Stella Alpina 2007 pics

[Bert]

After a slight heart stopping moment when my rear wheel bearings self destructed at 60mph in sloshing rain whilst overtaking a truck.... that was a bit close for comfort... still, my was paying attention and got me out of it- no skill whatsoever on my part and luckily the trucky saw my dilemma and slowed down and for a French trucky...that's got to be a first! so whoever you are- my thanks-

My thanks to a couple on a 1150 who stopped as I was changing my bearings- was stumped by one casing that was truly welded in so that was a no-go. One flat top later and back up to Lille to BOXER EVASION, a Beemer dealership dream I can heartily recommended them - best dealers with excellent mechanics nearest Bromley by a very long long chalk and well worth the day out.
They did not have a spare so, without any fuss, just took off the wheel off one of their new bikes to let me carry on my ride down to Bardonecchia.

Aside from some heavy rains , and a heavy toll (23 Euros) for the Frejus tunnel , it was a fab week end.
Caught up with Grazoid & Better Half & Tarka, the latter thanks to his proudly displaying his unique hairstyle but sadly missed Noddy and any others.

 

[Bert]

a few more

pictures

 

[Bert]

and another nice one

fabulous views and that clean fresh glacial water made for a delicious cuppa!

 

[Bert]

errrm?

no comment?
unusual for you lot...

 

[Decster]

Great pics Bert

 

[John Armstrong]

no comment?
unusual for you lot...

The bikes got a chain on it

Looks like you had a great time when you were there

Lovely area of the world.

 

[Bert]

I'm surprise so few Brits were there

The bikes got a chain on it

Yes John- it's a real bike unlike those tossers on 1200's
(that should crank things up a wee bit!)

 

[Deleted Member I]

What is the Stella Alpina?

An event? a place? both?

What's involved? Is it hardcore only?

 

[John Armstrong]

The bikes got a chain on it

Yes John- it's a real bike unlike those tossers on 1200's
(that should crank things up a wee bit!)

My bikes got a chain as well, but mine is all about stopping it going where I don't want it to

Not as much snow down there this years as in previous ones.

 

[Lou Can]

What is the Stella Alpina?

An event? a place? both?

What's involved? Is it hardcore only?

Its an inforaml rally just over the Italian border. You get there, congregate in the town then drive up a mountian track in search of a vehicle which is parked at a location representing the highest point a road bike can reasonbaly reach. If you are keen (oh yes) you then press on to the upper margins of the moutain as it becomes lumpier and snowier (is that a word? - it is now!).

Then descend dodging the mad motocross muppets to rapturous applaus and well earned beer.

Recommended to anyone.

Sorry to have missed you Bert, but glad you made it OK.

And I think I nearly T boned Tarka on the way down (Kalahari 1100 and gaudy lid?) He was waiting on a hairpin that I managed to run wide on. If so - Hi Tarka!

Few extra pics from the top. I thought I'd done well getting ther until I saw the Norton......

And the last picture shows that for some enough is never enough. If you look at the evry top of the track you will see a tiny nutter on a WRF who was showing off climbing that vertical wall........

Will I be back next year? Oh Yes.

LC

 

[FatAl]

What is the Stella Alpina?






Isn't it a lager?

 

[turnipbmw]

nice pics, I went in 2005 and it rained all the time and also visibility was nil.

Good trip though especially when a German looney caught the sump of his K100RS on a rock.

Last seen pushing down hill with along way to go and a trail of oil behind

 

[Bert]

Sorry to have missed you Bert, but glad you made it OK.
Will I be back next year? Oh Yes.

LC

Yup ditto LouCan & nice pics I could have done without the bearings failure but hey ho, all part of adventure eh? !!
Did you see the 2 harleys with the monowheel trailers going up? awsome!
One casualty this year where someone pushed the envelope a bit far and found that traction requires wheel contact with something.... his bike slid down a part of the mountain and a 4x4 was dispatched to get the bike out- I heard he was ok thank goodness.

 

[Tarka]

And I think I nearly T boned Tarka on the way down (Kalahari 1100 and gaudy lid?) He was waiting on a hairpin that I managed to run wide on. If so - Hi Tarka!

Hi mate

Yep......twas me


Got back home last night.....after a 675 mile day,making a total of 1075 miles in two days because I forgot about having to be in work tomorrow

Hey Bert...great to see ya,sorry about having to dash soon after....we got to the bike shop in Susa on time and my mate found a replacement brake hose.

Next year......a URAL INVASION OF ITALY

 

[Howard Millichap]

Nice weather this year. The Sommeiller was rougher than previous years though. I got to the snow line on me Tigger and picked up a bloody great dent in the bash plate on the way down thanks to a rock of about a foot in diameter. Then two Tiggers rode up to the Jafferau fort in the mountain to the east of Rochmolles. Didn't see any GSes up there.....probably too rough.

 

[DavidHale]

Bert, that looks fantastic! Fancy a riding partner next year?

 

[Ming]

Bert, that looks fantastic! Fancy a riding partner next year?

 

[Theo]

BERT!!!!!!!

HO BERT!!!!!


I met you to Stella! Looking now your pictures I recognize your bmw!!!!


Do you remember on friday at lunch??? The BAR at Bardinecchia! I ate in the table near you (with my girlfriend)...

And Saturday you stopped me on the somellie climb. I was coming down with my 12GS yellow/blak and you aked me about the final part od climb...

Did you reached the TOP????

Bye from Italy!!

 

[Bert]

Hi mate

Yep......twas me

Hey Bert...great to see ya,sorry about having to dash soon after....we got to the bike shop in Susa on time and my mate found a replacement brake hose.

Yo Tarka
T'was a shame 'cos the waitress came out just after you left offering free beer

 

[Bert]

ou la la

mmmmmm I must confess I tend to agree with Ming's comment on this one... very worrying Mr Hale