Stage 14 - Stunning Switzerland and a group of generous German bikers

Today's route: 72 Miles 

Sursee -> Wassen (Switzerland)

Ascend: 950m, Descend 550m

What a day. Unbelievable. I'm gonna let the pictures do most of the talking tonight, as they speak for themselves. 

We said our goodbyes to another one of our new friends. "Mario". Hey, Mario..

Graham was a bit rusty, he nearly pulled his calf getting on the bike! Here's nurse Dominique in action again with the magic spray. 

We made our way out of Sursee with a couple of 150m climbs, which soon woke both Graham and I up. It wasn't long before we were taking in breathtaking scenery around Lake Sempach. 

As you can see it was sunny and warm, conditions were perfect. Graham was riding Clive's bike so we had to take precautions, luckily we procured a back up the night before. 

We worked our way down to the centre of Lucerne, and then rode for 30 miles around the Lake, simply breathtaking. 

Before meeting Dominiqe for lunch I had time for a quick "Rocky" moment on a well positioned hillock. "ADRIENNE!"

 

We all had Rösti for lunch, Graham and I even had time for a couple of beers

We then caught the ferry over lake Lucerne to Gersau to pick up the  cycleable route around the Eastern side of the lake en route to Wassen. 

After landing in Gersau, there were 30 miles left and a 400m climb over the last 10 miles into Wassen (altitude 950m). The mountains were all around now. 

I climed up through here (shot looking back at the climb) 

As we walked into the hotel, we bumped into a group of German bikers from The Black Forest on a tour who asked us about our story. After a brief huddle, they turned around and presented us with a generous donation for Clive's fund. Here they are:- 

What a way to finish the day, faith in humanity has now been completely restored. 

Tomorrow, we climb to the top ofthe highest   peak of tour. A 1200m ascent takes us to an altitude of 2100m after cycling for only 25kms. Then we descend 2000m during the next 80km down to Lake Maggiore, it will be like skiing, we may hit 60mph. 

Bis Morgen , Brett x