Bavaria - Austria - the 5th - Grossglockner

[franken]

Today it is a short story on a 500km long ride. :-)

like always - as usual heres the gpx-file

grossglockner.gpx

We start as always at Penzberg. :-) We pass Bad Tölz and go on to Miesbach. Then right and first stop at lake Schliersee. You know this is the lake there bavarians singing about on beer-festivals. "Ich hätt gern an Biersee - so groß wie da Schliersee" (strange translated it could be "I like to have a beer-lake, as big as lake Schliersee (to drink)".

Tina was interesstet in something older


and this is the lake


The we passed the Sudelfeld - a place loved by bikers and the police and went down to Kufstein. Due do the distance we forgot to make Pics on the way down to Zell am See.

After Zell am See the Grossglockner-pass-road starts. And here we go with the pics.
You have to pay 18€ to use the road. Austria - I hate you for this! I asked the guy at the cash-point where i can find the part of the road i own now. :-)

First stop after some km. Enjoying the view.


and


Then the road climb up and up and up. We had fun. Next break some km before the top.




more views

and


and here it is - the Grossglockner - first view


Some km later we reached the top. (or must i say one of the tops?) The Edelweisspitze. Heres the view.


The sign


Next 3 Pics - some impressions of the road






From Edelweisspitze we get back to the main road torwards the tunnel. After the tunnel next break.

Nice Pic - looks like my girl in the frame.



There is always light at the end of the tunnel.


The view


The lovley bike with the snow.



Wupp, wupp, wupp - some meters down and to the right the next dead end road to the Pastertze glacier is reached. And up we go.

What a waterfall


The end of the road - Parking


Grossglockner and Pasterze


Dam - it is heavently melted. -- A closeup.


The King of the region - Mr. Grossglockner itself


and at last - one more closeup.


After this we continued to ride. We went down to Heiligenblut and on to Lienz. Weather turned suddenly and it started to rain. -- That's why we didn't made more pics.

We decided to go back through Italy. Was a good idea - because after 20 km rain was gone and sun came back. (bella Italia).

Through Brunico we reached Sterzing. Over the Brenner-Pass to Insbruck and back home.

This was it for today. Part 6 will come in a while, when we back from Spain.

Have fun
Andreas + Bettina

[ERIC DN]

Great pics, thanks to share,
Lot fo souvenirs, we was there many years ago (1993 in august ) with my wife, on a 750 super Tenere, we left Oestereich for Italy because of lot of rain.

Eric

[Frgich]

Great RR and the pics are stunning . We are going to the Alp's at the end of June . Are the most of the roads open, or there are some that are still closed, because of the snow end bad weather. Thank's for some info regarding this.

[franken]

Hi Frgich
i think end of June all pass-roads will be open. Should be no problem. You can even check the internet for the road-conditions. Can't find this link right now. Fast search found this forum - might be also interesting.
http://www.alpineroads.com/forum/index.php

have fun
Andreas

[Icecream]

Those pictures are amazing. A truely stunning part of the world.

Thanks Franken.

[bike4ever]

Franken,

Thanks for the post! What gorgeous scenery and roads. My wife and I are flying over the pond, renting a bike in Milan and hope to make this trip in the opposite direction in late July, early August. I realize that is holiday time in Europe, but other priorities (kids, work) forced the dates. Will traffic be a significant problem over these passes at that time? If so, any recommendations (ride early in the morning, go somewhere else, etc.)?

Thanks.

[franken]

Originally Posted by bike4ever

Franken,
Thanks for the post! What gorgeous scenery and roads. My wife and I are flying over the pond, renting a bike in Milan and hope to make this trip in the opposite direction in late July, early August. I realize that is holiday time in Europe, but other priorities (kids, work) forced the dates. Will traffic be a significant problem over these passes at that time? If so, any recommendations (ride early in the morning, go somewhere else, etc.)?
Thanks.

Hi bike4ever,
In summertime there is more traffic, but should not be "that" problem. I think if you go early or not on the weekend it might be no problem. Even only if you travel by car it is a bit more difficult to overtake, not with a bike.
There are some other passroads nearby which you can connect to a round-tour.
Info in English you may find here: http://www.grossglockner.com/ (prices - opening times - Info - Webcam - and more.

Enjoy your holiday - and don't forget to pass the dolomites when you come up from Milano You should do the "ronda Sella" - outstanding landscape too.

have fun
Andreas

[Frgich]

Originally Posted by franken

Hi Frgich
i think end of June all pass-roads will be open. Should be no problem. You can even check the internet for the road-conditions. Can't find this link right now. Fast search found this forum - might be also interesting.
http://www.alpineroads.com/forum/index.php

have fun
Andreas

Thank's Franken , I know that there are live webcams on some of the passes, and for sure I'm going to check them before the trip. Great part of the world to ride your bike

[nachtflug]

I need perspective, 'cos I'm facing the wall.
I need perspective, 'cos I'm not that tall.
I need perspective, heard the trumpet call.
Don't trust my eyes, want to know where things fall.

I need perspective, party time for the newly wed.
I need perspective, colors ran as the images bled.
I need perspective, like confetti on the flower bed.
Don't trust my eyes, priest crying he's got fire in his head.

[Chorus:]
Oh Gaia, if that's your name,
Treat you like dirt, but I don't want to blame.
Oh Gaia, the wind heals the fire and blows the ash away.

I need perspective, sitting in a long, long hall.
I need perspective, staring at the white, white wall.
I need perspective, waiting for the phone to call.
Don't trust my eyes, there's one thing I've got to tell you all.

I need perspective, to see through red, red skies.
I need perspective, to carry merchandise.
I need perspective, I don't trust my eyes.

[Chorus]

I used to be an industrial giant,
Sitting in a garden full of chemical plants.
Trying very hard to get you off my mind.
Acting like any man, taking you for all I can,
Just the same, the same as all my kind, so blind.

I need perspective.

[benharper]

those pictures are awsome! The clarity is super great! thanks for sharing!
Ben

[jeckyll]

Great pictures. I miss the alps

Bjorn