Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Italy mini trip report

fs996

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Got back last week from 8 days riding from the UK through Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Italy. Not going to do a mega ride report, just wanted to share a few photos and highlights. Our group consisted of 4 of us; myself on Africa Twin adv sports, Fluffmeister &,Von Stolberg from this very parish on GSA and KTM 1090 respectively, and Bavo (a nice south African!) on his GSA.

First day we rolled off the overnight ferry and rode to Nuremberg, the idea being to reach or digs in Austria by the end of day 2. We took a mixture of scenic B roads and autobahn, in the end we just had to make up some time so sat on the autobahn at 100-110 for a couple of hours and reached Nuremberg by early evening. Believe it or not our hotel owner was called Adolph, he was a spritely 79 years old, a lovely chap and couldn't do enough for us. Rode about 420 miles today.

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Day 2, a quick stop at the Dokumentationzentrum in Nuremberg before heading out on rural roads towards Malta in Austria. We couldn't resist stopping in a certain town along the way for photos bear the sign. A late stop around 4pm for a coffee and snack in a lovely village at the foot of the Alps then one last push on to Gastof Hochalmspitz which was our accommodation for the next 2 nights. The hotel itself is very dated but the host, Willem, is a great chap and we have stayed there before. No doubt known to a few folk on this site too.

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Day 3 was an easier day, no big miles just riding a couple of the relatively local passes. First up we rode the Goldeck pass, which like many such toll roads is just a case of ride to the top, photos or food, then ride back. We loitered a bit on this road, some nice off road trails at the top too. Part way up there's a viewing deck with a cage floor and several hundred feet of fresh air beneath it. After that we rode up the Villach panaramic road which was superb. Had lunch and coffee at the top then headed back to the guest house late afternoon to pack for Slovenia tomorrow.

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Day 4 saw us riding south from Malta over the Vrsic pass into Slovenia. The Vrsic is unlike anything else I've ever rode. The tightest switchbacks, most of which are paving stone (fun in the wet!) and extremely steep. Hard to stop anywhere and take photos on a bike because of the incline. The mountains seem as though they're double the size of the Alps in Austria. As we dropped down into Slovenia proper on the other side the road snaked alongside the bluest river, the whole place just stunning. We stopped briefly at a bunker museum and got some snaps next to a T-34 which has just been left at the roadside further up. During the day we drifted into Italy a couple of times before riding through a monsoon for 2 hours to get our house keys for the night. We would stop at Lake Bohinj which was another superb place and a great choice for accommodation.

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More from the same day around Lake Bohinj and on the Predel pass. Got almost to the top but the snowplough was still clearing it.

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Day 5. Started off with breakfast overlooking Lake Bled. A nice huge slice of local cake and a couple of coffees set me up nicely. We then headed off in 37C heat back into Italy to the Strada del Vette. Sadly when we got part way up we met a construction team and it was closed for repairs after winter. We'll be back, this was a road I was really looking forward to. We then took the Plocken pass back into Austria, not many photos just great riding with a nice beer at the end of the day.

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Day 6 - we left Malta and rode via Lienz to the Grossglockner high Alps pass. At Lienz there's a 3km osterrodler rollercoaster / toboggan ride which was great fun..get the chairlift to the top then get on the coaster and go as fast or slow as you like.

After that we stopped at a big rons for lunch and I decided to intrude on the designated KTM parking area.

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Our stop for the night was the Eidelweisspitz at the top of the Grossglockner. They had only cleared the snow a few days earlier, temps were around -3C according to my dash, and there was a strong wind blowing. A big change from the 30C we'd been in an hour earlier. Thick cloud was blowing in by the time we reached the top. I'd booked my own chalet cabin, there's only one and it had amazing views over the Glock.

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At the top of the Grossglockner, my cabin for the night


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Woke up with a coffee on my deck, freezing my tits off and looking for Marmots on the hill. What a great day. Better weather this morning as we headed down the other side.

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Had a great ride into warmer weather, once off the Grossglockner we headed to the Gerlos pass before heading north towards Munich which would be our next stop for the night.

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Day 7 - since we were staying 2 nights in Munich we had a bit of a rest day. Myself and Tony rode a few km to the Dachau labour camp which is something I knew would be upsetting but wanted to see for myself. Not to be to go into any detail, I'm sure you know the history here. Going here definitely takes something out of you.

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In the evening we went to see Rammstein (German heavy metal band) at the Olympic Stadium. Lots of flames and what an experience!

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Day 8 - last day of the trip and a lot of miles to do. We loaded up on cans of ices coffee and headed off. Crossed the Rhine on a small ferry and chipped away at the 550 miles we'd need to do to Rotterdam. A long day in the saddle and back to reality somewhat, but what a superb trip. We will definitely be heading back to Slovenia in future to spend more time there. The Africa Twin proved itself over 2500 miles, despite being 30hp down on the GSA's and KTM I didn't ever feel like it was outgunned. It handled all types of roads and terrain without a complaint, and the tank range meant no fuel worries. Comfort was way better than I expected too.

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Day 8 - last day of the trip and a lot of miles to do. We loaded up on cans of ices coffee and headed off. Crossed the Rhine on a small ferry and chipped away at the 550 miles we'd need to do to Rotterdam. A long day in the saddle and back to reality somewhat, but what a superb trip. We will definitely be heading back to Slovenia in future to spend more time there. The Africa Twin proved itself over 2500 miles, despite being 30hp down on the GSA's and KTM I didn't ever feel like it was outgunned. It handled all types of roads and terrain without a complaint, and the tank range meant no fuel worries. Comfort was way better than I expected too.

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That currywurst mit pommes looks bloody delicious

Looks like a great trip, hopefully find time to do something like that in September
 
Looked like a great trip... top ride out that :D and some great pic, :bow:thumby:
 
I just booked a hotel in Ulm last night with the intention of doing it from the Amsterdam ferry which is 430 miles, Nuremberg never crossed my mind as we intend to head for Saltzburg the next day.
 
It looks like you had a great trip, some fab pics and some familiar scenes among them we did Austria and Slovenia 2 years ago it’s a fabulous country, thanks for sharing.
 


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