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Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:12 pm
by BenB
Next June, four of us are heading for the Alps. Two on Groms, one on a Van Van 200, and Newt on the XL 350.

We'll be camping most nights and eating out. Tents and sleeping kit, but no stoves (except for cups of tea!).

Itinerary looks like this:
Depart on the evening of Saturday June 2nd to catch the ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland. Ferry sails at 11pm, and we have cabins.
Sunday we'll ride south. The intention is to make some progress, riding as a group on motorways and major roads. We're aiming for the Vosges Mountains south of Nancy. This is deliberately a long day. Likely around 350 miles.
Monday we head for Switzerland. Aiming for Interlaken/Brienz/Merringen etc. Around 250 miles.
Tuesday is the first real Alpine Day. We'll cross the Grimsel and Furka passes and then get over towards Chur. Heading over the Abula Pass towards St Moritz. From there we head for the Stelvio. Camping around Malles Venosta we'll cover around 200 miles.
Wednesday we're heading for Bled. Through the Dolomites and into Slovenia through the back door. Another 200 mile day.
Thursday we need to catch a train in Innsbruck, though not until the evening. So main roads (not much motorway) back across the Alps. The train takes the bike too (you'd guessed that) and takes us to Dusseldorf. 200 miles again.
Friday we'll visit the Airbourne Museum at Arnhem before heading back to the ferry. Only around 180 miles and mainly on motorway.
Home on Saturday morning!

Some of the distances are high. But we're all used to long days and have the right 'atitude'. The first day is likely to be around 6 hours of riding. Adding stops to this (roughly every 1 1/4) we should be at large for around 10 hours.
The Alpine days will look similar but at lower speeds. It'll be full-on, but well worth it.

We'll aim to start early. Newt is an early riser, so up at 7, away by 8, and stopping for breakfast after an hour. It'll be much like the rides we run over here - but without 40 bikes to wait for! :lol: These bikes can normally maintain a comfortable 50mph, so progress is better than on Cubs.

Really looking forward to it. :D

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:37 pm
by Diesel Dave
Best of luck and remember to pack a sense of humour when things go awry...

As regards the Harwich ferry (speaking from experience), have dinner in the Brewers Fare place before boarding and pack something for breakfast as meals on board are poor and expensive.

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 6:20 pm
by BenB
Diesel Dave wrote:
Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:37 pm
As regards the Harwich ferry (speaking from experience), have dinner in the Brewers Fare place before boarding and pack something for breakfast as meals on board are poor and expensive.
But the bitterballen and gin is ok. ;)

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:44 pm
by Diesel Dave
BenB wrote:
Fri Dec 01, 2017 6:20 pm
Diesel Dave wrote:
Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:37 pm
As regards the Harwich ferry (speaking from experience), have dinner in the Brewers Fare place before boarding and pack something for breakfast as meals on board are poor and expensive.
But the bitterballen and gin is ok. ;)
It’s Heineken or Guinesss for manly men.......I know your all at sea but there’s no need to go all Naval.....they will have you searching for the golden rivet next.....

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:45 pm
by Newtsalad
Diesel Dave wrote:
Fri Dec 01, 2017 5:37 pm
Best of luck and remember to pack a sense of humour when things go awry...
Good advice, like when mine was tested by your sat Nav with no sound on our fifth lap of Toulouse? in 40c heat! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:48 pm
by Newtsalad
I'm right glad Ben posted up the details, as I booked the ferry on my phone in the summer from France... And I hadn't got a bloody clue when it was! :lol:

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 7:51 pm
by Newtsalad
So we're doing the Stelvio eh? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Hmmmmmm, I smell 'Guzzi' :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:08 pm
by Bogger
Have a great time. Pack light, but don't skimp on the sleeping /tent kit.

Bogger.....Regular checks to see if the headlamp is operational is a must :o :o :o :lol: .Sorry Jimbo :lol: :lol: ;)

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:23 pm
by Newtsalad
LOL! Yup, small beer can become big beer when things get fraught! :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Re: Little bikes do the Alps.

Posted: Fri Dec 01, 2017 9:26 pm
by Newtsalad
Like... Where TF is Jon? oh, it's a 1970's LED prototype.... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: