Excellent Hatcho, so enjoyed your updates.
You must be buzzing, from the trip still.
You must be buzzing, from the trip still.
Hatcho's Solo deTour of Europe
- Thread starter Hatcho
- Start date
So today was departure day. The previous evening I'd repacked everything into 'touring configuration'. When I'd been offroading/doing the luggage free spins, I'd carried just a soft bag on the rear seat. I'm one of those people who likes to pack everything in a certain way so I can find stuff easily, so bits were relocated accordingly. Last thing to do was give the cabin a decent clean and do the whip around to ensure I'd not left anything behind. Gran Camping Bosco is well recommended, great location, excellent facilities, friendly staff and a savage restaurant and bar. You can go the cabin route like I did, and they also have smaller, cheaper pods or go full on camping if that's your thing. Plenty of like minded bikers to chat with, heaven for the more gregarious such as myself. Once loaded up I pootled up to reception, dropped in my key, complimented the establishment, said my goodbyes and off I went.
When you first arrive, a chap hops onto that bicycle and leads you to your cabin. Gotta love good service!
I'd spent some time the evening before looking at my route options. The plan was to head in a general north east direction as I was now the return leg of my trip. It was Tuesday morning and I the only deadline was Friday morning to be back in Memmingen and drop off the bike. Weather forecast was hot and then hotter in the afternoon. My route would take me close to Turin and Milan with my final destination to be somewhere near the town of Chiavenna, so there was decent bit of distance to cover today. I chose to start off on back roads and then join the motorway after about an hour's riding - having ridden at a slowish pace in high temps in Switzerland I had no interest in repeating the process, especially not in the suburbs of two large Italian cities. Italian motorways are great - the official limit is 130kph, but this seems to apply only to the driving lane
. I pootled along at a decent 140 or so and there were still various vehicles passing me by at a fair clip. On a few occasions I could see the suburbs I would have been crawling through and with the temps now in the 30's, I was glad I'd opted for the motorway. Even with a fair breeze hitting me I was warming up so I pulled in to refuel both the bike and myself. Here's a pic of my fancy roadside meal...nothing but the best for me!
When you first arrive, a chap hops onto that bicycle and leads you to your cabin. Gotta love good service!
I'd spent some time the evening before looking at my route options. The plan was to head in a general north east direction as I was now the return leg of my trip. It was Tuesday morning and I the only deadline was Friday morning to be back in Memmingen and drop off the bike. Weather forecast was hot and then hotter in the afternoon. My route would take me close to Turin and Milan with my final destination to be somewhere near the town of Chiavenna, so there was decent bit of distance to cover today. I chose to start off on back roads and then join the motorway after about an hour's riding - having ridden at a slowish pace in high temps in Switzerland I had no interest in repeating the process, especially not in the suburbs of two large Italian cities. Italian motorways are great - the official limit is 130kph, but this seems to apply only to the driving lane
. I pootled along at a decent 140 or so and there were still various vehicles passing me by at a fair clip. On a few occasions I could see the suburbs I would have been crawling through and with the temps now in the 30's, I was glad I'd opted for the motorway. Even with a fair breeze hitting me I was warming up so I pulled in to refuel both the bike and myself. Here's a pic of my fancy roadside meal...nothing but the best for me!
Eventually the motorway was done with - had to pay a few tolls along the way but I'd saved time and energy by avoiding the worst of the heat. I'd expected loads of holiday traffic riding up the side of Lake Como, but easy progress was made. Some nice views of the lake at first and then it was a succession of tunnels that brought me further north. During my motorway stop I'd researched my options for tonight's digs. With the weather looking favourable (i.e. not wet and not roasting) a spot of camping was on the cards. I was delighted as I'd been carting my camping kit around and hadn't yet put it to use. I had no interest in a camping place full of noisy kids and paddling pools, I wanted to be out in the quiet countryside close to nature. Google Maps revealed a nice looking spot called Camping Chapella a few miles over the Swiss border so that was my goal for today. Along the way I passed beside the Silverplanersee with loads of paragliders, windsurfers and those powered foil things. Bloody hell those things can shift!
Along the way there were a few more roadworks, but mostly they were a great way to get to the front of the queue and enjoy the empty tarmac ahead. One friendly fella manning the stop sign even complemented the bike and was amazed to hear I was from Ireland.
The road leading to the campsite was some lovely smooth twisty stuff, but I had to remind myself I was back in Switzerland and best to behave if I didn't want to be emptying the wallet. A nice wee reprieve came when I followed two other bikers for the last few kilometers and we upped things into the 90+kph range. Oh, Italy I miss you! The campsite itself was lovely - exactly what I was looking for. I booked in, paid my few quid for a pitch and was informed I could order in pizza which would be delivered at 6pm. Woo hoo - that's dinner sorted so! Things got even better when I discovered the kind lady also had beer and milk! A nice forest brew and a few scoops were on the menu tonight. Champion.
I picked a spot by the river and got busy unloading stuff and pitching the tent.
The reason I was moving so fast was that I wanted to be well sorted before my very own happy hour with pizza and beer! 
And I needed to squeeze in a brew - some things may not be missed.
Ye can't beat a bit of Barry's Tae!
It was a bit of a trek back to reception where the pizza could be collected, so I hopped onto the bike and rode back up the hill. I had also ordered some firewood for the wee campfire I'd planned for later on...turned out to be a fair bale of logs! Cue some interesting luggage solutions! And away I went down the hill with pizza in tow!
Soon dinner was served!
And I was well settled into my forest home...
The road leading to the campsite was some lovely smooth twisty stuff, but I had to remind myself I was back in Switzerland and best to behave if I didn't want to be emptying the wallet. A nice wee reprieve came when I followed two other bikers for the last few kilometers and we upped things into the 90+kph range. Oh, Italy I miss you!
The campsite itself was lovely - exactly what I was looking for. I booked in, paid my few quid for a pitch and was informed I could order in pizza which would be delivered at 6pm. Woo hoo - that's dinner sorted so! Things got even better when I discovered the kind lady also had beer and milk! A nice forest brew and a few scoops were on the menu tonight. Champion.I picked a spot by the river and got busy unloading stuff and pitching the tent.
And I needed to squeeze in a brew - some things may not be missed.Ye can't beat a bit of Barry's Tae!
It was a bit of a trek back to reception where the pizza could be collected, so I hopped onto the bike and rode back up the hill. I had also ordered some firewood for the wee campfire I'd planned for later on...turned out to be a fair bale of logs! Cue some interesting luggage solutions!
And away I went down the hill with pizza in tow!Soon dinner was served!
And I was well settled into my forest home...
Brilliant write up Hstcho. What a great trip
Fabulous Hatcho. Great pics and videos. Thanks
Having fed and watered myself, it was time to get the campfire going and chill for the evening. A little earlier another biker had setup camp beside me - lovely Swiss fella called Frank. I told him the campfire was in no way exclusive and he was welcome to enjoy it's warmth and light. We chatted away by the fire as he prepped a lovely looking fresh meal (not quite pizza standard though! 
). He's a chemical engineer by trade and like myself likes to fettle away at things. He'd upgraded the mounts fitted to his luggage, designed in CAD by himself and then machined by his son who has access to a CNC - lovely work with some nice design touches. Anyways, Frank was on a quick two-night camping trip, he'd usually travel with a mate, but he couldn't make it along this time. As dedicated bikers we upheld our national reputations - I had four beers while he had one!
The night sky was amazing in the complete darkness...
Next morning Frank was packed up and ready to go whilst I was still lazing about in my sleeping bag, so I popped out to say goodbye before he made tracks.
All evening and morning there was the lovely sound of the river right beside my camping spot
The mirror in the jax was one of those bendy plastic ones - couldn't resist getting a conehead pic as a tribute to Dan Aykroyd
I'd covered some decent mileage the day before so I was in no rush. Gradually roused myself and got to packing up the camping gear and finally the tent. Once I had the bike fully loaded I parked up and grabbed a quick shower. It was coming on midday and the day's heat was already starting to kick in. All freshened up, I dropped off my empty beer bottles (the kind lady didn't charge me for the milk and said the pfant from the beer bottles would cover it).
And back on the road I went with my camping cherry popped for this trip. Another item off the list, happy days!
). He's a chemical engineer by trade and like myself likes to fettle away at things. He'd upgraded the mounts fitted to his luggage, designed in CAD by himself and then machined by his son who has access to a CNC - lovely work with some nice design touches. Anyways, Frank was on a quick two-night camping trip, he'd usually travel with a mate, but he couldn't make it along this time. As dedicated bikers we upheld our national reputations - I had four beers while he had one!The night sky was amazing in the complete darkness...
Next morning Frank was packed up and ready to go whilst I was still lazing about in my sleeping bag, so I popped out to say goodbye before he made tracks.
All evening and morning there was the lovely sound of the river right beside my camping spot
The mirror in the jax was one of those bendy plastic ones - couldn't resist getting a conehead pic as a tribute to Dan Aykroyd
I'd covered some decent mileage the day before so I was in no rush. Gradually roused myself and got to packing up the camping gear and finally the tent. Once I had the bike fully loaded I parked up and grabbed a quick shower. It was coming on midday and the day's heat was already starting to kick in. All freshened up, I dropped off my empty beer bottles (the kind lady didn't charge me for the milk and said the pfant from the beer bottles would cover it).
And back on the road I went with my camping cherry popped for this trip. Another item off the list, happy days!
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How does your wife and more importantly Ollie.....feel about this new relationship with Swiss Franc??Having fed and watered myself, it was time to get the campfire going and chill for the evening. A little earlier another biker had setup camp beside me - lovely Swiss fella called Frank. I told him the campfire was in no way exclusive and he was welcome to enjoy it's warmth and light. We chatted away by the fire as he prepped a lovely looking fresh meal (not quite pizza standard though!
View attachment 443697
Next morning Frank was packed up and ready to go whilst I was still lazing about in my sleeping bag, so I popped out to say goodbye before he made tracks.
View attachment 443698
All evening and morning there was the lovely sound of the river right beside my camping spot
View attachment 443709
I'd covered some decent mileage the day before so I was in no rush. Gradually roused myself and got to packing up the camping gear and finally the tent. Once I had the bike fully loaded I parked up and grabbed a quick shower. It was coming on midday and the day's heat was already starting to kick in. All freshened up, I dropped off my empty beer bottles (the kind lady didn't charge me for the milk and said the pfant from the beer bottles would cover it).
View attachment 443699
And back on the road I went with my camping cherry popped for this trip. Another item off the list, happy days!
If I pitched beside running water like that I'd be pissing like a fountain half the night.......can't even wash the dishes these days without a wee stop. Great write upHaving fed and watered myself, it was time to get the campfire going and chill for the evening. A little earlier another biker had setup camp beside me - lovely Swiss fella called Frank. I told him the campfire was in no way exclusive and he was welcome to enjoy it's warmth and light. We chatted away by the fire as he prepped a lovely looking fresh meal (not quite pizza standard though!
View attachment 443697
The night sky was amazing in the complete darkness...
View attachment 443712
Next morning Frank was packed up and ready to go whilst I was still lazing about in my sleeping bag, so I popped out to say goodbye before he made tracks.
View attachment 443698
All evening and morning there was the lovely sound of the river right beside my camping spot
View attachment 443709
I'd covered some decent mileage the day before so I was in no rush. Gradually roused myself and got to packing up the camping gear and finally the tent. Once I had the bike fully loaded I parked up and grabbed a quick shower. It was coming on midday and the day's heat was already starting to kick in. All freshened up, I dropped off my empty beer bottles (the kind lady didn't charge me for the milk and said the pfant from the beer bottles would cover it).
View attachment 443699
And back on the road I went with my camping cherry popped for this trip. Another item off the list, happy days!
They are quite happy about Swiss Frank, however Swiss Franc and it's ability to empty my wallet is another story!
I love the white noise of the flowing water - has me asleep in minutes. The beers would have me 'out and about' during the night though.If I pitched beside running water like that I'd be pissing like a fountain half the night.......can't even wash the dishes these days without a wee stop. Great write up
Lovely campsite you found. Can you share the name/location?
Can indeed - it's called Camping Chapella - Linky to Google Maps
that 27 road from St Moritz to the Austrian border, following the River Inn, is one of my favourites
Thanks Hatcho
Yeah - I got some nice footage riding along that road...lovely sweepers all along the river.
So onward I travelled along the 27 heading north east towards the Swiss Austrian border and onto Pfunds. A wee sense of melancholy had landed on me as I knew I was now into the latter part of my trip. But then I told myself to cop on - I still had a couple of days to play with, and right now I was riding savage roads. The grin was back in not time. PMA all the way!
Love these short open tunnels!
I ended up in behind this chap for a bit and when I spotted the 360 cam I hoped I might one day be famous!
The river Inn on the right hand side brought with it some lovely things to see...
Love these short open tunnels!
I ended up in behind this chap for a bit and when I spotted the 360 cam I hoped I might one day be famous!
The river Inn on the right hand side brought with it some lovely things to see...
Once I was over the border and into Austria I relaxed a little. The reputation for mental speeding fines in Switzerland keeps you on edge and glancing at the speedo all the time. It was time to tank up and also grab some fuel for me. If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it...
I'd gotten lots of compliments about the bike and everyone was asking how it got so dirty. Little did they know they'd opened Pandora's box and would now suffer years of me rattling on!
But I decided it was time to give her a well deserved wash, even if it did remove all the evidence of my off-roading escapades back in Italy.
So into the wash bay we went and I popped a few euro in the machine...
I'd gotten lots of compliments about the bike and everyone was asking how it got so dirty. Little did they know they'd opened Pandora's box and would now suffer years of me rattling on!
But I decided it was time to give her a well deserved wash, even if it did remove all the evidence of my off-roading escapades back in Italy.So into the wash bay we went and I popped a few euro in the machine...
All spruced up we headed off. I first rode through Landeck and onwards north. The plan was to head towards Memmingen a day early as the forecast for the following day was looking a bit grim. Then I realised it was best to milk every second of this trip and not be cutting anything short. So over the Hahntennjoch Pass I went and decided to go to Wangle because lord God, that's a funny name . Good to see my decision making was back on track!
. Good to see my decision making was back on track!
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