June 2001. Dolomites.
A motor holiday through Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland and France.
Participants: Kawasaki ZR 7 & Buell M2 Cyclone
5100 km (3200mls) of secondary roads
The holiday started in style.....
With lots of rain.
But then, on day three it was dry and we had a first look at the Alps.
Lots of snow still covering the high mountains but that must be normal in June I guess.
Austria. Hahntennjochstrasse. 1800m
There was enough snow next to the road to go skiing. But we where here to
ride around on motorbikes.
During the holiday we ride from campsite to campsite so we carry a lot of luggage (40 kg) with us but once you are driving you hardly notice the extra weight and the Buell doesn't mind.
Italy: We had planned a trip through the mountains called the Dolomites but we had to return to the campsite
after 30km because it started snowing at 2200m on the Passo Di Sella.
In the village (la Villa Stern), next to were we where camping, we where refused in a restaurant, probably because
we were bikers! (and very wet)
The next day we were very lucky.
Nice and sunny wheather and great mountain roads to ride all day long.
On the way from Italy to Switzerland we found out that the Stelvio pass was closed because of snow. A lady from a tourist information office in Prato allo Stelvio, next to the border, posted our postcards and helped us to find another road to ride to Switzerland. This was the first day the road was open after the winter and it was partly a non-tarmac road.
Gwatt, Switzerland.
The day before we had a terrible day. Driving from Zernez to Gwatt it was raining the whole day, lots of rain,
and we passed the Furka and the Grimsel in the mist. The temperature was just above freezing on top of these mountains.
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Nice try. Drying the motor gear in the sun but it started raining again a few minutes later.
This is more like a proper holiday snapshot.
Switzerland. the Jaunpass.
France: Camping near Malbuisson.
The first night we were here it was freezing cold but luckily we were "saved" by a Swiss couple who invited
us for coffee and a beer in there motor home that evening.
They are also bikers so they could imagine how cold we were.
France: Col du Colombier
Another very nice day. We had left the tents at the campsite and we made a trip of over 400km that day.
We also had to stop at a motor garage to change the rear tire, which was completely worn out, of the ZR7.
Two days later I had to change both front and rear tire of my Buell. Both tires completely worn out on this
holiday. The ZR7 got a new front tire.
Thanks to Dario Motors in Colmar we were very quick on the road again with fresh rubber. (Michelin Pilot Sports.
a very good tire to use on a Buell !)
Home sweet home
Back in the Netherlands
Where to go next year?
Back