The great bike tour Day 14: Construction sites, hiking trails, and Schellenursli

Today was a very intense day, not only because it was the most alpine stage so far.

First highlight: after the mediocre hotel breakfast, I want to send the book that I have been carrying around with me since Frankfurt to my home at the post office across the street. The friendly Swiss lady says it will cost 20 CHF, but only if I fill out the customs declaration myself. I politely decline, the book only cost 15€. By the way, it is highly recommended: Harald Lesch and Klaus Kamphausen "wenn nicht jetzt, wann dann", but unfortunately it weighs 670 grams. I ask if there is something like book telephone booths where you can give away books. No, only the library. Or if she can give it away (it was always in the plastic bag and would be in new condition on Ebay)? Oh, you know what, she replies, write down your address for me, I will send it to you. I look at her in disbelief - yes, it's alright.

Second highlight: the approximately 400 meters of altitude up to Ftan are surprisingly easy, it's probably because I no longer have the heavy book with me.

Third highlight: the road between Ftan and Ardez is apparently closed due to construction work. However, I only realize that this affects me about 200 meters of altitude further down - the detour would be back to the hotel and then the state road in the valley - there must be a way to avoid this. And there is, the construction workers are very friendly and let me push my bike past the excavator through the mud.

Fourth highlight: the beautiful houses in the Schellenursli style in the villages up here: Ftan, Ardez, Bos-cha, and Guarda. Many of them have been carefully restored in recent years, it's definitely regional cultural heritage.

In Zernez, I wait an extra three-quarters of an hour until COOP finishes its midday nap and buy something for dinner and yogurt for tomorrow morning's muesli. I think it's better to take it with me here than to think about going back to S-chanf from the campsite later, it's only 11 km. What I didn't know is that there are still many meters of altitude to cover, about 250, and all on gravel roads or hiking trails. And in between, pipes are also being laid, my trekking bike with mudguards is really pushing its limits, a "Gräwl-Beik" would have been better here.

Fifth highlight: the tent meadow at the Chapella campsite - and the rain waits patiently until I have set up my tent.

https://www.komoot.de/tour/759418202?ref=itd

Chapella campsite, 15 CHF, Wi-Fi in the tent, modern sanitary building, snow remains next to the meadow