No 2 Italy post

Day 9
This was a day I was really looking forward to. My chance to ride the Stelvio Pass. There was a storm in the mountains the day before and when we arrived it was closed. Part of the road had been washed away and it was going to be 3+ days before it reopened. We had to go into Switzerland again and pay 12 Euros to use a tunnel to get around the blockage. As soon as we got into Austria we found a campsite in view of the border. That night we had tagliatelle again and shared it with a German cyclist who had also had to go around the Stelvio Pass.


 
Day 10
After leaving the campsite bought a vignette for the motorway and headed across Austria. We were heading for Fussen where we were going to following the Romantic Road through southern Germany. The route runs from Fussen to Wurzburg. You have to follow the brown signs and it takes you through quant little villages. It wasn't up to the expectation of the website. We camped at Lansberg Am Lech and had a electrical storm but no rain. The camp site was not the best and was glad to leave in the morning.

Day 11/12
We followed the route through Germany camping the next night at Dinkelbuhl. We found lots of road works and diversions which meant we lost the signs. We met a couple from Belfast who were also touring the Romantic Road.

 

Day 12 saw us arrive at Wurzberg and we found a camp site just outside the town. We arrived at lunch time so had the entire afternoon to rest and recoup. The campsite filled up with campers and caravans until full. We spent a good part of the evening with a load of Dutch teenagers who wanted to practise their English. It was a bit of an impromptu English class.

Day 13
We had a lot of miles ahead of us so we decided to hit the motorway and bash 300 miles out on the autobahns. We rode through the day into Holland and then into Belgium. The plan was to head for Leuven in Belgium (just east of Brussels). On arrival we could not find any campsite signs around the town so I looked on my sat nav (Garmin 390 which was a very useful item of kit). I found one only a few miles away. When we arrived at the top of this cobbled lane we were presented with a large metal gate. Now I have camped all over Europe and this didn't feel right but over the intercom they had room for two persons/one moto and tent for one night. We were showed to this camping field and to my shock everybody was naked. We had only arrived at a nudist campsite. We made our apologies and left. We found another campsite where everybody was dressed. That night there was a massive thunder storm and we had water running through the tent.

Day 14
We rode across Belgium and went to a familiar campsite at Ypres. On the way we stopped at Tyne Cot cemetery from WW1. After setting up we went into town and wandered around, went and had a great meal and a few beers in the town square. There was a stage set up and enjoyed a free concert before attending to pay our respects for the 8pm last post at the Menin Gate.


Day 15
This was a lazy start as we had booked in at Eurotunnel after lunch. We rode to Calais and found a Macdonald's where we used the free wifi and drunk coffee. We went into the port early and we were allowed to board an earlier train home. The short ride off the train and we were home to see the little G's. The washing was put on and the bike unpacked. I have only 3 weeks of work before I'm off again to Spain with Andy in September.






Thoughts of the trip:
I had a brilliant time and it was great being able to share an adventure with Mrs G. The bike was faultless and the new Garmin sat nav was worth every penny. I do know I can't sit on the floor for two weeks so I have bought a Helinox chair for the next trip. Italy was better than I remember and we will be going back to explore some more. The Route De Grande Alps was truly outstanding the roads and views top class. Overall a very good trip.

Mrs G:
Having never joined Geoff on one of his trips before I was not entirely sure what to expect.  The pillion riding was fine as we often stopped for coffee or a leg stretch, once I had my music plugged in the longer rides passed quickly.  I became the official photographer for the trip (something Geoff does not normally do) and clicked away on the back of the bike, often without Geoff even noticing.  Some photos did not quite make the mark but I really captured a lot of the scenery. I am looking forward to our next rip together - little jealous that I am not going to Spain in a couple of weeks but unfortunately I have to return to work!
 

Me & Mrs G go to Italy.

For our summer holiday this year we decided to have a motorcycle road trip. The plan was to go to Italy and if possible Rome. We left on the 1st August.

Day 1
Eurotunnel  to France then onto the toll roads and 400 miles later we camped at Poligny at the base of the French Alps. Nice little municipal camp site with cheese and wine evening. It rained for the last hour of the ride so went to bed with wet riding gear.

Day 2
Took the N5 over the first part of the Alps to a town called Gex. I had ridden this rode on the Monaco trip and it was still excellent. Entered into Switzerland without hassle unlike last time and made our way through Geneva. The lake was closed off due to a cycle race. We made our way to the other side of the lake back into France. At a town called Thonon Les Bains we joined the D902 south. This is known as the Route De Grande Alpes. Camped at Le Grand Bernard and the first of many tagliatelle meals on the trip.


Day 3 
Crossing the Alps over high peaks and valleys. Went through Val D Isere and over Col D Iseran the highest point. The picture speak a thousand words. Camped a Valloire and went out for dinner. Pizza in a lovely little restaurant.

Day 4
More peaks and valleys. Excellent riding on very twisty roads. Camped the night at St Malmas a short ride to Menton (on the Med). The campsite we chose was full but Mrs G worked her magic on the owner who found a little spot for us.


Day 5
Rode into Menton having crossed the Alps and completed the Route De Grande Alps. After coffee on the Med we rode into Italy a short ride along the coast. We decided to use the autostradas (toll motorways). We stopped at a town called Sestri Levente and had loads of camp sites to choose from. Another tagliatelle night. Three things went wrong on this day: 1. Lost a drinks can off the pannier 2. Tried to ride off with disc lock on 3. Put my helmet on an ants nest and got it full of ants. That night the heat was incredible, during the day it was 42 degrees,

Day 6
Autostradas again into Pisa. Thank god the tower is quite high, managed to find it. Parked a couple of streets away and walked to see it. It truly leans over a high angle. Well worth the ride to see it. After some lunch we nearly got into trouble with the police who were giving tickets to cars. Whilst they were issuing a ticket to a Swiss car next to me we rode off. The plan was to find a camp site. Found one in Pisa but decided to head north. Where we though we might find a camp site we didn't and nearly had to wild camp. We decided to go to Lake Garda found a camp site but it was such a rip off 50 Euros for a small space on a traffic island. Eventually found a space on a camp site up the coast for 30 Euros with an excellent pizza restaurant. The camping pitches don't have grass they have stones so had to put all the towels under the themarest to stop punctures. Met a Polish biker and chatted for ages about Triumphs.

 

This picture was taken by a professional photographer and bought it from his website.

 

Day 7/8

After our night at Lake Garda we went into Verona which is only about 15 miles away. We parked in a moped parking area right in the city main square. Mrs G went for a wander leaving me sat people watching. We went for dinner in a small restaurant. Mrs G found a tourist map and discovered Juliet's house from Romeo and Juliet (Mrs G's favourite play). So we went and found it and wrote on the wall of lovers. Alison got her photo of the balcony...Romeo oh Romeo where for art...... Handed my parking space to a Russian adventure biker.

Following our Verona visit we went back to the lakes but went to a smaller lake called Lake D'Iseo. We found a camp site called Eden in a town called Pisogne. It really was heaven our pitch was our 100ft from the lake side. We stayed there for 2 nights I managed to lose a flipflop in lake and melt the tent bag. The local shopping mall found us replacements for both.