Everyone would like to use a broom wagon on a cycling holiday at least once: a broom wagon. It is a common sight in the cycling world. The last of the group, here, drives the broom wagon. In French, it is called ‘Voiture Balai‘. In the Tour de France, this vehicle actually drives with an old-fashioned broom attached. Interestingly, there is also a real broom wagon behind it, to clean up the dirt a bit.
Many in the cycling community use the term ‘broomwagon’ for their business. The most famous in the Netherlands is Robert Gesink, who has his own coffee cart ‘Broomwagon’ He calls it. Outside the Netherlands, Stefano Nucera is probably the most famous. His podcast ‘The Broomwagon’ It gets a lot of attention and he often has interesting guests. What’s even more fun: Stefano is a kind of bike nomad who seems to settle somewhere else almost every 3 years. Originally from Calabria, the nose of the Italian boot, he has a wealth of bike stories. We took the time to sit down with him and pick out some cool tips from his brain. Part 1: Broomwagon report: Swiss Disneyland. With cool tips for cycling in Switzerland.
Stefano links – MvdP right (c) Broomwagon/Stefano Nucera
Cycling is life
Stefano sits between the boxes when we talk to him. Not only is he just moving, he is also about to become a father. Exciting stuff, as he calls it himself, but also a hectic time. Yet he has time for an extensive chat, because that is also his trademark. As he puts it himself: ‘I am really a talker. What I like: meeting new people and having good conversations. It’s so great to meet new people.’
He therefore has three things in his life (cycling is the overarching concept) that are important:
- Talking to people to promote inclusivity
- Sustainable living: Stefano looks for ways to have as little impact on nature and people as possible.
- Looking for adventure: I’m a doer and I’m not afraid to discover new things.
Calamaro aka Stefano (c) Erwin Sikkens 
The bicycle as an accidental constant
The story of how Stefano became obsessed with cycling is completely different from what you would expect. Italians seem to all be crazy about bikes. I also expected that he would have been an idol of big names like Pantani, Bugno, Chiapucci and others from a very young age. Nothing could be further from the truth. After his master's degree, he was completely unfit and was asked by a friend if he would go on a bikepacking trip to Albania. Taking point 3 of his life ideals into account, he said immediately ‘yes’. One problem: he didn’t have a bike! That could have been arranged; it was an absolute challenge, but since then the bike has been a constant occurrence.
It’s all about the people
As already shown at the beginning of our conversation: Stefano actually considers people more important than the environment itself. For us, that’s of course a separate thing to write down, but it’s true to some extent. Every environment becomes better when you drive it with friends. That said: the view of a beautiful lake is a little more amazing to us than a ride along the dykes and roads of Flevoland.
Gravel is an attitude
That Stefano ended up in the gravel scene is almost a given. In his words: it’s an attitude (or actually a lifestyle). Gravel is much more laid-back in its approach than the world of road cycling. That’s where it’s all about watts, fastest bike and so on. Gravel suits better. Stefano himself says: I just want to be out there, close to nature. Exploring is a constant for me. There’s always something new to see.
Swiss Disneyland
After a beautiful trip around Europe, Stefano has landed in Switzerland. As we ask him for some great tips, his eyes light up: ‘Switzerland is amazing. You turn the corner and there’s some more wonderful things that you haven’t seen before.’ They call it Swissneyland for a reason.
If you really want to enjoy the Swiss beauty, you have countless opportunities. What stands out for us: Stefano always pairs beautiful surroundings with events. That brings the ‘meeting new people’ angle right on time.
‘Every year I do the famous Three Passes myself: Nufenen, Gotthard and Furkapass. That is a rite of passage for me. I can also be very brief about it:
- Furkapas: Love it. What an amazing climb
- Nufenen: Hate it. Anything beautiful, in all its ugliness, is the Soviet-style building that stands on top of it. The best part is actually the descent to Airolo. There you get an espresso (you wouldn’t guess) and then on
- Tremola/Gotthard: Fantastic, but quite heavy
The best thing is to set up your basecamp in Andermatt to have, in the canton of Uri. I always stay there in a very remote place. It’s really a kind of retreat for me. Fantastic. Andermatt is not only a perfect base camp, but you can also ride fantastic gravel there. Truly a ‘hidden gem’.
There’s more to explore
Another tip that we haven’t heard before: an event on the border between Switzerland and France. As Stefano says: ‘Gravelfans, but also road cyclists can pay tribute to the men and women who tried to hold on against the German might in WWII. The event, La Resistance, is a tribute. I find these kind of events wonderful. There’s a story to it’.
(c) Laresistance.cc
Swissneyland takes the next level
‘Many of you will also know the Klausenpass. What an amazing climb it is. I really think it’s such a beautiful climb.
A few more gems
Stefano continues: ‘You know me quite well now; I really like a story.’ For example, I like the Pragelpass from Schwyz. The Pragelpass connects two cantons. On the one hand, there is Schwyz, and on the other hand, Glarners. These two are opposite in terms of orientation, and it seems that this road has therefore been somewhat behind in terms of development. There have also been quite a few battles fought here (Neutrality does not mean that there was no fighting). The Russians were, for example, pushed back here by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Ultimately, you can then travel via the Klöntalersee to Glarus. It is truly a beautiful place.
(c) Switzerland Tourism
(c) Switzerland Tourism
Davos
This spa town in Graubunden has some beautiful climbs where you can really ride great. The Fluelapass and the Albulapass are, among other things, tours you shouldn't miss.
In the sequel: Part 2!
Questions & tips
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