Biking in Switzerland is a refreshing and revitalising change

Biking in Switzerland
When Caroline Hamman’s boyfriend offered to whisk her off for a romantic short break in Verbier, Switzerland, she didn’t resif ™ it would involve so much mud.
As the loose rocks tumbled down 0 track, I couldn’t help questioning r,. boyfriend’s rnct’ves for choosing«; bike break in Verbier in mid-sum self-confessed snow-junkies, the heading to the Alps in summer, how beautiful they are, seemed kind ; without glistening powder to enjoy.
Perfect blue skies welcomed us that weekend, though, and I must admit it was a refreshing change to be wearing shorts, not thermal socks, in the early-morning sunshine.
GET FREEWHEELING
Having collected our bikes, complete with souped-up suspension, we ascended in a cable car, and began with a gentle uphill ride past fields constantly ringing with cowbells (the cricket song of the Alps). Old habits die hard and we took a quick hot chocolate pit stop to drink in the views. Little did I know what was in store next. Thundering down the mountain, suddenly the tracks got steeper (think blue/red piste) and the wheels spun faster (think racing car
. I made it down though, very proud . … faring to go again. Second time around I tore back down infinitely more confidently, with only one small hitch involving a muddy bog (mental note: don’t wear white when throwing yourself over handlebars into a ditch when it’s been raining).
GET A TASTE FOR PAMPERING
The next day, we explored the village. After a spot of mini-golf, a few games of tennis and a rather chilly evening run, we opted for a divine Elemis body massage at our hotel. The small, but perfectly formed spa has a rainfall shower, sauna, hammam, plunge pool and a couple of treatment
rooms. Later, we managed to rouse ourselves for supper in the hotel restaurant. Three delicious courses included king prawns, steak-frites cooked to perfection and ice cream with raspberry coulis – all with a local vin rouge. Then we sank into giant cushions on the huge balcony outside the restaurant to soak up the panoramic views, leaving the yoga and Pilates classes to those who still hadn’t had enough activity.
And so, am I converted to summer in the) Alps? Well, yes. It turns out that, skis or no 1 skis, I love the mountains.
THE FACTS Three nights in a twin or 6oub\e at the Hotel Neva?, Verbier (www. nevaf.ch), costs from £344. Mountain biking costs from £114 (www. powderanddust.com). A transfer ticket (from £64, valid for one month) enables return travel between any airport in Switzerland and your destination within a month.

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