Two Swiss Riders Bike Their Way to Pyeongchang for the Summer Olympics
From a quiet Swiss town to the icy slopes of Pyeongchang, a dad and his step‑mom crossed the globe on two wheels to cheer on their son Mischa Gasser.
Birth of an Epic Travel Plan
In February of last year, Guido Huwiler (55) and Rita Ruttimann (57) left their hometown of Olten – a quick 70 km ride from Zürich – with a dream as big as their bike saddles.
- They set out to cycle across 20 countries and cover more than 17,000 km.
- Their expedition started in Switzerland, went through Central Asia, then South Korea, Japan, and back to Switzerland.
- All to get to the Winter Olympics where their son Mischa Gasser would compete in freestyle skiing.
Mountains, Mad Hair, and Meters
“We’ll hit the Pamir Highway, hitting altitudes over 4,000 m,” Guido recalled, his beard as thick as the trail dust.
After exhausting climbs, the pair admitted feeling like snowballs rolled off a shelf. “We were watched out. We needed two to three weeks to regroup,” he said.
China: A Nose‑Hair Tumble
When they crossed into China, the authorities turned them away because of Guido’s legendary beard.
“I didn’t bother cutting it, but we’re hoping to swing through China later,” Guido said with a chuckle.
Holidays in a Frozen Wonderland
In South Korea, the duo camped outside in sub‑zero temperatures, braving the chill until they reached Pyeongchang’s Phoenix Park, the venue for Šason’s freestyle event.
“My son has dreamed about the Olympics since he was four or five,” Guido shared. “Getting to see him live that dream made me feel…well, beyond words!”
What’s Next?
After a roaring cheers for Mischa, the pair will:
- Wrap up their stay in South Korea.
- Fly to Japan before heading back to Switzerland.
- Secure visas for China, Russia, and Mongolia to finish their grand adventure.
“We’re just a couple of crazy people aboard a bicycle,” Guido laughed.
With laughter and wind in their hair, the Huwiler‑Ruttimann duo are demonstrating that the world’s biggest roads are only a few miles away from Olympic dreams.
