September 2007

Friday night. Finished work early. Packed and ready to go.

(Bike and new suit all looking a bit too clean)

After catching the Eurotunnel that evening we rode to Brussels. First stop the next morning was to Waterloo.

We headed south through Belgium, into Luxembourg, then Germany, France and back into Germany via the Drusus Ferry which crosses the Rhein just north of Strasbourg. We finally stopped at Uberlingen, a total distance 414 miles. Uberlingen has some pretty strange sculptures !!

Next morning we went to the Zeppelin museum in Friedrichshafen.

Heading east again, we crossed Oberjoch and into Austria. Time for a group photo, and a chance to meet the locals.

No matter what, Tim's Zumo GPS couldn't get us past this bridge, and we were forced to head back. Shame really as we were hoping to visit Schloss Neuschwanstein (inspiration for Cinderella's Castle).

Still, with some spare time we took a short offroad detour...

Now, time to enjoy some of those mountain roads ...

We were based in Gerlos for 2 nights. Austria is stunning, and I could have stayed longer.

Next visit was to the Kehlsteinhaus, also known as the Eagle's Nest, in the German Alps near Berchtesgaden. The Kehlsteinhaus was built as a 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler. The Eagle's Nest was meant to be a retreat for Hitler and a place for him to entertain visiting dignitaries. Interesting, but it felt strangely sinister to me, especially the entrance tunnel and lift to the top.

Next morning we awoke to heavy rain...

They have some serious road kill in this part of the world !!!

As we climbed Grossglockner the rain turned to sleet, and visibility dropped to just a few yards making navigation of the cobblestones up to "Bikers Point" a bit tricky and slippery.

These guys obviously decided it was neccesary to take precautions and keep their new baby car (or could that be Ka) nice and warm.

Apparently the views from Grossglockner are superb, but I will have to take their word for it!

Just over 200 miles (plus another 26 when I took the wrong slip road onto the AutoStrada), 8 hours of rain, sleet and freezing cold. Soaked gloves and boots. We were pretty glad when the day was over.

Fortunately the next day the sun returned and allowed us to have some fun in the Dolomites ...

The highlight of the week for me was the Colle St Lucia, you really feel like you are standing on top of the world.

My rear brakes were really taking a pounding - about the thickness of a piece of paper remaining. We found a BMW dealer, Rinomotor in Bolzano, Italy. They only charged 5 Euro to fit the pads and did an excellent job, topping up the oil and tyre pressures etc.

We also took time to buy new waterproof gloves for me, boots for Simon and Martin. And guess what - it didn't rain again!

Leaving Italy and heading to Switzerland through a list of passes which tend to merge in your memory. Oberalpass, Furkapass, Stelvio, Grimselpass and Sustenpass.

Stelvio is probably the most infamous, but to be honest, not my favourite. The bends are very tight (1st or 2nd gear) the road surface very poor and narrow. Fun in a way, but I prefer the faster sweeping roads.

Just to prove you do not need a GS or sportsbike to climb Stelvio, this guy arrived soon after us ...

Unfortunately not caught on camera was when Tim decided to prove a 1200 Adv will wheelie off the throttle in second gear. Coming out of a hairpin, and climbing sharply his bike almost flipped. Nothing to do with the spare tyres and overloaded panniers.

It's a Long Way Down ...

The rear shock on Martin's 1200 Adv decided it had had enough and from this point on his ride became increasingly "bouncy"!

Pretty sure this is Grimsel, but I could be wrong ...

This is the Steingleischer (Stone Glacier) (N46 42.716 E8 24.853) which is another spectacular sight. Not well known, and not yet comercialised (fortunately).

You can walk right up to the glaciers edge (and get an icey shower as it melts).

The shadow of the glacier and the run-off area for the melting ice.

The next day Tim headed off for Morocco via the South of France and Spain.

Simon, Martin and I turned for home, riding 650 miles from Wassen (Switzerland) to London in one go (with some assistance from Eurotunnel).

Sit back, and enjoy the movie...