After a short trombone into Interlaken, a very pretty and colourful town nestled between Lakes Thunersee and Brienzersee, it was off to the first of 3 passes, Brunigpass - not yet really challenging at just over 1,000m, but still offering a very pretty outlook. Then, it was onward to Grimselpass at nearly 2,200m requiring total concentration with frequent hairpin bends and steep drops threatening, and no second chances if your attention strayed. Also notable was the green-white glacial water powering a hydroelectric dams among the grey-green granite peaks, wispy clouds and the remnants of snow. At times visibility was compromised by the clouds creating a rather eerie foggy ambience. Other groups of Harleys were increasingly being encountered as we converged from all over Europe on the rally destination, and several other Chapters were identified stopped at the top of the pass, including several from England. Like us, they were making the most of their journey as well as the destination.
Descending to the town of Gletsch required continuing concentration, as did the climb out of it with many more 1st gear hairpins to Furkapass at over 2,400m. Some sections were protected by crash barrier, but others had just posts, rather too widely spaced to stop a bike! As before, the scenery was the prize before our arrival for an overnight stop at Andermatt. There, we met a young Australian lad on a BMW who had given up his safe government job, ridden through Japan, traversed Russia and many European countries, 3 that day, had lost track of how many miles he had done, but was having a real life experience doing so. He did have a deadline to meet his girlfriend in London a few weeks hence, so at least he had a goal to work towards, and a threat if he didn't make it!
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