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!
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.
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!
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