Day 15 Andermatt to Bellinzona.

Trip Dist 54.77miles ride time 3hr57mins

Av speed 13.82mph max speed 39.92mph  altitude up 2787ft 

Max altitude 6916.ft  2108metres 

Today we climbed over the Saint Gotthard pass at 2108m it's over twice the height of mount Snowdon in Wales.  It was about 8miles of climbing, that makes for some aching legs!!

(John makes slow and steady progress up towards Gotthard)

We were happy to find the old cobbled road about 2 miles from the top as few cars go on it. The main road was so busy you'd think you were in Central London, but for the hills!

I am sad we passed through in cloud but that couldn't be helped. It was very cold on top about 10 degrees Celsius and raining.

(The finger made it )

(So did I)

We stopped in the cafe on top and I had my first cup of tea of the trip, it was great, also a slab of cake. The lingo was italian on top of the pass, a sign of things to come.

As we rode down in the rain we used the new road as the old cobbles might wreck our bikes, I was so cold I was shivering and it was hard to control the heavy bike, it was a bit hairy for my liking, John went off ahead, discs brakes are better in this situation! I took the old road for a bit to get out of the traffic, the views were incredible, it was like a rollercoaster with the road swinging back and forth .

(Over the edge)

Further down the valley it got gradually warmer, we descended for the rest of the day really that's over 40miles!! Into Bellinzona, we are now in a hotel to try and dry off and to use up out Swiss francs as it's Italy tomorrow!

(Giornico an incredibly picturesque village on the way down from St Gotthard to Bellinzona. )