I'm going to Switzerland and need NSMB's help

Onegear · 05-12-2012, 06:53 AM

So, I have been told by my work this week that I am going to Basel, Switzerland for 17 days next Saturday.

I have no idea if there is riding around the city or places to rent bikes. I have between 2-5 days off in the middle of my stay that I want to go riding but I don't know where to start.

Zurich is a short train ride away and Rhine river and Germany and the Alsace region of France is at the city limits.

Has anyone been through the area?

What is a must ride place?

Help, please.

syncro · 05-12-2012, 06:58 AM

this is about 2hrs away by train

http://en.portesdusoleil.com/

connor · 05-12-2012, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syncro

this is about 2hrs away by train

http://en.portesdusoleil.com/

doesn't open until later in June unfortunately...

walleater · 05-12-2012, 07:36 AM

Plenty of awesome riding above Verbier (around 3hrs away). Might not have much luck getting guiding, but these guys are great:

http://www.bikeverbier.com/index_bv.php

Onegear · 05-12-2012, 07:37 AM

I will possibly have May 24 or 25th to the 29th off. I read the Pinkbike article that Sharon and Lee did, but it didn't have much about the north area around Basel.

Thanks for the Verbier site. it looks cool.

walleater · 05-12-2012, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onegear

I will possibly have May 24 or 25th to the 29th off. I read the Pinkbike article that Sharon and Lee did, but it didn't have much about the north area around Basel.

Thanks for the Verbier site. it looks cool.

It would be a shame to go all the way over there and not go to the Alps. They are truly (and literally...) breath taking. Wherever you go, I'd make sure that either the lifts are open, or you can get a van shuttle (like BV operate). I know people ride uphill, but those mountains are massive! My legs went to jelly plenty of times trying to even push an Orange Patriot uphill, and that was with the help of a van to get us part of the way up.

syncro · 05-12-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onegear

I will possibly have May 24 or 25th to the 29th off. I read the Pinkbike article that Sharon and Lee did, but it didn't have much about the north area around Basel.

Thanks for the Verbier site. it looks cool.

i spent a week there with the bike verbier folks a few years back - great experience. they're probably already booked up for their chalet but if you find you own lodging i'm sure they'd be willing to do a deal for guiding only. it's mostly lift accessed but there is plenty of climbing available if you want it.

BJC · 05-12-2012, 03:15 PM

I rode through there on my honeymoon - road not Mtb. The bike touring there is amazing with great bike lanes through Basel and respect for riders. Trains are great for bikes and flat paths along canals. France and Germany are only a short ride away.
Interlaken wouldn't be too far to go, took us 2 days so 100 Km by bike, there must be some good riding around there?
Anyway hard to go wrong, a great part of the world for cycling.
Cheers Ben

Bagheera · 05-12-2012, 06:19 PM

Near Besel, it's mostly XC/AM. I could show you around or ask some friends of mine if I don't have time myself. Depending on your size I could even let you ride one of my bikes. PM me if interested.
If you want lift accessed riding, Lac Blanc is about an hour's drive away. They rent bikes and equipment. Then there's Todtnau, I've heard there's even a bus going there. Don't know if they still rent bikes, didn't like it back when I was there. There's the Gurten in Bern, the Biel Trail (don't know if it's identical with the one in Magglingen), both don't have rentals, plus a few more, like the trails on Chaumont (about two hours away). Would have to hook you up with some friends, as I probably won't have time for all-day adventures, but who knows. You can also shuttle some of the local hills by bus (keep in mind that by NS standards it's all pretty easy), and there are two or three DJ places (Horburgpark, Pumpwerk, Allschwil) in Basel. Don't have time to look up websites right now, maybe later.
If you want to rent, I'd try contacting http://www.gellert-veloteam.ch, maybe you can have one of their test bikes. If not, they should know who rents bikes.
The alps will still have snow in many places, but I could ask around for good stuff in their lower parts.

Sethimus · 05-12-2012, 09:07 PM

the alpes are still mostly covered in snow, the main riding locations in switzerland are still closed. you can ride in germany though. next bikeparks to basel that are open are todtnau (very good dh track, but a little expensive) and lac blanc (5 or 6 runs) in france. both require a car to go there. if you are willing to drive for 3-4h, there's bad wildbad too.

http://www.lacblanc-bikepark.com/
http://www.bikepark-todtnau.de/
http://www.bikepark-bad-wildbad.de/

biel and gurten trail links:

http://trailnet.ch/

Bagheera · 05-13-2012, 10:10 AM

Some more info... the Vosges mountains (where Lac Blanc is situated) and the Black Forest (where Todtnau is) are nearby.
There is decent XC (some AM) riding near the city. THE local hill is the Gempen, where up on the "Schartenflue" you'll usually meet riders, the Blauen is a little further off, St. Chrischona is closer but smaller with a lot of pedestrians, it doeas have a short "freeride" trail with a few jumps, though. A little further away (can be easily reached by train/bus) in the "Passwang" area, there are a few nice ridge trails, and the views are great.
singletrailmap.ch has maps with "Bike trails" (usually not designated bike trails, though) on them, and http://map.wanderland.ch has a detailed online map with all of the official hiking trails.
The guys from www.juride.net have an amazing skills park near Basel (45min drive) and some very cool trails, if you can get them to show them to you. They're usually super friendly.
Gellert Veloteam mentioned in the post above has an AM-ish shop ride on Wednesday evenings. Anyway, the local hills are close enough for an after-work rip.
PM me if you want more info or need help.

Onegear · 05-13-2012, 04:55 PM

THANKS !!!!!!!!
I am stoked for the info, and I will send pm's later today. this is all great news. I was hoping to maintain some fitness while I was there, and I have a hard time doing any real training on a hotel Stationary bike with bad ergos and seats.

Randomness · 05-16-2012, 11:44 AM

im here right now in Davos, and it is dumping snow. It is dry most other places, lower in the alps though. I don't know much about trails outside of the Davos/Klosters/Laax area, but i wouldnt recommend coming up here, as it's all white currently!

05-12-2012, 06:53 AM	#1
Onegear Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In the Trees Posts: 858 Rep Power: 11030156	I'm going to Switzerland and need NSMB's help So, I have been told by my work this week that I am going to Basel, Switzerland for 17 days next Saturday. I have no idea if there is riding around the city or places to rent bikes. I have between 2-5 days off in the middle of my stay that I want to go riding but I don't know where to start. Zurich is a short train ride away and Rhine river and Germany and the Alsace region of France is at the city limits. Has anyone been through the area? What is a must ride place? Help, please.

05-12-2012, 09:07 PM	#10
Sethimus www.mtbfreeride.tv Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: not in Whistler anymore :/ Posts: 1,477 Rep Power: 2869694	the alpes are still mostly covered in snow, the main riding locations in switzerland are still closed. you can ride in germany though. next bikeparks to basel that are open are todtnau (very good dh track, but a little expensive) and lac blanc (5 or 6 runs) in france. both require a car to go there. if you are willing to drive for 3-4h, there's bad wildbad too. http://www.lacblanc-bikepark.com/ http://www.bikepark-todtnau.de/ http://www.bikepark-bad-wildbad.de/ biel and gurten trail links: http://trailnet.ch/ __________________ MTB-Freeride.TV

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

05-12-2012, 07:37 AM	#5
Onegear Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In the Trees Posts: 858 Rep Power: 11030156	I will possibly have May 24 or 25th to the 29th off. I read the Pinkbike article that Sharon and Lee did, but it didn't have much about the north area around Basel. Thanks for the Verbier site. it looks cool.

05-12-2012, 03:15 PM	#8
BJC Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 651 Rep Power: 2612280	I rode through there on my honeymoon - road not Mtb. The bike touring there is amazing with great bike lanes through Basel and respect for riders. Trains are great for bikes and flat paths along canals. France and Germany are only a short ride away. Interlaken wouldn't be too far to go, took us 2 days so 100 Km by bike, there must be some good riding around there? Anyway hard to go wrong, a great part of the world for cycling. Cheers Ben

05-12-2012, 06:19 PM	#9
Bagheera No Flow Show Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 57 Rep Power: 0	Near Besel, it's mostly XC/AM. I could show you around or ask some friends of mine if I don't have time myself. Depending on your size I could even let you ride one of my bikes. PM me if interested. If you want lift accessed riding, Lac Blanc is about an hour's drive away. They rent bikes and equipment. Then there's Todtnau, I've heard there's even a bus going there. Don't know if they still rent bikes, didn't like it back when I was there. There's the Gurten in Bern, the Biel Trail (don't know if it's identical with the one in Magglingen), both don't have rentals, plus a few more, like the trails on Chaumont (about two hours away). Would have to hook you up with some friends, as I probably won't have time for all-day adventures, but who knows. You can also shuttle some of the local hills by bus (keep in mind that by NS standards it's all pretty easy), and there are two or three DJ places (Horburgpark, Pumpwerk, Allschwil) in Basel. Don't have time to look up websites right now, maybe later. If you want to rent, I'd try contacting http://www.gellert-veloteam.ch, maybe you can have one of their test bikes. If not, they should know who rents bikes. The alps will still have snow in many places, but I could ask around for good stuff in their lower parts.

05-13-2012, 10:10 AM	#11
Bagheera No Flow Show Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 57 Rep Power: 0	Some more info... the Vosges mountains (where Lac Blanc is situated) and the Black Forest (where Todtnau is) are nearby. There is decent XC (some AM) riding near the city. THE local hill is the Gempen, where up on the "Schartenflue" you'll usually meet riders, the Blauen is a little further off, St. Chrischona is closer but smaller with a lot of pedestrians, it doeas have a short "freeride" trail with a few jumps, though. A little further away (can be easily reached by train/bus) in the "Passwang" area, there are a few nice ridge trails, and the views are great. singletrailmap.ch has maps with "Bike trails" (usually not designated bike trails, though) on them, and http://map.wanderland.ch has a detailed online map with all of the official hiking trails. The guys from www.juride.net have an amazing skills park near Basel (45min drive) and some very cool trails, if you can get them to show them to you. They're usually super friendly. Gellert Veloteam mentioned in the post above has an AM-ish shop ride on Wednesday evenings. Anyway, the local hills are close enough for an after-work rip. PM me if you want more info or need help.

05-13-2012, 04:55 PM	#12
Onegear Here and Now Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In the Trees Posts: 858 Rep Power: 11030156	THANKS !!!!!!!! I am stoked for the info, and I will send pm's later today. this is all great news. I was hoping to maintain some fitness while I was there, and I have a hard time doing any real training on a hotel Stationary bike with bad ergos and seats.

05-16-2012, 11:44 AM	#13
Randomness Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: Burnaby Posts: 31 Rep Power: 0	im here right now in Davos, and it is dumping snow. It is dry most other places, lower in the alps though. I don't know much about trails outside of the Davos/Klosters/Laax area, but i wouldnt recommend coming up here, as it's all white currently!