Touring Center Alps 2605
It is 5:00 PM on Sunday, and things are finally getting underway. We kick off with our welcome briefing. Over the next 90 minutes, we cover everything essential for the days ahead. We present a broad overview of the five tours scheduled for the coming days, and a sense of anticipation begins to build. Detailed presentations of the specific daily routes take place each morning before we set off. Relaxing with a drink in hand, we also discuss the daily schedule and how our days are structured. Last but not least—and crucially—we go over safety tips to ensure we all have a great time and a safe ride. For Robert and Dane, the day started early; both had booked the Edelweiss Riding School. Axel, a fellow tour guide, spent the day with them intensively discussing, practicing and improving the key skills needed for riding in the Alps. Meanwhile, Charles spent the day exploring Innsbruck on a city tour with Barbara—another fellow tour guide. Barbara and Axel have made notes on everything they experienced.
Bob and Charles arrived a little earlier, and while Heiko was getting everything ready for a successful start to the tour, Bob, Charles, and I (Barbara) set off for Innsbruck. Even the train ride from Seefeld down into the valley is an experience in itself, with this breathtaking scenery. Once we arrived in Innsbruck, we went for a walk through the city, accompanied by the occasional anecdote about the sights. The highlight of the day was definitely the trip up to the Hafelekar, also known as the Top of Innsbruck. The view from there truly lives up to its name. After lunch against this stunning backdrop, we headed back down into the valley and took the train back to Seefeld.
Sunday – and not just any Sunday! Because today marks the start of the Alps Tour Center! Technically, the first official riding day isn’t until tomorrow. But Robert and Dane were keen to get into the spirit of the coming days already. And what better way to do that than with our Edelweiss Riding School? Because this is where you really get to know your chosen motorcycle. And as a little extra, they also got me – Axel! Under brilliant sunshine, we started the morning on a large practice area just a few minutes from the hotel. There, we jumped straight into the world of riding techniques. I set up a small course that had one or two surprises in store for our two riders. Before long, we were able to make the exercises more challenging. Robert and Dane increasingly felt how their two BMW RTs were becoming an extension of themselves. Along the way, there were, of course, a few little tricks and techniques to help them make the most of the Alpine cornering paradise waiting for them over the next few days. And then? Then it was time for a coffee by the lake – naturally, with a view! Seefeld, you really are the perfect starting point for this tour! But the day wasn’t over yet. Before I handed the two of them back over to Heiko so they could meet the rest of the group during the Welcome Briefing, the three of us headed back out onto the road for one more ride. Our route took us along stunning roads and through so many corners that the idea of actually trying to count them was quickly abandoned. Robert and Dane took turns riding behind me, getting a feel for how we ride motorcycles here in the Alps. And the grins underneath their helmets said it all: They were having a blast! I’d say that, from a riding perspective, it was the perfect start to the tour. And now the time has come. I’m handing the two over to Heiko and wishing them an incredible tour over the coming days – with endless corners, breathtaking scenery, and, of course, plenty of fun on the motorcycles! Thank you for a fantastic day! Your Riding Technique Tour Guide, Axel
We’re finally ready to hit the road. It’s still quite crisp this morning, but it’s set to warm up quickly. A sunny day of riding awaits us under a beautiful blue sky—perfect; what more could a biker ask for? We leave Seefeld and enjoy the first few curves on our way to Walchensee, an Alpine lake reaching depths of up to 189 meters (620 feet). Its emerald-green water is a stunning sight. After a coffee break by the lakeshore, we head to another highlight of the day: a stretch of the German Autobahn—with no speed limit—so ride carefully and have a blast! Next, we make a brief stop at Ettal Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in the 13th century that boasts an impressive basilica. Before visiting Linderhof Palace and its beautiful gardens, we enjoy a ride with a great flow through the forests of the Ammergau Alps. Linderhof is the only palace King Ludwig II actually completed, and it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site last year; it is truly worth a visit. Then, we continue on to Neuschwanstein Castle—the real-life "Disney Castle." We stop at a scenic vantage point to take photos of this magnificent structure. Up for a few more curves before heading to the hotel? No problem—we wrap up our first day of riding by tackling the Namlosvalley and the Hahntennjoch pass. We arrive at our hotel and conclude the day with a well-deserved boot beer. It’s the perfect first day of riding for everyone.
Wow, the big day has finally arrived. The highlight of our tour awaits, and we’re all excited. We’ve watched so many videos of the legendary ascent up the Stelvio Pass, and today, we’re experiencing it ourselves. But first, there’s a stretch on the motorway before we turn off into the Upper Inn Valley towards the Reschen Pass. Water levels at Lake Reschen are quite low, leaving the church tower rising prominently out of the water. The lake was created by damming in 1950, forcing several villages to relocate; the church tower remains as a landmark. After a coffee, we continue through the Vinschgau Valley, make a right turn, and the real fun begins. The legendary 48 hairpin bends await us. Everyone rides at their own pace. We reach the summit at 2,757m / 9,045ft without a single tip-over—we’re so proud! :-) Great job, everyone—congratulations. We earned a delicious sausage at Bruno’s before heading back home via the Umbrail Pass and the Ofen Pass. A long and impressive day of riding comes to an end, and as Arthur put it: "That was intense today, but... we made it!"
After getting plenty of practice with hairpin bends yesterday—and becoming pros in the process—we’re looking forward to today’s route: The Ötztal Valley, Timmelsjoch Pass, Passeier Valley, and finally the Jaufen Pass. It’s quite chilly early in the morning in the Ötztal. The surrounding mountains reach heights of up to 3,600 m (11,800 ft), so it takes a while for the sun to warm the valley. No matter—the air is wonderful, the views are fantastic, and the coffee paired with a slice of Sachertorte leaves us wanting more. Next, we head up the Timmelsjoch. At an altitude of 2,474 m (8,100 ft), Bob, Charles, and Dane visit the motorcycle museum and are impressed by the exhibition—it’s truly worth a visit. After passing the toll station, we take our time cruising and soaking up the spectacular scenery. It gets a bit foggy after the summit, but that’s fine—it adds a touch of mystique. We stop along the way to pick up supplies for a spontaneous picnic, made a stop in Sterzing and vistet the town, before heading back to Seefeld via Jaufen Pass. A fantastic day of riding with a great flow comes to an end; it was a truly wonderful experience.
After another fantastic day of riding yesterday, the question arises: what’s in store for today? Let’s wait and see. Following a good breakfast and our daily briefing, we set off towards Innsbruck. To make good time, we take the motorway before turning off into the Zillertal valley. A few left and right turns later, and we find ourselves on the Zillertal Valley Panoramic Road (*Zillertaler Höhenstraße*). What lies ahead is simply breathtaking—a sight to make any biker’s heart beat faster. We ride the next 20 km along a narrow, winding road, climbing to an altitude of 2,000 meters (6,500 ft) to reach Melchboden, a restaurant nestled in the mountains that offers a fantastic panoramic view. We enjoy our lunch there before taking a leisurely ride back down, savoring every curve along the way to the main road. Next, we head to Achensee, the largest lake in Tyrol. Of course, a quick coffee break is a must before we cover the final stretch to the hotel through the Karwendel Mountains, taking a moment to breathe it all in.
...sadly, the time has come: our final day of riding is upon us. We’re setting off an hour later today, and it turned out to be the right decision. The early morning rain has stopped, and we’re heading toward Innsbruck in high spirits. After a quick coffee break at the Bergisel ski jump, we continue on to the Innsbruck ski area—Kühtai. One last chance to enjoy the mountains and our motorcycles on winding roads. At an altitude of 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), the sun is beaming down on us. The clouds cleared at just the right moment—simply wonderful. We enjoy a final authentic Austrian lunch at a rustic restaurant before returning our motorcycles to a very special location: the Edelweiss Bike Travel office. Of course, we couldn't miss a look behind the scenes. We take a taxi back to Seefeld to wrap up this fantastic tour with a farewell dinner in the evening. Michelle, Mary, Bob, Dane, Robert, Richard, Charles, Arthur—thank you all for the wonderful time. It was a great pleasure riding with you and showing you the country and its people. Until next time—Heiko.