerland – https://helvetiq.com/ch_en/flat-switzerland
Today’s Office Looks like This – https://www.applausverlag.ch/b%C3%BCcher/die-schweiz-ist-ein-b%C3%BCro
Aarau old town – https://www.aarauinfo.ch/welcome-to-aarau
Olten – https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/olten/
The Rhone river – https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/rhone/
Brig – https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/destinations/brig/
Airolo – https://www.airolo.ch/en/
Bellinzona – https://www.bellinzona.ch/
Ticino river – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ticino_(river)
Bodio – http://www.bodio.ch/
Biasca – https://www.biasca.ch/
Unesco castles in Bellinzona – https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/experiences/route/three-castles-unesco-world-heritage/
Neuchâtel – https://www.neuchatelville.ch/
Yverdon-les-Bains – https://www.yverdon-les-bains.ch/accueil
GPS Exchange Format – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GPS_Exchange_Format