Stella Six Pack

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just so that we're clear, any reference to a six pack is purely fictional

A while ago Micky and I hatched a very rough plan to re-visit the Stella Alpina event again, because it has been a few years since we'd last been

Like a rolling stone gathering moss, the plan quickly ran away

Originally it was the 2 of us on 650's, for a week.... then 2-3 more joined - so big bikes were chosen and then it grew to 12 days and then 2 members Decky and Steve joined from Cork, via Spain

So there you go, no point having a plan because it soon falls apart

The aim was to leave via Hull on the ferry and make our way through France, stopping overnight in the Vosges and then 2 nights in the French Alps, near Bourg St Maurice, before crossing over into Bardonecchia in Italy for the middle Stella weekend

Homeward leg.................who knows, the only plan was to avoid the Swiss cheese, stuck in the middle of Europe

So there you have it

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Farewell to Blighty, off the east coast.....................somewhere near Cleethorpes

 

[Mr K]

Looking forward to the conclusion of this epic as I retire....aged 63...

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

On the way down, on the first day we took the fabulous D964 following the Meuse towards Verdun and at Domremy we stopped at the birthplace of Joan of Arc https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc

Beautiful garden & house, well worth a dtop off, for a look

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Looking forward to the conclusion of this epic as I retire....aged 63...

I didn't realise you were that old, Chris

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

First night's accomodation was in Plombieres Les Bains, deep in Vosges - some 350 miles from Zeebrugge

Roads were cracking and weather was getting warmer

A well earned beer for some UKGSER's

We stayed @ Chez Morel, not a bad spot and food was good and bedrooms had a certain uniqueness in the bathroom department http://www.chezmorel.com/

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

After a good night's sleep (something we didn't get on the preceeding night on the ferry) we rose bright and early for the ride down towards Les Arcs via Annecy (big mistake)

Again we found some stunning backroads, ideal for bikes and our energy was being sapped as the temps went over 30c

The only bad point was trying get past Lac Annecy which was extremely hot,slow and busy and would have been better bypassed

Temps were heading towards the mid 30's and after Albertville we headed over the Cormet de Roseland, via Beaufort and the weather broke yielding a massive electrical storm and fat raindrops, so we couldn't ride the road as progressively as we would have liked


Some interesting chuches on the way down

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Our base for the next 2 nights was just under Les Arcs at Peisey Nancroix, a wonderful alpine village full of charm and character

The hotel was Chalet La Tarine http://www.latarine.com/en_index.htm?lang=fr

A lovely hotel, with spectacular views, rooms, an outdoor terrace and good parking for bikes

On Thurs night we were lucky to have a singer, to entertain us and very good he was too, made for a very relaxing evening

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Some views of the charming village of Peisey Nancroix

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thursday was a steady day, where we took a criss-cross route on mountain roads to meet Fran & Tony (Magnet & Harry the Cat) for lunch, in nearby Champagny en Vanoise where they were holidaying in their camper

More stunning roads & views, punctuated by Micky taking a closer look as he slipped off for a piss

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Champagny en Vanoise was in a National Park area and really was stunning................a nice place to stop for lunch

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Friday we had to leave the French Alps for a while (I could have stayed longer @ Peisey) and head for Italy................via Val D'Isere and the splendid Col D'Iseran, a pass of 2770m

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

On top we bumped into MickDB1 and had a chat and met these 2 fellas, a couple of Swiss guys on 2stroke Bultaco and Ossa bikes, enroute to the Stella

It reminded me of our very own intrepid Bakerman and his Matador

 

[rocky burns]

Friday we had to leave the French Alps for a while (I could have stayed longer @ Peisey) and had for Italy................via Val D'Isere and the splendid Col D'Iseran, a pass of 2770m

Fantastic road the D902

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Dropping down off the Iseran, we lunched at Bonneval and sat alongside the Swiss guys, their bikes were really retro cool - grand

After lunch we managed to take the Col du Mont Cenis (despite the minute sign, cunningly placed, so you'd miss it and take the extortniate 27e Frejus Tunnel)

Swirling mists greeted us at the top and more confusing signs confounded me in Susa.............before we eventually found the road to Bardonecchia

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Fantastic road the D902

You're not wrong, I forgot how good it is

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Our base for 3 nights was Pension Bianca in Bardonecchia, a comfortable but dated pension and soon we were joined by our Irish friends, Decky and Steve on their Dakars

We dined out every night, just a short walk into town and there's a good selection of typical Italian eateries

Bardonecchia was buzzing with trailriders of most nationalities, there were all manner of bikes and it was a good atmosphere

We decided to ride the Stella on the Saturday, rather than the traditional Sunday

Sunday would be much busier (and it was)

So for us, Saturday was a good choice

The weather was blistering and the trails were dusty...........I found a few good views on the way up

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Malc & Tom

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

The Irish contingent, Steve and Decky

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Micky