My husband and I are planning a trip in July to Switzerland and Lake Como. We would like to spend 3-4 days of our time in Switzerland cycling, and were planning to either start or end in Lucerne (or base there and make day trips).
I have reviewed the very helpful thread here on Cycling in Switzerland and also some of the route descriptions.
We are intermediate cyclists and can tackle mileage (50-80 km/day) but climbing is not our strength (mostly we only experience "real" climbs on cycling vacations as we live in the mid-west USA).
Here are my (many) questions::)
- Does anyone have experience with the company Swiss Trails? They seem to offer the services I am looking for (luggage transport) but the website does not give many details on lodging.
- Can anyone recommend good day routes out of Lucerne (or rides with easy access by rail?) Our priorities are scenery and low traffic, and only moderate climbs)
- Any cycling shops in Lucerne for rental and support?
- We are tentatively planning 5 days in Lake Como and 5 in Switzerland (not counting travel). Fly into Milan and out of Zurich (or vice versa). Can anyone recommend a 3-4 day route between those 2 cities (ie train from Italy to x city and then ride up to Lucerne or start in Lucerne and ride down to x point over 4 days and then pick up train to Italy.)
- Any thoughts on e-bikes? I am sure my husband will balk at the idea but I read an article in the NY Times couple of years ago that made it sound pretty attractive (especially since we are not alpine cyclists!). Can you bring pedals and clip in to e-bikes?
Any thoughts/advice/recommendations/referrals are appreciated! I have only been to Switzerland once (to ski in Wengen) and trying to decide where to visit and how to get the best taste of this beautiful country is daunting.
Also - we are not committed to Lucerne; it seemed like a good choice for proximity to the Zurich airport and variety of experiences, but happy to accept any other recommendations for a home base.
Thank you!
I have reviewed the very helpful thread here on Cycling in Switzerland and also some of the route descriptions.
We are intermediate cyclists and can tackle mileage (50-80 km/day) but climbing is not our strength (mostly we only experience "real" climbs on cycling vacations as we live in the mid-west USA).
Here are my (many) questions::)
- Does anyone have experience with the company Swiss Trails? They seem to offer the services I am looking for (luggage transport) but the website does not give many details on lodging.
- Can anyone recommend good day routes out of Lucerne (or rides with easy access by rail?) Our priorities are scenery and low traffic, and only moderate climbs)
- Any cycling shops in Lucerne for rental and support?
- We are tentatively planning 5 days in Lake Como and 5 in Switzerland (not counting travel). Fly into Milan and out of Zurich (or vice versa). Can anyone recommend a 3-4 day route between those 2 cities (ie train from Italy to x city and then ride up to Lucerne or start in Lucerne and ride down to x point over 4 days and then pick up train to Italy.)
- Any thoughts on e-bikes? I am sure my husband will balk at the idea but I read an article in the NY Times couple of years ago that made it sound pretty attractive (especially since we are not alpine cyclists!). Can you bring pedals and clip in to e-bikes?
Any thoughts/advice/recommendations/referrals are appreciated! I have only been to Switzerland once (to ski in Wengen) and trying to decide where to visit and how to get the best taste of this beautiful country is daunting.
Also - we are not committed to Lucerne; it seemed like a good choice for proximity to the Zurich airport and variety of experiences, but happy to accept any other recommendations for a home base.
Thank you!