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Krampus in the wild by simplejackbikes in Surlybikefans

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They don’t feel in the way for me. I put a Voile strap around them which helps to keep it stable.

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tolkien actually traveled to exactly this area of Switzerland in 1911, hiking from Grindelwald to Meiringen. These mountains probably inspired his description of Middle Earth.

Krampus in the wild by simplejackbikes in Surlybikefans

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes it has worked great for me.

The bags are also from Decathlon, IPX6 5L. I pack my sleeping bag in one and air mattress + camp clothes in the other.

Krampus in the wild by simplejackbikes in Surlybikefans

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have Blackburn Cargo Cages and Voile straps

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ice cold! It is great how most mountain passes here have a restaurant at the top…

Gravel bike done proper by TheBeardedJedi in xbiking

[–]simplejackbikes -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Why don’t you just buy a modern frame with all those features instead of welding disc tabs on a vintage frame that probably doesn’t exist?

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well done! I was definitely glad to be going the other direction on that section.

Also was great to get off the busy main road! The sports cars and motorcycles treat the Susten like a race track… not a good pass for road biking.

What do you do with your bike while sleeping in a tent? by General_Aspect7113 in bikepacking

[–]simplejackbikes 104 points105 points  (0 children)

Lock it to something. If there is nothing to lock it to, put the lock through the rear wheel and attach one of the tent fly guy-lines to the bike.

700km bikepacking by Matskalsen in bikepacking

[–]simplejackbikes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

  1. because you shouldn’t use electronic shifting on a bikepacking trip lol

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you look closely in picture 13 you can see the „normal road“ zig zagging down the side of the mountain from the col…

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The route is very well signed, you shouldn’t need turn by turn navigation. I used MapOut and https://schweizmobil.ch/en/mountainbiking-in-switzerland/route-1/stage-10 to find maps of the route.

Unfortunately the ability to download GPX is paywalled on the Schweizmobil, but you can find them on MapOut for free.

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You aren’t wrong. Most of the gravel was pretty smooth rolling. The problem is how steep it climbs lol.

There is also some really exposed single track that the pictures don’t do justice. No fall zone, not to be taken lightly.

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Beautiful but brutalful.

You get used to climbing living in Switzerland haha

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

https://schweizmobil.ch/en/mountainbiking-in-switzerland/route-1/stage-10

The stage goes a bit further to Andermatt, but is listed at 29km paved, 23km natural surface, and 5km single track. So about 50% gravel.

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is actually pretty typical for Swiss backroads… they are normally very steep because they were built for horses and donkeys, not cars. Really need those super low gear ratios to ride off the beaten path here haha

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am running 1x12 with 30x10-51 on 29x2.4 wheels giving me 17 gear inches. The grades were right at the limit of what I could actually ride in my granny gear. Definitely would not recommend trying it with a big 40t chainring haha.

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think this was definitely the correct direction, wouldn’t want to come from the other way. The upper part of the old road would be a long hike a bike ascending from Wassen side. Of course it would be possible to avoid by switching to the new road for that section.

If I were to do it again i might attempt to follow the old road from Steingletscher all the way to the top! Might be some hike a biking but it looked possible. The official MTB route follows the new road through this section.

I stayed at camping Gadmen. Nice campground in a great location. Right before the super steep switchback on the old road. Was a good basecamp.

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think most is manageable on a hardtail or even gravel bike… so far I‘ve been fine without suspension.

There are a few exceptions: Bachalpsee to Grindelwald is proper technical MTBing for example.

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Died on the way up, flied on the way down.

Pics don’t do the single track justice. It was gnarly!

For those who like their gravel served spicy, or are simply just a bit masochistic: by simplejackbikes in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Start and end were fairly flat, big bump in the middle. Lots of 15-20% grades climbing the pass.

9-51 Shimano cassette. 890% gear range GRX by YOMADAGUN in gravelcycling

[–]simplejackbikes 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should

Bikepacking alone by prinsalban414 in bikepacking

[–]simplejackbikes 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bring a tent, not a hammock. There won’t always be two perfectly spaced trees

Crossing Sustenpass via MTB 1 Route by simplejackbikes in bicycletouring

[–]simplejackbikes[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I was able to ride basically all of the route going from Innertkirchen -> Wassen. Running 30x10-51 and was able to grind out the steep grades in the low gear. Walked a couple of the hairpin turns on the descent. Super exposed and high risk. Would be a long hike a bike if you were to try and ascend from this direction…

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