Riding the western Alps.

motorrider · 09-21-2008, 12:18 PM

In September I had a week holliday. I tought it would be nice to ride a tour in the Alps.
I wanted to ride a lot of cols and do some off-road riding. Although I do not have any off-road experience I wanted to ride the Sommellier, the highest rideble road in Europe.

Before leaving I always make a pic of the milage, nice to know at the end of the ride how far it was. So I picked up my things and I left to Germany

In Appenweier I arrive in Hotel Hanauer Hof.

The next day the first col ahead is Jaunpass.

The next col for the day is the col des mosses.

And than Col de la croix

The last col for the day is Forclaz.

I pay €22,= and ride the mont-blanc tunnel

In the evening I arrive in Pre Saint didier in Italy. I find a hotel called hotel Bucaneve. It is a nice place for a good price and good food.

The next day the first col is the picollo san bernardo.

Than the 2770 meters high Col de l'iseran. The weather is perfect

After the Iseran there is col du mont Cenis with the beautiful lake .

At the lake there is a dam onwhich you can ride the bike.

In Bardoneccia I find the way to pointe Sommellier. First a piece of tarmac than there is only gravel. I do not have any experience with of-road riding but I want to get to the top.

Because of the nice weather there are fantastic vieuws

The begining of the road is easy to do. The higher I get the harder it gets. But I do not give up so easy. I am to curious, I want to get to the top.

With a little preserverance I get the heavy GSA without off-road experience at the top of the Sommeiller

I made it!!!

The Streetpilot indicates almost 3000 M.

Behind the fence it is not permitted to go with my GS.

And exactly there is the nice blue lake.

There is even snow.

In Bardoneccia I get a hotel. Hotel La beiulla.

The day after I don´t have to ride so far to get to Monte Jafferau.

Realy nice views.

I think this road is harder to ride than the one at Sommeiller. Bigger stones.
My curiousity is to big, I want at least reach the tunnel.

At a certain moment I reach a place were I can choose for more directions.

I think the way which I want to go is not permitted. But there is a traffic sign with Italian text on it. I don´t know any Italian so I think the sign says that it is permitted for motorbikes.

Such a view I don´t want to miss.

This sign I find at the way up.

Than I drive through the tunnel. After the tunnel the way goes ahead.

The way to the top is very hard but very beautiful. Sometimes I meet another motorbike or some 4x4 cars.

At the top there is another sign. Not permitted to ride in.

Again made it to the top.

Almost 2800 M

The way back goes well, although it is very hard for an off-road noob like me. Enough off-road for the moment I think. A few days later I get in even worse off-road.

col de 'l Echelle.

col d I 'zoard

At the end of the day col d' Agnel.

Near paso di Tenda I stay in this good hotel.

The GS can sleep covered too.

I want to ride col di Tenda. I heared there should be a gravelroad at this col which would be rideble for normal touring bikes. It starts with tarmac.

At a certain moment I was driving the wrong way without knowing it. I think that I am driving the gravelroad which I heared about.

The view is very nice.

As I follow my way I have my thoughts about the way I am following. It can´t be the right way. This is not a road which can be driven by a non off-road bike.

I can go back or ride ahead, My decision is to ride ahead and let me surprise what I get.

The road is very hard, harder than the other roads I had driven. After I studied the map it looks like it is the via del sale

At this road you get to colle del lago dei signori.

Via del sale is the road eastwards of colle di Tenda and which the border shapes between Italy and France. It is an old military road from the 16^th century. The road is without tarmac and only driveble for one car. It is better for off-road motorbikes.

At colle del lago dei Signori I have to put my GS at the ground, my leg missed the ground and when I touched the ground with my foot it sliped away over the gravel. I can not hold the heavy motorbike and have to put it on the ground. I dismantle the panniers and put the bike up at the handlebar.

After the approximately 50 km long road which is better rideble at the end, I reach the Mediterranean see.

I ride to the Mountains again and pass again the border.

Col de Turini.

The last one for the day is col saint Martin.

In Isola I get into this hotel.

Next day I drive the road to Isola 2000.

Directly after Isola 2000, col de la lombarde.

Via col de larche back to Italy again. Unfortunately the weather is changing to rain.

At col de Labonette there are heavy rains.

With this kind of weather you can ride into the clouds.

Col de la couillole.

Col de la cayolle

Col de Vars

Hotel in Guillestre.

It is still rainy weather when I want to leave from Guillestre the next day. At col du galabier the sky is bighten up a little. There is snow at the mountain tops.

Fantastic col.

After the Galabier it starts to rain again.

In Switserland it is even very foggy.

In the evening I reach Germany. I get a very nice hotel with good food. Hotel Krone in Neuenburg am Rhein. Much better than the French hotels.

The last day I drove in heavily rain at the German Autobahn home again. In one week almost 4000 km and 22 cols. It was fantastic.

With my helmetcam I made a movie about the ride to the highest road of Europe, the Sommeiller. Click at the link beneath.

http://www.vimeo.com/1833565

Olirider · 09-21-2008, 03:17 PM

Nice trip, thanks for sharing.
I know nearly of these roads, they are awesome.
You definitively missed the Tende pass road.

You'll have to come back !

Old Git Ray · 09-21-2008, 03:42 PM

Great report but I must say you are crazy.

No off road experience and you go alone on those roads -wow - respect.

Well done and thanks for the post.

AZ-Twin · 09-21-2008, 03:55 PM

Very nice ride report and pictures. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.

GB · 09-21-2008, 05:03 PM

Awesome ride, report and pics

thanks for posting such a great rid

old school · 09-21-2008, 05:23 PM

Great ride report and pics - looks like it was a blast!

Thanks for sharing.

motorrider · 09-22-2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olirider

Nice trip, thanks for sharing.
I know nearly of these roads, they are awesome.
You definitively missed the Tende pass road.

You'll have to come back !

I definitely wil ride back to ride the Tenda col. I think next year.
Nice pic

flygirl · 09-22-2008, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olirider

Nice trip, thanks for sharing.
I know nearly of these roads, they are awesome.
You definitively missed the Tende pass road.

You'll have to come back !

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorrider

I definitely wil ride back to ride the Tenda col. I think next year.
Nice pic

IN!!!

motorrider · 09-24-2008, 01:40 AM

An extra video from monte Jafferau.

http://www.vimeo.com/1852678

BigBear42 · 07-05-2010, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorrider

An extra video from monte Jafferau.

http://www.vimeo.com/1852678

Fantastic ride, do you have any tracks of this journey? I'm planing to spend abouit five days in the area at the end of july.

Keep Riding

Big Bear

tserts · 07-05-2010, 06:55 AM

Motorbike heaven, how I envy you, It will be sometime before I get the chance to return there...

Thank you for the write-up and the photos, seems you had a great time!

tserts · 07-05-2010, 07:00 AM

Wow, I just watched the video as well, it is beautiful!

What was that animal that crossed the road? I couldn't make it out..

Monti · 07-05-2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorrider

At this road you get to colle del lago dei signori.

Via del sale is the road eastwards of colle di Tenda and which the border shapes between Italy and France. It is an old military road from the 16^th century. The road is without tarmac and only driveble for one car. It is better for off-road motorbikes.

Hi Motorider,

can you tell me were you get this map? Or from which manufacturer and size it is? It seems realy detailed and I'm still searching for a sustainable map for my trip in september.

Thanks,
Monti

motorrider · 07-06-2010, 10:06 AM

@bigbear42

At the link beneeth you can find the complete route and you can download it.
http://www.poi66.com/show_album?albu...dernaardealpen

@Monti
The map you can see is a photo I made from an information shield which was at the route I made.

BigBear42 · 07-08-2010, 07:49 AM

Thanks mate.

BB42

Quote:

Originally Posted by motorrider

@bigbear42

At the link beneeth you can find the complete route and you can download it.
http://www.poi66.com/show_album?albu...dernaardealpen

@Monti
The map you can see is a photo I made from an information shield who was at the route I made.

09-21-2008, 12:18 PM	#1
motorrider ^OP Ride as much as you can! Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Losser, Netherlands Oddometer: 81	Riding the western Alps. In September I had a week holliday. I tought it would be nice to ride a tour in the Alps. I wanted to ride a lot of cols and do some off-road riding. Although I do not have any off-road experience I wanted to ride the Sommellier, the highest rideble road in Europe. Before leaving I always make a pic of the milage, nice to know at the end of the ride how far it was. So I picked up my things and I left to Germany In Appenweier I arrive in Hotel Hanauer Hof. The next day the first col ahead is Jaunpass. The next col for the day is the col des mosses. And than Col de la croix The last col for the day is Forclaz. I pay €22,= and ride the mont-blanc tunnel In the evening I arrive in Pre Saint didier in Italy. I find a hotel called hotel Bucaneve. It is a nice place for a good price and good food. The next day the first col is the picollo san bernardo. Than the 2770 meters high Col de l'iseran. The weather is perfect After the Iseran there is col du mont Cenis with the beautiful lake . At the lake there is a dam onwhich you can ride the bike. In Bardoneccia I find the way to pointe Sommellier. First a piece of tarmac than there is only gravel. I do not have any experience with of-road riding but I want to get to the top. Because of the nice weather there are fantastic vieuws The begining of the road is easy to do. The higher I get the harder it gets. But I do not give up so easy. I am to curious, I want to get to the top. With a little preserverance I get the heavy GSA without off-road experience at the top of the Sommeiller I made it!!! The Streetpilot indicates almost 3000 M. Behind the fence it is not permitted to go with my GS. And exactly there is the nice blue lake. There is even snow. In Bardoneccia I get a hotel. Hotel La beiulla. The day after I don´t have to ride so far to get to Monte Jafferau. Realy nice views. I think this road is harder to ride than the one at Sommeiller. Bigger stones. My curiousity is to big, I want at least reach the tunnel. At a certain moment I reach a place were I can choose for more directions. I think the way which I want to go is not permitted. But there is a traffic sign with Italian text on it. I don´t know any Italian so I think the sign says that it is permitted for motorbikes. Such a view I don´t want to miss. This sign I find at the way up. Than I drive through the tunnel. After the tunnel the way goes ahead. The way to the top is very hard but very beautiful. Sometimes I meet another motorbike or some 4x4 cars. At the top there is another sign. Not permitted to ride in. Again made it to the top. Almost 2800 M The way back goes well, although it is very hard for an off-road noob like me. Enough off-road for the moment I think. A few days later I get in even worse off-road. col de 'l Echelle. col d I 'zoard At the end of the day col d' Agnel. Near paso di Tenda I stay in this good hotel. The GS can sleep covered too. I want to ride col di Tenda. I heared there should be a gravelroad at this col which would be rideble for normal touring bikes. It starts with tarmac. At a certain moment I was driving the wrong way without knowing it. I think that I am driving the gravelroad which I heared about. The view is very nice. As I follow my way I have my thoughts about the way I am following. It can´t be the right way. This is not a road which can be driven by a non off-road bike. I can go back or ride ahead, My decision is to ride ahead and let me surprise what I get. The road is very hard, harder than the other roads I had driven. After I studied the map it looks like it is the via del sale At this road you get to colle del lago dei signori. Via del sale is the road eastwards of colle di Tenda and which the border shapes between Italy and France. It is an old military road from the 16^th century. The road is without tarmac and only driveble for one car. It is better for off-road motorbikes. At colle del lago dei Signori I have to put my GS at the ground, my leg missed the ground and when I touched the ground with my foot it sliped away over the gravel. I can not hold the heavy motorbike and have to put it on the ground. I dismantle the panniers and put the bike up at the handlebar. After the approximately 50 km long road which is better rideble at the end, I reach the Mediterranean see. I ride to the Mountains again and pass again the border. Col de Turini. The last one for the day is col saint Martin. In Isola I get into this hotel. Next day I drive the road to Isola 2000. Directly after Isola 2000, col de la lombarde. Via col de larche back to Italy again. Unfortunately the weather is changing to rain. At col de Labonette there are heavy rains. With this kind of weather you can ride into the clouds. Col de la couillole. Col de la cayolle Col de Vars Hotel in Guillestre. It is still rainy weather when I want to leave from Guillestre the next day. At col du galabier the sky is bighten up a little. There is snow at the mountain tops. Fantastic col. After the Galabier it starts to rain again. In Switserland it is even very foggy. In the evening I reach Germany. I get a very nice hotel with good food. Hotel Krone in Neuenburg am Rhein. Much better than the French hotels. The last day I drove in heavily rain at the German Autobahn home again. In one week almost 4000 km and 22 cols. It was fantastic. With my helmetcam I made a movie about the ride to the highest road of Europe, the Sommeiller. Click at the link beneath. http://www.vimeo.com/1833565 __________________ "It's all about motorbikes. Always has been, always will be." Ewan McGregor. motorrider screwed with this post 01-06-2013 at 12:48 PM

09-21-2008, 03:42 PM	#3
Old Git Ray Now retired...YeeHaa Joined: Jan 2007 Location: UK based, Touring the Americas Oddometer: 843	You are NUTS Great report but I must say you are crazy. No off road experience and you go alone on those roads -wow - respect. Well done and thanks for the post.

09-21-2008, 03:55 PM	#4
AZ-Twin Dusty and Thirsty Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Sierra Vista, AZ Oddometer: 1,305	Very nice ride report and pictures. Thank you for sharing your trip with us. __________________ Rob Swartzwelder, Southern AZ I'm not real fast, but I do have a dog named Dakar! 97 M900, 07 G650 XChallenge,11 KTM 990 ADV R 2011 North up the CDR Sierra Vista AZ to Paonia CO and Back through Moab UT

09-21-2008, 05:03 PM	#5
GB Mod Squad Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Toronto, ON Oddometer: 53,498	Awesome ride, report and pics thanks for posting such a great rid __________________ ADV decals, patches & flag? Here

09-21-2008, 05:23 PM	#6
old school FUBAR Joined: Jun 2005 Location: The Great State of Confusion Oddometer: 124	Great ride report and pics - looks like it was a blast! Thanks for sharing. __________________ girls only want boyfriends who have great skills

09-21-2008, 03:17 PM	#2
Olirider Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2008 Location: The country of stinky cheeses Oddometer: 389	Nice trip, thanks for sharing. I know nearly of these roads, they are awesome. You definitively missed the Tende pass road. You'll have to come back !

09-24-2008, 01:40 AM	#9
motorrider ^OP Ride as much as you can! Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Losser, Netherlands Oddometer: 81	An extra video from monte Jafferau. http://www.vimeo.com/1852678 __________________ "It's all about motorbikes. Always has been, always will be." Ewan McGregor. motorrider screwed with this post 04-08-2009 at 01:11 PM

07-05-2010, 06:55 AM	#11
tserts Gas Burner Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Yunanistan (Stans baby!) Oddometer: 1,956	Motorbike heaven, how I envy you, It will be sometime before I get the chance to return there... Thank you for the write-up and the photos, seems you had a great time! __________________ Africa Twin RD07 '00 - My Kleopatra Malfunction specialist... Road Rush (Romania, Serbia) Peloponnese Peninsula on two Africa Twins 9 countries in 15 days - Tserts.com

07-05-2010, 07:00 AM	#12
tserts Gas Burner Joined: Nov 2008 Location: Yunanistan (Stans baby!) Oddometer: 1,956	Wow, I just watched the video as well, it is beautiful! What was that animal that crossed the road? I couldn't make it out.. __________________ Africa Twin RD07 '00 - My Kleopatra Malfunction specialist... Road Rush (Romania, Serbia) Peloponnese Peninsula on two Africa Twins 9 countries in 15 days - Tserts.com

07-06-2010, 10:06 AM	#14
motorrider ^OP Ride as much as you can! Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Losser, Netherlands Oddometer: 81	@bigbear42 At the link beneeth you can find the complete route and you can download it. http://www.poi66.com/show_album?albu...dernaardealpen @Monti The map you can see is a photo I made from an information shield which was at the route I made. __________________ "It's all about motorbikes. Always has been, always will be." Ewan McGregor. motorrider screwed with this post 07-08-2010 at 08:32 AM

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