2 Wheeled Trip to Italian Alps

[RAYK47]

OK so I am going to the Italian Alps but not in the Z, on my motorcycle. I know 2 wheels is not everyone's cup of tea here but i thought i would share it anyway.

I have never done a tour before but a friend of mine who is very experienced touring in Europe has organised the entire trip. There are 10 of us going with the majority of them very experienced tourers. Starting out on the 3rd May and returning on the 11th.

I am very excited to finally get out into Europe and do some serious riding. My bike is a Triumph Street Triple, not the ideal touring bike but I didn't have time to get anything else before (due to demo bikes not being available and other family matters). But i love my Triple and cannot wait to get going.

below is the basic route (but there are alternatives depending on circumstances) i.e Stelvio being still closed etc.

Day 1 - Folkestone to Metz


Day 2 - Metz to Freiburg


Day 4 - Merano to Cortina


Day 5 - Cortina to Maniago


Day 6 - Maniago to Sopramonte


Day 7 - Sopramonte to Freiburg (via Stelvio)


Day 8 - Freiburg to Metz


Unfortunately it looks like Stelvio wont be open as its still covered in snow. But we have alternative routes.

 

[BeeEmm]

Sounds exciting. Enjoy the trip.

 

[buzyg]

Looks like some good roads in there. Hope it goes well.

 

[RAYK47]

So i returned from the trip on Sunday evening.   The trip was amazing with many good but some not so good events. 

Overall the riding was fantastic, some of the roads and passes were something else.  we couldn't do Stelvio as it does not open until the end of May, however i don't feel i missed out as the alternatives were excellent.  

Friday we met up at a hotel in Folkstone, didn't start well for one of the party as he broke down on the way.  Turns out he had put diesel in his GS so the AA sorted that out pretty quickly for him and he was on his way, he didn't live that down for the entire trip.  

On day 1 the trip to Metz was quite long and the weather was terrible but we stopped off at an amazing little boulangerie, the staff were fantastic and the baguettes were first class.  Turns out they always stop here on trips to Europe.   The weather continued to be terrible all day but we got to Metz without any incidents.  

Day 2 we travelled from Metz to Freiburg, another fairly long day and another day where it was raining all day.  we attempted the Grand Ballon but the rain was so bad (heavy rain and very low cloud cover meant we were losing visibility very quickly and without warning, the conditions were dangerous so we abandoned the Ballon.

Day 3 we travelled to Italy, our longest trip at over 300miles and without a doubt the worst day for rain.  This was the day my gear leaked and i was soaked, i am going to need some waterproof overs (will start a new thread for recommendations).  Also during this trip one of the BMW XRs broke down and we were delayed for 2hrs (on an already long day), this meant we had to change our route slightly but this was not a problem as the conditions were so bad people were happy to just get to the destination.  Water got into the electrics and the throttle sensor failed, this couldn't be fixed by the road side so BMW were called.  The after care from BMW was excellent, the bike and rider were picked up and taken to a local BMW garage and put up in a hotel for the night.  Although they couldn't replace the part they did fix it the next morning and seal it so he could continue his trip, he only missed one day with us as a result.  

Day 4, 5 and 6 took us to through Italy.  this was where the fun could really begin, and the weather getting better each day.  the mountain roads were amazing and we continued to visit some lovely little coffee shops and cafes.  The first Triumph breakdown occurred in the morning of day 4 where the Speed Triple RS would not start in the morning, a blown fuse was the culprit (caused again by water ingress).  Another GS breakdown at the start of day 5 and another 2hr delay, luckily it was only a problem with the battery so a new battery was purchased and we were on our way, the final breakdown of the trip was resolved. 

Day 7 meant a return to Germany and another long day, by now the weather was glorious.  more fantastic roads were ridden and much fun was had.  

Day 8 was back to Metz and a chance to ride the Grand Ballon in the sunshine, what a road.  

To summarise, the trip was everything i had hoped and more.  The weather did put a dampener on things at the start.  When we got to the hotel in Merano on day 3 i was questioning if this was a good idea and i was not equipped properly.  But Italy rectified this and was amazing, although we stopped in France Germany and Italy we also rode through Austria and Switzerland.  The views in this part of the world are stunning and although you would see them 50 times a day they never got boring.  Every time you emerged from a mountain tunnel into the most beautiful mountains and valleys, the first words were always "wow" and never got boring.  

So what did i learn about my bike.  My 10 year old Street Triple was faultless the entire journey, 2 year old GS's with their complicated electronics were breaking down but the Triumph just went on and on.  It was by far the oldest and lowest power on the trip but for the most part kept up, yes the GS's would speed away on the straights but i was never really left behind.  The riding position maybe not the best for a long journey and the lack of fairing or screen was a big problem on the rainy days.  I could have done with more power but it was a great experience and one i will definitely do again.  

I will add some photos.

 

[RAYK47]

For info, i am the one second left on the first picture.

 

[Calps]

Great trip!

I recognise the summit of the Fluela Pass in one of your photos. I've been there as well on two wheels (albeit a bicycle) - what a great road!

 

[buzyg]

Great photos. Some fine memories gained on that one.