ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND
The last few days I have felt like I have been sleepwalking. My heart rate variability (HRV) is way down as I fight through malaise. I left Nice, France, yesterday, and flew through Hamburg to Zürich, arriving at 8:30 p.m.
I checked into the Hilton Airport Hotel. I was upgraded to a “relaxation room” which I had once before, in 2006. It was exactly what I needed. Combined with privileges to the Executive Lounge, I didn’t need to leave the hotel for 48 hours before my flight to Philadelphia.
I hoped to do a ride in Switzerland. My plan was to catch a train to Lucerne and do a half-lake ride around Lake Lucerne, which is my favorite lake in Switzerland. When I woke up, my recovery was still in the red (32%), and my body felt it. But I could push through it, except the weather wasn’t cooperating. It was raining.
Although the weather would clear, I needed to be out the door and on a train early. I looked at my bike, perfectly packed in its case, and was mostly content to leave it there. But I knew I must ride. It was the anniversary of Jamie Roberts’ death, and I wanted to ride some miles in Switzerland for her. Jamie’s mother is from Switzerland, so it was just appropriate.
This would be a test for my Wahoo and maps. I haven’t ridden from the airport into the city and I mapped out a ride to follow on my bike computer. The streets leaving the airport were new to me, but I quickly found my way downtown and past the Main Railway station. I looked in wonder at the bikes all parked at the station.
The route was simple. From downtown, follow the lake to the ferry. At the ferr,y I stopped for lunch, ordering a hot dog, Jamie’s favorite food.
In the city, that is, center city, there were many bike lanes. These are not for the faint of heart. Most are on the right side of the street, but some turn lanes go down the middle or the left side of the street.
My route would take me mostly on streets but also on a couple of dedicated bike paths. Once out of the center of the city, it was riding on the road. Generally, that was fine. Bike traffic is prevalent here, and drivers seem to be accepting of sharing the roads.
At the front desk of the Airport Hilton before the ride, I tried to exchange some Euros for Swiss Francs, mainly because they had a sign marked “Currency Exchange.” The nice person told me they don’t actually exchange currency and to go to the airport. When I asked if the ferry accepted credit, she didn’t know – know that there was a ferry, that is. Amazing.
The ferry is cool. It cuts right across Lake Zurich pretty much in the middle of the lake. It connects Horgen to Meilen. The fare was Five Swiss francs (5 CHF) for a bicycle with driver. A bicycle only fare was 2,50. I’m still trying to figure that one out.
On the west side of the lake, I rode up to the house of my friend. I knew she was out of town, but it felt good to leave a note.
I followed my Wahoo directions back to the hotel. The ride for Jamie was needed and refreshing. The ferry ride always makes a ride better.
Back at the hotel, I tore down and packed the bike again for my flight tomorrow. I am very tired and am enjoying the relaxation room and executive lounge.
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