ADVICE HELP KNOWLEGE OF ALPS

[cowboy]

TRAVELLING FROM UK THROUGH FRANCE TO THE ALPS IN SECOND WEEK OF JUNE FIVE OF US IN TOTAL.ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED ON KIT CLOTHES ROUTES SIGHTSEEING THINGS WE MUST DO OR MUST NOT DO. WE WERE GOING TO CAMP BUT HAVE NOW DECIDED TO B&B JUST GOING FOR FIVE DAYS PLEASE HELP MUCH APPRECIATED

 

[Bateman]

Cowboy, there is a ton of information on the Alps in here and a ton of people who have been all over them so i am sure you will get lots of suggestions. I have been twice, both for about 5 days at a time. The first time was based in Andermatt, Switzerland but also did a loop of mont blanc. The second was the Routes Des grandes Alps North to south, followed by the route napoleon, Gorges du verdon and then Parc vercors. That was a superb trip and highly recommended as a way of seeing some of the best the Alps has to offer without having to go too far over towards Austria.

See my post here for more on that...

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74689&highlight=route+grandes

 

[Yogi Bear]

I done a trip to the Alps first week in June Last Year and was camping.
When I woke up in Chamonix there was Ice on the inside of the tent and the bike was covered in Frost.......

Wrap up and take a good sleeping Bag

Some Pics Here
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sgiat.../pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/sgiathchuil/my_photos

Have a good one...

 

[Tarka]

ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED ON KIT CLOTHES ROUTES SIGHTSEEING THINGS WE MUST DO OR MUST NOT DO.

Ask much more and you may as well stay at home and get other folk to send you their holiday photographs.

 

[cowboy]

Thanks will have trail through the posts and check the comments

 

[Gordon]

Found this a great site when planning routes through/over the Alps. Have a great time

http://www.alpineroads.com/

Cheers

 

[cowboy]

Not quite the same but thanks anyway

 

[cowboy]

cheers Gordon a good site

 

[Invicta Moto]

or buy this book and read it from cover to cover....

 

[russ996duke]

TRAVELLING FROM UK THROUGH FRANCE TO THE ALPS IN SECOND WEEK OF JUNE FIVE OF US IN TOTAL.ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED ON KIT CLOTHES ROUTES SIGHTSEEING THINGS WE MUST DO OR MUST NOT DO. WE WERE GOING TO CAMP BUT HAVE NOW DECIDED TO B&B JUST GOING FOR FIVE DAYS PLEASE HELP MUCH APPRECIATED

You have already made 2 good decisions
1 Hotels and B&B (Chambre D'Hote) not camping...great to relax in a bath after a days ride..but if you are a hardy outdoor type then campsites are good but why camp when hotels etc are so cheap and good value?
2 You are going to the Alps!!

Kit
Travel light...most places accept bikers as is, not like UK they are pleased to see you!
Cloths, stuff that is easy to wash and wear...june can be cold in Alps at altitude so take fleece, and/or have a waterproof overjacket that can go on as you climb! relax...evening ball gowns rarely required in most French bars/hotels! Clean is good of course, jeans definetly OK

basic spares, bulbs etc, no need to go overboard tho...France is quite civilised and has many bike shops etc!
Routes
the book "Motorcycle Journeys through the Alps and Corsica", is a good laugh when you read the stuff that Americans have to be told to survive in Yurrup!!
I love the bit about "colorfull dayglo shell suit is acceptable for use in hotels" !!!The book however will give you "overkill" on just how many good/great routes there are! get the michelin maps no 527 and 523 the scale is good larger scale maps not good for showing the many many roads you need, these 2 cover the french alps for a 5 day trip I think they are enought to get you going year after year!
Try not to fit too much in, take time to SEE and work around 200 to 250 miles per day in Alps, pick out a an area and saturate!
Sightseeing....what do you want to see??? citys or COLS with views...they are everywhere!
MUST NOT DO...go with a closed mind...
MUST DO....enjoy the experience, talk to the locals,,,, chill in bars....
Do Not ASK FOR FISH AND CHIPS or Watneys red F**king Barrel!
Never, ever agree to try Andouillette...at any price!
http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/?action=ingredient_show&id=9&lg=en
hope this helps...

 

[Pressurized]

Should not be any problems:

 

[cowboy]

Thanks to everyone for your help have took it all on board