Featured Touring Back To The Alps!

Discussion in 'Rideouts, Trackdays, Touring & Spotted' started by Vulpes, Sep 3, 2021.

  1. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

    Mar 14, 2018
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    20210903_113642.jpg Speedy is all loaded up again. Chain lubed, all fluids checked. :)

    As I enjoyed riding in the Alps so much last year I decided to go back and ride some different passes this time. :blush:

    The rough idea is to make my way to just before Switserland the first day. then I'll ride through Switserland towards northern Italy, and from there through the Piemontese Alps to the French border to pick up the Route des Grand Alps half way up, on a strech I missed last year.
    From there I will travel back into Switserland, and then make my way home through the Vosges and Eiffel.

    In a weeks time I will traverse Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switserland, Italy and France.
    For those interested I'll keep a daily blog in this thread.
    Below a rough idea of my route.

    upload_2021-9-3_11-42-48.jpeg
     
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  2. Yorkshireman

    Yorkshireman Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2015
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    Wowser Vulpes, that looks awesome. I wish you safe riding and favourable weather, looking forward to reading the ride report.
     
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  3. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    Oct 28, 2020
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    I wish you a nice trip, good weather and as many free routes as possible. Enjoy the tour and come home safely!
     
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  4. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
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    Route looks awesome @Vulpes . Ride safe mate and keep us posted on your progress :):)
     
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  5. Hubaxe

    Hubaxe Good moaning! aka Mr Wordsalad :)

    Mar 25, 2020
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    Have a nice trip! I'll check your daily blog. As you are riding around my area, if one of your step is not too far and if it's possible, I'll ride to say hello.
     
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  6. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    That'd be nice mate - but the closest I'll come is probably Bourg Saint Maurice, which would be at least a 1,5 hrs ride?
     
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  7. andyc1

    andyc1 Lunarville 7, Airlock 3

    Feb 4, 2017
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    Have a good one @Vulpes! That'll be a stunning trip for sure... will try to keep an eye on this over the next week, will be touring Ireland with a few friends from here during the same week :)
     
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  8. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    #9 Vulpes, Sep 3, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2021
    Cheers Andy, have a good one. Stay safe!
     
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  9. BonnieCat

    BonnieCat Crème de la Crème

    Feb 20, 2016
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    Looks awesome Wim. Enjoy and ride safe.
     
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  10. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!
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    Dec 3, 2018
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    @Vulpes

    Have a fantastic trip! I hope you have good weather, smooth roads, and wonderful adventures. :cool::sun: Stay safe and have fun! Along with the others, I'm looking forward to reading about your travels each day. :)

    Perhaps Mrs. V will be riding through the Alps with you one of these days?? ;):heart:
     
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  11. Dougie D

    Dougie D Crème de la Crème

    Jan 30, 2016
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    That looks like it's going to be a great trip @Vulpes,looking forward to the reports :)
     
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  12. DanielB

    DanielB Noble Member

    Jan 13, 2019
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    What a great trip! Ride safe.

    If you get a chance, is be interested in a kitlist...as a touring newbie in eager to hear what others take...

    Looking forward to hearing all about your travels!
     
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  13. andyc1

    andyc1 Lunarville 7, Airlock 3

    Feb 4, 2017
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    Pack what clothes you think you'll need then remove half of them! Everybody takes too much then realises they didn't need the half of it! Basic tool kit, puncture repair kit, chain lube, duck tape, microfibre cloth and your pretty well sorted.
     
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  14. DanielB

    DanielB Noble Member

    Jan 13, 2019
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    Thank you!

    I'm curious....how do you fix a puncture? Or is it like on a bicycle? Surely you need "equipment"?
     
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  15. andyc1

    andyc1 Lunarville 7, Airlock 3

    Feb 4, 2017
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    You can quite easily fix a puncture at the side of the road with tubeless rims, I've done it a few times. There are several different types of kit but I like the string or rope kind. They're cheap too! You get little c02 canisters to inflate the tyre again but they're only good for about 15-20psi. Its good enough to get you to a filling station for a proper air line. You can get mini compressors too which some people carry but I make do with the canisters to keep the weight and bulk down.

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MOTO-MOT...2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

    There will be loads of videos on youtube on how to use
     
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  16. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

    Mar 14, 2018
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    Cheers mate, will do! I did 510 miles today , now knackered and waiting for my dinner... :)
     
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  17. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
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    A very good first stint mate, enjoy your food and a couple of pints :)
     
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  18. Vulpes

    Vulpes Confused Member

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    #19 Vulpes, Sep 4, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2021
    Well, the first 300 miles were boring motorways today, just to get underway so to speak. At Nancy I started to take secundairy roads, much nicer.
    At first it was lovely rolling countryside, very pleasant, and nice roads.
    20210904_125336.jpg 20210904_125544.jpg

    After that it got a bit more interesting. Towards st. Die-des-Vosges I had my first little "col" (pass) of this journey. Altitude only 965 metres, but great curves to ride. After that it was on to Colmar, where I decided it was still early, and would push on for a bit. I made for Basel, and from there it was into the Swiss countryside. Nothing spectacular, but really nice roads to drive.
    20210904_160103.jpg 20210904_160119.jpg

    I'm now sat in a roofgarden quaffing a nice glass of local wine, looking at the local castle of Flenzburg.

    20210904_190452.jpg 20210904_191452.jpg

    Total miles 510 today.
     
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  19. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
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    Great set of pictures. Are you taking pot luck on hotels etc depending on where you get to?
     
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