The requirements are expected to be reduced as the military shrinks. In 110 years, the bicycle brigades have earned a reputation almost as legendary as the red Swiss army pocketknife or St. Bernard mountain-rescue dogs. Their popularity is unsurprising in a nation where many children grow up cycling long distances over mountains and where nearly every town has a club of serious enthusiasts. Joining a cycle regiment is also seen as a way for robust young conscripts to avoid the otherwise dull routines of mandatory military service. Aspiring candidates must prove themselves in a national fitness test, which includes running two six-minute miles, jumping and climbing.
Competition is stiff.
More than 2,000 soldiers vie for the 200 places available in the twice-yearly training program, which is based in nearby Romont. The 1996 Olympic road race champion, Pascal Richard, and current Tour de France competitor Laurent Dufaux served their time in cycling regiments. I thought I could do the whole military service as a cyclist. Now it's ending. As he spoke, loud booms erupted from the alpine hillside a few hundred feet away, where his comrades fired automatic rifles and threw grenades at targets.