Alps Extreme or call it "some of the very best roads in the Alps" (4AE2302)
A very small but fine group showed up in Telfs to start their adventure of a lifetime - to ride some of the best pass roads in the Alps. After the Welcome briefing and a great dinner everybody started to pack his motorcycle to be ready for the next morning.
Pretty soon after the take off in the morning we left the river Inn valley and climbed the first mountain as a warmup. The applestrudel in Kühtai was well deserved. On small roads we were able to stay away from main traffic and travelling through amazing scenery we reached the viewpoint Gacher Blick. What a view! Kaunertal was finally the cherry on top of the cake - an outstanding road with 29 numbered switchbacks led us all the way to the base of the glacier.
A perfect day to explorer another beautiful part of the Alps! The Queen of the Passes is awaiting us. The countdown to the top of Passo Stelvio starts out with a switchback numbered with 49. Everybody worked his way up and got finaly awarded with one of Bruno's worldfamous sausages. Part 2 of the day startet with Passo Gavia, at least as challenging as Stelvio. Great scenery, no matter which direction you looked. Arriving at our hotel at Penegal after a a long day offered an outstanding view of the wine area around Kaltern.
After a night full of heavy rain thunder and lightning we were just about ready to leave, when the storm hit in again. So we killed two hours having coffee and interesting chats. It turned out to be the right decession! After shortcutting the first part we had a perfect day. Bright sunshine, good roads, excellent food and on top of it - not a single drop of rain!
Allthough it was thundering and lightning all night long, the bad weather was not over yet. Climbing Kaiserjägerweg we got hit by the first raindrops, on top we went right through the storm. Hail forced us to take shelter in the woods, but it was not that bad. Sun came out and we continued direction Roveretto. Climbing paved goat trails, through wineyards, enjoying spectacular views, we reached Riva del Garda. David and Isabelle knew the best restaurant in town - what a delicious lunch! Great riding on the West side of the lake, the fascinating gorge going to Tremosine and a quick storm moving in at the lake where highlights of the afternoon.
Standing on top of Passo Manghen facing the "road closed sign", brought a smile to our faces. Because now we knew, that we can ride that great road back to the bottom. Well, the downside (if you can name it that way) was, that we got an extended day. An endless number a curves and switchbackes carried us through the heart of the Dolomites, for counting the number of passes you need both hands. Because of the detour we arrived a little late- but that could not stop the grinning in our faces!
It is too sad to be true, it is our last riding day! Starting into a beautiful day we cheaded West ro climb some more passes. Todays highlight was Timmelsjoch, not only that the steep climb on the South side offers spectacular views, on the highest point you feel like on the top of the world. The re-opened motorcycle museum at the tollstation has hundreds of classic motorcycles on display - you could spend a whole day in there. Finally we finished our tour at the Edelweiss Workshop. A bootbeer and a real quick farewell to David and Isabelle, sad that they had to leave early.