Our route started straight from the centre of Zug, just an hour from Lucerne and Zurich, and the climbing began almost immediately. The first ramp took us to the village of Menzingen, then onwards to a Swiss military outpost known as Bloodhounds. A brief respite followed,  rolling through quiet pastures, before we rounded a sharp left and were hit with a view that catches even the locals off guard: Lake Ägeri glittering far below, framed by the towering ridge lines in the distance.

From here, the route rolled gently until the road pitched up again for the second real test,  Unter Brunegg. It’s a climb that demands respect. With over a dozen ways to the summit, all averaging gradients above 9%, it’s become a proving ground for local riders,  some even make it a mission to tick off all the approaches in a single day.The top is where summer riding meets winter tradition. When the snow falls, the locals switch bikes for skis,  the summit is reached by funicular and transforms into a Nordic ski training ground.

Our descent was fast, flowing and technical, winding back down towards Zug with the lake shimmering in the distance. The route might be routine for Rob and Fabienne, but for most, it’s a serious challenge. Yes, they’re lucky to call this home, but they ride it with purpose, making the most of every climb, every switchback, and every ride.