Alps Extreme feat. Apfelstrudel – Special Edition 4AE260B

The first to arrive in Obsteig, at our starting hotel, is Ralph. His tour begins with the Alps Riding Prep Course, a great opportunity to get familiar with the bike and tackle the Alpine roads with even more confidence. Gottfried is there to guide him through the preparation, helping him get to know his motorcycle better and work on some of the most important techniques for the days ahead: braking, bike control and cornering. Skills that will certainly come in handy once the mountain passes and hairpin bends begin! Early in the afternoon, the rest of the group starts arriving as well and, right in front of the hotel, a beautiful sight is already waiting for them: all the motorcycles are lined up and ready to go. One look at them is enough to realize that the journey is finally about to begin. At 5:00 PM, we all meet for the welcome briefing and safety briefing. It is time to go through the itinerary, explain the main features of the tour and share the most important rules for riding together safely on Alpine roads. Unfortunately, we also receive some news we would rather not have heard. Due to an unexpected issue, Barkley will not be able to join the group and has to give up the tour. A real shame, as we would have loved to have him with us on this adventure. Once the briefing is over, however, it is impossible to keep the guys away from the bikes. Within minutes, everyone is in the parking lot checking displays, buttons, luggage, settings and riding modes. Some immediately start looking for the perfect riding position, while others explore every available feature. In other words, the usual motorcycle curiosity before a great journey. Between chats and technical questions, dinner time soon arrives and since we are in Tyrol, there could hardly be a better way to start: traditional food, local atmosphere and live music, with a duo playing accordion and guitar and entertaining us with cheerful folk tunes. The perfect way to break the ice, relax and start building the group spirit. After dinner, there is still some time for one final check of the motorcycles, to organize the riding gear and make sure every last detail is in place. Then comes that moment every motorcyclist knows so well: the evening before departure, when everything is ready and your mind is already filled with curves, mountain passes and the kilometers waiting ahead. Tomorrow, the real adventure begins, the Alps are waiting for us.

The morning greets us with roads still damp from a night of rain. After loading our luggage onto the motorcycles and listening to our daily briefing, all that’s left to do is what we’ve all been waiting for: start the engines and hit the road! The first few kilometers pass smoothly along the Tiroler Straße (B171), perfect for getting used to the new motorcycles. But as soon as we reach Haiming, the landscape changes and the real curves finally begin: the road starts climbing toward Kühtai. As we gain elevation, the temperature drops rapidly, and once we reach 2,020 meters on top, the thermometer reads just 6 °C. Quite a change from the temperatures just two days ago! No problem: it’s the perfect opportunity to stop at a typical Tyrolean roadside café and warm up with a good cup of coffee. Kühtai isn’t just a renowned ski resort. The area is also known for its livestock farms, and along the road, you often come across a particular kind of local traffic… the four-legged kind! By now we’ve broken the ice, in every sense of the word, and can enjoy the day even more. We head back down toward the Inntal and then climb again toward Hoch-Imst. Meanwhile, the sky is finally beginning to clear: the clouds give way to a few beautiful patches of blue, and the sun’s rays immediately make the atmosphere more pleasant. The temperature also rises just enough to treat us to a perfect outdoor lunch break. Fast service, good food, a cup of coffee—and we’re back in the saddle. The next stop is the Gacher Blick, a spectacular viewing platform located at 1,558 meters, suspended above the Inn Valley. Once we arrive, all we have to do is look out to understand why we came all the way up here: the view of the Inntal is simply breathtaking and leaves all of us speechless. Now, incredibly, it’s even starting to get warm. We shed a few extra layers and set off lighter toward the Kaunertal. And this is where one of the day’s highlights begins. Before us lies the spectacular Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße, one of the most thrilling scenic alpine roads in the area. Kilometer after kilometer, it takes us higher and higher, into the heart of the Kaunertal’s glacial landscape, up to an altitude of about 2,750 meters. There are 29 hairpin turns set against a magnificent backdrop: asphalt, mountains, turquoise lakes, glaciers, and curves that seem tailor-made for a motorcycle. Pure motorcycling fun. At the top, the air is fresh and crisp again. The thermometer once again reads about 6 °C, just like this morning, but now the sun is out and, above all, we’re filled with all the excitement we’ve built up during this incredible day. And suddenly, those six degrees seem much more pleasant. One last coffee in the afternoon, a few more minutes to enjoy the view, and then we’re off again. This time, heading downhill. The descent is a real roller coaster of curves and hairpin turns that takes us to our final destination: Fiss, in the heart of the Tyrolean ski region. The first day of the tour is over. And if this was just the beginning, the Alps truly promise a week to remember.

If yesterday was about getting familiar with our bikes and Alpine roads, today ALPS EXTREME really starts to show us why it deserves its name. We leave Fiss in the morning with a serious riding day ahead of us: plenty of kilometers, an almost ridiculous number of curves and, above all, some of the most iconic mountain passes in the entire Alps. After crossing the Reschen Pass, we enter Italy and are immediately welcomed by one of South Tyrol’s most famous views: Lake Reschen, with the bell tower of the old village of Graun rising alone from the water. It is one of those places where it is practically impossible to ride past without stopping for a photo. From here we descend through the Vinschgau Valley, surrounded by apple orchards and mountains, until we reach Glurns, the small medieval town still enclosed within its historic walls. A short break, a good Italian coffee and, most importantly, a few minutes to mentally prepare for what lies ahead. Because right in front of us is the one and only Stelvio Pass. At 2,758 meters, with its spectacular sequence of switchbacks climbing the South Tyrolean side, the Stelvio hardly needs an introduction. For every motorcyclist, it is one of those names that sooner or later has to be checked off the bucket list. One after another, we tackle the famous 48 hairpins from Prato allo Stelvio, gaining altitude with every corner. The scenery becomes more impressive by the minute and, looking back down, the road we have just ridden almost seems impossible: a thin ribbon of asphalt drawn across the mountain. When we finally reach the summit, the satisfaction on everyone’s faces says it all. The obligatory photo in front of the pass sign, a few minutes to soak up the atmosphere and, of course, the unmissable special sandwich from our friend Bruno. But this is ALPS EXTREME, so conquering the Stelvio certainly does not mean that the demanding part of the day is over. We tackle another 40 hairpins on the descent towards Bormio and, shortly afterwards, we start climbing again. This time our destination is the Gavia Pass at 2,618 meters. If the Stelvio impresses with the almost perfect geometry of its switchbacks, the Gavia has a completely different personality. The road becomes narrower, wilder and more dramatic, in places with no barriers at all, carved into a high-mountain landscape that feels even more remote. Definitely not the ideal road for anyone afraid of heights. At this point, we might think we have had enough mountains for one day. Of course not. The Passo del Tonale, 1,884 meters, is still waiting for us, the third major pass of the day. After Stelvio and Gavia, its bends almost feel relaxing, and we can finally let the bikes flow a little more and simply enjoy the rhythm of the road. From the Tonale we gradually lose altitude and head towards the Val di Non, where the rugged high-Alpine scenery gives way to forests, small villages and seemingly endless rows of apple trees. We stop for an excellent gelato with a wonderful view over Lake Santa Giustina. A little extra energy is exactly what we need, because before reaching the hotel there is still one final challenge ahead. The Mendola Pass, 1,363 meters, is one of those roads that seems almost purpose-built for motorcycles. The descent offers a beautiful sequence of wide bends and flowing hairpins, with increasingly spectacular views over the Adige Valley and the mountains of South Tyrol. It is smooth, rhythmic and incredibly rewarding to ride. Finally, we arrive in Eppan on the Wine Road, where we can switch off the engines. We are definitely a little tired, but one look at the smiles around the group is enough to understand that nobody would have wanted one less curve, one less hairpin or one less kilometer. That is exactly the spirit of choosing ALPS EXTREME

We wake up in Eppan to a fantastic blue sky, crystal-clear air and a temperature that could hardly be better for riding a motorcycle. One of those mornings when a quick look out of the window is enough to know that a great day lies ahead. We ride through Bolzano, which on this Sunday morning is only just beginning to wake up. The streets are still quiet and, as soon as we leave the city behind, we start climbing toward Jenesien – San Genesio. Within just a few kilometres, the scenery changes completely. The road winds its way high above the Adige Valley through one of the greenest areas of South Tyrol: meadows, forests, traditional farmhouses scattered across the slopes and views that become wider and more impressive with every turn. After yesterday’s spectacular mountain passes, today offers a different kind of riding pleasure. Lesser-known roads, hardly any traffic and an endless succession of bends allow us to settle into that perfect rhythm where motorcycle, road and landscape seem to flow together. We cross the Jenesien plateau and then begin descending toward Merano. The morning is already going very well, but it is about to get even better. Our first proper stop is at the FORST Braugarten in Lana. Beneath the huge chestnut trees of the beer garden, the atmosphere is extremely inviting. Since we are riding, the famous local beer will obviously have to wait for a more suitable moment, but luckily there is another local speciality we can enjoy without hesitation: apple strudel. Coffee, strudel and a few minutes to relax — it is difficult to imagine a better morning break. After all, we have been surrounded by apple orchards since yesterday, so finally tasting the finished product almost feels like a cultural obligation! Helmets and gloves go back on, because ahead of us is the Gampen Pass – Passo Palade. The climb is smooth and enjoyable, winding through the forest and gradually taking us away from the almost Mediterranean climate of the Merano basin. Once over the pass, we enter Trentino and the Val di Non opens up in front of us, one of Europe’s best-known apple-growing regions. For kilometre after kilometre we ride through endless rows of apple trees, small villages and secondary roads that seem determined never to run straight. These are not the extreme hairpins of the Stelvio or the wild mountain roads of the Gavia. The fun here is different — smoother, more relaxed and beautifully flowing. Corner after corner, we let the bikes glide through the orchards, with the scent of the countryside in the air and the mountains permanently framing the horizon. Eventually, however, the low-fuel warning light in our stomachs comes on. It is time to stop at a typical Trentino restaurant for lunch. We park the motorcycles, find ourselves a table outside and, with absolutely no reason to rush, enjoy some local food. After a morning full of curves, forests and apple orchards, a proper Trentino meal is exactly what we need. We continue through the Val di Non until we reach one of Trentino’s most beautiful views: Lake Molveno, lying beneath the imposing peaks of the Brenta Dolomites. It is one of those places where it is worth slowing down, stopping for a few minutes and simply taking in the view. It has already been a long day, but the grand finale is still waiting for us: Monte Bondone. The road climbing the mountain above Trento feels almost like a natural racetrack designed especially for motorcycles: hairpins, fast bends and constant changes of direction. It is no coincidence that this mountain is home to the legendary Trento–Bondone, one of Italy’s oldest and most prestigious hill-climb races, now with a full century of history behind it. We are obviously not here to set any records, but it is impossible not to feel something special while riding through this seemingly endless sequence of corners. Eventually we descend toward Trento and, after the final mountain bends of the day, head into the Valsugana until we arrive in Levico Terme, on the shores of Lake Levico, where we can finally switch off the engines. But a Sunday this good deserves a proper ending. With the adrenaline of the ride still running through us, we sit outside our hotel in the cool evening air and celebrate one of the finest little rituals of motorcycle touring: the “boot beer” — that well-earned cold beer enjoyed while still wearing your riding boots and motorcycle gear. Curves, mountains, strudel, apple orchards, the Dolomites and a cold beer with friends to finish the day. It is hard to imagine a better way to end another fantastic biker day in the Alps.

Today is officially the rest day of the tour. In practical terms, that means one thing above all: this morning we can take it easy. We are staying two nights at the same hotel, so there is no early wake-up call, no luggage to strap onto the bikes and no need to rush. We enjoy a slightly later breakfast than usual and then, as we decided yesterday evening, head out for a much shorter morning ride at Garda. Lake. The first piece of good news comes simply from looking out of the window: once again, the weather is on our side and the conditions are practically perfect for riding. Michel and John decide to take the idea of a rest day literally and spend the day walking and relaxing by the lake. Hard to blame them: after the huge number of curves and kilometers we have enjoyed over the past few days, a quieter day is definitely well deserved. Ralph, Sevier and Howard, on the other hand, have no intention of leaving their motorcycles parked and follow Alberto toward Garda Lake. There is just one condition: we would like to be back at the hotel by 2:00 p.m., so they can still enjoy a good part of the afternoon relaxing by the lake. To save some time, we initially take the most direct route toward Trento. We cross the city on the bypass and then head west, passing below Monte Bondone. This time, however, we leave its legendary hairpins aside. Today’s plan is different, and we continue along the SS45bis, one of Trentino’s great scenic roads. The riding rhythm changes completely. Wide, flowing curves lead us through the beautiful Valle dei Laghi, surrounded by mountains, rocky cliffs, vineyards and small lakes. As we ride past Lake Toblino, with its distinctive castle standing right on the water, we know that Lake Garda can’t be far away. And there are two other unmistakable signs confirming it: the temperature keeps rising, and so does the traffic. The final kilometers are therefore much slower than expected. Between roadworks, queues and congestion, our progress becomes increasingly difficult, but finally, shortly before 11:00 a.m., we reach Riva del Garda. We park the bikes directly in front of the monumental Ponale Hydroelectric Power Station, beneath the impressive sculpture of the Numen Aquarum, the “Spirit of the Waters,” which dominates the façade of one of the most distinctive industrial buildings in the Garda Trentino area. From here it is only a short walk to the harbor and the lakeside promenade. We find a table in the shade under an umbrella and, with the wonderful view of Lake Garda in front of us, treat ourselves to something almost compulsory on a rest day: a good Italian gelato. The only problem is that it is simply too pleasant. Between chatting and enjoying the view, time passes much faster than expected. When we finally check the clock and think about the traffic we encountered on the way here, it becomes obvious that continuing farther along the lake would make it impossible to stick to our schedule. Reluctantly, we therefore decide to skip the next section and begin our ride back. A decision that, shortly afterwards, turns out to be a sensible one. On the SS240 toward the Ledro Valley, an accident has brought traffic to a standstill. A short detour helps us get around the problem and continue our journey. We head back toward Trento, cross the Adige Valley once again and get ready for the final real climb of the day: the road toward Folgaria and Passo Sommo. And this is where the day becomes very interesting again from a motorcycling point of view. The SS350 climbs through the narrow Rio Cavallo Valley on almost perfect asphalt. The road squeezes its way between rocks and forest, combining curves, hairpins and short straights, while kilometer after kilometer we rapidly gain altitude. After the warmth of Lake Garda, the temperature gradually becomes cooler again and, curve after curve, we finally reach Passo Sommo at 1,343 meters / 4,406 feet. We would happily stop for a little longer, but today our real opponent is neither the curves nor the mountain passes: it is the clock. So there is only enough time for a quick coffee before we are back on the bikes. We cross the plateau, continue toward the Vigolana area and then take a small, steep road that quickly drops us back toward the valley. Between tight curves and increasingly wide-open views, Lake Caldonazzo appears below us—a clear sign that our hotel is now close. A little later, we finally park the motorcycles. In the end, what was supposed to be a simple rest day has once again given us mountains, lakes, curves, a few unexpected events and plenty of riding, but this time with a few hours of relaxation thrown in as well. At evening, we all got together (except for Howard, who had other plans) at a nice little outdoor restaurant in the town center (thanks to Michel, who had scouted out the place that afternoon). Another great day on the ALPS EXTREME… and, all things considered, definitely not bad for a Monday!

We leave Levico Terme knowing that one of the most eagerly anticipated days of the entire trip lies ahead of us: today we’ll cross the Dolomites from the southwest to the northeast, passing from one valley to another through an almost overwhelming succession of mountain passes, curves, and hairpin turns. Our final destination is Brunico, in Alta Pusteria, but as always on this tour, reaching our destination is almost a mere detail; what matters is the route we choose to get there. We cross the Valsugana and soon leave the busier roads behind to enter a completely different setting: the Val di Cembra, with its terraced vineyards bordered by over 700 km of low porphyry walls—a stone quarried in the valley’s quarries. The wide road is a succession of medium-radius curves, ideal for a morning warm-up. We arrive without a hitch in the Val di Fiemme and in Predazzo; before tackling the first of the six mountain passes on today’s itinerary, we stop for coffee and the inevitable apple strudel. From this point on, the day practically turns into a massive motorcycle roller coaster. One pass after another, the road, the scenery, and the mountain landscape are constantly changing. Long stretches through the woods suddenly give way to immense rock faces; small villages appear for a few minutes and then immediately vanish from the rearview mirrors. In the morning, we tackle and enjoy the Rolle Pass, pass through San Martino di Castrozza, and climb toward the Cereda Pass, which connects the Trentino-Alto Adige region with the Veneto region. Descending into the valley, we reach Agordo. To many, this mountain town may sound unfamiliar, but in addition to being nestled in the Dolomites, it is the birthplace and main production hub of the global eyewear giant Luxottica—famous among motorcyclists for the Oakley and Ray-Ban brands. As we venture deeper and deeper into the Dolomites, the landscape changes radically. The green mountains gradually give way to the massive vertical dolomite cliffs that make this area unique in the world. We stop at the top of the Duran Pass, at one of the area’s typical mountain restaurants. The motorcycles rest for a few minutes, and so do we, taking the opportunity to recharge our energy and snap some great group photos. In the afternoon, the Dolomites reveal their most spectacular side. After descending from Duran, we ride our motorcycles through the Staulanza Pass and then tackle the Giau Pass without pause—in my opinion, the most beautiful of the day and perhaps of the entire tour—with its snack bar at over 2,200 meters. With its stunning views and roads that seem literally carved into the mountain, the Giau Pass is one of those places that even a group now accustomed to extraordinary Alpine vistas simply cannot pass by without stopping. Here, the mountain completely dominates the scene: motorcycles are parked, helmets are removed, and inevitably, phones and cameras come out of our pockets. We descend toward Cortina d’Ampezzo, surrounded by some of the Dolomites’ most famous peaks. The famous resort feels almost like an urban interlude in the middle of our day in the mountains, but it lasts only a short while. Once we leave Cortina, in fact, we immediately begin climbing again toward the Tre Croci Pass—but not before one last coffee break at Lake Misurina, whose crystal-clear waters reflect the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo. It’s one of the day’s final great treats. The last few kilometers gradually take us into the Alta Pusteria. After hours spent climbing up and down passes, the mountains continue to surround us, but our thoughts inevitably begin to turn toward a hot shower, a good dinner, and some relaxation in the heart of Brunico. After a full day accompanied by the roar of engines, the wind, and the endless succession of curves, once we arrive at the hotel garage in Brunico, we realize just how much we’ve accomplished: Mountain passes, hairpin turns, extremely narrow roads, forests, rock faces, incredible views, and hundreds of curves— a day practically tailor-made for those who love riding motorcycles. Now, a good dinner beneath Brunico Castle is the icing on the cake of a day filled with the everyday passion of motorcycling.

After a week spent riding across Alpine passes, hundreds of hairpins, valleys, lakes, the Dolomites and, of course, a rather impressive amount of Apfelstrudel, this morning we leave Brunico knowing that by the end of the day we will return our motorcycles to the Edelweiss Bike Travel headquarters in Mieming. There is, however, one small concern today: according to the weather forecast, a serious amount of rain is expected in the afternoon. For that reason, we move the daily briefing forward and hold it directly over breakfast, leaving our hotel in Brunico at 8:30 a.m., half an hour earlier than usual. Unlike the previous days, when the weather really spoiled us with plenty of sunshine, today the sky is cloudy and the air feels slightly damp. We soon leave the main roads behind and once again head straight into the heart of the mountains. We ride through Val Badia and begin climbing toward Würzjoch – Passo delle Erbe, at 1,982 meters. This road feels completely different from the major Alpine passes we have tackled over the past few days. It is narrower, more intimate and surrounded by forests and green meadows, with the impressive silhouette of Sass de Putia dominating the scenery. During the climb, something truly special happens. It almost feels like taking off in an airplane: we keep gaining altitude, climb above the clouds and eventually find ourselves surrounded by a magnificent white sea, with green Alpine peaks rising from it like islands. The view is far too beautiful to ignore. A group photo is absolutely mandatory. From Würzjoch we gradually descend toward the Eisack Valley until we reach Bressanone – Brixen. By now, it is official: this is not only a motorcycle tour, but also something of a culinary expedition in search of the best Apfelstrudel in the Alps. So there is absolutely no way we can let the final day pass without respecting the tradition. We park the bikes and take a well-deserved break: coffee and, naturally, another slice of Apfelstrudel. At this point, it is no longer simply a coffee stop. It has become one of the official rituals of the group. Back on the bikes, we head north and soon begin climbing once again, this time toward Jaufenpass – Passo di Monte Giovo, at 2,094 meters. The pass connects the Vipiteno area with the Passeier Valley and is one of those roads that seems to have been designed specifically for motorcyclists: endless curves, hairpins, wide mountain views and that perfect riding rhythm that simply makes you want to keep going. We descend toward the Passeier Valley, but we already know that the main highlight of the day is still waiting for us.Ah ead lies the final major mountain pass of the entire tour: Timmelsjoch – Passo del Rombo. The climb from the Italian side is spectacular. The road steadily gains altitude between rocky mountainsides and increasingly dramatic landscapes, while one curve follows another almost without interruption. The higher we climb, the more the vegetation disappears, giving way to the raw environment of the high Alps. At around 2,474 meters, we cross the border once again. We leave Italy behind and return to Austria, the country where our adventure began. A little farther on, we reach the Top Mountain Crosspoint in Hochgurgl, at 2,175 meters. Surprisingly, the sun is still on our side, and the panoramic terrace becomes the perfect place for our final mountain lunch. Bikes parked, jackets open and a little sunshine on our faces: one more chance to enjoy the Alpine scenery. Sivier and Ralph also take the opportunity to visit the Top Mountain Motorcycle Museum, the highest motorcycle museum in Europe, home to more than 600 exhibits covering over a century of motorcycle history. After spending an entire week riding motorcycles, visiting a museum like this on the final day almost feels like the perfect conclusion to the journey. We get back on the bikes and begin the long descent through the Ötztal. The scenery changes quickly. We leave the rocky landscape of Timmelsjoch behind, ride through the Sölden area and, kilometer after kilometer, make our way down toward the valley floor. The major climbs are now behind us and the curves become wider and more flowing. It is one of those moments when you inevitably begin to look back on everything we have experienced over the past week: Kühtai, Kaunertal, Resia, Stelvio, Gavia, Tonale, Mendola, Monte Bondone, Lake Garda, the Dolomites, Giau, Würzjoch, Jaufenpass, Timmelsjoch… An almost ridiculous amount of mountains, roads and curves packed into just a few days. The final kilometers inevitably feel different. The sky is getting darker and darker, and it looks as though the forecast may finally be about to come true. We make one final fuel stop and, at around 4:00 p.m., reach the Edelweiss Bike Travel headquarters in Mieming. Mission accomplished: we have managed to avoid the rain, just a few minutes after parking the bikes, it finally starts to fall. Seven days ago, these were simply motorcycles lined up in front of a group of people about to begin a tour.Now they are the bikes that carried us across Austria and Italy, over some of the most famous mountain passes in the Alps, through thousands of curves and countless unforgettable moments. There is still one last appointment ahead: the farewell dinner, the perfect opportunity to finally sit down together without helmets and gloves, raise a glass to the week behind us and relive the many adventures we have shared. Ralph, Sevier, Howard, John, Michel and Alberto will take home the memories of a week filled with friendship, mountains, the Dolomites, legendary Alpine passes, an almost endless number of curves and, of course, plenty of delicious Apfelstrudel. Thanks guys for an amazing week!