Alps Ride 2-14 July 2010

[gunnert]

We recently completed our best ever vacation. We being my wife and I. We flew into Munich and picked up a new GT. Spent 4 nights in Hinterthal, Austria, 5 nights in Arabba, Italy, and the last three nights in Garmisch, Germany. For those thinking about doing a trip to the Alps all we can see is "stop thinking" and "start doing". It was an awesome trip! The riding unlike anything I've ever done. The switch backs, if anything, are more dramatic than you can imagine. 13 days on the bike we averaged 35mph. Even had a short stint (about 45 minutes) on the Autobahn in Germany without speed restrictions. It's unbelievable to be cruising along at 125 MPH and have a Ford station wagon pass you...

[BMWGirl]

That is GREAT to hear!!! Did you tour on your own or go with an organization - Eidelweiss?

I just went to Canada for a week and loved it, now I'm looking in to the Germany thing! I want to go there in the next 2 years. You should ride up a ride report and share the pics.

[gunnert]

I'll do a report and share the pictures when I get a chance. We took over 2000 photos. Wife narrowed the album down to 300 pictures. We didn't do a guided tour. The cost would have been over $10K for the bike rental (two up). I rented a new GT from Motogreek (highly recommended) in Munich and scheduled the trip based on online conversations with other forums, e.g. alpineroads.com, etc.... The one thing I will say to others "thinking" about doing this is, when you finally do and see how great it is you're going to be pissed because you waited so long. It's an easy trip to plan. Most of the hotels include breakfast and dinner in the prices (called "half board"). And trust me, you'll eat, and drink, and eat and drink.

[ERC Scott]

Did you get the chance to ride the Grossglockner High Alpine Road? I've only ridden the eastern Alps, but that day spent on the Grossglockner and surroundings was the highlight for me. A little dicey with falling snow -- it was late June Scott

[gunnert]

ERC, upon leaving Munich on day 1 we visited Eagles Nest and Bergestgarden before stopping at the Simonhof Hotel in Hinterthal, Austria. Hinterthal is about 35 miles west of Bischofshofen. The road between the two, Hochkonig, is one of the best "twisty" roads in Austria. Day 2 we rode Grossglockner down to Heiligenblut. It was perfect day for riding. I'm a pretty spirited rider even two-up. I pulled over to let two Ferraris go by and couldn't keep up with them on the way back down. We spent 4 nights riding in this area of the Alps before moving to the Dolomites (northern Italy). I'll post some pictures from Grossglockner when I can figure out how to...

[ChaseH]

[gunnert]

First few days of Alps trip...

[gunnert]

A few more pics....

[BMWGirl]

OMG - those are AWESOME pics!!! Okay I really want to go now!! Who is going to go with ME????

[ERC Scott]

Western Austria (Alps west of Innsbruck) really is nice riding. Like you, I much prefer riding twisties where you keep your speed up rather than the first gear switchbacks of passes. A lot of us were looking forward to riding Passo Stevio, but really it was more like work (I teach the MSF box exercise) than fun. Of course having incompetent car drivers nearly force you off the Stelvio cliff didn't help much -- luckily 95% of car drivers do maintain a safe line thru switchbacks, but it's that 5% that can put you in one heck of jam! Scott

[endobobdds]

OMG - those are AWESOME pics!!! Okay I really want to go now!! Who is going to go with ME????

The riding in the Alps is "AWESOME"! I am ready to go back again to the Alps and could easily be talked into forming up a small (4 - 6) BMWBMW group to head over next summer. However, I think you should make one of the BMWST Torrey, UT events next.

[Sundevil2]

I'd go back to the Alps in a heartbeat. Great scenery!

[gunnert]

I don't usually repeat a vacation, but this one to the Alps was special. We are in the talking stages of going again next summer...