To Sursee . . .

August 24, 2024

. . .and then train to Basel

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Another Plan B was hatched last night. Bruce is not 100% fit and neither of us felt like a hot afternoon on the bike. Plan A, drafted months ago, had us separating today: Bruce to cycle to Olten and Robyn to catch a train to Basel in readiness for tomorrow morning's parkrun. Then we were to meet up after a night apart to finish the tour. We're sticking together now though.

Hotel zum Kreuz was a very different experience. The cavernous early 1800s building has been in the same family for generations and is now run single-handedly by a very efficient scion of the well-known family. The restaurant has fallen by the wayside but that gave us the incentive to walk a few minutes to a nearby Thai restaurant- a welcome change from recent hotel meals.

It's after 9 this morning before we retrieve and load the bikes but Plan B has also gifted us time. First stop is Luzern train station where the bike/train situation is clarified and tickets bought.

The centre of Luzern is beautiful and obviously worth exploring. But we do our usual - admire as we pedal through. Gradually, the city falls behind as we follow the Reusse River out of town. The river path is so appealingly shady that we miss the turn to the left. So there's a blip on the Strava track that costs us a few km, no biggie.

This is our first visit to Luzern; it warrants more than just a bike-through from A to B

We're continuing to follow EuroVelo 5, aka the Swiss national route 3, which has been well signposted, so it doesn't take long to pick up the error. The proper route climbs out of Luzern and takes us through the familiar transition between town and country until we're once again high up in lush Swiss countryside.

First sighting of the Sempachersee, north of Luzern

Our short ride comes to an end at the Sursee train station. We've plenty of time to find our platform (there are only three to choose from, gotta love small train stations!) and to sit and reflect on a well-executed Plan B today.

And here we are in Basel on the banks of the Rhine.

Today's ride: 40 km (25 miles)
Total: 1,443 km (896 miles)

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Isobel GregsonLoving following your tour! Naturally I am as jealous as, and wish it was me lining up for another parkrun. Yes, Lucerne is worth a couple of days, but riding a bike is worth enjoying to the max too!!!
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3 months ago

Robyn RichardsTo Isobel GregsonIt's hard to combine bike touring and sightseeing, isn't it? There's always the worry about what to do with the bike. Hope your knee is improving.
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3 months ago

Jennie EastonSo fabulous to be on tour with you guys. Just loving all these glimpses of these wonderful places, achieved with much planning, energy and at times great daring!
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3 months ago

Robyn RichardsThanks, Jennie. I love writing about it too,
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3 months ago

Sue HowieAnother great read & places fir you to revisit one day!
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3 months ago

Robyn RichardsMight be with an ebike next time, Sue!
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3 months ago