El Diablo Suizo y los 4 positiones de la carterra panamericana

This page has two purposes.

First it is a tribute, a big thank you, to my trusty cycle touring partner, el Diablo Suizo, un hombre muy duro de la carterra, Solothun's most famous son and most reluctant fireman, Mr Alain Bessire. We rode together for two extremely memorable 3 month stretches (Argentina to Bolivia and Canada to Alaska). Alain started off as a backpacker but like Saul on the way to Damaascus found the truth path in Argentina. He has an annoyingly aluminum Gary Fisher bike which he bought for about 200 quid in Barriloche Patagonia that, despite all my predictions to the contrary, refuses to break. It just keeps on going. Like most other Swiss that I have met on this trip he has an almost genetic aversion to mint chocolate.

Secondly over our travels over the last 20 months we have both been dismayed at the various chaotic and uncomfortable riding positions of the fellow cycle tourists that we have encountered. Our firm view is that cycle touring, like ballet, has certain positions which should not be deviated from. In order to provide much needed guidance on this matter Alain has very kindly agreed to illustrate the 4 classical riding positions below.

Alain's travel blog

Alain and I split up for a second time in Alaska. I took a train across Canada. Alain is planning on travelling across Russia on the Trans Siberia railway and then riding home to Switzerland through the Baltic states and Eastern Europe. Click on link above to visit his website and follow his journey.

El Diablo Suizo

"Beware beware his flashing eyes, his floating hair" Samuel Coleridge's description of the demon lover in Kubla Khan, could not be more appropriate.

Position 1: El position normal

Position 2: El position cruzar

Position 3: El position atacarrrrrrr!!!!!!

Position 4: El position relajar

Despite all my attempts to persuade him otherwise, El diablo's first question upon arrival in any town in Alaska with a population of more than 15 people was to enquire whether there was a Starbucks. This photograph is my final plea.

Push on Alain!