Brilliant 
Dolomites and more-or less.....
- Thread starter 2 wheel humvee
- Start date
As I said Steve there's something of a poet in you! 
As I said Steve there's something of a poet in you!
Poet?...............the only thing poetic is his piss-taking
Shame you didn't come JB -you could have enjoyed some of it first hand!
Days 11 12 & 13 nearly over.......
DAY 11 - Tuttlingen to Kaysersberg 27 180 mi
Garmin suggested around 4 hrs 18 mins not too long a day then......forgot to mention previously there are many birds of prey in the area, this one which Tony identified as a Kite was a regular visitor, perhaps the Hen house was the draw.....
Highlights on the route today included Rue du Balon, Routes des Cretes, Col de Platzerwasel, Col de Sclucht and part of Col de Bonhomme, Mark had been this way before and told us of twisties galore and picture postcard medieval villages-sound good? It was
The day started dry and bright and as far as I recall the group were pretty much ready to leave together, it couldn't last could it?
Apparently it could, over a 5 minute period everyone arrived and parked up at a randomly selected coffe stop, don't think much of the stand for the parasol
The restaraunt/cafe looked very nice as did the menu but it was a little early for lunch
We pressed on and crossed the Rhine-again into France, the temperature climbed steadily during the day, late morning we arrived at the Route de Balon and again, weirdly the group were as one, these signs marked the beginning of a great series of bends climbing to the peak at 1200 metres or so,
So many bikes
cookie & angie pause for a breather
We stopped at the peak for some pics and a chat, I investigated the Tat possibilities in the Tat emporium and returned to find my bike parked alone, I'd been deserted and would have to play catch up, it's downhill and on smooth dry tarmac with little or no traffic I'm going to hate it...........
We were reunited at a ski resort which we decided was closed, note the picture on the wall of the rider of a vintage GS
barging past a lesser mortal
A plan was hatched, we would re-join the route and stop at the next cafe open for business, we watched as 3 riders set off in the wrong direction
Oscar and I exchanged stares of amazement as Gerry who was leading sailed past two restaraunts clearly open for business, some plan.....
We pressed on and enjoyed the ride and resigned ourselves to a late lunch in Kaysersberg, having checked into Hotel Les Ramparts, after freshening up we went or a wander around the streets full of houses in pastel shades.....
We stopped at a cafe, the special was a homemade soup (thanks for translating tour dad Oscar )
It was delicious...one of the best meals of the trip and very reasonable-not to mention filling
Washed down with a few glasses of local brew it was a great end to a great day's riding
We wandered the streets some more
Before retiring to the Hotel for a siesta and arranging to meet later for evening dinner-not more food !
A pre-dinner stroll along near deserted streets
To investigate the possibilities for dinner.....
Led us back to the same restaurant where we had eaten lunch, no bad thing and the soup proved popular with those who had not already tried it for lunch and washed down with a couple more of these
We even had a musical accompanyment
DAY 12 - Kaysersberg to Etreaupont 250 mi
Garmin suggests 7 hours so again, most made an early start, Gerry and I set off together and inspite of a Garmin starburst moment or two enjoyed the ride on the Col du Bonhommes followed by the Col des Bagenelles and the Col de St marie, we stopped for a couple of pics
The temperatures continued to climb after the pleasant ride of the Cols and the lower temps offered by the forest the route took in several towns, the temperature continued to climb and traffic became more dense, inevitably Gerry and I got split up, by the time I reached Nancy the temperature was in the low 30's with no sign of Gerry i took the easy option and hit the motorway, it was great to feel the breeze through my jacket but a boring and lonely ride, the last 30 or so miles over French plains to Etreaupont almost made up for it, as i neared my destination and having passed through the smallest of villages and hamlets it was hard to imagine a hotel in these surroundings, at journey's end was our last hotel of the trip Le Clos du Montvinage
Only Oscar had arrived before me-maybe he took the motorway too
Having received a warm welcome by the hotel owner proudly displaying an "I speak English" badge on her lapel and having checked in I took a shower and the usual de-brief over beers on the lawn terrace as the others arrived.
The hotel has an adjoining restaraunt and our waitress positively encouraged and applauded even the slightest interaction in her native tongue (French-of course....) but the young waitress with the French Maid outfit proved far too fast for my camera skills.....Mark and Adrian settled for a glimpse of her reflection in the polished cutlery
That's it-trip over, well almost.........the next morning I left just after 6am and rode the 150 miles alone to the Chunnel where I got the 8.50 train and was home in Wales just after midday.
It's already been said but to re-iterate;
Well done and thank you to Mark for organising the trip and for putting up with us, thanks to all who took part it was a pleasure to ride, chat,eat, drink with you all
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend all the hotels to travellers taking the same route with one very small reservation; The Hotel Huhnerhof is located near a fairly busy road and roundabout and the traffic can be heard from most rooms but their hospitality is great the food likewise.
The bike covered just over 3000 miles, used 500ml of oil, average fuel consumption 48 mpg for fast roads rising to 53mpg in the mountains, the Metzeler Tourance EXP on the rear is virtually spent (4000 miles total) whilst the front has worn to a V shaped profile, I took too many clothes, took too few pics, spent too much money, ate too much food and didn't drink enough beer
Where next?
DAY 11 - Tuttlingen to Kaysersberg 27 180 mi
Garmin suggested around 4 hrs 18 mins not too long a day then......forgot to mention previously there are many birds of prey in the area, this one which Tony identified as a Kite was a regular visitor, perhaps the Hen house was the draw.....
Highlights on the route today included Rue du Balon, Routes des Cretes, Col de Platzerwasel, Col de Sclucht and part of Col de Bonhomme, Mark had been this way before and told us of twisties galore and picture postcard medieval villages-sound good? It was
The day started dry and bright and as far as I recall the group were pretty much ready to leave together, it couldn't last could it?
Apparently it could, over a 5 minute period everyone arrived and parked up at a randomly selected coffe stop, don't think much of the stand for the parasol
The restaraunt/cafe looked very nice as did the menu but it was a little early for lunch
We pressed on and crossed the Rhine-again into France, the temperature climbed steadily during the day, late morning we arrived at the Route de Balon and again, weirdly the group were as one, these signs marked the beginning of a great series of bends climbing to the peak at 1200 metres or so,
So many bikes
cookie & angie pause for a breather
We stopped at the peak for some pics and a chat, I investigated the Tat possibilities in the Tat emporium and returned to find my bike parked alone, I'd been deserted and would have to play catch up, it's downhill and on smooth dry tarmac with little or no traffic I'm going to hate it...........
We were reunited at a ski resort which we decided was closed, note the picture on the wall of the rider of a vintage GS
barging past a lesser mortal
A plan was hatched, we would re-join the route and stop at the next cafe open for business, we watched as 3 riders set off in the wrong direction
Oscar and I exchanged stares of amazement as Gerry who was leading sailed past two restaraunts clearly open for business, some plan..... We pressed on and enjoyed the ride and resigned ourselves to a late lunch in Kaysersberg, having checked into Hotel Les Ramparts, after freshening up we went or a wander around the streets full of houses in pastel shades.....
We stopped at a cafe, the special was a homemade soup (thanks for translating tour dad Oscar
)
It was delicious...one of the best meals of the trip and very reasonable-not to mention filling
Washed down with a few glasses of local brew it was a great end to a great day's riding
We wandered the streets some more
Before retiring to the Hotel for a siesta and arranging to meet later for evening dinner-not more food !
A pre-dinner stroll along near deserted streets
To investigate the possibilities for dinner.....
Led us back to the same restaurant where we had eaten lunch, no bad thing and the soup proved popular with those who had not already tried it for lunch and washed down with a couple more of these
We even had a musical accompanyment
DAY 12 - Kaysersberg to Etreaupont 250 mi
Garmin suggests 7 hours so again, most made an early start, Gerry and I set off together and inspite of a Garmin starburst moment or two enjoyed the ride on the Col du Bonhommes followed by the Col des Bagenelles and the Col de St marie, we stopped for a couple of pics
The temperatures continued to climb after the pleasant ride of the Cols and the lower temps offered by the forest the route took in several towns, the temperature continued to climb and traffic became more dense, inevitably Gerry and I got split up, by the time I reached Nancy the temperature was in the low 30's with no sign of Gerry i took the easy option and hit the motorway, it was great to feel the breeze through my jacket but a boring and lonely ride, the last 30 or so miles over French plains to Etreaupont almost made up for it, as i neared my destination and having passed through the smallest of villages and hamlets it was hard to imagine a hotel in these surroundings, at journey's end was our last hotel of the trip Le Clos du Montvinage
Only Oscar had arrived before me-maybe he took the motorway too
Having received a warm welcome by the hotel owner proudly displaying an "I speak English" badge on her lapel and having checked in I took a shower and the usual de-brief over beers on the lawn terrace as the others arrived.
The hotel has an adjoining restaraunt and our waitress positively encouraged and applauded even the slightest interaction in her native tongue (French-of course....) but the young waitress with the French Maid outfit proved far too fast for my camera skills.....Mark and Adrian settled for a glimpse of her reflection in the polished cutlery
That's it-trip over, well almost.........the next morning I left just after 6am and rode the 150 miles alone to the Chunnel where I got the 8.50 train and was home in Wales just after midday.
It's already been said but to re-iterate;
Well done and thank you to Mark for organising the trip and for putting up with us, thanks to all who took part it was a pleasure to ride, chat,eat, drink with you all
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend all the hotels to travellers taking the same route with one very small reservation; The Hotel Huhnerhof is located near a fairly busy road and roundabout and the traffic can be heard from most rooms but their hospitality is great the food likewise.
The bike covered just over 3000 miles, used 500ml of oil, average fuel consumption 48 mpg for fast roads rising to 53mpg in the mountains, the Metzeler Tourance EXP on the rear is virtually spent (4000 miles total) whilst the front has worn to a V shaped profile, I took too many clothes, took too few pics, spent too much money, ate too much food and didn't drink enough beer
Where next?
A fantastic report, and a fantastic trip. Thanks again to mark for sorting it all out for us lazy bastards
...and here's our grainy iphone view from the bank:
...and here's our grainy iphone view from the bank:
You need to invest in a camera
There were others on the trip with a camera it would be nice to see other people's pics
finding myself at a loose end the other night, i took humvee's pic of me and angi and molested it.
no photoshop or anything posh like that, just ipad apps mostly, hence the removal of Podrick from the pic is a bit messy, but then again it only took me a few minutes.
no photoshop or anything posh like that, just ipad apps mostly, hence the removal of Podrick from the pic is a bit messy, but then again it only took me a few minutes.
You need to invest in a camera
There were others on the trip with a camera it would be nice to see other people's pics
Having a problem with mine Steve.
Keep all the pics on a 500gb Maxtor external hard drive which Widoze XP says has malfunctioned and is not recognized . . .been on Seagate site to try to download a new driver but without success so far . . . .all in the middle of trying to sell the house too so rather frustrating!
Having a problem with mine Steve.
Keep all the pics on a 500gb Maxtor external hard drive which Widoze XP says has malfunctioned and is not recognized . . .been on Seagate site to try to download a new driver but without success so far . . . .all in the middle of trying to sell the house too so rather frustrating!
Keep at it Richard it will be worth the wait I'm sure
Bump especially for Mark, i know things havent been great for you lately, I hope this reminds you of good times
yamonda1
Registered user
Read that for the first time tonight ... very enjoyable
Bump especially for Mark, i know things havent been great for you lately, I hope this reminds you of good times
Without any doubt the best bike trip I have ever done. And the one to blame for this is Mark
Thanks mate
What a cracking picture
Aidan1150;3233338 :clap:clap[/QUOTE said:Thanks Aidan, I can't take credit for the surroundings I only pressed the button on the camera, it is a pretty spectacular part of the world though
Wapping, myself and Rory took a pedalo out on that very lake in August - spectacular.
Joybringer
Registered user
Bump especially for Mark, i know things havent been great for you lately, I hope this reminds you of good times
Hey Steve. What can I say? I cannot believe that I never saw this entire thread before today??? What an utterly fantastic report
You're right - it's worked wonders for me, re-living all this, and makes me realise what a great group of friends you all are. It's very humbling to think so many wanted to join me on the trip, and I am just so pleased that so many of you did.
It was an honour and a pleasure organising this and riding with you, and it's made me see that there are indeed better things in life to enjoy
I have a very poor broadband connection (620kb
) but I'll see if I can upload some pics over the next few days.If all goes well in my life, I'll organise something for next year. Not out of the woods yet, but I can see a couple of camp fires in the distance
Thanks, everyone.
Mark
Joybringer
Registered user
Joybringer
Registered user
A fantastic report, and a fantastic trip. Thanks again to mark for sorting it all out for us lazy bastards
Thanks, Cookie - you're welcome. Glad you enjoyed it and you were able to get The Archers on podcast all the way over Abroad
M
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