A Gravel Bike: All The Bike I Need In Switzerland.

Don't get me wrong, other bicycles certainly have their place, but if I could only choose one...

Taking a moment to appreciate the scenery on my commute home from work.

Perhaps a controversial statement, but I stand by it.

Unless you only like to ride super technical trails, a gravel bike really is the best bike for most riding conditions, especially in the region where we live.

Why do I think it’s the only bicycle I need here in the land of mountains and cheese?

To highlight a few quick points:

• Multi-terrain capable

• Lighter than a dedicated mountain bike (we have a lot of mountains)

• Lower maintenance (no suspension to maintain)

• More affordable to buy

• It still has a road bike feel when you head up the famous mountain passes (of which there are many)

• If you get tired of the cars / want to take an off road short cut, no problem

• Bike packing / load bearing travel is no issue

A little back story:

I’m a mountain biker first, having entered the cycling world by those means more than 20 years ago, and having completed many famous multi-day mtb stage races.

Later on, I did a lot of road cycling in the off season, in order to prepare for the mountain bike season, which is where my appreciation for the history of cycling came about.

The pure art of cycling, as it were.

When gravel biking became a thing about 8-10 years ago, I thought of it as a passing fad.

My oh my, was I mistaken.

And happily so!

Anyway, what I’m trying to say is I wasn’t one of those fan boys who immediately jumped onto the gravel biking band wagon.

How was I convinced?

Slowly at first.

Seductively by dipping my toes into the water, reluctantly.

Then things got serious.

Now, it is a full blown love affair.

How full blown?

I don’t even own another type of bicycle at the moment.

That full blown.

But I digress!

Back to Switzerland:

Here, in the upper Simmental Valley and the larger region, the mountain biking you can do is mostly on hiking paths and cow tracks.

There are no dedicated mountain biking trails.

It’s very technical.

And often people take a gondola up to ride down.

Now, as someone who loves being fit as well, I enjoy the riding up part too.

And this is where a gravel bike strikes that perfect balance.

On the tarred roads it still provides that road bike feel, nimble and responsive. I can imagine I’m flying up (I said imagine!) one of the famous mountain passes as part of the Tour de Suisse, for example.

Enjoying a smooth section of tarred road on my gravel bike in between off road sections.

Then, once over the top, I can head off road onto a hiking path for some fun, which wouldn’t be possible on a road bike.

And unlike a mountain bike, which can feel sluggish on a tarred road due to its weight, wider tires and increased friction, a gravel bike’s relatively narrower tires don’t have this issue.

Yes, it’s not as comfortable as a full suspension mountain bike on a trail, or as smooth as a road bike on the asphalt, but that’s not the goal.

A gravel bike can handle a variety of terrain quite well.

What is the goal, you may ask?

To enjoy your cycling, which ever way you like to do it.

And for me, where we live, a gravel bike strikes that perfect balance!

Spring in the upper Simmental is quite beautiful, especially for cycling.

Do you have any interesting stories or thoughts to share?

Love to hear them.

Simply hit reply and let me know / comment below.

Have a great week!

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Until next time ✌🏽.

Cornelius

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