Reports by Iris Mueck

We said: we can do it on our bicycles...: The Route des Grandes Alpes. Starts on Lake Geneva (Genfer See) and is one of the famous French routes through the Alps to the Mediterranean. It leads, from Lake Geneva to the Côte d'Azur and crosses 16 high alpine passes (nine of which more than 2000 m), including the Col de l'Iseran, the highest road pass with 2770 m in the Alps. The route to overcome about 700 km long with an altitude difference of 15 700 m. The 1913 opened for the first five individual stages range is now 600 km from Department of Streets and along 68 km of national roads. Several cuts are stages of the Tour de France. Passing Martigny, and climbing the Forclaz Pass, heading for Charmonix. On the foot of the Aquille du Midi we have seen the huge glacier which winds down near Charmonix. Impressive: the climb up on the Roselend road.

See all 62 reports by Iris Mueck

After the good experience on the Amalfi coast, we tried further South: Sicily. For a round trip to large... Anyway, we climbed up the Etna road (elevation round 2.000 meters). We had a rest day at the city of Belpaso. This people understand to live! I remember an excellent Grappa, we have been offered...!

Leaving Belpaso, we followed the costal road to Messina. Crossing the sea street by ferry. We went up the Aspromonte mountain range. Interesting experience. We continued in going back by ferry to Island Sicily and followed the North costal road. Wonderful climbs, untouched nature. Interesting little villages; often found on top of a mountain. Going back 'home' (to the airport Cantania), has been a very powerful ride, because of the high numer of hills... Good luck to all the followers.

My daughter Anne, a very brave bicyclist, joined me. After a long winter we like to see the sun again... Unfortunately, we have seen rain and snow again... The best part has been the Lago Lugano (on Italian side...) and the Lago di Como (North shore - wonderful detours to avoid the Hwy tunnels...). We have visited Madonna di Ghisallo, whereas a museum and a bicycle monument is there... Nevertheless, Madonna di Ghisallo is elevetad by round 800 meters, what means: climb bicyclist, climb!

On the way back we hit the very nice city of Sondrio. Due to strong front wind, we went up the passo Bernina by train (ferrovia Retica). Worth to do this relax tour: good views to Piz Bernina and Piz Palue. But we went back on bike at the Hospiz Bernina. A short downhill to meet the entrance to the Passo Forcola (Border to Livigno, which is a so called free trade zone - no value added tx - belongs politically to Italy). [...]

Recommended to see this wonderful bicycle path... Good luck to all the followers!

As my managing director retired in the same year as I did, we decided to do a joined bicycle tour... We have found information in a popular booklet 'bicycling the Pacific coast'. At the Internet, we found the tour description by the publisher of this web page.

Me, as the tour leader, was inspired by the idea of doing this tour. Nearly 2000 kilometres. That' s what we have been looking for... Staring at Seattle, which is a hilly city (I found myself reminded on San Francisco), we took the ferry to Bremerton in order to hit Hwy 101 in day trip. Washington has been a little 'wet' - not raining, but high ambient moisture. Oregon coast: just beautiful. Every day continuous eye catchers... [...]

Californian people are very open. Clear English, easy to understand, and still a flower people mentality... Very pleasant! Good luck to all the followers!

Half way of the classic tour to Lago di Garda. But still nice, as it covers the prim half part. Interesting the climbing over Schlapiner Joch, Scaletta and most interesting Alp Chaschauna. A sort of power check... Livigno is a very nice ( and rather cheap - no tax) place to stay. We left Livigno, using the tunnel to the lower end of the Passo Fuorn (Ofenpass). Further down the Inntal bicycle path way. Ending at Landeck, whereas we catched the train back to Vienna. Good luck to all the followers!

1st day: start at Innsbruck (after a night travel by train): Innsbruck - Brennero - Lana (a wonderful bike path down the Eisack valley). Distance: 140 kilometres.
2nd day: Lana - on the bike path to Trento and back. Distance: 115 kilometres.
3rd day: Lana - Prad - Stilfer Joch - Umbrail - Santa Maria - Meran - Lana. Distance: 176 kilometres.
4th day: rest day (it is not recommended to go by bicycle to any Alpine road due to heavy traffic of motorcycles).
5th day: Lana - Kastern - Sant Nicolo - Mendel Pass - Gampenpass - Lana. Distance: 90 kilometres.
6th day: Lana (by train to Mals) - by bicycle to Reschenpass (a new wonderful bike path), and on the ``Inntalradweg'' to Landeck.
by train, back to Vienna. Distance: (by bicycle) 90 kilometres.

My former managing director Raimund and me (Iris Mueck) started bicycling the Western world after our retirement. Our most desire: to pedal round the Grand Canyon (what we actually did not - as the distance is too big. With the help of a rented car, we made a lot of local trips to the parks.

Starting at Los Angeles, we hit Las Vegas. If you like it or not. It is worth to see. And, if you plan a trip to Grand Canyon, there is more or less no way. A stopover should be planned.

Sideway trips leaded us to the Arches park (oh wonder bicycle path ways up to the park) and to Page (Glen Canyon). From there to the Antelope Canyon, which is operated by native Americans. And further to the Monument Valley. On the way back, to complete the circle trip, we hit Bryce Canyon and the Zion park.

Back to San Francisco with another side tour to the Yosemite park. As a well known book author was still alive, we tried to meet him at the campus of the Stanford University. Good luck to all the followers!

Starting at Feldkirch (Austria), we followed the Upper Rhein bike path, which leaded us nearly to the city of Chur. As it starts raining, we went by bus over the San Bernardino pass, down to the city of Bellinzona (Ticino). Via Monteceneri we hit Lugano.

The Italian side of the lake is just wonderful. Not so extreme busy as on the Swiss side. Looks logical we followed the road to the Lago di Como and further to the city of Sondrio. At Tirano we have crossing the boarder again. Back to Switzerland and up the Bernina pass from the South. Nor recommended - too strong head wind. With our very last power, we have been climbing up the Passo Forcola. Downhill to Livigno on low speed to avoid further cold. Fingers went stiff!

The very next day, we left Livigno in snow. Snowflakes at night covered the landscape with snow powder. We have been one of the last bikers leaving Livingo Tunnel by bicycle. Today they have installed a bus shuttle service. Down the Ofenpass (Passo Fuorn) to Zernez and further the Inn valley bike path to Landeck. Now the very last part close to Landeck is finished. Good luck to all the followers!

I have heard so much about the beautiful Hwy 100 which mainly winds down Vermont. Starting at Montreal, which is worth more as a day. I remember, when mountains appeared at the skyline, and a Canadian bicyclist said: you will find hundreds of them, if you ride down to NYC. He was right...! NYC, a place for bicyclists. Car drivers are friendly - never closing a path gap. Police are friendly. If I would get a Dollar for crossing an intersection on red, I would be a millionaire...

The Central park: a huge bike way, which closes in a round 5 miles circle. Some bikers doing city races. Hard to follow. I have been staying for 10 days in NYC, did my daily exercise in crossing the city to the Hudson river bike path. Very recommended bicycle path. Starting at the Statue of Liberty, ending at the Harlem river mouth. Good luck to all the followers!

We tried hard. To our surprise we ended in a snow field. If weather would have changed, we won't be more able to publish this page... As the weather didn't change, we had a wonderful tour. Passing Val di Vizze, ending at the Inn river valley bike path. Good luck to all the followers!

By train from Vienna to Milano. Following the route 'Milano - San Remo'... Left the route near Genova and riding the Cinque Terre coastal road. Visiting Carrara. Back home via the Passo Cisa. And further North along the Lago di Garda. Hit the train again at Innsbruck. Good luck to followers!

The Big Circle: A round trip which is a little demanding. All eye catchers needs to be 'earned' by your personal power. Good luck to all the followers!

San Francisco - Los Angeles - Las Vegas - Grand Canyon - Bryce Canyon - Zion Park - Death Valley - LAX.

One of the best tours in Europe. Fun, good weather, good landscape. Down the Amalfi coast - like Hwy 1 in California. Good luck to all the followers!

Germany's best!
Eifel - Mosel - Rhein...
Eifel: old German houses, friendly people.
A secret bicycle path: the Kyll Radweg. Leads you directly down to the city of Trier at the river Mosel.
Mosel: so many loops; for what the river Mosel is known for. On road: 100 kilometres; on water (and bicycle path) 180 kilometres. Very good touristy infrastructure: lodging, food.
Rhein: bicycle path not a throughway. Needed: some intuitive findings.

Bicycle Tour San Francisco - Pismo Beach - Santa Barbara. Some back country roads. Distance: Total 926 Kilometer.

Every year, we are going to Grieskirchen. All participants from the bike club WHC Voesendorf. All of them retired. Still going strong. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Every year, we are going to test our shape. All participants from the bike club WHC Voesendorf. All of the retired. Still going strong. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Beside bicycling, we tried a hike, which is not so far from our home... Destination: 'Trefflingfall' located in Lower Austria. Reachable via train 'Mariazellerbahn' (a 'narrow rails track' train)or by car, following the Hwy 39 from St.Poelten on. Passing little towns like Obergrafendorf, Kirchberg, Loich, Winterbach. Right in the middle of the village 'Puchenstuben' one has turn right a downhill road to the 'Trefflingfall'. A sort of hidden place. Safe to go. A lot of safety ropes surrounds the hiking path down to the river fall. Worth to go! Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Corvara, has been the starting point of several 'Maratona dles Dolomites', I have been participating. We said: we do the Sella Ronda in winter. On Snow board. The tour takes just 4 hours (if you are lucky on queues before the lifts...).

Worth to see the little city of Arabba, just before the Porte Vescovo. We made a side trip to the Marmolada (there are two ways of correct spelling: Marmolada and Marmolata - one is in local language 'ladinisch'). Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!