The Best Ride of my Life! Cycling Switzerland- Ep 1 On the Trek Domane SL5 (Best Bike Ever)

It's been two years since I've been abroad, so I am finally in Switzerland, riding roads I have dreamed of for years, The Furka Pass, Saint Gottardo and the Nufonen Pass. Would they live up to all that excitement?
We are here for 5 days exploring the Swiss Alps, hopefully the 2000m plus summits, won't break us!!
Created with Wondershare Filmora
My Strava for those wanting to see the routes we ride is
/ strava
The Official Climbs Website for all the climbs I am collecting -www.100climbs....
My equipment for list for filming :
iPhone 13 Pro(4K enabled)
Bitplay iPhone camera case
Front camera is IPhone 4K
Shure MV88 microphone
Tascam DR10 Lavalier Microphone
GoPro Hero 9
Insta360 One R
My Instagram is:
Personal Instagram is CyclingDarren37
Follow me on Twitter @dazza3740
Follow me on Zwift Darren Phillips (YT)
If you want to join any of our rides, send me a message
If you have any questions, I will be in the KZbin comments replying
Contact us on [e-mail]
Affiliate links
Insta360 Camera's
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[@1960malcolm1]

Nice to see the club with you on that one Darren. Switzerland is a great country with very good scenery. Not many flat roads it seems but you like the hills don't you. Brilliant video Darren and thanks for showing. The editing was also exceptional very enjoyable.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you Malcom, especially about the editing as I crammed a late nighter to get it completed ready for todays video. The scenery is stunning, we were all in awe of the Furka pass and crawling home on our hands and knees back to the house. Safe to say, we had a lazy morning and a late start today!

[@drewbyscoobywho]

Wow! What an amazing place to ride! Can't wait for the next one!

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Andrew, it’s definitely a place for any cyclists bucket list.

[@mpercolla]

Could not make it half way through the video without commenting-- want an absolute dream of a ride! Stunning views, thanks you for sharing. Its great motivation to keep riding and begin planning these types of adventures! CHEERS!!

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you Marta, I hope you enjoy the rest of the video. Switzerland is paradise!

[@bikerted16]

It reminds me of my 3 trips to the Pyrenees in 2007,8,9 , my basic training for doing hills was riding around Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 , wasn’t prepared for the climbing 6mph Col de port, col de Portlet, d’ Aspet , col de Saraille and few other ones as well in 30c we stay in a B&B in Masset it was more of one col a day with a cafe and cake stop pity had no Strava in those days , but what achievement for you Darren that ice cream looks gorgeous 🍺👍⭐️👏💪🥵

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Terry, It was a great week, the scenery was some of the best I’ve seen and I have also done the Pyrenees and the French Alps. I’d be broke pretty quick, if I stayed there for any longer!! It’s not a cheap place to be! 😂

[@terryb392]

Fantastic ride Darren and company what Fantastic beautiful scenery and great roads. The cobbled sections look better than most of the uk roads Enjoy the rest of your time in Switzerland.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Terry, I can assure you, riding up a climb on those cobbles wasn’t great! You couldn’t get into a rhythm on them. The minute a gutter appeared you instantly gained 2km/h for no effort! It is an engineering masterpiece though and has to be seen to be believed. It’s a shame I was so broken, I didn’t film much of it!!

[@simonclare5422]

I said OMG about 4 times in first minute, absolutely bloody awesome, what a place to ride, looks brilliant and well done Darren, you never gave up ,felt for you on that last climb. Great to see some of the Mendip crew with you. Really great vlog bud, well edited as well fella👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Simon, despite the suffering, the scenery just made it very special. The group were great, even though they had to wait for me for a bit at the top of the last two climbs. It was worth the two year wait of not being able to abroad. But we’ve all underestimated how much high Altitude affects you.

[@SloMo2723]

I love cycling but you and the lads have bigger ones than I do! Just saying............ Major respect for you guys

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you, the scenery helps take the pain away!! 😂

[@captain1664]

Wow, what a fantastic place to enjoy riding with your friends. Have a superb time 👍

[@captain1664]

I should have waited until I had watched the whole thing before commenting. Whilst truly very beautiful it was definitely type two enjoyment after that first climb. Well done to you, especially you Darren, for pushing through the discomfort. Many of the best things in life are hard to achieve.

[@DarrenPhillips]

The scenery makes up for the suffering! I think it was a combination of the altitude and the sun that made it tougher for me.

[@jeffmarlow1780]

What a great trip. Glad it worked out and excellent video,

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Jeff, it’s amazing here, we all love Switzerland!!

[@peteradshead6566]

Thanks for that Darren. Splendid scenery but I will be sticking to South Somerset and Dorset, I know my limits.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Peter, there always an E-bike!! Never say never, the scenery is well worth a visit!

[@diq5386]

In a word jealous except for the icky side of things 😂 looks amazing!!

[@DarrenPhillips]

It is incredible Di, I just wish I could figure out a way of not suffering from the altitude. But for the views, I’m in love with Switzerland 🇨🇭

[@ridekernow]

That looks utterly brilliant. I want to be there now. Oh and this might be the best KZbin video I’ve ever watched!

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Justin is going home tomorrow, so we will have a spare bed!! 😂 We all love Switzerland though! 😍🇨🇭

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

3rd time watching this. Can't just get enough. Boys are cool.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Ed, looking back now, I was very ill going up the Nufenen pass, so I’d love to do it again, feeling 100%. I’d really looked forward the the St Gotthard pass, but it was torture trying to scramble up alone with sunstroke and completely empty. But the boys were great and pulled me through. Such a memorable holiday. It’s a shame most of them have plans this year, so at present, we don’t have plans for another trip. I have lots of ideas for this year, but nothing concrete as yet. Justin is hoping to do Paris Brest Paris, so he is eating up the kilometres this winter in training. But there will be something happening in July, but this will take some topping!

[@Jess-in-Switzerland]

Ahhh the Furka Pass! 🙂

[@DarrenPhillips]

Good times! 😍

[@sheilahounslow5975]

Well son, you had me worried at the . “I can’t breath , my hearts racing , I’ve been sick bit “ but WOW what an amazing achievement l love Switzerland. But not been that high. Just looked from below. Looking forward to your next ride, BUT from a Mom type comment . For goodness sake take care ! 🥰👍🏆

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Mum, I love Switzerland 🇨🇭 not sure what made me ill up the Nufenen, but yesterday was recovery day. Today I feel better, but you’ll be pleased to know I’ve been sensible today and just done the two big climbs, not the three the rest have attempted. Time will only tell if they chose wisely!!

[@sheilahounslow5975]

@@DarrenPhillips thank goodness . Let’s hope they are all ok. I think a wise decision on your part . A good pilot always knows when to abort a landing and go round again. As Colin would say . Enjoy your day. Looking forward to your next video. 🚵‍♀️ ❤️

[@DarrenPhillips]

@@sheilahounslow5975 um! Todays video still sees me suffering! 😂 just know, I’m better today. Stuck to my near 4 hour route and I wasn’t last up the mountain today! 😄

[@anthonybaxendale887]

Another great video Darren, with great views & well edited. Good to see some of the Mendip cc with you ☺

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Anthony, we’ve had this trip planned since last year, before I left the club. The views are just jaw dropping, I hope I did them justice.

[@chrishodgson1968]

Just WOW 👍

[@DarrenPhillips]

That was said many times Chris!

[@geraintjones2180]

Fantastic Darren - riding with mates in such a wonderful place. Nothing compares to those Swiss roads and mountain passes! PS Not sure I could do the Nufenen - I think I read somewhere that Cancellara rates it as the toughest climb in Switzerland!

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Geraint, well if Fabian says so, I’ll agree with him. It didn’t help that we were baking at 35° on the ascent either!

[@lewiswalker7803]

Cant believe you opted for that scenery and challenge over the Somerset levels Darren?? Almost looked like a post card prop behind you at times, picture perfect views! Great effort as always chaps!! 👏🏽

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Lewis, The problem is I’m used to the elevation of the levels, but we start here at 1400m and the only way is up, to over 2000m. I’ve done three 2000m climbs in my life, and I’ve now done four in two days!!!! I just can’t breathe!! A gentle pedal and I’m still at max heart rate. But if I’m gonna die anywhere, there’s no better place than the Swiss Alps!! 😂

[@lewiswalker7803]

@@DarrenPhillips keep it going Darren, huge climbs in thin air, ace vlog tho, maybe ditch the kit for the next one and help yourself a bit? You can’t top that footage anyway!

[@DarrenPhillips]

The drone was ditched today! 😂

[@peterlanganke6716]

Simply excellent 👌

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you Peter!

[@thefairweathercyclist6521]

That looked classic. Glad you did the climbing though while I sat back on the sofa 😂

[@DarrenPhillips]

Was it the best sofa you’ve ever sat on? 😂 It was a great ride despite the sunstroke. I’ve only ever had sunstroke twice on a ride and both times I’ve been wearing the Pelotan sun stuff. So it’s completely rubbish. I used normal boots sun cream and that worked much better for the rest of the trip. Lesson learned!

[@thefairweathercyclist6521]

@@DarrenPhillips Brilliant response!

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

So womderful. I miss Swiss. Great vids. Subbed.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you Ed, I also miss Switzerland, such a beautiful area to ride a bike. I still look at my photos fondly. I need to go back there soon.

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

@@DarrenPhillips yes, same here. I want to go back, too. This year Im going to Iceland. I joined The Rift. Not racing. Just for the fun and experience. July 19 to 30. Then will gonto Bormio to do Stelvio Pass. July 30 Aug 2. Let me know when you are going back to Swiss. Maybe I can reroute my plans.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Hold the Bus!!! You’re doing the Stelvio???? That’s now number one on my bucket list. Lucky you! We were talking about the French Alps or the Pyrenees this year. But haven’t booked anything as yet.

[@FortheLoveofCycling]

@@DarrenPhillips yes. Let's go! Done stelvio before but have an unfinished business. Mortirolo and gavia are also in the lists. Then chill around bormio and explore small villages nearby.

[@DarrenPhillips]

Sadly my leave is all booked and I’ll have no chance of changing it for the end of July. But one day, I’ll make it to Bormio.

[@SteveBrill]

Unbelievable scenery and roads from cycling heaven! Sorry to see you were struggling Darren, but you do seem to enjoy suffering? 🤣

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Steve, High Altitude doesn’t agree with me Steve. We went up the easier climb of the Oberalppass today and in crawling along at my max heart rate. The scenery does take the pain away! 😂 I love Switzerland 🇨🇭 though! 😍

[@Marco-ie2xn]

Respect!

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you Marco

[@peny79133]

비현실적인 풍경.. 멋진 사람들.❤

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thank you, it certainly is an amazing place. Breath taking scenery!

[@spikedickey5703]

Bloody hell, thought I was watching the Tour de France for a moment(lol!). Guess you now know why pro bike riders are built like stick insects. Can’t wait for the next instalment great to see you and your mates having fun in such beautiful surroundings. Catch you on your next vid 👍

[@DarrenPhillips]

Thanks Spike! You can’t help but love the place, the scenery is incredible. We are all changing our plans though, as 100km here is a big deal! But if you’re going to suffer, you may as well suffer in paradise!

[@Ellorenzo1]

Hi, where abouts did you base yourselves pls? Would you recommend that or suggest another location might be better> Ta!

[@DarrenPhillips]

We stayed in Andermatt, it was a property on Booking.com, called Haus Sonnboden. It was perfect for the six of us, sox individual beds, plenty of facilities and a storeroom for the bikes downstairs. But you will be well based in Andermatt for this region.

[@mihajloprodanovic5512]

What is the best time to ride in Switzerland in tearms of weather?

[@DarrenPhillips]

I can’t say I’m an expert, as I’ve only been the once. But I would have thought anytime late May to September. We visited the 2nd week of July and the weather was perfect. Outside of that, the possibility of the passes being closed increases.

[@mihajloprodanovic5512]

@@DarrenPhillips Thank you. I was thinking probobly May - June are the best

[@DarrenPhillips]

@mihajloprodanovic5512 Just be aware that the Tour of Switzerland is usually Early June as a warm up race for the TdF. So avoid or plan to be there whichever suits!