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| Deaks |
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Deaks
Traffic Copper
Joined: 16 May 2010
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 Posted: 23:39 - 19 Jan 2012  Post subject: Switzerland & Germany - Aug/Sept 2011 |
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On 26/08/2011 my Dad and I set off from South London for an 11 day trip to take in Switzerland and the Black Forest before heading up to Nurburg for the World Superbike round.
This was my longest tour to date and it has served to increase my appetite for touring!
This is roughly the route we took:
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/World%20SBK%20-%20Nurburgring/Route.jpg
26/08/11 - Dover to Luxembourg
Holiday started out raining off an on through Belgium and into Luxembourg. Went a familiar route from Dunkirk up toward Bruges, then passed Brussels and on towards north Luxembourg. First time in the tax haven, smooth roads, cheap petrol (although sods law I didn’t need to fill up).
Hotel for the first night was in a picturesque little town, Esche-sur-Sure, in a meander of a river with tunnel in and tunnel out. Everything centred around a castle on top of a hill. Hotel was pretty swanky. When we checked in we were led (along with about 5 German bikers who arrived just before us) to a garage for bikes with drying racks for our gear. Rooms were above the garage, essentially a small suite with most hi-tech shower I have ever seen.
We had a stroll round the town and took a few pictures before heading back to the restaurant for dinner. The food was really good and I ended up trying veal, was weird eating pale beef. Pretty good though.
Waiting for the ferry at Dover
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/2011-08-26092915.jpg
Working out how to change the speedo to KPH
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0041.jpg
Hotel sur Sure
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0445.jpg
Bike put to rest for the night
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0045.jpg
The castle on top of a hill, and the river surrounding it
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0444.jpg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0436.jpg
27/08/11 - Luxembourg to Interlaken
We left the little town through a small gorge. Came across Lotus cars meeting. Approx 50/60 cars. Saw them everywhere for next 30mins. Cut through northern France, rain very heavily, couldn’t the see road markings. Due to the rain I didn’t end up taking too many pictures until we got nearly to Interlaken.
Entered Switzerland through small town so we didn’t have to buy a vignette (year long permit for using motorways, you cant buy one for any shorter period than a year and it didn’t seem worth it for ¾ days). Thankfully it stopped raining in Switzerland. We made sure we didn’t use any motorways so as not to get a fine. Ended up getting slightly lost in Bern and Thun, even with a satnav.
Interlaken, as suggested by its name, is situated between two lakes. We approached from the west and so had to drive along the north shore of Lake Thun to get to Interlaken. The lake was amazingly blue and the road was a great end to a long a tiring journey.
Interlaken proved to be a busy town, with lots of tourists. That night we decided to visit the Swiss Hooters, and ended up getting an English waitress!
View from hotel back west
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0052.jpg
Interlaken
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0612.jpg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0613.jpg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0630.jpg
28/08/11
Schilthorn & Grimelwald
Woke up to amazing weather, perfectly clear skies. Rode south to Stechelberg, in shade as the sun hadn’t risen enough to shine into the valleys, and took a cable car to the Schilthorn, a viewing platform and restaurant at 10k ft. We witnessed some incredible views of the Jungfrau range. There were small patches of snow on the ground, but it was quite warm in the sun. Had lunch in the revolving restaurant.
Came down to a valley bathed in sunshine. Rode to town of Grindelwald. Looks like an off-season ski town. Lots of paragliders in the sky.
Rode round Lake Brienz (to the east of Interlaken) back to the hotel.
View of the Junfrau from the hotel
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0453.jpg
Riding towards the mountains
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0463.jpg
The valley floor from the first of four cable cars
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0470.jpg
The Schilthorn from the fourth cable car
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0077.jpg
The Jungfrau range
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0078.jpg
North towards Lake Thun
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0486.jpg
My dad!
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0505.jpg
The valley bathed in sunlight
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0524.jpg
Grindelwald
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0531.jpg
29/08/11
3 Passes
We had been recommended this route by the owner of the hotel, as it had just reopened after a snowfall. It ended up being a 300km ride through 3 alpine passes (Grimsel, Furka & Sussten), up to a maximum of 8000 ft. We saw lots of bikes, lots of hairpins, perfect skies & perfect roads. All around were breathtaking views.
I took it fairly easy as it was my first time on alpine roads. There was evidence of lots of hydroelectric power & clear blue lakes.
Saw a long convoy of Swiss Army trucks (didn’t ask to see their penknives!).
As we rode over the final pass we went into cloud bank and got pretty cold.
Dad went off shopping and I carried on north. Found some sweeping roads, and rolling green countryside.
Lake Brienz
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0128.jpg
Top of the Grimselpasse
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0546.jpg
Other bikers stopped to take in the view
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0145.jpg
Small lake at the top of the pass (it was very cold!)
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0553.jpg
Preparing for the next bit of road
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0556.jpg
Swiss Army convoy
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0164.jpg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0165.jpg
Taking in the view
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0582.jpg
Suddenly, mist!
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0596.jpg
Rolling green hills
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0186.jpg
30/08/11
Interlaken to Black Forest
Left Interlaken and rode north through the Swiss countryside to avoid motorways. Crossed into Germany, the boarder guards seemed not at all bothered about passports or even stopping us.
We immediately got a taste of twisty Black Forest roads, and they were good! We were staying in the small town of Menzenschwand, at a hotel run by a British couple. It was a quiet place with a couple of other British couples staying there. They offered 1 euro beers, which we made the most of.
There were lots of restaurants to choose from for such a small town. We selected one closest to the hotel that the owners had taken the time to have the menu translated to English. We both had an excellent steak (something Germany does very well).
The Grunenberg Hotel
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0191.jpg
Menzenschwand
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0193.jpg
31/08/11
Rhine Falls & Constance (Konstanz)
Woke up to a cool, cloudy morning. Rode south to Schaffhausen and the Rhine Falls (largest plain waterfall in Europe). It was pretty hot by the time we got there. Had a walk around, took plenty of photos. I tried taking some fancy shots with long exposures and quickly realised you definitely need a tripod!
Rode east to Constance and walked around the city centre. By this time it was baking hot. Walked up a tight, spiral staircase in the cathedral tower. It was well worth it for the fantastic view over Lake Constance with Brigenz on other side, 45km away.
Back to the hotel, decided to try a different restaurant and had schnitzel this time. Continued the German theme of really good food.
Rhinefalls
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0641.jpg
Falls from the top
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0661.jpg
Fisheye shot of Constance Cathedral
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0245.jpg
Lake Constance from the top of the cathedral
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0255.jpg
An ‘interesting’ revolving statue, The Imperia, at the entrance to Constance harbour
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0676.jpg
Looks like there are lots of deer to hunt in the Black Forest
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/2011-08-30202123.jpg
01/09/11
Freiberg & more Black Forest
Rode to the city of Freiberg, again in cool conditions with even a little rain. Walked round city, found a market around the cathedral, which was being repaired in preparation for a visit from the Pope later in the month.
In almost every street there were small streams by side of road, like drains but much cleaner and completely open. You had to make sure not to step in them when wandering around.
On leaving the city we rode north and back into Black Forest. Made our way through twisty some great roads onto the famous biker road, the B500. It was full of fast, sweeping bends, however I decided I preferred the slower twisty smaller roads.
Tried another of the towns restaurants for dinner and we ate early as everybody else seemed to do. Back at the hotel we watched Moby Dick (with Patrick Stewart) and partook in some cheap beers.
On the way to Freiberg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0264.jpg
Freiberg Cathedral, with its ‘hat’ of scaffold
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0267.jpg
Freiberg Bachle (water filled runnels)
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0687.jpg
Freiberg old town
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0688.jpg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0275.jpg
View from Black Forest before heading onto B500
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0277.jpg
Stopping for a rest
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0352.jpg
02/09/11
St Blasien & Bad Sackingen
Again the day started cool, with wet roads. We had been advised to visit the nearest large town, St Blasien. They were having their annual, week long wood carving contest. Lots of participants from around world. At the start of the week they are given what amounts to a 6ft tree truck and given a theme, although in true artistic style, whether the end product relates to the theme is debatable. When we arrived the competition was near the end so we could tell what they were supposed to be.
The town was also littered with winning sculptures from previous years. We went into the dome church, and found it has a beautiful marble interior. I am not religious but you cannot help but feel some places deserve at least your respect, if not reverence. I bought a bottle of schnapps from a market outside (well I think it was schnapps!).
We took some twisty roads south, along the Rhine to Bad Sackingen. By now it had got even hotter. There didn’t appear to be much to see, some interesting buildings, another big church, and a very old wooden bridge across river to Switzerland.
Had lunch and then rode north on yet more twistys. By now we had covered most of the interesting roads south of hotel. They were in general pretty good roads but every now and then we came across some dodgy, shingly patching that made you pay attention.
St Blasien
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0288.jpg
Wood carving
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0290.jpg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0293.jpg
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0705.jpg
Domed church
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0302.jpg
Marble interior with painted ceiling
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0713.jpg
Covered wooden bridge at Bad Sackingen (longest covered wooden bridge in Europe, built in 16th century)
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0716.jpg
Interesting fountain and statues
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0719.jpg
St. Fridolinsmuenster
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/Dads%20pics/IMG_0720.jpg
Colourful street
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/SAM_0336.jpg
03/09/11
Black Forest to Nurburg
This day was a 450km hike up the autobahns. Pretty boring but it did mean I managed a fairly high speed (for me) run along with another tiger. I found that above a certain speed the wind caught the top box and made the steering get kind of ‘light’ so I backed off.
It was another hot day and I was glad to get to Nurburg. There were lots of bikes and cars around waiting to enter the Nurburgring.
We checked into our hotel and went to down to the entrance to the track and watch the exotic cars start and end their laps. We left when a crash closed the track for the evening. Ventured in the town for dinner and some beers.
04/09/11
Race Day
Walked up to the race circuit. The weather was ok but not as hot as the previous day. Got chatting to the people sat around us, including a British couple and a father and daughter from Australia.
As expected the racing was excellent. We managed to get on TV thanks the large Union Flag provided by the British couple.
Towards the end the rain really came down (thank got seats were under cover). The conditions ended up providing a British race winner which we very pleased with!
After the last race we looked round the shops and got some gifts.
Got back to hotel to find group of British lads had had a bad crash which left things on a sad note.
Our view of the start/finish straight
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/World%20SBK%20-%20Nurburgring/SAM_0366.jpg
The winner of one of the support races celebrating
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/World%20SBK%20-%20Nurburgring/SAM_0478.jpg
Down came the rain
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/World%20SBK%20-%20Nurburgring/SAM_0735.jpg
Brit Tom Sykes glad to finish the race and get dry!
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/World%20SBK%20-%20Nurburgring/SAM_0939.jpg
Fellow Brit, Johnny Rea, who had crashed and remounted to finished 4th
https://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx344/T_Deaks/Switzerland%20and%20Germany/World%20SBK%20-%20Nurburgring/SAM_0951.jpg
05/09/11
Home time
For our trip back we picked our way down country roads through into Belgium. Got back to Dunkirk for the ferry with plenty of time.
Ended up having to push my bike off the ferry as the alarm played up and I could not disarm the immobiliser (something to do with the ships radar apparently). Then it was home time!
As I said this trip has just made me want to go and explore as much of Europe as I can. I definitely want to do the Alps and German again but I am also making plans to see Italy, Spain, Scandinavia and anywhere else I can think of!
____________________
Suzuki SV650S '04 (09/08-02/11), Triumph Tiger 1050 '07 (02/11 - current).
Live to Ride. Ride to Feel Alive.
Last edited by Deaks on 23:45 - 29 Mar 2012; edited 1 time in total |
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| AL- |
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AL-
World Chat Champion
Joined: 17 Mar 2005
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Posted: 08:52 - 20 Jan 2012  Post subject: |
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Enjoyed reading that, look forward to more in the future 
Out of interest what sat nav was you using? |
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| Duke46 |
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Duke46
Two Stroke Sniffer
Joined: 03 Jan 2012
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| Deaks |
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Deaks
Traffic Copper
Joined: 16 May 2010
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| Posted: 10:38 - 20 Jan 2012 Post subject: |
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| AL- wrote: | Enjoyed reading that, look forward to more in the future
Out of interest what sat nav was you using? |
Cheers.
I've got a Garmin zumo 660. Expensive but really good. Use it to connect my phone, play mp3s, create routes at home, use it in my car. I think it is worth the money if your going to use it alot.
Duke - I liked the Grunenberg hotel. It was quiet (at most there was only ever about 5 other ppl there), the couple were really nice, its well siutuated for great roads. Its not the place for going out and getting s**tfaced as the town in general is far too quiet for that. But as a relaxed place its really nice.
As for the ship radar thing, i've a Datatool S4 alarm. I was told by one of the loading guys once that the radar could affect it and could i turn it off, which i couldnt. It used to affect my sv as well which had a datatool alarm. It only seems to happen at one end of the boat, the back i think.
The worse case is i wait til all the cars are off and push the bike off. It always work as soon as i get about 20/30m away.
____________________
Suzuki SV650S '04 (09/08-02/11), Triumph Tiger 1050 '07 (02/11 - current).
Live to Ride. Ride to Feel Alive. |
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