Day 1: Oberägeri (Switzerland) via Liechtenstein to Feldkirch (Austria) (120 km, 1060 vm)

After weeks of uncertain weather and lots of rain the forcast for my first days of cycling is great. Sunshine and high temperatures. Maybe a bit too high. Winds from the Sahara are supposed to let the temperatures rise to above 35 degrees. I therefore wanted to start early today to avoid riding to long in the heat. I started my day with a jump in the lake and a good breakfast. Leaving my apartment took me quite some time. It was a strange feeling to know that I will lock the door behind me, get on my bike and cycle to Greece. I kept closing the door, opening it again, checking if all windows are closed, stove it off, etc. Jen, my friend and now new neighbour, came to farewell me and take pictures of me leaving.

The first kilometres took quite some time. I had to go across Raten Pass. I know this road inside out. I often take my mountainbike up the there. Going up Raten with all my luggage and as part of a 2500 km trip again felt funny. After Raten I enjoyed a long downhill to lake Zurich and was then heading towards Walensee. If you pass Walensee on the car you you most likely take the highway which has tunnels of about 8 kilometres lengths along the lake. If you are on the bike you have to take the Kerzerbergpassstrasse which takes you about 350 meteres up above the tunnels. The views form there to lake Walensee were stunning. I decided to cycle down and take a first break at the lake. It was now about 11:30 and I already had 70 kilometres in my legs. After a quick swim in the lake and a snack I headed on. After a few ups and downs and some heavy head wind I reached the river Rhein which I followed up north. After another 10 kilometres I left Switzerland and went into Liechtenstein. An small sign inside a covered wooden bridge marked the boarder. Just another 15 km later I was already in Austria. It is amazing how we can just cross boarder in Europe and travel freely.

The rest of the ride to Feldkirch was tiring. My legs signalled that they are done. I cycled to a campground in Feldkrich called “Waldcamping”. I set up my tent and went to the public swimming pool which is next to it. Even though it was very crowded it felt good just to lay in the cold water and cool down. I had dinner at the little kiosk next to the pool and then went into Feldkirch to look at the town. On my way back I stopped at a gas station to get some snacks and by chance met Jochen, a friend from Ägeri. The world is small.