Some projects start with a vision. Others with a map. For the Gravel Trans Jura, it was both. Christian Rocha, the founder of the Gravel Trans Jura, faced the challenge of designing a multi-day bikepacking route across the Jura. It had to be not only visually impressive, but also technically sound. He gives us an insight into his approach and explains why SwitzerlandMobility is an indispensable digital planning tool for him.
The first line on the map
“Everything started with opening the SwitzerlandMobility app – and having the courage to simply draw the first digital line. I opened the map, activated the drawing mode and sketched the general direction of the Jura crossing.
The big advantage for me was that I didn’t have to start from scratch. The selectable layers immediately provided the framework for my idea. Existing mountain bike routes, Veloland cycling routes and hiking trails appeared like a huge puzzle in front of me. The available photo details were particularly valuable. More than a hundred photo spoters illustrate the SwitzerlandMobility routes. Thanks to the embedded images, I instantly got a feel for the landscape, even before visiting it in person. This allowed me to estimate on screen whether a section ran along a rough trail or a gravel road – crucial for a route where I wanted to maximise the gravel content.
My workflow: between smartphone and desk
One aspect that is often underestimated is the seamless interaction between devices. A line on a map is patient, but reality out on the terrain is often much harsher. My workflow has completely changed in recent years.
When I’m out on the bike scouting routes (recon rides), I always have the SwitzerlandMobility app on my smartphone. If I discover that a path is closed or unsuitable for gravel bikes, I adjust the route directly on the spot. The great thing is: as soon as I’m back in the office, the change is already waiting for me in the web portal on my large screen. This smooth transition allows me to compare route options precisely, check public transport connections for emergencies, and refine the route step by step. Without this synchronisation, I would probably still be drowning in notes and sketch sheets.
Learning from experience
The first edition of our bikepacking adventure, the Gravel Trans Jura in 2024, showed that some adjustments were necessary. Heavy rain made it clear that maximising off-road sections is great, but in continuous rain certain parts turn into muddy battles and participants lose the enjoyment. So I went back to digital planning. I was able to adjust specific sections of the route to make it more weather-resistant, without losing its wild Jura character.
My conclusion: a tool that stays
Today it’s clear: without digital planning, the Gravel Trans Jura would hardly have been possible in this form. For me, SwitzerlandMobility Plus is much more than just a planning tool – it has become my memory and my most important analysis instrument.
The fact that I now plan all our events with it has little to do with “advertising”, and everything to do with efficiency. It saves me time and gives me the confidence that participants will end up on a route that works and inspires.”