Euro trip virgin

[Wapping]

What's so good about the Stelvio?

What's so 'good' about it?

The short answer is nothing, by which I mean it does not set out to be 'good' (in the sense of 'That was a good film' or 'That was a very good joke'). It is what it is, an iconic 'must do' in a long list of iconic 'must-does'.

What it was (and still is) 'good' at is:

(a) A demonstraition of a feat of construction dating from the early 1800's

(b) Joining up, via the second highest pass in the Alps, two otherwise unconnected places. Albeit the original purpose of building the pass is now lost.

(c) Drawing punters in to ride up and down it, because it is iconic.

(d) Being different, with the certainty that you'll not find anything similar in sunny, safe Kent.

That you, or Paul Rochdale (or anyone else who maybe struggles riding a motorcycle of any sort up and down it and / or favours one (easy) side over the other) is of no concern to the pass itself. You were, no matter what, drawn to it; unable to resist its siren call. That's the attraction of the pass and what makes it 'good'; nothing more, nothing less.

It's very little different to the 'Ring. It goes nowhere but it 'Has to be done', if only because it is there.

If nothing else, you can buy a sticker and earn the chance to moan how shit it all is.

 

[Rasher]

If you want to 'do the Stelvio' it's a better bet to just run up and down the West side.

Or run up the west ramp and back down the Umbrail (North Ramp) there is about 2 miles of wel graded gravel at one point, but we did it two up and a ZZR and GTR 1400.

And in all fairness it has good views at the top, with plenty of space to park, some places to eat / grab a coffee / sticker / T-Shirt.

Of course if it was just up the road from me I would probably ride up every nice Saturday morning - it may be "crap" by Alpine pass standards, but by those of southern England it is pretty f**** fantastic.

 

[Coneyhurst Blue]

Well after lots of consideration we have now moved from a long loop ticking off countries and are thinking far better to try and stay in one or two places.

My mate really likes Garmisch and says that there is lots to see, also that would put us in the right place for a trip into Austria and maybe a stay with John ?

Back through the Black Forest and on to Champagne for a night before heading home – how does that sound for a first trip ?

Less than a week to go !

 

[Rasher]

Sounds OK, or you could just wing it, going where you feel like depending on what the weather is doing.

Well worth the trip to John's if the weather is looking OK.

Whatever you do will be fantastic, and whatever you don't do gives you something to do next year

 

[Wapping]

Well after lots of consideration we have now moved from a long loop ticking off countries and are thinking far better to try and stay in one or two places.

.... how does that sound for a first trip ?

Less than a week to go !

Considerably better than your overblown first proposal.

Now all you have to do is look at the weather and maybe buy a map or two. It's -1 c at the moment with light snow, picking up over the next week or so to peak at 16 c. Don't forget your wooly vest.

 

[The Grey One]

Considerably better than your overblown first proposal.

Now all you have to do is look at the weather and maybe buy a map or two. It's -1 c at the moment with light snow, picking up over the next week or so to peak at 16 c. Don't forget your wooly vest.

Well it was around 20 c here today, forecast is for warmer next week, still be a bit cool on the tops though

John

 

[Coneyhurst Blue]

Well, I'm back and I'm alive !
Had a fantastic trip, and even managed to meet up with a few from this board.
Give me a few days and I'll get a ride report up.
Cheers all !

 

[er-minio]

Wait... whoa... sorry... wait...

Am I reading complaints about hairpins on a motorcycle forum?
What the...