-
Get as high as possible. Temperatures are much cooler at elevation.
-
Stick close to the water. Plan a route along lakes or rivers so that you can jump in and cool down.
-
Ice ice baby! Never pass up an ice cream. Also if you get high enough, you might find snow.
-
Cheat! Take the easy way up!
-
Cover up and find cover. Try to find a route that goes through forest, and wear sun protection.
Photos from my weekend mission: operation escape the heat wave aka run to the hills. Started from Luzern early in the morning and left the Lake in Stans to start gaining elevation. The route went through a couple lovely cool forests, which were a welcome relief. Also some steep climbs in the sun, but found some ice cream to reward myself. I followed the old road into Melchtal and cooled off in the ice cold river. From Stöckalp I “cheated” and took the gondola from 1080m to 1900m! From 31c to 21c in a few minutes! Found a lovely camping spot directly on the Melchsee, and snow to cool my beers!
Day two started with an intense morning thunderstorm, but it soon cleared up and I was able to continue up further into the high alpine. My original plan was to swim in the lakes along the way, but with temperatures of 15c it was too cold to jump in!
From the Engstlensee I cheated again and took the chairlift up to the Jochpass. I left my bags at the top and ripped a quick lap of the downhill trail… would be rude not to! After a beer and a snack I sent it down the other side of the pass fully loaded on a mtb trail… it was bumpy but I survived! After a sporty descent into Engelberg, I had a cruisy afternoon down to the lake, and then an easy few KM back to Luzern.
by simplejackbikes
10 Comments
The dry bag ice cooler is next level smart.
‘Get as high as possible’, lol. That first sentence could be misleading.
I’ll add also – if you’re in a more open plains area and it is safe to do so- ride at night! Riding across the US years ago areas of eastern Washington were so hot we just hung out and slept until midnight a few times and then rode into the morning. It was amazing, and out there you could see at night with no lights. We could see a car coming from miles away so we had time to turn our lights on.
Obviously scenery is a little different, more stargazing than forests, but riding under the Milky Way was a pretty epic experience.
Beautiful
That second picture…. *chef’s kiss*
I’m planning to do it in south Sardinia but atm the temperature are way to high. I’m going out only at 7 IAM and at 7 pm. After 10 o’clock it’s absolutely not rideable. I’ll probably reorganize it through end of September or march
Is that a…. portable meat griller????
Hahahha nice! This trip looks amazing, thank you for the tips & bucket list trip idea!
Edit: LOLL no wait sorry that’s just an open pack of bacon. My 20 year vegetarian ass has no idea what I’m talking about 😂
Spectacular, well done! Any other recommendations in centeral/eastern CH?
I always forget to drink water when I get as high as possible and do cardio, that’s why I keep it in the pocket. I only get a little high so I can enjoy doing what I’m doing, without being too fucked up to do it. That being said I’ve never gotten so high that I’ve found snow in a heatwave… unless its Zamboni shavings lol
My partner and I have been touring through the Dolomites, Austria etc the last two weeks. Heading out at 5am definitely helps, you can be all done by midday at the latest (100km ride)