A long cycle

It was cloudy with low clouds this morning so we decided not to go hiking up the mountain. Instead, Gavin, Tommy and I decided to do a long cycle down the Prattigau Valley to Landquart, a distance of about 34km with a combination of trails and old roads. We have done this route before and in the past left Murdoch at the apartment as we felt it was too far for him to run. However, in his last summer here we planned to buy a dog trailer to pop him in for a rest, particularly when cycling on the roads which are hard on their joints. We never did get it as our plans changed, but on this trip we decided to order one for Xena. And so this morning before we set off Gavin went to the bike shop to collect it, a golden carriage for Princess Xena! See extras for what it looks like.

When we started the cycle she ran along next to the bikes, particularly where there were fields next to the track. She was very good as the route passes right through about three farms where there were sheep, pigs, donkeys, llamas and chickens to distract her but she carried on running. We did stop to give her water and a rest. However, when the route changed from the track surrounded by fields to a tarred road (the old main road up the valley but nowadays it is very quiet and hardly used), we put her in the trailer so she could rest. 

It is a gradual descent down the valley, with some inclines, but I did not use any power from the e-bike and tried to pedal all the way for exercise. However as you near Landquart you cycle through a valley closely flanked by mountains on either side and there is always a strong oncoming wind, so it is very hard pedalling into that wind and I was very grateful to have some assistance from the motor. 

It is a very scenic route going through farmland with fields of maize, and dotted about everywhere on the Alpine meadows are these characteristic barns known as Gadä. These sun blackened barns are a feature of this area and are much photographed. 

When we got to Landquart we had a light lunch near the station and then caught the train back. It was a lovely day out.