Just a note, the day we went mountain biking in Klewenalp—down an actual mountain— it had rained and the paths were very wet. I was also trying to keep up with Stefan Flueler, who is a very experienced rider.

HELMICK: Alright, Stefan I had a little bit of a—I don’t want to say accident—but the bike went one way and I went the other.
STEFAN FLUELER: Yeah, it’s good. It looks good. You fell down here to the way. Yeah it’s really good.

OK. That was less than fifteen minutes into the ride. And it was wet and— not that I’m making excuses or anything. The course Stefan suggested is a black piste during the ski season. And just because it’s summer doesn’t mean it’s any easier. It was full of rocks and bigger rocks and at some points was almost straight downhill. In the beginning, I walked the bike more than I rode it.

HELMICK: You know Stefan, I feel a little sorry for you because you only get to ride about 30 meters and you have to stop and wait for me.
FLUELER: That’s not a problem. I can do this a lot more. That’s not a problem.

It took us about an hour and a half to go from 1800 meters to about 1000 meters in the Klewenalp mountain bike park.

Afterwards, we hit an easier trail. It had some rocks but was definitely more for people that don’t do this everyday.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

(ANOTHER CRASH)

I know a second crash and this time on the easier course. I survived both with just some scrapes.

After that though, the paths got wider and a bit smoother and seeing a paved road was a bit of a welcome. And it was all down hill after that.

(WIND)

Obviously, there are a lot of options in Switzerland for mountain biking. If you need to rent bikes, there are several options for that as well.This sport has really blossomed here. Once it was seen as just way to use ski pistes during the summer and make a little money. But now it is pretty popular.

Today’s expert is Stefan Flueler. He is not an official guide in Klewenalp, but he works at the local sports store and I conned him in to coming along. He grew up in the area and rides these mountains all the time.

Renting a bike in Klewenalp will cost between 25 and 40 francs and kids’ bikes will cost between 15 and 23 francs.  

You’ll also have to pay for a cable car ride to the top.

HOT TIP: Always wear a helmet and you may want some gloves as well. This is not an easy stroll through the park. Downhill biking on a ski piste is hard work and requires some experience in bike riding.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Depending on where you are riding this can be quite rigorous. In fact, riding up the mountain may be less work than going down.

This adventure will certainly provide some heart-pounding action, along with some beautiful views… that is if you don’t spend more time on the ground than on the bike. 

That’s today’s Adventure Switzerland on WRS. I’m Alex Helmick. 

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