Greetings from The Dolomites

[neilb]

Good morning, friends. I’ve ridden down to Italy and staying tonight and tomorrow in Bolzano in the Dolomites.  It’sbeen a three day ride and, apart from day 1 through France and Belgium which was a bit of a slog on not very nice roads, it’s been superb. Saturday took me through the central German countryside and yesterday through Bavaria was all on great country roads avoiding the main highways. Lots of charming German villages to take in on the way. Yesterday afternoon was the mountains through to Italy and I rode one pass which was very technical, lots of switchbacks and no view of what was around the bends. Great fun when there was hundreds of bikers all over the road plus Porsches and Ferrari’s not wanting to be outdone! Anyway, made it to my hotel in the mountains safely and now feel really relaxed after a few cold beers, a shower and a lovely dinner. Meeting up with Tozes who has ridden down from Prague in a couple of hours and we’re doing a 180 mile circuit taking in the Stelvio pass. Should be good. The only downer is the temperature, which has been up to 32C, but it is a bit cooler the higher up you go.

Since Friday, I’ve covered about 900 miles and the bike has been superb. I’ve not had one single ache or pain after three long days in the saddle and it is just so much fun to ride over long distances. Mechanically, it’s been faultless.

I’m sure there will be lots of pics posted over the coming days. To start the ball rolling, this is the view from my hotel. Not bad!

[thenozzle]

Hi neilb,
Good to hear and see you are enjoying yourself  scenery looks great there. Say hello to tozes and get some more posts and pictures of your adventures.
Ride safe mate and hope the weather holds 

[Wassers]

Sounds like you are having an awesome time Neil.

Keep posting us updates and of course photos.

Enjoy, and say hello to Tozes for all us forum folk.

I'm on the countdown to my Top Gear road tour of the Brecon Beacons (Jeremy Clarksons favourite road in the UK!). I'm off on Sunday for a short but fun 2 day tour with an overnight stay in a posh hotel (I'm treating myself for Fathers day!)

.

[thenozzle]

Wassers I think you got Fathers day the wrong way round, The kids treat you 

[Murf46]

Sounds like your having a great time mate ride safe

[Red of Corse]

It's already starting off as a perfect ride. Have fun!

[neilb]

Today started off perfectly. Met up with Mr & Mrs Tozes at a little cafe in Bolzano for a 9.00 am double espresso and, in their case, some breakfast.....I had already filled myself at my hotel. We set off for the infamous Stelvio in perfect riding weather with temp. about 23C and enjoyed that all the way to Stelvio and the top at around midday. My impressions of going up were that it’s a very overrated pass with endless very tight switchbacks. When you’re sharing the road with riders who can be all over the place plus cars, I didn’t think it much fun....in my mind was the fact that I’ve ridden much better passes in Europe. By the time we left the massive gathering of riders at the top to start our descent, the weather started closing in as only it can in the mountains, and it was not long before the threatened storm hit us; rain by the bucket-load and thunder rumbling all around. In spite of all we really started enjoying the riding. The descent proved much better and my route took in three more passes in the 100 miles back to Bolzano. These proved to be wonderful for bikers with better radius bends and greater visibility around them. We had a blast despite the torrential rain and 9C temp. I even resorted to the heated grips! Anyway, the rain did eventually stop for us and the heat returned, helping us dry out. We eventually arrived back in Bolzano at about 7.00 at the end of an exhilarating day’s riding.

Antonio and Marketa (hope the spelling is correct) are a lovely couple and they send their greetings to all their forum friends. All credit to Marketa for being the perfect pillion (this is her first long trip) and smiling all the way through the crap weather.

Sadly, the photo opportunities were rather limited due to all the wet and I’ve only got a few on my iPad that I can post. Quite a few more on my camera but they’ll have to wait until I’m home before I can post any. Anyway, here’s one of some stupid geezer trying to upstage two Italian beauties....not much chance of that, Tozes 

[Wassers]

Sounds like another fab day Neil, despite the varying weather conditions. Looking forward to seeing more photos on your return.

How many more days have you before the long journey home?

[briantheb]

Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

[Murf46]

Great report

 I have done the stelvio pass  twice and I agree with your comments.

Ride safe