Giving the Hope 1000 a go had been on our radar since reading about it in 2021, it sounded awesome.
It was a really full time leading up to going away. As the day approached for us to leave there was a part of me wishing we were headed to lie by Swiss lake rather than attempt some of this epic route! Now as we sit on the plane waiting to fly home I am sooo glad we stuck to the original plan and cycled every day. It has been completely amazing.
We started on the flat in Romanshorn and ended up with multiple days of traversing up steep mountains, gazing at spectacular views then whizzing down the other side of the mountains.
The overall experience was incredible. We often think this is part of the huge physical effort we put in and the internal peace that comes from such a simple time.
There are definitely rougher parts of it - wearing the same clothes each day, cycling for hours in the rain, having porridge for dinner when all the restaurants/shops are shut, Rob getting a dodgy tummy & some less restful nights in the tent!
Maybe the contrasting rough with smooth is what just makes it, everything good is massively appreciated!
Heres a snapshot of each day:
We started pedalling from Romanshorn, having had a v long welcome sleep at marinas Seaviewbnb. The fact that Marina pointed out the sea to us far in the distance a couple of times when she showed us our room made us chuckle.
We lingered over breakfast....savouring the peace, the to do lists all done and the start of a new adventure!
We then enjoyed a very flat cycle along the side of the lake, before getting told off that we're actually not allowed to cycle on it ! We cyclled then on the actual cycle path past huge orchards, lots of massive holiday homes and then into Konstanz to find a camping shop!
In Konstanz Square we recaffeinated ourselves, enjoying hearing piano music drifting from a nearby music shop, we had a look inside the vast cathedral: immense..
We were then on the trail straight into a network of forest paths, lots of straight beautiful paths, light beckoning at the end.
We were then up unto a tiny village to get water and as we filled up our bottles from a trickling village fountain, I laughed internally realising I was wishing the water to flow quicker, still in work mode clearly!..
Quaint shuttered houses and peaceful places, my soul had drunk deeply and was starting to be revived.
An afternoon of cycling through farmland, little villages, forests was just fab! We are getting into the groove, the gentle start was appreciated.
There was a few long hills, the perseverance it takes to keep.going in a way I guess no one sees , yet the stamina and fitness it builds are stepping stones for future unknown things.
A vibrant sunset, braii , pork, pasta pesto and getting snuggled into tente .....literaly glorious. Day 1 hope 1000 thank you!
Day 2
Roads through farmland , forest, we headed up a climbing tower to see extensive views ....then sunshine all afternoon....much hunger.... restaurant, we had high hopes! Delicious expensive yet small portion of wild ravioli!
Haha ..Rob asked if the grapes we were given were from the vine.....no the chap said "not for wine"....haha such a Germanism.....then we pedalled on and caught sight of spectacular snow covered mountains, high high peak in the distance and promptly took a wrong turn, then we were greeted by a chap who turned out to be Willi who actually designed the route ....he invited us for coffee. We enjoyed a gorgoues coffee with Willi and his wife Yvonne hearing about the origins of the HOPE 1000 race and the couple's experiences of organising it over the last 10 years, what a privilege to meet them.
On we went a few more hours by the river and then lots of up! No shops or restaurants were open because it was Sunday, oops! We found a bench with a stunning view and at what should have been breakfast for the next day!
Day 3
We srarted with a coffee overlooking a small town in the vallley, a straight road running through it to a church , then an oak tree in the distance. Taking our time enabled much more enjoyment of the scene.
Then it was basicalky uphil all day, towards the mountains...it was foggy in parts , particularly across the forest areas, stunning arrays of multiple shades of pine green and fog that looked like smoke wafting all around. When the fog lifted as we journeyed through the forest the contrast emerald green of the forest glistening because of the recent rain was just stunning.
A few cool steep downhills then were had, lots of curious shaped hillocks everywhere, all the grass beautifully cultivated fun!!
Then there was a few major slogs up, most of the day it was raining so we were just wet!
We decided to bypass a coffee stop early on as we thought we might not leave the warmth again! So it was near to 5 when we had our first indoor stop, an amazing portion of sausage and chips!
Off out into the rain to fund a campspot and we found a cool empty hut, nice and clean....amazing a shelter from the rain....and a glorious outside wash chilly but soooo welcome...
Day 4
A turbulent night in the bothy yet a delightfully peaceful morning, reading by candlelight...we waited for the rain to clear .... we thought about being fruit on gods vine, each looking to him for our purpose ....reminded again to trust wholeheartedly, be patient. To keep focused on being close to God, cultivating a healthy marriage and other things coming after that.
Of into the foggy woods we went, it was up, up, up and up some more, major effort, some single track, we passed some large menacing dogs on the other side of an electric fence, they barked us along the length of the long field, I was scared!
Then we reached the top if the hill, we could see nothing but a large metal cross, it was super foggy!
Then down to a huge alpine cafe, warmth! We savoured the warmth the gorgeous coffee.
Layers on as it was then 7km of sheer blissful downhill
Day 5
A huge breakfast at huber hotel where we had stayed a night and had had a meal in an Indian restaurant. (only restaurant we could find open)...one we regretted as after rob seemed to be sick from it!
We changed our plan therefore and headed through the sun kissed valley up towards the mountains instead of straight up into the mountains.
We camped that night in a forest clearing. It turned out to be a used car partk, at about 6am we heard a car park up and a chap appeared to be heading for a day's walk. When we were packing up to leave, he came back, this time we could see the rifle slung over his shoulder, he had been hunting. I'm glad I hadn't spotted the gun in my sleepy state at 6am in the morning, I might have been a bit frightened!
Day 6
Wooft a big beautiful amazing day thank you God. Incredible scenes every which way we looked today, indescribable actually. The sheer magnutudue of the snowy mojntain ranges, today bathed in sunlight. The alpine meadows, the alpine huts , chalets, so many great paths interlinked.
We had a coffee with an incredible view as we sped down to amden and then snacky lunch b the beautiful lake. We snaked our way back up to 1400 m on a switch back road, once in the rhtymn of 6it was doable, huge effort, 1hr 45 minutes of constant climbing. A restaurant at the top was so welcome, a drink and lots of chips before camping on an alpine meadow.
Day 7
Enjoyed coffee and brekkie in the glorious,sunshine this morning.....lingering on as we chatted and enjoyed.
Then of course it was up , up, up, navigating a herd of chilled cows on the path ...then a muddy downhill initially, rob got stuck in the mud and then another fast and long downhill all the way down to siembe ....we restocked, had a coffee, found out our car had finally been scrapped and then it was up, up, up again ( short linch stop with nice chat ...) slow nd steady, climbing to 1000m ....an idyliic last nights campspot was found basking initially in the sunshine. So much to be thankful for!!
Each day we read part of a book called the vine that my dads cousin Mary Clare gave me a long time ago. Super helpful to contemplate, along with teaching by Tim Kellar. Oh to live more like this , remembering we are nothing and we are great , Christs life living through us as we become transformed into his likeness, more holy as we display the fruit of the spirit.
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