Alps trip

[Neil W]

Going to garmiche in july, plus switzerland austria and italy.
Anybody done this trip and could tell me weather around that time of year there.
Im not sure why just to send out vented gear with light waterproofs or send out full rukka with the bike?

Just another thing to note , yes we all go to the Alps to play on the passes BUT it is always worthwhile having an alternative route if the weather is poor , I've been over some high passes when the weather was crap and visibility down to less than 40 metres and as well as being dangerous it was a waste of time .

When I wanted to go into Italy via the Splugen pass I had an alternative using the motorway to the west and similarly last year when I was going from Oetz into Itay using the Timmelsjoch I had an alternative route in mind using the Brenner Pass if the weatehr was poor

 

[unicycler]

only there for 7 days riding and only thing booked hotel wise is garmische for fri/sat nights.
so after that it will be weather watching and going the direction of the best weather.

 

[The Grey One]

I've had +2 and snow at the top of the Grossglockner, followed by +27 a few minutes later as I descended into Italy.

Another time riding from Switzerland to the Dolomites via Stelvio it p*ssed it down all day and 2-4 temperatures. The next day it was 32 degrees

You must have been lost! A few minutes after the top of the Grossglockner you are still firmly in Austria. But yes it can change in an instant, never ride in the Alps without extra layers and something waterproof. With luck they can stay packed but if if all goes tits up you will be glad you had them.

John

 

[The Grey One]

Just another thing to note , yes we all go to the Alps to play on the passes BUT it is always worthwhile having an alternative route if the weather is poor , I've been over some high passes when the weather was crap and visibility down to less than 40 metres and as well as being dangerous it was a waste of time .

When I wanted to go into Italy via the Splugen pass I had an alternative using the motorway to the west and similarly last year when I was going from Oetz into Itay using the Timmelsjoch I had an alternative route in mind using the Brenner Pass if the weatehr was poor

What he said! Plus if you plan to get somewhere via a pass you might find the detour is much longer, not fun if you only find out when you get to the tollbooth that the Grossglockner is closed and you have to retrace your steps and ride a very long way to get around. Try to check on the day you are using any alpine pass, for the Grossglockner their website gives little info on road conditions on the English version but rather more on the German-if you spot the word "gesperrt" its closed! Often the webcams offer the best info. They are on the GG website, if there is snow on the road it will be closed to bikes at least, they still let cars on when conditions are poor enough to be dangerous on a bike.

As Neil said have a Plan B just in case, check the weather locally before you set off and be prepared to change plans if the weather does the same.

John