Route des Grandes Alpes en Moto

An enchanting river valley led me past medieval castles and tall church spires to where the land stretched up to the sky. The air became crisp and cow bells rang as the sun pierced through frosty trees at my side. As I scraped pegs left and right up tight hairpin turns an eagle screeched out below. In the clear sky above I took the rough rock-strewn path just to see what else I may find. On the summit I indulged on the shimmering view, and fell asleep beneath the stars.

Itinerary:
Mosel River
French Alps
Côte d'Azur
Gorges du Verdon
Swiss Alps
Liechtenstein
Black Forest
Autobahn

New toys and prep:
New Pelican Storm case top box
New LuxuryLite cot
New mount for Garmin 60CSx
New micro pump from ADV designs
Replaced kevlar jeans and boots from last trip
Repaired some small damage from the first trip
2nd oil change at 7,500 kms


Allons-y!

Great pics.! That action shot of you on the bike is nice and clear. Great work by the operator.

All the pictures are fantastic but the one with you in your bike is perfect

Thanks! That one was taken by a pro. I was thinking he should have picked one of the faster turns but I think on that cambered hairpin he can make everyone look pro! Turned out real nice

First up was the Mosel Valley. I'd planned to get back there ever since I stumbled upon it the day I picked up my bike. I felt a strong déjà vu there and then I realized it was the scene of the WRC Rallye Deutschland! The river banks are covered in vinyards and dotted with quaint towns and high castle turrets. You always see these special narrow ships slowly navigating the winding river. I followed the entire Mosel through to France and spent the evening wandering around Metz before finding a suitable camp site.














(from Wikipedia)

Wow, nice pics!
Any pics of Metz?

Great photos! Reminded me why I love riding the Alps.

Question: what is that license plate on your bike? I know it ain't Canadian-Canadian.

looks like a great ride.....enjoying the pics, looks nice and warm.

i have a friend with a B&B in Zeltingen Rachtig, Moselle Valley, usually my 1st port of call off the ferry...next fav place is Dusseldorf, love that city,

like to have a ride through here, interesting valley and museum.

Thanks! I can only find the one pic I have of Metz of the ginormous cathédrale. I knew it was the place to hang out when I saw all the bikes parked around there. I exercised my French skills with some local z750 riders (I used to have one myself) and even met a rider with a Québec plate on one of those Can-Am 3-wheeled things. I wandered around that area to stretch my legs and it's really nice!

Yes it is a Canadian plate I get a lot of questions of how I got the bike over here so now I usually joke that I crossed the Bering straight. Actually I live in Germany but have Canadian plates

Nice! I didn't know about that one, looks like a good day trip for me in the spring

Neandertal Valley is near Mettmann, a few kms out of Dusseldorf

nice coffee here in the Valley a few kms after the Museum, popular bikers haunt....



my Versys among the Harleys

Niiiiice! I did a Rhine cruise from Boppard to Bingen back in '81. Seeing your map and pics brought back memories.

Thanks I am maybe an hour away from there. Have to check it out

Yes the Rhine is very nice, I'd like to take a cruise or even a train ride there sometime myself

Hi,

Small correction for quite a common mistake :
It is the "Gorges du Verdon". Verdon is the river inside the canyon. Verdun is the town sadly known for the awful battle from WWI.

I love the light of your Parpaillon tunnel picture. What was the time, morning very early or late in the evening ?

Also did you camp in the middle of a field in full visibility ?

Before beginning the Route des Grandes Alpes, I spent a night in Geneva. Being in Switzerland, I paid a downright silly price to set up a tent next to the lake. The hot shower and lake view with swans was included, but 1 hour of WiFi and fresh croissant with espresso in the morning was extra. This part of Switzerland speaks French being near the border. When I started into the French Alps the architecture and villages reminded me a lot of Switzerland as well. The flags I saw everywhere and on everything also looked a lot more Swiss than French? I realized it was the flag of Savoie, which is not an official region of France per se but a historical one. One of my favourite parts of traveling is experiencing how unique each region of a country is from what I could only generalize as whole before. I found a camping municipal in Beaufort for a couple €'s and set up my tent just in time.





(credit here)

Thanks for the correction. I've been to Verdun as well

And especially thanks for responding to my PM's about the Parpaillon a year ago It was one of the highlights of the trip. That picture was in the late evening

I was camped out of sight only from dusk to dawn, and I didn't harm anything. In France it's usually easy to find a campsite though

I did not remember I gave you information on the Parpaillon. I am happy that you did put it to good use !
The Parpaillon must be one of the best trail to be able to ride legally in France.