The small town of Andermatt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andermatt) sits right in the middle of three very large Swiss mountain passes, the Furka, the Gottard, and Oberalp. Finding a place to stay in Andermatt is easy and all of the accommodations are great because the Swiss know how to make a great bed and breakfast! The food is mixed because Andermatt is near Ticino (the Italian part of Switzerland). You get both traditional Swiss German food and great Italian food.

Before the Andermatt to Andermatt ride, which takes you over one of the mountain passes, you'll need to eat a lot because you'll consume at least 10,000 calories. If you aren't fit, you won't make it.

While there are many modifications to the Andermatt to Andermatt ride, the route I've created starts with a brisk descent to Wassen before turning up the valley to conquer the Sustenpass. If you start first thing in the morning, even on a warm day, the descent will be cold, as the valley usually doesn't get sunlight in the morning. Once you make the turn up the valley road towards Susten, you'll warm up quickly because the grade starts at 5 or 6% immediately and doesn't let up for several miles. You should be getting some sun on your back fairly quickly and by the time you reach the first small village most of your early morning attire will likely be stripped off.

Once you get into the main part of the climb, you'll be able to see the snow caps on top of the mountains. It is truly an unbelievable moment and few forget just how beautiful it is. As you continue the climb, which is almost 11 miles total, it seems at times like it will never end, but eventually you'll hit the final two hairpin turns and be battling the tour buses for your spot on the road. Once you get to the top, you won't see those tour buses chasing you down the other side!

The first descent is beautiful with wide roads (for Switzerland) and plenty of room to just let go of the brakes and enjoy the ride. One of the reasons the riding is so much better in Switzerland versus Italy or France is that the roads are such high quality. Switzerland keeps them perfectly maintained, so you will definitely have fewer flat tires and enjoy the ride a lot more. The descent is a quick one (about 17 miles) before you take the left hand turn up the valley towards Grismel pass. If you haven't ridden Grismel pass before, take your time. The approach is slow and, as you near the top, the road is steep. The road will suck your energy away if you don't reserve yourself for the top.

The valley road is beautiful and has several picturesque statues on the way up but the thing you'll never forget are the stacked lakes before the summit and the cows wandering the main road that will bring traffic to a halt. Stopping at the top for some soup at the little restaurant just before you turn your wheels downward towards the valley into Oberwald on the way to Nufenen Pass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nufenen_Pass) is highly recommended. While the rest of the day isn't easy, Nufenen is the true test with sections of 15 to 20% grades. Nufenen is quiet and doesn't have a lot of tourists like the other passes.

Once you've crested the top of Nufenen, the valley down to Biasca is long and the descent is a blast. You can stop in any town for water because you can drink right from the town fountains (another reason to ride in Switzerland – you’ll never go thirsty!). After more than 30 miles downhill, you make a big left- hand turn in Biasca and start making your way towards the Lukmanier Pass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lukmanier_Pass), which doesn't seem too difficult at first as you climb the valley, but you usually have the wind in your face, which always makes the task a bit more difficult. The valley is long and beautiful. Don't be fooled once you make it to Campo Di Blenio - you still have a difficult 10 kilometers to go. This valley is not as difficult as Nufenen but it’s a challenge because you know you still have one big pass to go and you are already tired. In 2006, during the famous Alpen Brevet, I rode this entire course mostly in the snow and rain and it severely sapped my strength, so getting over Lukmanier proved to be very difficult. You know you are at the top when you enter the tunnel and after a brief rise, look over a mountain top dam. After that, it is all downhill. Enjoy the ride as it is really the last true descent of the day, except for a small one into Andermatt (which you’ll be likely to miss because you are so tired).

Once you pass through Disentis, you know you only have between 15 and 20 miles to go. The road isn't steep and, in some sections, it might even feel like you are going downhill, so don't hold back - the last climb of the day is approaching. The final climb over Oberalp pass really isn't too bad except for a few steep hairpin turns. If you took on some fuel in Disentis, you won't need to stop on top before heading home to Andermatt. The Swiss countryside is amazing and if you get a sunny day in July it will be the ride of a lifetime. I still dream about this ride almost every day. The Swiss Alps simply leave an impression that you'll never forget! I hope you enjoy this route and I hope one day to see you out there on the road.