The Hard Way

One of our most popular tours at the shop is Lake Lugano Border Crossing. We take riders up into Val’Intelvi and cross the border from Italy to Switzerland in a narrow, steep canyon. The road peaks at an 18% descent right in the middle of quick switchbacks. It’s highly technical and a bit of a surprise to anyone who hasn’t been there before.

Interestingly, the first time I ever rode there (Val Mara), I was headed in the other direction. Of course, I opted to do that route going uphill. It makes me chuckle every time that someone on the tour comments “Man, I’m glad that’s not us riding in the other direction,” when we pass someone going the hard way.

Last month, my friend Ana and I decided to depart from her home in Lugano and take on the hard climb through Val Mara. I was loaded down with all of my belongings from my stay with her. And we climbed up up up those 18% hills. It was challenging! But it was cool back there, and there is something about the challenge that I feed off of. As long as it’s doable, I keep going. And i feel so proud that I am able to push on. Eventually you reach the Italian border crossing and things flatten out… well - 3% incline feels flat after 18%. We cruised through a gorgeous tree lined road as we celebrated our ascent, and then it was downhill all the way from there. That sweet reward is always so much more appreciated after overcoming those fierce climbs.

Why go the easy way when the reward is so much sweeter this way?