KALIMUTXOWORLDTOUR [2]: Geneva to Como

Touring

KALIMUTXOWORLDTOUR [2]: Geneva to Como

350 km
2660 meters cumulated ascent elevation
1860 meters descent elevation

We’ve entered Switzerland twice during our trip. The first time was the 10th of October 2020, just before our rest in Habère Lullin in France, we were cycling towards Geneva, following the Via Rhôna cycling route when suddenly we saw a sign saying we were entering Switzerland and if we had something to declare, a phone number was provided to call and do so. We had nothing to declare so we didn’t have to make such a call. We were not far from Geneva and the road was quite pleasant to cycle, going through small villages with the view of the Swiss mountains in the background. Closer to Geneva, the traffic started to be much heavier, and we’ve lost track of the Via Rhôna as we couldn’t see anymore signs indicating the cycling route. Crossing the city was a bit chaotic as we couldn’t find our way to go near the Leman lake. We asked our route to few people and we finally arrived by the lake with its great promenade, an enjoyable cycling path and the magnificent fountain in the lake. We were not planning to stay in Geneva but just crossing the city and back to France as our family was waiting for us and we were very impatient to see them. Our first time in Switzerland lasted only one day. 

On the 20th of October we left our family in the morning, heading to Thonon-les-Bains, Evian and crossed the border to Switzerland in Saint-Gingolph. It was another easy border crossing, customs officers were there but when we arrived with our bicycles, they didn’t seem too bothered and waved at us while we were passing in front of them without even checking our passports. We were in Switzerland and the real adventure was starting. Later on we found an apple farm and we asked the landowner to put our tent in his field, but he offered us to pitch it next to his shed as there was a shower and toilets we could use, and it was more than welcome. First night in Switzerland and already a nice feeling about the country. 

On our second day, we took the Rhône Route 1, a cycling route from Geneva to Andermatt along the Rhône river. The ride was pretty flat and easy, and this was not what we were expecting but we were pleased with it. Along the way, we came across the U.C.I. centre and stopped there for a visit. We had a good tour of the velodrome and learned a lot about the history of the past and present cycling champions, and also the evolution of the racing bicycles. We spent nearly three hours on site before we were back on the road. On our second night we slept in a strawberry and apple farm and on this occasion, they brought us to a camp site they had on the farm to accommodate workers at the harvest time. They also offered some apples to us and they were really good…

Pantxika and Fred (KALIMUTXOWORLDTOUR)

Pantxika Goyhetche and Fred Lolliot are a french couple who lived in Chester U.K. for the last 7 years. In August 2018 they decided to make their first trip by bicycle from Chester to Hendaye in France using the Eurovelo 1 known as “la Vélodyssée”. As they really enjoyed this first experience they became obsessed to do an around the world trip. Kalimutxoworldtour was born which is the name of their two bicycle, Fred is riding Kali and Pantxika is riding Mutxo and after two years of preparation, they took off on Saturday 05th September 2020 from Ahetze, a small village next to Biarritz in France, for a five years journey to cross as many countries as they can. 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/kalimutxoworldtour
IG: https://www.instagram.com/kalimutxoworldtour
YT: https://youtube.com/channel/UCvVGDKRcN_5se1ZRNrgcXyQ

Excerpt from BIKE Magazine, click here to continue reading the full article

May 2021

Share this article

Useful

Recommended

Latest