Home early!

Hi all--unfortunately we had to end our trip early. Because of complications and side effects of my cancer treatment and increasing lymphedema in my left leg, it became very difficult to continue. Nothing life-threatening, but we thought it better to go home rather than risk further problems. We were able to change the flight easily (although not cheaply!) and are now safe and happy at home. We have trip insurance, so shouldn't lose any money.
Love to you all, Vern and Karen

Stress Free Stresa

Hi all--we made it safely to Stresa on Lake Maggiore. Looooong drive from Bormio to Malpensa, but then a short bus ride to this lovely spot. We have a beautiful room at La Luna Nel Porto Hotel overlooking the lake and are definitely chilling out. Tonight we go to a classical music concert at the Stresa concert hall; weather is iffy (kind of cloudy and might rain) so it will probably be a quiet day. Love to Jeff on his 31st birthday! And love to you all! V and K

Passo dello Stelvio

Today Vern rode the epic Passo dello Stelvio, with 48 switchbacks, gaining 6000 feet in 14 miles. I spent a couple hours at the Bormio Terme spa (I include a picture from the internet, since they were rather reluctant for me to take a camera into the baths.) We head for Malpensa Milan airport tomorrow morning and then take the bus to Stresa in Lake Maggiore for a little R and R. Having a great time! Love to all, Vern and Karen

To Italy!

Vern is riding the Bernina Pass and Albulapass into Italy today--I cleverly rode in the luggage van to Bormio, as it was beginning to rain before they left. He had a tough day yesterday, but a much better day today. He seems to get stronger as the week goes on. The Albulapass is a bear; and he has the Stelvio to look forward to tomorrow! I'm safely (and drily) esconced in my room in Bormio, after going to a little cafe for a panini. We're staying in a cute hotel named "Baita dei Pini" (which means "take a bite of my panini" in Italian. ) The bottom picture is when we crossed the Rhine River yesterday--very cool! I also must mention that our granddaughter Kasey's first day of kindergarten was Tuesday, and she was so excited! She loves her teacher, and most of all, loves the fact she can have chocolate milk for lunch. Remember when things were that simple? We are having a great time on the cycling tour, but it will be nice to stay in one place longer than 2 nights. It's a great group of people, who love to punish themselves and then eat a lot! Love to all, K and V

Through the Swiss Alps

Hi all--today the guys did a loop through the Swiss Alps with spectacular views. You can see Vern at the top of Furka pass. We stay in Andermatt tonight and then on to Lenzerheide. As you can see the weather is cooperating, which is a blessing. I took a bus tour of the same loop (took about 5 hours) so I didn't ride the sag van today. The third picture is the glacier at the top of Furka Pass. Took the picture of the guy at the top of Gotthardpass--just want to comment that the scarf does not help the outfit. Love to all, K and V

Kemmeriboden to Andermatt

Had a wonderful day yesterday--a fairly mild (for Thomson) ride of about 125K and 8000 feet of climbing, ending in Kemmeriboden. At the top of Gurnigal pass you could see Interlaken and the Jungfrau. They were having a Swiss wrestling tournament at the hotel (don't ask--I have no idea--perhaps wrestling cows?) so there were lots of people. The countryside is beautiful; and on Sunday, all the Swiss are out recreating! The top picture is of our hotel in Andermatt; we've gone from French-speaking Switzerland to German-speaking Switzerland. Needless to say, everything is immaculate! We could learn a few lessons! Vern is riding very well and I'm sure is pumped for all the passes today. We stay in Andermatt for 2 nights, so tomorrow I'm going on a bus tour of the surrounding passes instead of riding in the sag van. (So does SAG stand for Support and Groan?) The tour is on the Swiss Post Bus, and stops at one of the glaciers in the area. Love to all, V and K

The Bike Ride Begins!

Hello all--drove down to Geneva today to return the rental car and meet the Thomson Tour group. They're just doing a warm-up ride today (90 mins. or so) and then tomorrow the fun begins. Weather kind of iffy, but no rain. Hopefully we'll get more sun tomorrow. A great group of riders (about 29 in all) with a couple folks we've met on previous Thomson Tours. Pictures of Vern, Jim and Lindy (all from previous rides) and Dane from the Bay Area. The other picture is of the B group (!). Yes, Vern decided to go B (perhaps just for the warm up ride) but if looks meant fast, the A group riders look pretty fast. Please keep all comments regarding Vern's choice of group both uplifting and encouraging. Love to all! V and K

Visit to Aigle Castle

Hi all--we had a great day yesterday--took a road trip to Aigle Castle, built in the 12th century. It even had a torture chamber! (no, the torture was not Mike leading up the hill, or him turning around to find Vern still there!). Had lunch on the terrace at the castle (see dessert picture above). Vern getting antsy for the bike ride, what a surprise! We've had great weather--some rain, but at night. Hope all is well at home--we send God's blessings to all! V and K

Lovely Charmey!

We have no wifi at the chalet, so we have to go to the nearest hotel to post. You can see the view from our deck above. The weather has been great! Yesterday we went up the mountain on the "Rapido Skyway" where Vern decided to go parasailing by jumping off the top of the mountain! He didn't feel he needed any instruction, so it was pretty exciting. (ha, ha). He also ran into some "attack cows" on his bike ride; he held them at bay with a stern look learned from his Portuguese forefathers. Today we're going to Aigle Castle. By the way, there are some very cool things in Europe: mustard and laundry detergent in a tube, people pass on the left and then return to the right lane, and you weigh your produce on a scale in the market, put in the produce code, and it gives you a sticker indicating the full price!

Arrived safely!

Hi all--the blogs will be scarce this week, as we have very intermittent wifi. We had a great trip over--travel mercies for sure--and got settled in our chalet in Charmey (surely there's a song title in that!). Vern's bike got here safely (the most important thing!) and he went for his first ride today. The weather is beautiful, and our chalet has cows outside (across the road) with cow bells--very typical Switzerland. Charmey is a very small town (about 1800 people) and quite charming. Can you imagine?? The grocery store is closed on Sundays! So, we've been eating out and snacking on stuff we took from the Air France business class lounge. Vern was mortified, but I have no shame when it comes to snacks! Love to all!

Hello all, another adventure including a week in a Swiss chalet, a Swiss alps cycling tour, a few days in Lake Maggiore and a river cruise on the Danube from Budapest to Prague. We begin in Charmey, where we've rented this chalet for the week:

Then on to Thomson cycling tour: Trans Swiss Challenge, beginning in Charmey (click on elevation profile below):

Day 1
Warm-up ride around Charmey
30 miles
2,500 ft

Day 2
Charmey › Gurnigel › Schallenbergpass › Kemmeriboden
76 miles
6,600 ft
Day 3
Kemmeriboden › Glaubenbielenpass › Brunigpass › Sustenpass › Andermatt
91 miles
12,225 ft
Day 4
Andermatt › Furkapass › Nufenenpass › St Gotthardpass › Andermatt
65 miles
10,025 ft
Day 5
Andermatt › Oberalppass › Obersaxen › Lenzerheidepass › Lenzerheide
73 miles
8,400 ft
Day 6
Lenzerheide › Albulapass › Passo del Bernina › Forcola di Livigno › Passo d'Eira › Passo di Foscagno › Bormio
81 miles
8,950 ft
Day 7
Bormio › Passo Stelvio › Passo Umbrail › Passo Stelvio › Bormio
61 miles
10,200 ft
TOTAL:
477 miles
58,900 ft

We'll stay in Stresa, Lake Maggiore for a few days and then fly to Budapest, where we'll catch the AMA Waterways river cruise. (See map below)