Set off at 0430 Wednesday for the Alps, thinking Id visit the Garmish - Partenkirchen area and then over to Grindelwald to have a look at the North face of the Eiger from the cafe (remember the filum the Eiger sanction with Clint Eastwood)
650 miles first day and stayed on a German Yacht club campsite (late arrival, very basic but friendly residents)
Down to GP Thursday, both days cloudless blue sky and very hot.
Friday saw us ride the Gerlospass, through worsening weather, hitting the Grossglockner at teatime. Wet but clear ride up (from Zell am see) over the top into the mother of all storms. I decided we had overextended ourselves with a wet and dark blast back to the campsite at GP from Lienz - twelve hours and 400 miles later.
Saturdays ride took us over some stunning scenery, through loads more heavy rain, arriving very wet in Andermatt at six PM. Mate takes a low speed spill off his bike looking for accomodation - courtesy of tourist bus rubber lubricated by gallons of water.
Sunday started with awful weather, visibilty down to not very much, with awful forcast and no liklihood of seeing any mountains. Graham didn't much fancy the prospect of the Furka in those conditions and the receptionist at the hotel informs us about a fatal on the Susten pass which was closed as a result. Confidence sucessfully dented.
Cue - ride home. Breakfast in Andermatt - supper (and arse massage) at home (midnight) having ridden through six storms and persistent rain the likes of I have NEVER experienced in my life.
Good adventure - 2500 miles in five days.
650 miles first day and stayed on a German Yacht club campsite (late arrival, very basic but friendly residents)
Down to GP Thursday, both days cloudless blue sky and very hot.
Friday saw us ride the Gerlospass, through worsening weather, hitting the Grossglockner at teatime. Wet but clear ride up (from Zell am see) over the top into the mother of all storms. I decided we had overextended ourselves with a wet and dark blast back to the campsite at GP from Lienz - twelve hours and 400 miles later.
Saturdays ride took us over some stunning scenery, through loads more heavy rain, arriving very wet in Andermatt at six PM. Mate takes a low speed spill off his bike looking for accomodation - courtesy of tourist bus rubber lubricated by gallons of water.
Sunday started with awful weather, visibilty down to not very much, with awful forcast and no liklihood of seeing any mountains. Graham didn't much fancy the prospect of the Furka in those conditions and the receptionist at the hotel informs us about a fatal on the Susten pass which was closed as a result. Confidence sucessfully dented.
Cue - ride home. Breakfast in Andermatt - supper (and arse massage) at home (midnight) having ridden through six storms and persistent rain the likes of I have NEVER experienced in my life.
Good adventure - 2500 miles in five days.
