stella alpina

[stevie]

Hi I'm doing my first stella alpina this year,I'm leaving hull to zeebrugge on the wednesday before wondered if any of you guys are heading down and would appreciate any advice.I,ve done loads of long distance tours over my 48 years of biking but never done anything like the stella and need to know a few things from you vets,like camping on the plateau best scenic route down etc.Afer the rally sunday I'm heading over to do the Stelvio on way home

 

[mcinlb]

On your way home

 

[stevie]

got to go home by some route,

 

[Noddy]

Camping is no problem, plenty of space for all, take some strong pegs though as the ground is a bit rocky. There is food and drink available at the refuge, but most seem to take enough to see them through for a couple of days. You will see every sort of bike and scooter even mopeds riding up to the top, or as far as they can depending on the snow level.

Route wise I prefer a bit of a round the houses ride so I miss France apart from the Calais end and go Lille/Luxembourg(Ardenne area)Metz/Nancy/St Die/Colmar/Mulhouse, then through the Jura and into Switzerland, pass Genève (Thanks Micky ) to Annecy then take your pick on the last section to Bardonecchia. Basically have a good look at your maps and route to miss the motorways. I have used this route probably a dozen times on GS and also in my van (tin tent) when taking trail bikes KLR/DRZ down to the area. Done the trip many times with a group from on here.

Give a shout if you need any more info.

 

[stevie]

Cheers Noddy for the info.is the plateau part way up the pass and is it straightword to find from Bardonacchio

 

[Noddy]

Head out of town towards the road and rail tunnels, keep them on your right then continue up to Rochemolles and keep going straight on up, you can't turn off anyways, when you get to the refuge/plateau you will know as there is a road control hut in front of you.
If you want to practice the route use google earth, they have sent a camera car right up to the refuge. You can loose some time on a dark wet evening playing with that app.

 

[stevie]

stella

Thanks Noddy had a go on google earth its good thanks,bit more brain picking please. What's toilet situation like at base camp, I would take it there's nothing and will take a trench tool but do they put porta stuff for the weekend would seem like a lot of people will be diggin!! also what's it like for thieving I would like to leave a lot of weight at the tent for the trail but obviously if you go off you've gone all day, ideal for stuff to go missing,I wouldnt dream it would be any of the bikers but would be easy pickings for someone targeting the place.

 

[gspod]

The wild camp is at the start of the Stella proper, it's very busy so I can't see any problem with security. I stayed at Bokki campsite (10/15 mins from the start of the trail) so I can't comment on the facilities at the wild camp, but I didn't see anything obvious when I stopped there for 20 mins to have a look at all the bikes. I liked Bokki, although the pitches left a lot to be desired, the bar/rest was GVFM, the facilities were good and it had a nice atmosphere.

The run itself doesn't take long from the camp - an hour or so.
We did the run on Saturday morning as it gets very busy on the Sunday, we then had lunch in town, a chill in the afternoon and tackled Mount Jafferau at 5pm (which is when the trail officially opens). I would highly recommend it - it's a great trail.

There is another trail about 20 mins ride away: it's a very easy one but long and very scenic. Unfortunately I can't remember the exact name but it starts at Moretta. We went to do it on the Sunday but it was closed due to a car rally .

If I went again I would do the Moretta trail on Friday, Stella Sat morning and Jaff Sat afternoon - just my choice.
There are always a bunch of folks on ABR forum who go. we were lucky enough to hook up with a couple of guys who'd been before and they showed us the trails - definitely worth a post.

Our journey down was:
Motorway to Champagne (approx 3 hours) then cross country to Langres - here you have a choice of campsites, one in the heart of the medieval walled town (road noise at night) or head to the lake 5 mins out of town and a beautiful setting.
Next day undulating countryside to the Jura mountains and right through the middle - fast sweeping empty roads. Head for Val D'Isere and camp on route.
Next day Col de L'Iseran, Col Galibier and Bardonnechia.

Hope this helps - enjoy it, I did

 

[Tarka]

Thanks Noddy had a go on google earth its good thanks,bit more brain picking please. What's toilet situation like at base camp, I would take it there's nothing and will take a trench tool but do they put porta stuff for the weekend would seem like a lot of people will be diggin!! also what's it like for thieving I would like to leave a lot of weight at the tent for the trail but obviously if you go off you've gone all day, ideal for stuff to go missing,I wouldnt dream it would be any of the bikers but would be easy pickings for someone targeting the place.

FFS....use yer noggin or go by Wallace Arnold.

Jeezus...this going to end up being a ten pager before Stella Alpina time.

 

[stevie]

Thanks gspod for your info good to have people like you giving a bit of advice.
And to you Tarka keep your crap reply to yourself,if you can't come out with anything constructive butt out of the post
Ive done 48 years of biking and been to many parts of the world but I still dont know it all obviously unlike someone like you ,best thing you can do is meet your Wallace Arnold head on!!!!

 

[Tarka]

Thanks gspod for your info good to have people like you giving a bit of advice.
And to you Tarka keep your crap reply to yourself,if you can't come out with anything constructive butt out of the post
Ive done 48 years of biking and been to many parts of the world but I still dont know it all obviously unlike someone like you ,best thing you can do is meet your Wallace Arnold head on!!!!

Spirited reply.

I'd freely give any and all advice required regarding what the Stella's like for a newbie to it.
Your first post was fine and several people got in before me.

However,you then started asking where and how to have a shit....

And then can't work out for yourself whether or not it's a good idea to leave valuables in a tent......

C'mon,FFS.....did you really expect all kinds of serious and studied replies to those ??

 

[stevie]

well Tarka can't see any probs in any question Ive asked,I didnt ask where and certainly not how to have a shit got that a few years ago,although that can be debatable after 12 pints of cider, I've done many long haul trips and believe in prep, if I stay on a campsite I know what to expect if I wild camp alone which I have done on many occasions and in many countries I know what to expect from my own capabilities and security,if I'm wild camping with 50 -500 other people I have no way of knowing what to expect wether its 500 people having a shit in one area[which I don't fancy] or any security of my kit,I dont leave any valuables in the tent but have experienced thieving at big bike meets like my sleeping bag gone after a charity ride out in the day, so I like to know the lie of the land if I can, some do's may be worse than others so a ligit question, any previous experience is welcome.

 

[DrAlf]

I've been to the Stella three times - twice with Tarka IIRC. Never camped - always stayed in Bardo which is great for food, beers and bikes. Don't remember seeing any toilets in the campsite so plan to wild camp - i.e shit in a sock. The trail can be quite tricky on a GS especially with mud and landslides and/or snow. There are loads of amazing trails nearby so you could extend your trip in the area and include these. There used to be an excellent website that had .pdf files of all the local trails but I can't seem to find it.

You need to think about tyres and what you want to do with your trip. If getting to the top of the Stella and doing other trails is your goal then I would seriously consider TKC80's for a GS. If road riding and the passes are your objective then I would use road tyres which will make riding the stella a lot trickier - meaning you might not get to the top.

I'd imagine that the campsite if pretty safe and would be happy to leave my non-essentials in the tent. Make sure you stock up on suppliers in Bardo.

The big trail bike club do a trip to the Stella each year - which is how I first started going. It could be worth dropping them a mail and seeing if you could join them for a days trail riding on either the Saturday or Monday - they know the area well and the views from the trails are stunning.

Enjoy.

 

[stevie]

Thanks DrAlf good info appreciated

 

[Micky]

'Search' is your best friend on subjects like this ...

Here's a thread from me but there are lots more

Don't worry too much about Tarka, he's one of the most knowledgable and helpful guys on here ... you've probably just caught him at the wrong time of the month

 

[MickDB1]

I too have been a few times, the last camping at the just out of town Bokki campsite a tadge pricey at 17 yo yo per night but good showers and toilets and bar and food at fair prices. The higher level campsite is at about 2000mts up the Somellier trail and can freeze up during the night. there is toilets in the refuge cafe there I have used the lav and there snap is Ok but they were busy !!!! There is cheapish acommodation in the town all over and within 1/2 a mile of centre is the tourist info . They will provide up to the day info on whats available if yer leave it till the last minute. Thre is a mid sized supermarket also selling every thing youll need The trails are mostly open during the Stella weekend but be warned some are not and fines were "supposed" to be handed out for riding closed trails . It is a fabulous event set in a beautful area security seemed safe enough just dont leave owt on show. My top tip last year was to cover me GPS with some old underpants !!!!!! ( two others copied me so that were a laugh. You will have a great time over there = Use the ADAC maps of the best roads for bikes and follow thre recommendations
HTHY

 

[stevie]

thanks guys great info and very helpful,Ive done plenty of trips over the years some planned some not so much,but as I've got older find it a bit easier to try to get as much info as poss especially things like when the trails are open, camping etc on a do like the stella,once you've done it you know the sp but I couldn't find much on the net only youtube vids which are great but dont give you much info.I think from what I've got from you guys now I pretty much what to expect,I'll buy you a beer Tarka if you're there, cheer you up a bit LOL

 

[Kenny Rodkiss]

This what the camp site on the plateau looks like,

 

[Tarka]

I'll buy you a beer Tarka if you're there, cheer you up a bit LOL

Cheers fella.....hope you get there and have a great time.


Bring that beer towards this machine.......

 

[stevie]

Love the outfit mate,I've been trollin fleabay for months now trying to buy one but all I seem to find in my price range are the one's with chair on wrong side and not old enough to make them ,its definately on my list to add to my 1150GS and 1200 Adventure,I may have to sell 1150 and go for a bit newer one,what age is yours