Across the Alps to Chamonix...

We camped in a Swiss town called Chur. It was dark when we rolled in and didn't really believe the GPS was leading us to a campground as we were basically in the town. But it was a campground right on the edge near the river. Fairly expensive at 32 EUR for two tents, but Switzerland in general is pretty expensive. It was mostly RV's and permanent mobile homes - and one other tent besides our two. It rained just a bit in the early morning - just enough to wet the fly so it had to be packed away wet.

We were on the east side of Switzerland and our route was to ride across several Swiss alps passes and into the French alps down to Chamonix. The forecast was for rain and some if the passes topped out at 8500 ft. So we were hoping it would not snow and they would stay open. They did stay open. It did rain. And it did snow a bit at the top of one pass. It was chilly all day - but not nearly the coldest we have been. We have heated jackets - thanks to Marybeth bringing them to Milan for us - but didn't quite need them yet. I'm sure we will use them at some point as we head north.

Switzerland is definitely the big winner for best roads to ride. The scenery is beautiful and the roads are smooth with awesome curves - except when they are wet we have to take it easy. Missing a turn would be a fatal error. Some of the drops on the passes went down several thousand feet.

We are camping tonight at an abandoned ski area outside Gex, France. We can call this one a Dutchman as we probably aren't supposed to be here - but free is good. Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France are crazy expensive so we have to conserve when we can. We tried to go to a legitimate campground but it was closed. Tomorrow we will go through The Burgundy region and hopefully stop in Dijon for some sight seeing and lunch - then on towards Paris. Our days left are getting numbered and we need to see as much as we can in the time left.

Swiss countryside.

More countryside.

Down the pass.

Chamonix.