Donnerwetter, I did it! (6 August)

The Donner Pass has always been my favorite stretch of cycling in the US. Although it doesn't involve more climbing than Steinerberg in Switzerland (another favorite tour of mine), with its setting in the rocky cliffs of the Sierra Nevada and fabulous view onto Donner Lake, it is really special. I didn't really think I'd make it this year ... now eight years older than last time. However, taking it slowly, making frequent stops to take a picture, eat a snack or drink some Winforce (actually mainly to catch my breath and let my pulse go half way back to normal), I made it. The altitude might have also influenced the challenge, the summit being at around 2,000 meters, instead of the 700 meters on Steinerberg!
After the ride back down to Truckee, we visited Donner State Park, the site of a tragic event in the history of the pioneers. This is where the Donner Party, having taken an untried route to California, were snowed in for the winter. Twelve foot high walls of snow made it impossible for them to find their way across the pass. For three months they suffered cold and starvation and many of them died. The memorial on the right is a tribute to the courage and stamina of the pioneers. Although the male figure is leading here, history has revealed that the women, through their genetic makeup and exteme devotion to their families, showed more endurance and ability to survive adversity.

Truckee is one of our favorite little towns in the States. Like Red Lodge in Montana and Hill City in South Dakota, it is touristy but still retains its quaint character. As you can see, it is very friendly to cyclists. There are wonderful bike paths around the lake and mountain biking is really big business.

The town has that "Western" look and there are many loving details of former times, like the gas pumps on the right. We would love to spend more time in this beautiful, historical and very entertaining area, but our return to Switzerland is just a week off now, and we have miles to go, much to do and people to see before then.

 

 

 


Spectacular Donner Pass

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