Down to the Dolomites

[Deleted account Cooperman]

The plan was I was going to be accompanied on this week's trip but unfortunate circumstances left me with the choice to either abandon or go on my own.

I chose to do the latter

The route was as follows:

I did get one last minute offer to join me

But she found out I'm a GSER - she prefers HOGS

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Rotterdam to Lemberg

Making sure at all costs I avoided the traffic jam called Brussels, at Antwerp I headed across country towards Liege and Spa. This was the Saturday F1 qualifying at the Spa Francorchamps race circuit and so there was a slight concern about any associated traffic. Turned out I sailed past no problems - plus it was pissin it down.

At least the roads were starting to get a few more curves.

Coming off the motorway the plan was to go down the Mosel valley following the river between Luxembourg and Germany. Things started to dry up as the scenery improved.

Got delayed for a while by what looked to be a major tunnel fire. Plenty of emergency services around.

Vianden was worth a look The cable car systems combine neatly with the road network

Plenty of activity around the river with campsites and canoes.

Popped out at Trier and went down to the Pfalzer-Wald region in Germany, just on the border with France.

Overnight stop was in Lemberg at Pension Neupert.

Got parked with another tractor.....

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Black Forest to Bavaria

Straight into empty forest roads as I crossed the Park coming out and Kandel and then dropping onto the motorway down to Karlsruhe.

Resisting the B500 I went south on the B462 to Bad Herrnalb and eventually Freudenstadt.

PROTECT THE HOMELAND

How about looking after Greece/Portugal/Ireland/Spain as well

Next destination the Donau Valley - or as we would say the start of the river Danube.

Stopped in Tuttlingen at a cafe by the river.

Very scenic run through the valley including the odd LandRover specialist.

Also stopped in the historic Sigmaringen.

and the odd historic bike around

Could that be the Alps

Lake Alpsee near Immenstadt.

And finally my destination, my winter skiing haunt of Hotel Hirsch in Bad Oberdorf at the foot of the Oberjoch Pass on the Deutsche Alpenstrasse.

 

[Spear Ruler]

great pics

looks like it was worthwhile going it on your own

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Today was the day I received some bad news from back home.

A pal of mine had unexpectedly passed away. He was in his early 50's, worked hard and played hard, but was leaving wife and kids behind.

Three years ago I did not own a bike or have a bike license. Since then I have passed the test, got a bike I never thought I would be able to ride, and had some unbelievable experiences putting 20K mikes on it touring the UK and Europe.

Did I make the right decision coming on the trip on my own?

The morning kicked off with the Oberjoch pass which had just been resurfaced.

Headed scenically east towards Garmish.

The Garmish ski jump.

In winter this is one of the jumps comprising the four hills tournament - two being in Austria and the other in Obersdorf. We've been to the latter which is run in the evening and is a real beerfest

Paid a small toll to go through another nature park still heading east.

Don't feed the tourists

Then headed south into Austria with lunch taken at Lake Achensee.

It got warm continuing south before a relieving turn eastward and up into the Gerlos valley. Looks to be some good skiing.

Then on to Krimml waterfalls the 5th highest in the world.

The last part was a slow boring ride into Zell am See.

Stayed the Pension Hubertus, ate in the in the well recommended Kupferkessel and finished the night in Crazy Daisy's.

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Cooperman

A really good looking ride down , great photos. I do like to ride with friends and family. However riding solo has its own pleasures . This run down to the Dolomites makes mine look p*ss poor. Looking forward to the next instalment

 

[Mr K]

Germany was where I lost my Euro-Touring virginity. Lovely report.....although more pictures of beer would have made it a Classic.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Grossglockner to Cortina

Zell am See provides a good point from which to attack the Pass. Within 15 mins it was game on

Then it turned into thick fog

Following car lights and the sat nav became the order of the day. Thoughts go through your head like 'I've been waiting all year to do this and I get fog - why me'

Somebody must have been listening as I appeared out of the clouds - and I'm an atheist

How high is it

The last section is an interesting cobbled 'path'

A bit of subliminal advertising

Dropped down and back up again through the tunnel.

Hats off to the many cyclists that conquer these passes. At this point as I was preparing to set off one approached me and asked for a photo to record his bionic achievement. Setting off on his descent I had to put the gloves and helmet on before setting off. I was sure I would have him after a few corners but no sign of him. Passed various cars but still no sign of him. It was not until I got a fair way along a flat bit at the bottom I caught up with him.

Exiting a scenic valley I'm heading south west to the Italian border towards my destination of Cortina. It's at this point I realise I can't speak Italian

I've got full command of pigeon German/French/Spanish/Greek but this is the first time I have been to Italy

Cross the border and stop off at Lake Misurina. A site recommendation is the pizza place on the end of the lake.

No pizzas in the afternoon - only cake

I had to settle with filling my boot....

I had time on my hands, and another site recommendation is a dead end toll road just above the lake.

Are you thinking of getting a loved one tattoo? This place gives you an alternative. You can express your love in stones

And if/when it all goes Pete Tong you get the satisfaction of throwing a few stones down 2,000m

A few scenic shots of my first experience of the Dolomites.

Came back all the way down to Cortina and my stop for a couple of nights - Hotel Columbia.

Apart from it's winter Olympics history, Cortina's main focal point is the church.

They rolled the 'red' carpet out for me.

Or they had rolled it with somebody

UKGser filters won't allow me to post the picture from the other side

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Feel as though my whole family were stalking you fella. I have a picture of this fine lady from tother side. Will photoshop a daffodil into her to pass censors. Lol.
Competition now on on photo front. If they ever upload.

 

[Mide]

Looks great

Hopefully we'll head that general direction on our next trip

Enjoying the ride report!!

 

[bogman]

Amazing photos especially the last few around the Dolomites, thanks for sharing and keep posting the images

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

A day off in Cortina

The hotel receptionist was good, and she gave me some good ideas for local excursions

I did not know that before WW1 this region spoke Austrian, but as the troubles started all males of fighting age went off to sort Russia out leaving Cortina open for the Italians to walk in

The frontline between the countries was established in the mountains.

I stopped at 5 Torri (Peaks) and took a lift to the open air WW1 museum at the top.

Plenty of climbers tackling the Peaks.

Where did I put my wellies

Moved up the valley to the Passo Falzarego cable car and joined the local BM club

Took the cable car up

and had the following choices for the descent:

• car back down
• Italian tunnels used to try and blow the Austrians up
• a 3 hour walk back down the Austrian line

I chose the latter

Most people were just walking to the cross and back.

Don't look down

The route was marked by painted Austrian flags - but this was not an exact science. Sometimes the next edge was literally the edge

Now I was definitely on my own.

Putting any negative thoughts to one side I got on with enjoying the views.

This was part of the descent

The zigzag path completely fecked my knees I still had thigh burn 3 days later

Came down to the WW1 museum

which was closed for lunch - tourism NOT

Came back to the hotel to find an Italian Minister had arrived

who was also friends with the receptionist

Beauty and the beast

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

I cant believe it, we were stalking you,we went up Falzareggo to Lagazuoi Rifugio. Julie went walking to the cross,it was windy. I have a fear of heights so stayed near the coffee.In my defence I did plan it after last years trip. What really struck me was how wonderful it was in the sun. Can not begin to imagine the conditions in winter for the troops. Have pics for Lake Alleghe Passo Aurine ,Cereda and Rolle . Gardena and Sella and more on Pordoi. Lovely place. However got to the stage where we want to have a change nxt year. Hopefully Route Des Grande Alps.

 

[Gremlin Serbia]

Great Alps & Dolomites tour...

We had similar tour September last year, but the weather was brilliant. Only blue sky, green grass and white mountain peaks.



PS: Carpet was blue...for boys...

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Time to go home.

Nice roads out up the Gardena pass when I hit traffic. Skipped to the front to find a coach had overshot the hairpin. Italian job

Hit the motorway heading north towards the Brenner pass and came off to take on the Jaufen and Timmelsjoch passes - just as the rain started.

Jaufen was a bit of a leap of faith in thick fog. Stopped in St Leonardo and noticed low fuel. Checked the sat nav which gave me a station en-route just before the Timmelsjoch. It was closed for lunch What is it with Italy and bloody lunches??

Took the risk and headed off upwards.

More subliminal advertising

It was also a bit windy

The fuel lasted long enough for me to get to Solden where I was greeted by a few girls running this establishment.

They must have got wetter than me 'cause they had to take all their wet clothes off

Called back into my winter skiing area

New hotel being constructed

Looks a bit motel - ish

No chance of a lie in the following morning. Out come the cows complete with the bells.

The following weekend is another excuse for a beerfest to celebrate the cows coming down from the hills for the year. Summers over

Blasted some autobahn to get to Mayen close to the Nurbergring.

Stayed at Pension zum dicken Baum.....

Mayen took a pounding during the war. Inspiration for the rebuild has been based upon:

Tradition

Colditz

Walt Disney

and Chesterfield

Spent the evening watching Germany give Austria a good hiding at fussball.

WSB Saturday qualifying at the Nurbergring, as well as being a biker weekend.

Say hello to the BMW girls

A quick call to say hello at the Blaue Ecke before heading off back for the ferry.

Thanks for reading

 

[CuzGS]

Mate thanks for taking trouble to post, lovely trip, defo good decision to go solo, we should have hooked up for coffee at some stage

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Looks like a great trip, thanks for taking the time to post all the pictures. Dolomites are at the top of my list for next summer after work got in the way this year.

 

[roadrider]

Nice pics & write up, enjoyed that.

 

[redburley]

june 2012 trip

Hi fantastic looking trip.
I am wanting to do something similar with my daughter in June, 2 up on my gs. Never toured overseas before. I noticed your in leeds as are we. I know this sounds cheeky but if your up for sharing routes and maps this would be a big help. My email is [email protected].
Any help would be appreciated!!

Thanks Cooperman

Chris

 

[Davy F]

Good job.........