Do we need another sticky?

[The Grey One]

I have noticed that there are threads from time to time asking the same basic information about touring in the Alps. What's the weather like in.....? When is the best time to go? When are the passes open? What do I need to take with me? etc etc.
In my business I get asked these questions all the time and so I am working on an info sheet I can just send out.
On this site people asking questions that have already been answered is all too common, people who can't be bothered to look just post the question in the hope that others will do the work.
So maybe a sticky covering things specific to touring the Alps will help both those asking and those whos patience is strained by the questions.
.
What do the team think?

I would be happy to add my bit about my own area- might stop things like the post I saw (not on this forum) saying " The Grossglockner opens 1st May and the Nockalmstrasse two weeks later" Absolute nonsense-it might have happened like that one year but the facts are that both roads are owned by the same company. They aim to open every year as soon as possible, they say "at the begining of May" It depends on snowfall during the previous winter. Last year both roads opened 1st May, the year before 10th May, this year should be 1st May as we have not had a lot of snow. For us it is where the summer begins.

This is just one example of misinformation, there are plenty more

John

 

[Wapping]

The alternative is not to answer them, unless they relate directly to your business.

 

[Timolgra]

Instead of being a sticky, it could be a wet

 

[Bryn]

Sounds like a good idea to me

 

[timeandtide]

Instead of being a sticky, it could be a wet

Some things are wet AND sticky!

 

[Wapping]

Why limit it to 'The Alps' (a geographical feature) when the same questions - and many much more bizarre - appear in relation to anywhere from John O' Goats to Cairo.

Of course some of the posters are simply lazy or remarkably stupid. But many just do not know, get worried or get hyped up (or confused) over every 'biker friendly' and 'must do' tip they have half-digested from last month's Ride magazine or the pages of UKGSer.

Let them ask their questions. Some punters do appreciate the answers and get quite a good holiday out of it. Whilst others seem to see any attempt to winkle any additional information (for instance, how long do you plan to be away and where do you actually want to go) as a personal affront on their intelligence.

If it is going to be a sticky, let it be called: Ask Tarka

 

[The Grey One]

Why limit it to 'The Alps' (a geographical feature) when the same questions - and many much more bizarre - appear in relation to anywhere from John O' Goats to Cairo.

Of course some of the posters are simply lazy or remarkably stupid. But many just do not know, get worried or get hyped up (or confused) over every 'biker friendly' and 'must do' tip they have half-digested from last month's Ride magazine or the pages of UKGSer.

Let them ask their questions. Some punters do appreciate the answers and get quite a good holiday out of it. Whilst others seem to see any attempt to winkle any additional information (for instance, how long do you plan to be away and where do you actually want to go) as a personal affront on their intelligence.

If it is going to be a sticky, let it be called: Ask Tarka

I suggested the alps as there is already a touring sticky. I am quite happy to answer any questions about that part of the Alps that is do-able from our place. There is so much mis information out there. A few days ago had an Email from some guys booked to come to us. One of the group had been talking to someone at the London Bike Show and had been told that there were tolls to pay on all German autobahns!

I totally agree about people asking questions without giving full information. Most common question I am asked is " can I get to you with just one overnight" usually no information about just where in the UK they are starting from, what bikes,how many in the group, experience etc etc.

I often just tell them about the couple from Hull who did the whole journey-with short channel crossing- only one overnight stop. They were on a 300cc Vespa!



John

 

[Ronno]

The alternative is not to answer them, unless they relate directly to your business.

Leave him be.

By answering these daft questions, he should increase his batting average of 10 posts a year since 2005

 

[Steptoe]

Would this be a sticky for your business ???

 

[Timolgra]

One of the group had been talking to someone at the London Bike Show and had been told that there were tolls to pay on all German autobahns!

FFS

 

[Wapping]

One of the group had been talking to someone at the London Bike Show and had been told that there were tolls to pay on all German autobahns!

What!

There are not???

Who was that bloke I gave EUR 50 to?

 

[The Grey One]

Why I post

Would this be a sticky for your business ???

No I get enough enquiries direct. I reply to each one as best I can. As regards a sticky about touring in the Alps I have offered to help with info about something I know about. The area in which I ride. and the area my guests ride in so I get constant feedback all summer long.

Time willing ( things can get a little hectic in the summer season) I will try to continue to add my bit when I think it might be helpful and especially when posts contain incorrect or misleading remarks.

Just like you help with mechanical problems!

John

 

[The Grey One]

What!

There are not???

Who was that bloke I gave EUR 50 to?

Hi Wapping

A bit of humour is always good but don't forget that a lot of folk really don't know. You obviously have a great deal of experience of touring and give of your time to answer many queries.


A lot of people who don't have this experience appear all too willing to believe things like my example of autobahn tolls in Germany. It's the "man in pub syndrome" used to get it in the garage trade. Customer brings car in, knows what's wrong because "man in pub" told him. Funny thing was said man in pub never seamed willing or able to fix it.

Anyway keep on answering the questions, you do a better job than I or most others on here can.

John

 

[Wapping]

Actually, I told a dreadful fib.

It was me that told the hapless sap (I met him at the 'Polish your helmet with superglitz-r-juice' stand) that there are tolls on the German motorways.

Mea culpa.

 

[Gossy]

Hi Wapping

A bit of humour is always good but don't forget that a lot of folk really don't know. You obviously have a great deal of experience of touring and give of your time to answer many queries.


A lot of people who don't have this experience appear all too willing to believe things like my example of autobahn tolls in Germany. It's the "man in pub syndrome" used to get it in the garage trade. Customer brings car in, knows what's wrong because "man in pub" told him. Funny thing was said man in pub never seamed willing or able to fix it.

Anyway keep on answering the questions, you do a better job than I or most others on here can.

John

Google - alpine passes 1,510,000 results (0.08 seconds)

Google - what food do they eat in Austria 10,100,000 results (0.17 seconds)

Google - should I buy a Victory as a 2nd bike 57,800,000 results (0.23 seconds)

 

[Ronno]

Hi Wapping

A bit of humour is always good but don't forget that a lot of folk really don't know. You obviously have a great deal of experience of touring and give of your time to answer many queries.


A lot of people who don't have this experience appear all too willing to believe things like my example of autobahn tolls in Germany. It's the "man in pub syndrome" used to get it in the garage trade. Customer brings car in, knows what's wrong because "man in pub" told him. Funny thing was said man in pub never seamed willing or able to fix it.

Anyway keep on answering the questions, you do a better job than I or most others on here can.

John

A better job than you?

You've posted 70 times in 6 years. That's an average of about 13 per year. By my reckoning, you've used up about 4 months worth of posts on this thread alone and it's only been going for a couple of weeks.

 

[johnnyboy]

A better job than you?

You've posted 70 times in 6 years. That's an average of about 13 per year. By my reckoning, you've used up about 4 months worth of posts on this thread alone and it's only been going for a couple of weeks.

I didnae realise it was a competition.

 

[The Grey One]

A better job than you?

You've posted 70 times in 6 years. That's an average of about 13 per year. By my reckoning, you've used up about 4 months worth of posts on this thread alone and it's only been going for a couple of weeks.

Yes probably better- More consistent and with a knowedge base that covers a much larger area, I try to confine my posts to things I know something about- a novel idea for some I know.

As for number of posts I didn't know that quantity was the important factor. I have spare time now, almost none in the summer months, it's the nature of my business.

If you look you will see my first post was in May 2008, I watched from the sidelines at first, so it is actually 70 posts in 2.75 years!

When I have something to say I will post, and as I started this thread maybe I ought to contribute.

John

 

[thornley]

Yes probably better- More consistent and with a knowedge base that covers a much larger area, I try to confine my posts to things I know something about- a novel idea for some I know.

As for number of posts I didn't know that quantity was the important factor. I have spare time now, almost none in the summer months, it's the nature of my business.

If you look you will see my first post was in May 2008, I watched from the sidelines at first, so it is actually 70 posts in 2.75 years!

When I have something to say I will post, and as I started this thread maybe I ought to contribute.

John

I would never judge a man by the size of his post

 

[Ronno]

I didnae realise it was a competition.

Nor did I to be honest.

Does Wapping have a hotel? Where is it? I'd like to go there