The call of the Cols

[ChubbyThumper]

It turned out Marcs wife is from N.Ireland so we had a great night of beer, chat and insights into life in Switzerland. Here are some views near Marcs house. The Swiss are nothing if not efficient, neat and tidy.



woodpile








Ooops a bit of woodworm here.



Even the dungpile is efficient



Next morning we get our kit sorted out and head out on a run led by Marc


A waterfall near Gstaad



Gordo closest Marc behind





Big marc gets a phone call, I try a wide aperture shot




which works better on this passing Harley. So he didn’t acknowledge my wave….must be lonely being a real badass!





Over Col de Pillon


to Col de la Croix



to Martigny for fuel and Marc welcomed us with a handshake to the valleys in his best Swiss/Welsh accent.

Champex lac




We were near the Italian border, the two lads headed for home and I continued into Italy on my own. Thanks for a great run and good company Marc and Gordo.

[Holaday]

Subscibed. Nice bikes as well.

[ChubbyThumper]

Heading up the Grand St Bernard pass on the Swiss side the weather started getting greyer and colder you do feel the scale of the place.







When I reached the pass the rain came down in buckets followed by hailstones. A big fire and a wee Jameson would have gone down a treat right then



The Swiss border control is the smallest house on the right, the Italian further down. No interest from either of them.



Stopped in this avalanche gallery with another biker for about 20 mins hoping the rain would stop. It didn’t so I kept going. Now in Italy.



Down through the fog to a campeggio (campsite) in Etroubles near Aosta. The first accommodation my zumo came up with.

[philgunn]

nice report Terry and some great shots , it is awful to be looking at you travelogue on a damp cold summer in Ireland ,

pg

[stanbloke]

Great pics Terry and cracking write up.

Looks like you have a top holiday fella..

[Famous]

Looks good Terry

Looking forward to the next lot

Nice haircut by the way.



Or is that gravel rash

[ChubbyThumper]

Thanks lads, more to come but won't get the Stella bit done until tomorrow. late shift beckons...

I was now a days riding from Bardonecchia .The overnight thunderstorm had cleared and the sun was out but not over the top of the mountains yet. A great way to start the day.

Outskirts of Courmayeur. I wonder what the going rate is for a wee wooden house is in this neck of the woods? Must remember to do the lottery this week.



My Zumo was getting mighty confused in the small town of Courmayeur. So was I, my attempts to ask directions were met with unfriendly silence so it was time to do a good sheperd ie get the flock out of there. Val d`Isere was beautiful but closed for lunch! Well out of season I suppose its more of a winter destination. At least the fuel pumps worked on a Visa card despite the attached supermarket having a two hour siesta. This scene just out of town near the gondola station. Ski lifts all over the place.



climbing Col de L`Iseran from Val d`Isere



Looking back down on Val d`Isere




Scenes around the top of the Col. We are back in France by the way

[ChubbyThumper]

Whilst in having a coffee and cheese / ham baguette I met a Scottish cyclist Iain Mackie. Iain is doing an epic trip taking in the Pyrennees and Alps on his bike. Check out his blog on
Cycling2011.com
An amazing feat, his wee carbon fibre bike is worth twice as much as my KTM! His thighs would feed a family of four for a month! Anyway a real nice guy and a pleasure to meet





Goin down from the col I spotted my first Marmotte. By the time I got pulled in and camera out the little fecker was gone so I took some road shots anyway









Iain recommended taking a look at the village of Bonneval at the foot of the pass and I must thank him for this. It’s a lovely restored village just off the main road but easily visible .


















And so to Camping Bokki in Bardonecchia






Erecting a tent caused hundreds of these little guys to take off and move a few yards away. Only to come back and festoon the tent once I had it up



Tomorrow we ride the Stella Alpina

[Daithi]

Absolutely fantastic looking spin, I've now got this event pencilled in for next year.

Thanks for sharing.

PS
Didn't know what a Marmotte was so I had to Google it...........

[KHVol]

I believe the is the best Alps RR and pics I have seen..glad now that we had to cancel our Alps trip this year, your route is a better route. Many thanks...

[Beer]

Great write up and superb pics Chubby!

I'm looking forward to going back later this year......

[KTM Gordo]

Looks like you had a grand trip - it was good to catch up with you in Switzerland.

Suppose I ought to post my own trip report of two weeks in the Alps...

[ChubbyThumper]

Thanks guys, I enjoy the feedback. Daithi I got a shot of a Marmotte on the Stella descent but he didn't have his RPG7 with him. Must try harder.

[davidgibson999]

Fabulous report Terry. Looking forward to the rest of it. You've a good eye for a photo!!

[D.T.]