Rioting Robs 9 day Alps Road Trip 2011
This ride will include the Moselle, Black Forest (B500),Vorarlberg, Tirol, Grossglockner, Dolomites, and a few of the famous passes including Stelvio, Fluela and grimsel.
And of course my favourite Passo Di Gavia
Sat 2nd July 2011-Sun 10th July 2011
2nd Calais – Cochem (Germany) 291 miles (some motorway)
3rd Cochem - Titisee (Germany) 276 miles
4th Titisee – Zell Am See (Austria) 325 miles (some motorway)
5th Zell Am see – Bolzano (Italy) 219 miles
6th Bolzano (Italy) – Malcesine (Lake Garda, Italy) 107 miles
7th Malcesine (Italy) –Davos (Switzerland) 184 miles
8th Davos (Switzerland) – Grindlewald (Switzerland) 148 miles
9th Grindlewald (Switzerland) – Vianden (Luxembourg) 397 miles (mostly motorways)
10th Vianden (Luxembourg) - Calais 250 miles
So for next years euro trip I’ve decided to change some destinations but apart from the odd tweak here and their, the routes are the same as the dummy run I did this year with Kev650. If any one fancy’s tagging along PM me.
Please note this time around it will be camping/Hotel + Shuttle
This will keep costs to a minimum.
Ideally suit anyone who’s not been biking in Europe before, newish big bike rider looking for a week away. The pace will not be a fast one and we’re looking at around 150-300 miles a day.
Please note I’ll only be taking 7 Bikes plus me,
More details to follow as I sort it, so if your interested, start saving your pennys.
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Rioting Rob
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J.C.
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Bluelagos
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BigVern
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Tug1340
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Ricky
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Pat
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Brickingit (Maybe)
Heres the shuttle booking times for all that’s still interested in this trip
Going out
(local time)Standard Fare | Folkestone to Calais | Saturday 02 July 2011Check-in closes 07:50Departure time 08:20Arrival time 09:55
Coming back
(local time) Standard Fare | Calais to Folkestone | Sunday 10 July 2011Check-in closes 17:50Departure time 18:20Arrival time 17:55
Routes have now been finalised, this year I’ve included 5 biking roads achieving gold award status, B500 Black Forest, Bielerhohe (Toll), Grossglockner (Toll), Passo Di Giau, Furka Pass as well as numerous other passes and breathtaking scenery.
Following taken from alpineroads.com.
Alpine roads in general.
If you aren’t used to mountain roads, the Alps could be a bit of a biking challenge and the most fun you ever had. Mountain passes often have many hairpin corners which can be both tight and steep and seem the more so the bigger the bike. On the other hand, a wide beautifully surfaced series of hairpins can be sheer biker’s heaven. And the twisties in between are the relish. (Excuse mixed metaphors)
Is my Bike ok
Assuming you don’t own a piece of junk,:w00t: basically, YES! Prepare to ride up to 300 miles a day So make sure the bike is in good condition. Chain, tyres, brake-pads and oil. . I found the first 3 days to be the hardest - it takes time to adjust to the more intense riding and conditions. After that I found things settle down and I can really start to enjoy the end of day post-mortem (not literally hopefully).
You may find some stretches extremely strenuous, the concentration needed (especially in bad weather if you decide to ride) can be exhausting, especially on the more tricky sections (really tight, steep and bumpy). Despite this, it’s pretty unimportant what sort of bike you have. Obviously, some roads suit some bikes and riders better than others; so whatever you are riding, you will probably find at least one road where you are in front and the others can’t keep up.
NOTE: At altitude your bike will start to lose power - up to 30% at the top of some of the higher passes - due to the lower atmospheric pressure, the air contains less oxygen for any given volume - but mostly because the reduced pressure starts to cause the mixture to become extra rich. Don’t worry though, the same thing’s happening to everyone else as well. Unless, of course you have state-of-the-art fuel-injection on your machine.
Clothing :
The Alps are a rain-magnet, and it frequently snows in summer on the higher passes (though it doesn’t always settle on the road ). It is very frequent that you start a journey in scorching conditions and 15 miles later you’re shivering.:w00t: So have your waterproofs, bear-furs and bikini at the ready
Luggage :
It’s up to you really - Hard or soft, it’s up to you, just don’t overload.
Make sure the weight and distribution doesn’t affect the handling, or get in your way. Otherwise you won’t enjoy it. Not a bit. Hint: take a couple of black bin-liners - always useful for making sure everything stays dry in a downpour, and can help keep the dirty skids away from the cleaner T-shirts.
Documents :
You will be expected to carry with you while on the bike :
Driver’s Licence (or International Driving Permit),
proof of 3rd party insurance cover), valid mot certificate
and if your driving-licence doesn’t have a photo in it (like the UK ones) then you’ll need some other ID with a photo.
Vehicle registration documents. Without these you can be banged-up on the spot until they decide the bike is yours, whack you with a substantial fine or confiscate your bike.
Some countries require you to carry a
first-aid kit, but you can normally get away without one as you’re a foreigner. However, you can get small ones for cyclists and motorbikes from most motorbike shops . They’ll fit in the tank bag or under the seat.
Similarly, if you wear specs or contact-lenses most countries require you to carry a spare pair of glasses. However, you’ll probably not be bothered by this as 1) it’s unlikely you’ll be stopped for anything other that speeding, and 2) they normally don’t bother anyway, as you’re a biker and the cops know you haven’t got anywhere polite to keep a spare pair of specs. The law makers don’t know this, of course.
If you’re crossing borders, you’ll only need a passport if you’re going to or from Switzerland; however, you MAY be stopped anywhere within 5 km of any border and required to show a passport.
It is not strictly required to display an oval “UK” sticker any more - but it still costs you ? if you fall foul of a grumpy Gendarme or Polizist.
Always carry your passport
Although the United Kingdom is part of the European Union, you are still required to carry a full 10 year British passport with you every time you travel to a European destination. This includes day trips and travel by Eurostar.
Many countries have now abandoned routine passport checks at their land borders but they still expect visitors to be able to produce a valid form of identification. In the case of UK travellers this is the British passport. Remember, your passport will be checked at immigration control on your return to the UK.
Medical Insurance:
The old E111 has, become obsolete and been replaced in most EU countries by a credit-card European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which will cover you for basic medical treatment. Otherwise you’ll have to pay up-front, before you get treated. In an emergency, of course, you’ll be treated first, then they’ll ask you for the money. It provides basic medical cover in all EU countries and Switzerland.
When purchasing medical insurance remember to tell your insurance company that you’ll be riding a motorcycle, this is classed as a hazardous activity and may require an endorsement.:w00t:
What if I have an accident?Unlike the UK where you only really have to worry about the insurance company - unless someone is hurt, on the Continent most countries require you to call the police to any accident. You are normally expected to leave any vehicles/debris/bodies etc exactly where they are and NOT to clear the road to allow traffic to flow. If you do move anything, make sure you have photographed the scene before you do. Normally it’s the Police who’ll decide who’s fault it is, then the insurance companies have to pay up. Make sure you have a copy of the international accident report form stuffed into your luggage or under the seat. Make sure it gets filled-out properly. If you don’t you haven’t got a chance of a claim when you get home.
If you see an accident it is your duty by law to stop and offer first aid to any injured. You can be heavily fined if you do not. Of if you leave the scene of an accident before the police or emergency services arrive.
Emergency Numbers
In the UK all emergency services can be reached on the 999 number, most mainland European countries have 112.
If you take a mobile phone, make sure you’ve got “roaming” access and know how to use it.
112 is the single European emergency phone number, available everywhere in the EU, free of charge.
Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime. It can happen to you, when you are visiting an EU country or at home. In case you are involved in, or witness, an accident, see a fire or spot a burglary, would you know which emergency number to call?
Reachable from fixed and mobile phones - Just remember 112!
You can call 112:
To contact any emergency service
In any EU country
From fixed phones, including public payphones, or mobile phones
Free of charge
112 will not replace existing national emergency numbers. In most countries, it operates alongside the existing national numbers. However, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Malta and Romania have opted for 112 as the main national emergency number.
112 is also used in some countries outside the EU (such as Switzerland and South Africa) and is available worldwide on GSM mobile networks.
Money
most of the Alpine countries are using the Euro (€). . Of course Switzerland will still have the Swiss Franc, but mostly everywhere will accept the Euro anyway.
Buying petrol:
In Germany, Austria , and German speaking Switzerland it’s called Benzin. Unleaded (Bleifrei, Sans plomb, Senza Piombo) is available everywhere, Leaded isn’t. Watch out for Italy on Sundays and lunch time during the week, most of the petrol stations are closed and the few that are open only have automatic machines taking Euro notes. In Switzerland some are permanently unmanned and automatic. Some take credit cards. France, Germany and Austria are easier, taking cash and credit cards. So make sure you have enough notes in various denominations. Visa and Master Card are the normal ones used in Europe. “American Express? you’ll be lucky sir”.
[JS:] CH- most stations off the A-bahn have automats at night/weekends Which often don’t take normal (non Swiss!) EC cards or the pin ID (or VISA). Carry cash in small notes.
Called the “Vignette” (vee-nyett-eh) in Austria and Switzerland, you should purchase one BEFORE you ride on to the motorway. They can be bought at border crossings, and online.
Speeding:w00t:
Switzerland can seem like a bit of a tease. They feature some of the greatest driving roads in the world, but can literally throw you in jail for speeding, even on highways. If you stick to the limits, the back roads/mountain roads will still be a blast to ride on, while still maintaining you are not excessively fined/arrested.
