Basic service
Recommended if you rarely use your bike and just want it ready for Spring.
The service includes:

- Ordinary cleaning
- Damage inspection: Frame, sprockets, brakes, cables, tires
- Tightening of all bolts and adjustment of all cables, mechanisms and brake pads
- Lubrication of chain and cables

Price: 60 chf

Parts are not included in this price. If parts are needed and replaced during the service, client will only be charged for the price of the part and no extra service charges.

Advanced Service
Recommended annual service or after 3,000 K

Basic service +

- Thorough cleaning  and tuning of bike requiring removal of components, wheels, cables, etc.
- Cleaning and greasing of all headset bearings, gears and bottom bracket
- New cabling

Parts are not included in this price. If parts are needed and replaced during the service, client will only be charged for the price of the part and no extra service charges.

Price: 150 chf

Our TDS tour is from June 9th to 14. More information at http://www.bikeswitzerland.com

If you don’t know about this tradition, here’s an explanation from the “Dummies” series:

Prior to every Tour stage, riders must sign in on a pre-race staging area. The procedure is required in part as tradition, in part to appease spectators gathered near the starting line, awaiting the arrival of their favorite riders minutes before a stage start. During road stages, riders and team managers must arrive at the signature registration area at least ten minutes prior to a start.

Signing in

At the Tour de Suisse, these signatures are all collected on a large poster. What a collector’s item ! All the signatures of the riders on that stage in one place !
Yes, well…one of our lucky program participants will take this poster home with them ! How nice will that look in the office !

Someone will take home this sign-in poster

So, the stage starts will be just as exciting as the stage finishes. Here’s how we celebrated one of the stage finishes last year:

Bike Switzerland riders on the podium

We’re looking for a few strong cyclists !

Bike Switzerland is looking for a few strong bilingual cyclists (English/French) to lead or Thursday evening and Saturday morning rides from our shop behind the train station in Geneva. These rides begin on March 21st and will continue until late October.

Responsibilities include:

- Planning the itinerary and posting it on our calendar.

- Being on time to lead the ride ! (18h15 on Thursday and 9 am on Saturdays)

Thursday ride: 30 to 50 km, relaxed pace

Saturday ride: 50 to 80 km, training pace

Compensation:

The “Bike Switzerland Club Rides”, are fun and free, so we can’t pay much. However, cyclists committing to leading rides on a regular basis will receive:

Complete Bike Switzerland kit

10 – 40% discounts on all bikes, rentals and accessories (depending upon level of involvement)

Free drinks ! (Thursday night post-ride)

If interested and you live in Geneva (or very nearby) contact:  john@bikeswitzerland.com

Until then, the information below will be helpful for those wanting to know more about the program.

You will also find maps outlining our itinerary at the bottom

June 9th: Arrival Day

Overnight: Interlaken

Fly into Zurich or Geneva and board the train for Interlaken directly from the airport. If you like, we can work with you to purchase train tickets before your arrival.

Keep in mind that Bike Switzerland will be furnishing brand new BMC racing bikes for this trip, so no need to pack more than your suitcase !

Once in Interlaken, you’ll take a 5-minute bus ride from the station to the lakeside hamlet of Bonigen to find your hotel. There you will meet your guides and unpack before going downstairs for your bike fitting. We’ll be enjoying an early supper this evening at the hotel so that you’ll feel refreshed for our start tomorrow morning.

June 10th: TdS Stage 3

Highlights:  Stage finish, VIP Tent, Handshakes and autographs with various teams and their crews.

Total Climbing: 1500 Meters

 Overnight: Interlaken

After a hearty bowl of muesli and several bowls of coffee, we’ll begin our cycling with a tough ascent up Grosse Scheidegg (1,962 m). Once at the summit, we’ll picnic on sandwiches and chocolate before plunging to our destination: Meiringen.

Leave your bikes with your guide: it’s time to experience the Tour de Suisse !

In the VIP tent we’ll sip wine and enjoy some warm dishes before watching the riders cross the finish line right under our noses !

You’re likely be very surprised by the cozy and intimate feeling at the TdS. Talking shop with former pro racers or team owners in the VIP tent happens every year. You’ll be amazed by the natural camaraderie that plays out between these professionals and yourself.

We’ll then walk through the TdS “village” and take in the carnival atmosphere and pick up some souvenirs. From there, we’ll make our way to the team buses to see the pros and their crews.

Although we cannot make any promises, Bike Switzerland’s close association with BMC means that we’ll likely get a special peek. If you’re a BMC fan, have your cap and pen ready for some autographs.

It’s been a long first day, so we plan to leave our bikes in the area and head back to Interlaken by train.

June 11th: Stage 4

Highlights: Morning boat ride, see riders on the starting line, Brunig pass climb

Our Itinerary: Meiringen to Lucerne

Distance: 65 KM

Climbing: 900 Meters

 Overnight: Lucerne

Although we plan to arrive in the town of Brienz with a panoramic boat cruise, our plans may change based on the Stage 4 start time. This stage begins at Innertkirchen, just a few kilometers down the road from Meiringen.

Then we watch the riders jockey for position as they take off on Stage 4. We’ll follow them out of town and get pumped up by the throngs of cheering fans lining the route!

We’ll double-back to Meiringen, where we will take a more scenic route up the Brunig pass and follow Swiss National Cycling Route 9 to the awe-inspiring city of Lucerne.

June 12th: Stage 5

TDS Highlights: Watch the pros struggle over the hills, Swimming party and BBQ

Our Itinerary: Scenic loop from Lucerne

Distance: 100 KM

Climbing: 1200 Meters

Overnight: Lucerne

We’ve seen a stage start and finish and so today we’re going to be on the side of the road as the riders haul themselves over the hills between Lucerne and Leuggern.

We’ll get an early start, maneuver into position and have our radios on to anticipate their arrival. Once the riders pass, we’ll take a scenic loop back to Lucerne.

You’ll have seen and done a lot today and so we’ll savor those memories on the terrace of a local bath we know. We’ll swim,  enjoy some BBQ and watch the sun set over Lucerne.

June 13th: Stage 6

TDS Highlights: Stage finish in VIP tent, Podium pictures

Our Itinerary: From Lucerne to Meilen. Train to Rapperswil.

Distance: 95 KM

Climbing: 100 Meters

Overnight: Rapperswil

We’ll be on beautiful car-free bike paths for most of todays riding. Today’s ride is an easy 80 km and so we’ll be in the town of Meilen in plenty of time for the finish and festivities.

The Tour de Suisse being a very intimate race, you’ll have easy access to the team buses, mechanic stations and former Swiss pros who are now TDS consultants. Local celebrities such as Beat Zberg ( Swiss National Champion) and Alex Zulle are just a few of the riders you’ll likely meet in the VIP tent.

Of course, you’re one of the VIPs ! There will be no doubting this, as we’ll make sure to get some pictures of you on the TdS podium this afternoon.

June 14th: Stage 7

TDS Highlights: Guided tour of event by TDS program director

Our Itinerary: Train to Meilen, with tough scenic loop returning to Rapperswil

Distance: 110 KM

Climbing: 1250 Meters

Overnight: Rapperswil

It’s our last day and we’ll take the train to Meilen for the start of Stage 7.

We’ll make sure to arrive early, as the TdS director himself plans on showing us behind the scenes. We’ll see the mobile drug-testing unit, the sign-in area and the various hospitality tents used by riders just before the race. Do you want to know what it takes to plan a world-class race ? There will be plenty of time to ask your questions this morning.

This will also give you the opportunity to bid farewell to the organizers and have a last look at your favorite riders.

We’re free to set our own itinerary today and plan to take you on the most scenic roads of the region while making sure to include at least one mountain pass to finish your vacation in style.

Cycling Day 1

Cycling Day 2

Cycling Day 3

Cycling Day 4

Cycling Day 5

June 9th: Arrival Day

If flying, we recommend landing in Zurich then taking the train from the airport to Interlaken. If you like, we can work with you to purchase train tickets before your arrival.

Keep in mind that Bike Switzerland will be furnishing brand new BMC racing bikes for this trip, so no need to pack more than your suitcase !

Once in Interlaken, you’ll walk across the street to your hotel, meet your guides and unpack before going downstairs for your bike fitting. We’ll be enjoying an early supper this evening at the hotel so that you’ll feel refreshed for our start tomorrow morning.

June 10th: TdS Stage 3

Highlights: Grosse Scheidegg climb, Reichenbach Falls, TdS Stage Finish

Total KM: 70

Total Meters: 1750

After a hearty bowl of muesli and several bowls of coffee, we’ll begin our cycling with a tough ascent up Grosse Scheidegg (1,962 m). Once at the summit, we’ll picnic on sandwiches and chocolate before plunging to our destination: Meiringen.

Leave your bikes with your guide: it’s time to experience the Tour de Suisse !

In the VIP tent we’ll sip wine and enjoy some warm dishes before watching the riders cross the finish line right under our noses !

You’re likely to be very surprised by the cozy and intimate feeling at the TdS. Talking shop with former pro racers or team owners in the VIP tent happens every year. You’ll be amazed by the natural camaraderie that plays out between these professionals and yourself.

We’ll then walk through the TdS “village” and take in the atmosphere as we make our way to the team buses to see the pros and their crews. Although we cannot make any promises, Bike Switzerland’s close association with BMC means that we’ll likely get a special peek at the team and their crew. If youre a BMC fan, have your cap and pen ready for some autographs.

It’s been a long first day, so we plan to leave our bikes in the area and head back to Interlaken by train.

June 11th: Stage 4

Highlights: Boat ride across Brienz, Starting line photos, Brunig pass climb

Total KM: 65

Total Meters: 1200

Although we plan to return to Brienz with a panoramic boat cruise, our plans may change based on the Stage 4 start time. This stage begins at Innertkirchen, just a few kilometers down the road from Meiringen. We’ll make sure to arrive early, as the TdS director himself plans on showing us behind the scenes. We’ll see the mobile drug-testing unit, the sign-in area and the various hospitality tents used by riders just before the race. Do you want to know what it takes to plan a world-class race ? There will be plenty of time to ask your questions this morning.

Then we watch the riders jockey for position as they take off on Stage 4. We’ll follow them out of town and get pumped up by the throngs of cheering fans lining the route!

We’ll double-back to Meiringen, where we will take a more scenic route up the Brunig pass and follow Swiss National Cycling Route 9 to the awe-inspiring city of Lucerne.

June 11th: Stage 5

Highlights: Mountain stage, Swimming party and BBQ

Total KM: To be announced

Total Meters: To be announced

We’ve seen a start and finish and so today we’re going to be on the side of the road as the riders haul themselves over a the hills between Lucerne and Leuggern.

We’ll get an early start, maneuver into position and have our radios on to anticipate their arrival. Once the riders pass, we’ll take a scenic loop back to Lucerne.

You’ll have seen and done a lot today and so we’ll savor those memories on the terrace of a local bath we know. We’ll swim,  enjoy some bbq and watch the sun set over Lucerne.

June 12th: Stage 6

Highlights: TdS finish, Rapperswil

Total KM: 80

Total Meters:  550 

We’ll be on beautiful car-free bike paths for most of todays riding. Today’s ride is an easy 80 km and so we’ll be in the town of Meilen in plenty of time for the finish and festivities.

The Tour de Suisse being a very intimate race, you’ll have easy access to the team buses, mechanic stations and former Swiss pros who are now TDS consultants. Local celebrities such as Beat Zberg ( Swiss National Champion) and Alex Zulle are just a few of the riders you’ll likely meet in the VIP tent.

Of course, you’re one of the VIPs ! There will be no doubting this, as we’ll make sure to get some pictures of you on the TdS podium this afternoon.

June 13th: Stage 7

Highlights: Tds Start, Panoramic loop

Total KM: To be announced

Total Meters: To be announced

It’s our last day and we’ll train to Meilen for the start of Stage 7. This will also give you the opportunity to bid farewell to the organizers and have a last look at your favorite riders.

The last days of the TDS will be on the eastern side of Switzerland and so there is no need to chase after the pack.

We’re free to set our own itinerary today and plan to take you on the most scenic roads of the region while making sure to include at least one mountain pass to finish your vacation in style.

Price: 3,200 chf

What’s included:
6 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels
All breakfasts, all lunches *, 5 dinners
BMC racing bike with bottles, accessories and choice of pedals
Cell phones, GPS, maps
Professional Swiss guides
Luggage transfers
Van support**
Train transfers and bicycle transfers during TdS program**†
Exclusive TdS VIP pass and benefits **††

* Lunches will be mixed between catered and picnics
** Emergency support (no sag)
**† Does not include initial transfer to Interlaken or return to Zurich
 **†† As the only official TdS tour operator, Bike Switzerland will be offering exclusive VIP passes to all participants. This will allow access to VIP tents and grandstands at starts and finishes of various stages. Other VIP benefits of this package are outlined in the day-to-day description of our tour program.

La personne engagé aura les qualifications suivants :

• Au moins 23 ans

• Au moins 2 ans d’expérience

• Maitirise de l’anglais et le francais.

• Disponible à partir de 1ier Avril

Si intéressé, merci de nous envoyer un dossier de candidature avec C.V., Photo et au moins 2 références professionnels au info@bikeswitzerland.com

New Winter Jersey for Best Costume. So wear one !

We’ll also be showing the latest  episode of The Walking Dead at 9pm (So don’t watch it before Wednesday)

Hope to see you there. RSVP if you can. (john@bikeswitzerland.com)

JOHN

Conference: North American Cycling Routes
Date: October 3rd
Time: 7pm
Location: UOG / Place des Grottes

Mr. Jim Sayer, Director of the North American based Adventure Cycling Association ,will be in Geneva on October 3rd.
Mr. Sayer will be giving a giving a conference: North American Bicycle Routes

Established in 1973, the ACA is North America’s premier bicycle-travel organization with over 45,000 members.
In addition organizing guided tours and publishing a magazine, ACA researches and produces cycling maps .
The association is also currently developing the U.S. Bicycle Route System which will be the largest cycling route network on the planet when complete.

Seating is limited, so please R.S.V.P. At info@bikeswitzerland.com

Eric and I talk about our bags ! And best of all, they are 20% off until September 1st at www.bikeshopswitzerland.com !!

Please come and visit us from Friday May 4th and Saturday May 5th. We’ll be open from 10am to 8pm on both days. Map to the shop

- Have a glass of wine and learn about:

– Free weekly bicycle rides, workshops, lectures and events

– Our bicycle tours across Switzerland

– The “Tour de Suisse” program

– Special prices on BMC bicycles and accessories for club members.

Chris White and John Klemme go over each day of Bike Switzerland’s Tour de Suisse program and announce Bike Switzerland’s partcipation as official tour operator.

Most of our staff from last year are returning. However, we’re always open to new collaborators.
We’re therefore considering applications for the following positions:

Bicycle Guide

Qualifications:
• Experienced cyclist based in Switzerland or neighboring France with a good knowledge of the Swiss national routes.
• Competent in basic bicycle mechanics (flats, derailleur adjustments, brakes)
• Available late August/Early September
• English and French (or German)
• At least 24 years old

Van Driver

• At least 24 years old with excellent driving record. Professional driving experience desired.
• Based in Switzerland or neighboring France
• Able to prepare diverse picnic lunches for cyclists
• Able to lift heavy suitcases up flights of stairs
• English (French and/or German a plus)
• Good knowledge of Swiss geography
• Competency in bicycle maintenence desired, but not required

We’re still not sure which ones will make the final cut, but here are a few of my favorite at the moment

These are not your ordinary “custom” jerseys. Most clubs, teams and companies simply have their designs printed on a standard jersey offered by the manufacturer.

Our jerseys, however, are designed stitch for stitch this year. This means that we’re able to add lots of cool details:

♦ Ventilated side panels,

♦ Side pockets

♦ Colored piping at the seams

♦ Lasered cut cuffs and waist for perfect fit

I’m going to Italy next month to film some of the manufacturing process so that you see just what we’re doing.

We’re also working with several other manufacturers to introduce a line of Bike Switzerland helmets and gloves.

Oh, and ladies…we’re also going to get you some regular (non-bib) cycling shorts this year

Chris White, our “Bike Switzerland” Tour de Suisse leader has updated the information for our 2012 TDS tour. Above you see that we’ll be doing 4 days of riding with the tour: two loops and the other two times we’ll be getting back with the train. Our home base will be at the Hotel Jakob in the scenic lakeside town of Rapperswil ! Again, the dates are:

Arrival: June 13
Departure: June 18
Price: 2,450 (includes all breakfasts and dinners, lodging, bmc road bike and in-country transportation)

If there is enough interest, we’ll be extending the tour one more day to tour the BMC factory in Grenchen and that would also give us the opportunity to ride into the Jura.

We’ll get the information on the site as soon as possible, but in the meantime: here’s the itinerary.

Day 1.

Welcome to Switzerland! From Zurich airport, it’s just a short train ride into the center of Zurich and then we’ll take a scenic train ride along Lake Zurich to the town we’ll be staying in throughout this trip: Rapperswil.

If you arrive early enough then you can take some time to stop off in Zurich and explore this cosmopolitan city in the heart of Europe before going to Rapperswil (you can store your luggage in the lockers at the train station).

Our hotel is just a couple of minutes walk from the train station. After you’ve got settled into your room then we’ll show you the BMC bikes that you’ll use during the tour and make the adjustments needed to make them fit you well.

After dinner, we’ll take a short walk around the castle grounds next to the hotel and enjoy the views across Lake Zurich to the mountains that will be our playground for the next few days.

Day 2. 90 km with 1200m climbing.

Let’s ride! We’ll start off with a gentle climb over the lower pre-Alpine hills, before tackling our first official mountain pass. We’ll have lunch while looking up at the rocky cliff-faces that lead up to Säntis, the tallest mountain in the region at over 2,500 metres (8,200 ft).

We’ll then head towards Bischofszell, where Stage 6 of the Tour de Suisse will end. There will probably be some circuits around the surrounding area before the finish in the town itself, and if so then we’ll get to see the riders multiple times. The race route should include a lot of rolling hills, so if an early breakaway has not happened then expect the punchier riders to attack on the short climbs in the finishing circuits.

After watching the podium ceremonies, we’ll take a train back to Rapperswil for supper.

Day 3. 60km with 600m climbing.

Time for a Time Trial! Our hotel is very close to Gossau, where the main time trial of the race will take place. We’ll take a very indirect route to get there by riding around some of the lakes in the region and climbing up to the local peaks.

This will be our shortest day of riding because there is so much to see at the time trial – it’s the best day to be a spectator.

The area containing the team buses where the riders warm up and the mechanics get the bikes ready should be open to the public, so we’ll have a good look around. We plan to use our connections with BMC to get to meet some of the staff and maybe some of the riders. We’ll then head out to a place on the race route where we can get some great photos of the riders whizzing past individually.

At the end of the day, it will be an easy 30 minute bike ride back to the hotel.

Day 4. 100 km with 1100m climbing, or 140 km with 1800m.

Off to the mountains! The racers will have their last mountain-top finish of the tour today, and we’re going to be on the final slopes to watch them battle it out.

We’ll have one decent climb part-way through the day, but we’ll save almost all the climbing for the end. Along the way, we’ll ride along some amazingly scenic valleys that are surrounded by towering mountains.

The climb up to the ski town of Arosa will be a long one. Those not feeling up to it can stop on the lower slopes to watch the racers go past on the steepest sections there, while the more ambitious of us will head for the upper section of the climb. Afterwards, we’ll all descend and re-group at the bottom to hop on a train back to the hotel.

Day 5. 120 km with 2300m climbing.

Let’s finish with a Bang! Hopefully we haven’t tired you out in the previous three days, because we’ve saved the toughest ride for last.

The racers will start pretty close to our hotel, and they’ll almost immediately head uphill. After a slightly longer warm-up than them, we’ll ride up that first climb in the morning and have lunch while we wait for the racers to catch us up.

We’ll then have most of the afternoon to ride on the small roads through the mountains. We’ll do some long, tough climbs before finishing with a long descent back to the hotel.

Ronny Fracarro, GSG's Director

I sat down with Ronny Fracarro, the director of GSG manufacturing a few weeks ago. Actually, we hadn’t planned on talking about business. Ronny was in Switzerland to see a client and so I invited him to supper.

Before going out to eat, I asked to see the winter products that he was showing his customer. Afterall, I normally have to go to Italy or order samples to get my hands on actual product samples and now there they were sitting in the next room.

The production floor at GSG

Ronny had all of GSG’s samples on a travelling clothing rack and I took the time to get lost in the colors, textures, stitching and one hundred other small details that put GSG above other manufacturers. By the time we left for supper, I knew that we needed to put a few more of these Italian-made products onto our shelves.

So, I just called Ronny this morning and told him that we want their best winter jersey: the same elite cold-weather jersey worn by Acqua-Sapone. The work order will be put in tomorrow which means that we’ll get them delivered to you before Christmas !

Classic Winter Jersey

Tradition Winter Jersey

We’re keeping our same “Classic” and  ”Tradition” designs. Both jerseys incorporate exptremely flexible “Roubaix” material with soft fleece inside for temperatures around zero degrees celcius. They’ve got full-length front zip and three rear compartment pockets and an elastic silicone hem.

Again, these jackets are designed in Switzerland, but everything else is done IN-HOUSE at Giessegi’s headquarters outside of Treviso: research, tests, cutting the materials, printing, stitching and boxing. It’s all done by a small-group of hard-working Italians that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know.

Everyone making a pre-order by December 10th will get the jersey a special price: 99chf.

And since we’re making only 50 pieces of each design, there is a real possibility that the jerseys will be sold out before they ship.

Again, we won’t be shipping until around December 10th, but best to pre-order now at this link.