6AA2403 - Finding the perfect line with the help of the Riding Academy
In the morning we strengthened ourselves with a delicious breakfast buffet that left nothing to be desired. With full stomachs and in a good mood we continued with the theoretical part of the day. Christian provided us with extensive theory on motorcycling so that we started the afternoon well prepared. In the afternoon we drove to the Safety Park in Bolzano, an ideal area to expand and perfect our driving practice. Here we completed numerous tasks: slalom driving, emergency braking, braking in curves and of course finding the perfect cornering line. These exercises gave us the necessary confidence and skills to safely master the rest of the tour week. On the way back to the hotel Christian showed us a few narrow and quite challenging roads around Bolzano. This additional practice helped us to further refine our skills and gave us a foretaste of the challenges that were still to come. In the evening, after a very intensive day, we rounded off the day with dinner together. Despite the exhaustion, we were all happy and looked forward to the coming days full of adventures and new experiences.
Day two, today a full day awaits us in which we can put yesterday's exercises and learning content into practice. From Klobenstein we rode past impressive earth pyramids and rushing waterfalls, along small roads through Vilnöss, where the famous mountaineer Reinhold Messner grew up. However, we only admire the majestic mountains from below with a cup of coffee. Continuing through the narrow streets and bends, we quickly remembered the cornering techniques we had practiced the day before. Thanks to the intensive training, we all felt more confident and relaxed on the bike. Our journey took us further east, along the picturesque Val Badia, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch of South Tyrolean specialties. The culinary delights gave us the energy we needed for the afternoon. In the afternoon we continued our training program. We mastered both fast bends and challenging hairpin bends that took us over the Passo Valparola. At the foot of the Lagazuoi there was a short briefing. Christian, our attentive guide, gave us valuable feedback and helped us to further optimize our riding technique. Finally, we crossed the Pordoi and Sella passes before returning to the hotel, exhausted but satisfied. It was another successful training day full of challenges and new experiences.
Another day around Bolzano, and yet we hardly experience a road for the second time. Thanks to Christian's local knowledge, we explore new and unknown routes every day. The light traffic on our training routes allows us to concentrate better on our riding technique. Today our tour took us to the north-east of Bolzano, on hidden roads that are not so easy to find. Christian once again put us to the test and prepared us for challenging pass roads. After a coffee stop in a beautiful setting, the road scene changed in the late morning: we drove up the Mendel Pass. This winding road connects the Adige Valley with the Non Valley and offers impressive views of the surrounding mountains. In contrast to the previous stretches, we were able to take fast bends here and refine our line and lean angle at higher speeds. But the change was not long in coming: narrow roads and sometimes difficult conditions took us up the Penegal - perfect training for eye tracking and bike control. As a reward, we enjoyed lunch with a breathtaking view of Bolzano and the Dolomites beyond. In the afternoon, we continued on to Passo Lavazè, a lesser-known but scenic pass. The ride took us through dense forests and wide alpine meadows, always accompanied by the majestic backdrop of the Dolomites. On the way back, we again drove along small, winding roads. Counting the numerous hairpin bends would have been too much to ask. Once again, we can look back on a day that provided us with a successful mix of riding fun and technique training, rounded off by the picturesque scenery of South Tyrol.
After all our helpful training sessions on the protected roads around Collalbo, today we pack our bags and start our way to the famous largo di Garda! If you ask google maps for the directions, you will arrive in about two boring hours. Christian can make a day trip out of it! It´s definitely more fun to follow him. After all those wonderful challenging days, who would have thought the roads could get even tighter and curvier. But with all of our previous training we master the roads easily. "Within the last four days I guess I have learned more about motorcycling, than in my last nine years of riding", one of our youngsters mentions at our lunch stop. We rest at the Baita Manghen Hütte and enjoy a variety of Polenta. Thanks for the recommendation Christian! The former farmers food tastes fantastic! Oh, and have we mentioned how wonderful Manghen Pass is? And the weather is on our side as well! What a beautiful day! On our way we meet several motorcyclist who clearly never took part in a riding academy. As a motocyclist you'll always have to think for yourself and others. After a well deserved ice cream stop we arrive in our hotel. As promised we find a huge 50m long pool in the garden. And in no time we change our motorcycle gear to swimming trunks.
There is something about ferry rides... they give you the feeling of a proper successful holiday. Feeling the wind blowing through your hair, breathing in the fresh air. We have blue sky and the sun is shining. We start this wonderful day on the ferry crossing largo di Garda. It´s our last day and we are on the way back to Collalbo. It´s impressive to see everyones confidence on the motorcycle compared to the first day! Yet we discuss some interesting topics during our stops. Christian brings us to the Restaurant La Baita! "You have to try the spinach gnocchi", he says and as always you can trust on his recommendation. Not only when he's talking about motorcycles :) Again he leads us through the most wonderful parts of the area and it´s almost sad to arrive back at the hotel. Is this week of our riding academy over already? It is. Time flew! But the skills we have learned will accompany us on all our future tours! And after another long and hot day, we get off our motorcycle gear and hopp in the pool.