100 Km E-Bike Tour

Region: Kanton Aargau
Date: 30. März 2021
Season: Spring
Conditions: Warm and beautifully sunny
Ocation: E-Bike Tour
Start/End: CH-5012 Eppenberg

The Story

The Idea

My plan was to test the battery of my e-bike to its limits. But that was just in passing. I wanted to get out again! It's finally spring, the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Perfect for a day outdoors.

Coincidentally, I had just cracked my first 1000 kilometers with my relatively new e-bike. So I thought I might as well document the trip a bit and keep track of when I'll be where with how many kilometers.

The Ride

The first 10 kilometers I rode in the dawn at 2° Celsius along the Aare from Aarau to Auenstein near Rupperswil.

Vollmond über der Aare — Fullmoon over the Aare

Mit dem Vollmond im Rücken geht über der Aare langsam die Sonne auf. Es ist 7.18 Uhr. — With the full moon in my back, the sun slowly rises over the Aare. It is 7:18 a.m.

Es geht weiterhin dem idyllischen Aareufer entlang vorbei am Schloss Wildegg. — The route continues along the idyllic banks of the Aare past Wildegg Castle.

Und die Sonne strahlt den Tag an. Eine Freude! Aber trotzdem ist es noch empfindlich kühl, Kappe und Handschuhe sind montiert. — And the sun shines her big warm smile. A joy! But nevertheless it is still sensitively cool, I wear cap and gloves.

After 25 kilometers, I reach a first milestone at 8:20 a.m.: the pretty old town of Brugg.

I'm well on the way, already 30 kilometers done.

I want to mention here that I'm riding on the back burner. I know that I will have a total of about 100 kilometers to do and at the end the hill chain of the Jura awaits me. So I turn on the engine only rarely, for example when it goes up steeply.

Otherwise, I pedal the 25 kg of the e-bike from pure muscle power. For the first 50 kilometers, I think.

Just a moment ago, the Reuss flowed into the Aare and now the Limmat completes the union.

Shortly before 10 a.m. I reach the bird paradise of the Klingnau reservoir. The sun warms, nevertheless, the temperature remains cool at 6 ° Celsius.

So far I was all on my own, but now I have to avoid walkers and bird enthusiasts with their heavy telephoto lenses.

Then the first view across the border into Germany, where the Aare flows into the Rhine. The first 50 kilometers are almost mastered.

Mündung der Aare im Rhein — Confluence Limmat and Aare

Fahrradwege in der Schweiz — Biking trails Switzerland

Landidyll und Kernkraft in Leibstadt — Country idyll and nuclear power in Leibstadt

Der Nachtigallstrand am Rhein lädt zum Verweilen ein. Dennoch zieht es mich bald weiter. — The nightingale beach on the Rhine invites you to linger. Nevertheless, I soon move on.

Lunchtime an einer gemütlichen Picknickstelle einige Kilometer vor Laufenburg. — Lunchtime at a cozy picnic spot a few kilometers before Laufenburg.

Vor Laufenburg gibt es für ein paar Kilometer keinen Uferweg mehr und ich muss mich bei Kilometer 60 vor mehreren Strassenelefanten in Sicherheit bringen. Der Motor läuft jetzt, die Batterie ist aber noch immer voll. — Before Laufenburg, there is no more shore path for a few kilometers and I have to get to safety from several road elephants at kilometer 60.

Then, after 70 kilometers, I reach the picturesque old town of Laufenburg at 13:00. The little town presents itself to me colorful and dressed up for Easter.

On the border bridge I look towards Laufenburg in Switzerland...

and Laufenburg in Germany

The ride continues into the hilly Fricktal. I take one last look back at the Rhine Valley and Germany.

In Frick steuere ich direkt meinen Lieblingsbäck an. Es ist 14.00 Uhr bei bereits 19° Celsius. 80 Kilometer habe ich hinter mir. — In Frick I head directly for my favorite bakery. It is 14.00 o'clock with already 19° Celsius. 80 kilometers done so far...

90 Kilometer geschafft und der Akku musste auch schon recht was leisten. Obwohl sich der grosse Berg erst vor mir auftürmt. Werde ich es nach Hause schaffen? — 90 kilometers done and the battery also had to perform quite what. But I can only now make out the big mountain straight ahead of me. Will I make it home?

Das Wetter ist noch immer fantastisch und die Aussicht einmalig. Rechts guckt die Wasserflueh durch. Seit geraumer Zeit schmerzt mir das rechte Knie. Ich bin froh, dass ich nicht mehr viel länger durchbeissen muss. — The weather is still fantastic and the view unique. On the right the Wasserflueh looks through. For quite some time my right knee hurts. I'm glad that I no longer have to bite through much longer.

Dann bin ich oben, auf dem höchsten Punkt der Reise! Von hier kann ich es sausen lassen bis zum letzten kleinen Anstieg auf den Eppenberg. — Then I'm at the top, on the highest point of the trip! From here I can let it whiz down to the last small climb to Eppenberg.

And lo and behold, after exactly 100 kilometers I reach the Aare again. We have mild 22 ° Celsius in the afternoon. Nevertheless, I don't want to jump into the cold water. I'm exhausted and looking forward to a cool beer at home.