Toll roads

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Hi Andre,

If you decide to do the Splugen Pass towards Italy I can recommend The Hotel Oriental they do a biker bed breakfast evening meal. Very nice family who run it. http://www.hoteloriental.com/
Also if you decide on Dolomites Hotel Olympia in Arabba http://www.hotel-olympia.com/ is very good value for money 48euro 1/2 board.
Going to post a few Dolomite roads that are a little less used (apart from Rolle Pass)on here. You tube vids.
Wherever you go you wont be disappointed.
My best tip dont try to do too much. Allow time to enjoy.

 

[Rasher]

When I went to the Tyre web site recently (following a previous post) It was saying that it was for Tom Tom only? I need to have a closer look because I agree with you about Mapsource.

Andre

It is Tom Tom and Garmin, same version for both so just download it and off you go, I think it asks you on install, but you can switch between TT and Garmin from the preferences

 

[czwotzit]

Thanks Andrew and Rasher for the tips. I initially intend to take about three weeks for the trip but I would say that it would very much depend on the weather. Anyway its still very early days yet.

Andre

 

[Tusky]

Yup I map all my routes on TYRE and then provide other riders on the tour Tomtom and Garmin files as required.

Never had any major problems but if you have three Tomtoms and three Garmins for example, they will all have variations on their routes unless the firmware is identical....

 

[Rasher]

Thanks Andrew and Rasher for the tips. I initially intend to take about three weeks for the trip but I would say that it would very much depend on the weather. Anyway its still very early days yet.

Andre

3 weeks is a good amount of time, you should be able to get loads in, last year I did 3 areas in the book in 8 days, this year we are squeezing the best from another 4 chapters in 8 days.

My next trip will be two whole weeks dedicated to the Alps so I can get across to some further reaches (Dolomites) and take in a few previosu favourites on the way in / out.

My preference is to stop in a town / village for about 3/4 nights at a time to give a couple of easy days riding with no luggage or packing / unpacking, also gives you a "second shot" if the weather is poor on one of the days.

If you are happy with moving on every day you could cover a huge amount of passes in 3 weeks and go from one end of the Alps to the other and back.

I have some Garmin / tyre routes if you want them, but I really like to plan most of the journey's myself as it passes the time running up to the trip.

 

[czwotzit]

Rasher

Thanks for the offer of the routes - but as you say half the fun is in researching the routes and finding out what's to see in the areas, not to mention any events.

Once I have a basic route of where I want to got I generally scout the internet for info. But my recent trips in the last few years have been with my bike club around Scotland and the islands. In fact i just returned from an island hopping trip to the outer hebrides a few weeks ago and now feel its time to try somewhere with taller mountains

Andre

 

[Wapping]

Rasher

Thanks for the offer of the routes - but as you say half the fun is in researching the routes and finding out what's to see in the areas, not to mention any events.

Once I have a basic route of where I want to got I generally scout the internet for info. But my recent trips in the last few years have been with my bike club around Scotland and the islands. In fact i just returned from an island hopping trip to the outer hebrides a few weeks ago and now feel its time to try somewhere with taller mountains

Andre

'Research' that so far seems to be limited to asking UKGSer to do it for you. So, spoiling at least half of your fun

Got those Green guides yet.... there's only 11 months to go, you know

 

[czwotzit]

You're wrong Wapping it doesn't spoil my fun at all - it just gives me more to look at, you seem to be jumping to conclusions thinking that I am letting everyone else do my research for me this could not be further from the truth. Never having been to Germany , Switzerland or Italy, an Alps virgin (thats me) can be totally overwhelmed by the number of places to visit especially when reading the threads on this forum and reading John Hermanns book.
I must admit that I only ever expected to get one or two responses from the forum - but I really appreciate that the information and suggestions keep coming and so long as it keeps being posted i'll respond, there's no shame in that. I do a lot of research on the web of places that I intend to visit and if places suggested by other members of the forum as places they have enjoyed and they consider as worth a visit I take their word for it and look it up to see if it sparks an interest for me and is near my proposed route - some will some won't.

By the way thanks for the info on the guides both IGN maps and green guides are on their way by snail mail from amazon - up north they don't seem to stock them in waterstones or smiths they seem to concentrate only on Cleethorpes and Skegness.

Thanks for taking the time to comment

Andre

 

[Wapping]

Splendido, then you are starting to cook on gas, even if your posts appeared luke warm.

If you want some of the routes, in all the colours (and can convert that seemingly dreadful MapSource into Ting Tong using Tyre) here's something to keep you busy for a month or three of the next 12.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14126843/30 Motorradtouren in den Alpen routes all on one fie.gdb

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14126843/ADAC - Switzerland - All 15 routes.gdb

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/14126843/Giant Black Forest, Vosges, Alps, Dolomites routes file.gdb

 

[jamesv]

Last week.....

Did Galibier, d'Izoard and Bonette last week on my first time in the Alps - they blew my socks off, amazing views and riding, cannot recommend highly enough (and incredible to see what the Tour de France guys are racing up)!!

We did motorway down to Grenoble and then rode across to near Gap where we stayed which was 850miles in 2 days (fairly hard work). Then spent a few days coming back up via Briancon, Annecy, Jura mountains, Verdun and Reims. 1900 miles in 7 days was a lot of time in the saddle but worth every minute and pound.

Must just say that visiting the memorials, cemetries and citadelle at Verdun was a very humbling experience. Enjoy and be prepared to spend loads on fuel!!!

 

[Rasher]

Did Galibier, d'Izoard and Bonette last week on my first time in the Alps - they blew my socks off, amazing views and riding, cannot recommend highly enough.....

Thanks, heading that way in a few weeks

Must just say that visiting the memorials, cemetries and citadelle at Verdun was a very humbling experience. Enjoy and be prepared to spend loads on fuel!!!

I agree, been there on a very quick visit (half day on way too / from somewhere else) but stopping two nights at Two Wheel Moorings this year so we get a full day to explore the Forts (again - top value) visit a museum and check out some preserved Trenches.

I agree about asking around, I do loads of my own research, but still appreciatte any info others provide and reports people take the time to compile and upload - it all helps ensure I get the most from my limited Holiday time / budget.

 

[contact23]

I paid about 40 euro all the way down a couple of weeks ago

save on the toll just keep tight behind the paying customer in front

 

[JayC]

Hi Andre,

the book I would thoroughly recommend before you plan out your route is on this link http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcycle-Journeys-Through-Alps-More/dp/1884313701

I took a route from Calais/Luxembourg/Merzig and down to Thun (Switz) and onto Andermatt.
From Thun your adventure begins imo and Andermatt is a beautiful place to rest up for the night and take in some sights. We stayed at The Sporthotel Sonne, very welcoming, secure overnight garage parking. Out of the Hotel and you immediately pick up the The Oberalp Pass , arguably the best route toward Italy!

If you should take this route you will be heading toward Bonaduz, but rather than head straight to Bonaduz take a right turn at Ilanz for the little known 'must do' route! Simply follow the village of Ilanz and keep going for some spectacular scenes/roads/route toward Bonaduz. You could then head for Albulapass, another fantastic route to take just north of St Moritz before heading toward Stelvio.

If you head toward Bolzano en route to the Dolomites you could make this a base camp in a very welcoming gasthaus known as 'Bad St Isidor'. A family run business who are only too pleased to help!

Whichever route you take you will not be disappointed.