Today was the best day I have spent on a motorcycle. That is no exaggeration. I was challenged, I laughed a lot, I made new friends, I did stuff I didn't think I could do. And the GS disguised my lack of skills all day long. 
Hatcho's Solo deTour of Europe
- Thread starter Hatcho
- Start date
You like cliffhanger, don't you.....Today was the best day I have spent on a motorcycle. That is no exaggeration. I was challenged, I laughed a lot, I made new friends, I did stuff I didn't think I could do. And the GS disguised my lack of skills all day long.
perhaps he should call the bike Ena, Pauline or Dot.
Today was nothing short of unforgettable. I took on something really challenging on the bike and prevailed. Since then I can't stop smiling. It's been quite a while since I exceeded my own expectations to this degree. I am fucking chuffed with myself. Champion squared.
Try the Off Road Skills. You'll be amazed at what you and a GS can accomplish. 2 of the best days riding I have ever had and I only fell off twice.
You are the second person to suggest that very thing. At this rate, it would be rude not to!
Day 6 (contd)
Tonight's accomodation was the Napolean hotel in Susa. The rest of the spin from Col de L'Iseran to Susa was awesome,with plenty more twisty stuff to keep the mind alert. As is usual once the day wears on, you're keen to get to the hotel and I made some 'good progress'
. There were cheaper options in Susa but the Napolean comes with the added bonus of underground parking for just motorbikes. The hotel is biker themed from top to bottom.
Betsy has plenty of company tonight!
Few bikes in the hotel foyer
Staff were both pleasant and helpful at every opportunity, something that really makes a difference. Straight up to the room for a shower and into civvies. Woo hoo there's aircon - fire that baby up, yes please!
Out to the restaurant recommended by the chap at reception and time for a multi-course dinner Italian style
Took a wee wander around the town before heading back to the hotel.
Oh and grabbed the obligatory ice cream on the way back. This was my view whilst downing my pistachio ice cream.
Tonight's accomodation was the Napolean hotel in Susa. The rest of the spin from Col de L'Iseran to Susa was awesome,with plenty more twisty stuff to keep the mind alert. As is usual once the day wears on, you're keen to get to the hotel and I made some 'good progress'
. There were cheaper options in Susa but the Napolean comes with the added bonus of underground parking for just motorbikes. The hotel is biker themed from top to bottom. Betsy has plenty of company tonight!
Few bikes in the hotel foyer
Staff were both pleasant and helpful at every opportunity, something that really makes a difference. Straight up to the room for a shower and into civvies. Woo hoo there's aircon - fire that baby up, yes please!
Out to the restaurant recommended by the chap at reception and time for a multi-course dinner Italian style
Took a wee wander around the town before heading back to the hotel.
Oh and grabbed the obligatory ice cream on the way back. This was my view whilst downing my pistachio ice cream.
So what route gave you this high ? More RDGA ?Today was the best day I have spent on a motorcycle. That is no exaggeration. I was challenged, I laughed a lot, I made new friends, I did stuff I didn't think I could do. And the GS disguised my lack of skills all day long.
What is RDGA?
Route Des Grandes Alpes
It was successfully tackling a particularly technical section of trail. Many cried shy, many others went up. I was only one of two GS's at top and only bike with road tyres which earned me quite some kudos from the more experienced bikers.
But the whole day of trail riding was awesome. From start to finish!
Day 7 Susa to Camping Gran Bosco, Oulx
Today was a tad different than previous, my next accomodation was only about 20 mins from Susa and I would be spending five nights there. This was the only spot I'd pre-booked and the plan was to take on some trails luggage free over the next few days. The folks in Hotel Napoleon kindly let me leave my luggage with them until I got back later in the afternoon,and this meant I could takle my first trail today.
Colle dell'Assietta was going to be my first bit of soft-roading on this trip. On the way there I would also pass through Colle delle Finestre. Champion!
Brekkie in the hotel was top notch, they even have a terrace where you can enjoy the fresh morning air. Freshly to me must be baltic to the Italians, German and French because I was the only one sitting outside!
The morning view. Stunning.
After brekkie I rearranged my gear so the drone, camera kit and a few nibbles were all in some soft luggage strapped to the bike. And off we went, Betsy and I.
Today was a tad different than previous, my next accomodation was only about 20 mins from Susa and I would be spending five nights there. This was the only spot I'd pre-booked and the plan was to take on some trails luggage free over the next few days. The folks in Hotel Napoleon kindly let me leave my luggage with them until I got back later in the afternoon,and this meant I could takle my first trail today.
Colle dell'Assietta was going to be my first bit of soft-roading on this trip. On the way there I would also pass through Colle delle Finestre. Champion!
Brekkie in the hotel was top notch, they even have a terrace where you can enjoy the fresh morning air. Freshly to me must be baltic to the Italians, German and French because I was the only one sitting outside!
The morning view. Stunning.
After brekkie I rearranged my gear so the drone, camera kit and a few nibbles were all in some soft luggage strapped to the bike. And off we went, Betsy and I.
The Colle delle Finestre was great. Surface is gravel but all well packed down so easy to ride. No tight hairpins to deal with so a nice way to dip ones toe in into soft roading.
Cracking views, this is quite the place!
Obligatory helmet photo!
Back onto tarmac for just a few minutes and then we arrive at Colle dell'Assietta. From 1st June to 30th September motorised traffic isn't allowed on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. Plenty of info here Trail info. They even have gpx files to download.
Let's be having ye!
Cracking views, this is quite the place!
Obligatory helmet photo!
Back onto tarmac for just a few minutes and then we arrive at Colle dell'Assietta. From 1st June to 30th September motorised traffic isn't allowed on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. Plenty of info here Trail info. They even have gpx files to download.
Let's be having ye!
A lovely trail, done it 2 up with my wife a few times over the yearsThe Colle delle Finestre was great. Surface is gravel but all well packed down so easy to ride. No tight hairpins to deal with so a nice way to dip ones toe in into soft roading.
View attachment 438308
Cracking views, this is quite the place!
View attachment 438309
Obligatory helmet photo!
View attachment 438310
Back onto tarmac for just a few minutes and then we arrive at Colle dell'Assietta. From 1st June to 30th September motorised traffic isn't allowed on Fridays, Sundays and Mondays. Plenty of info here Trail info. They even have gpx files to download.
Let's be having ye!
View attachment 438312
Here's a wee clip of me on Assietta. Probably a tad boring unless you were actually there (so that just me!), but this is my first foray into soft roading on the 1250. Like a proper rookie I spend the majority of my time sat on my hole instead of standing. That could just be laziness though
Got busy with the camera and did a wee driveby...
Some cracking views along the way too..
Got busy with the camera and did a wee driveby...
Some cracking views along the way too..
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With my soft-roading cherry properly popped it was time to head back to Hotel Napoleon to retrieve my luggage. I thanked the staff for their much appreciated help and was on my way.
My next stop was Camping Grand Bosco only 20 minutes away. After a quick check in I was shown to my cabin and what a lovely spot. Bikers everywhere, mostly adventure or enduro style bikes - I'm definitely in the right spot for some off-roading.
My abode for the next five nights...
Great spot with a kitchenette, all the cooking bits you need, plenty of living space and a porch to enjoy the morning sun. Another bonus is the strong hot shower - fantastic after a day in the saddle. And I had five nights here - savage!
The view of my 'street'
Lots of families and kids here too, so walking pace only on the bike when coming and going. Facilities are top notch too. If you are staying in the area I'd highly recommend.
Anyways, after cleaning up and making myself respectable it was beer and dinner o'clock. Cue obligatory photos
Nine euro for a top notch pizza? This could get compiicated! The food went down well, as did a couple more beers and then it was off to bed with me. After some planning about the next day of course...
My next stop was Camping Grand Bosco only 20 minutes away. After a quick check in I was shown to my cabin and what a lovely spot. Bikers everywhere, mostly adventure or enduro style bikes - I'm definitely in the right spot for some off-roading.
My abode for the next five nights...
Great spot with a kitchenette, all the cooking bits you need, plenty of living space and a porch to enjoy the morning sun. Another bonus is the strong hot shower - fantastic after a day in the saddle. And I had five nights here - savage!
The view of my 'street'
Lots of families and kids here too, so walking pace only on the bike when coming and going. Facilities are top notch too. If you are staying in the area I'd highly recommend.
Anyways, after cleaning up and making myself respectable it was beer and dinner o'clock. Cue obligatory photos
Nine euro for a top notch pizza? This could get compiicated! The food went down well, as did a couple more beers and then it was off to bed with me. After some planning about the next day of course...
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Like a pro. Nice video and pics.Here's a wee clip of me on Assietta. Probably a tad boring unless you were actually there (so that just me!), but this is my first foray into soft roading on the 1250. Like a proper rookie I spend the majority of my time sat on my hole instead of standing. That could just be laziness though
Got busy with the camera and did a wee driveby...
Some cracking views along the way too..
View attachment 438688
View attachment 438689
I love mountain architecture and all the timber buildings. There are some great design touches, and a couple of ideas I might borrow for our own timber house renovation!Day 4 Rest Day
For the most part I just chilled out. Took a stroll up to the shop for an ice cream and enjoyed watching the multiple bikers pass by in the heat while I sat in the shade in my shorts. Sometimes it's nice to be a little bit of a bollixThen iwandered around the village and took more pics until it got too hot to be outside.
This lovely house had a working water wheel right beside it.
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This looked to be a newly finished house, love the way they've kept to the old style
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Another nice mix of modern and traditional...
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I think I'm following this tourist route, this is the second one of these signs I've seen. Switzerland's version of the Wild Atlantic Way I suppose
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Loads of these communal water fountains about, all of which are potable. Best not to scoop from the trough though as I saw a doggie jump in to cool off.
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Lots of the barns are raised on stilts like this. We saw something similar in Norway - it's to help prevent creatures getting in and nibbling at your store of winter food.
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Twas time to return to the hotel and my cool room as I was starting to bake even in shorts.
Those big flat stone mouse-thwarters are brilliant! I've just gone with many cats...
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I still think someone was sick in that bowlDay 7 Susa to Camping Gran Bosco, Oulx
Today was a tad different than previous, my next accomodation was only about 20 mins from Susa and I would be spending five nights there. This was the only spot I'd pre-booked and the plan was to take on some trails luggage free over the next few days. The folks in Hotel Napoleon kindly let me leave my luggage with them until I got back later in the afternoon,and this meant I could takle my first trail today.
Colle dell'Assietta was going to be my first bit of soft-roading on this trip. On the way there I would also pass through Colle delle Finestre. Champion!
Brekkie in the hotel was top notch, they even have a terrace where you can enjoy the fresh morning air. Freshly to me must be baltic to the Italians, German and French because I was the only one sitting outside!
View attachment 438303
The morning view. Stunning.
View attachment 438304
After brekkie I rearranged my gear so the drone, camera kit and a few nibbles were all in some soft luggage strapped to the bike. And off we went, Betsy and I.
Ham, Cheese & Mushrooms.....no need to put anything else on a pizzaWith my soft-roading cherry properly popped it was time to head back to Hotel Napoleon to retrieve my luggage. I thanked the staff for their much appreciated help and was on my way.
My next stop was Camping Grand Bosco only 20 minutes away. After a quick check in I was shown to my cabin and what a lovely spot. Bikers everywhere, mostly adventure or enduro style bikes - I'm definitely in the right spot for some off-roading.
My abode for the next five nights...
View attachment 438690
View attachment 438691
Great spot with a kitchenette, all the cooking bits you need, plenty of living space and a porch to enjoy the morning sun. Another bonus is the strong hot shower - fantastic after a day in the saddle. And I had five nights here - savage!
The view of my 'street'
View attachment 438694
Lots of families and kids here too, so walking pace only on the bike when coming and going. Facilities are top notch too. If you are staying in the area I'd highly recommend.
Anyways, after cleaning up and making myself respectable it was beer and dinner o'clock. Cue obligatory photos
View attachment 438695
View attachment 438696
Nine euro for a top notch pizza? This could get compiicated! The food went down well, as did a couple more beers and then it was off to bed with me. After some planning about the next day of course...
Looks feckin super. S
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