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First Euro Tour for Mrs.Fizzer

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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 23:34 - 06 Oct 2016    Post subject: First Euro Tour for Mrs.Fizzer Reply with quote

The plan had been to ride the roads of Europe a few years ago,but things like our youngest daughter getting married got in the way.But 2016 proved to be the year to get away together,the first time since 1983 that we had spent time away together on a bike.

So the plan was to buy a bike,do it up and go touring around Europe,with the intention of meeting my brother-in-law somewhere along the way and end up back at his place in Germany for a few days.

Having bought the bike last year (2015),the intention had been to spend a few bob doing it up and then to buy the Chunnel tickets and to head south into the sun.But the bike proved to be unuseable until I had done some substantial work to it.The story of that is here

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=305318

So the date for our Chunnel crossing arrived and so at stupid o'clock on the morning of the 1st July we loaded up the bike with the Givi panniers and top box and headed for Folkestone.What we had not envisaged was the giant holdup even getting into the complex,let alone having to deal with the rain.But eventually we joined the queue to board the train

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/14224770_1381827161845128_4461051615819351320_n_zpspuphuey8.jpg~original
https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/14232522_1381827158511795_3611456319938401572_n_zpsxtiw1aew.jpg~original

Once on the train we could relax

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https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160701_101236_zpszyx1hpw6.jpg~original
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Last edited by Fizzer Thou on 18:48 - 24 Dec 2017; edited 3 times in total
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 21:33 - 11 Oct 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Riding off the Chunnel at Calais we headed straight for Belgium because at the time the Frogs were argueing about something and the country was in the grip of a fuel strike.But it rained pretty much most of the time and the smell hits you as soon as you cross the border.This is human excrement and is used fresh on the fields as fertiliser.Very pungeant Shocked

Having missed the turning for Namur we ended up in the King Leopold Tunnel under Brussels,which is effectively a giant underground roundabout with insufficient signage to help you decide which way is never the right way.Not easy to navigate as it is underground and no sat-nav would have been effective down there.That and there is insufficient ventilation,so the exhaust fumes soon start to give you a headache if you are not careful Thumbs Down Mad

Eventually we made our way out and headed south.Do not ask me how.I just took a chance and got onto a dual carriageway in the pouring rain.Luckily we found a 'Best Western' motel which was nearly empty and which was a very reasonable 62Euros,including breakfast.

(This was pretty much the norm for much of our trip,around the 65Euro for one night for two people,which was well within our budget).

The sun shone the next morning and after a filling breakfast we headed for Germany.Along the route that we intended we rode into Bastogne and searched out the museums.The one that was easiest to find was the 'Airborne Museum' and the most memorable part of the visit was sitting in the basement with the sound effects making it very uncomfortable for Mrs.Fizzer Shifty

For the second night we searched and searched for hotels and came across another 'Best Western' hotel in Aarlon.It was very comfortable and so it should have been for the money,which was almost double what we had paid on the first night.But we were tired and thirsty and hungry,so,what the hell.After several beers I did not care and the burger went down a treat after the Frau Gras Wasted

There was no underground car park but the reception people allowed me to park the bike where it could be watched over Thumbs Up

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160702_190252_zpsoyjtknhi.jpg~original

With the intention of riding the B500 from Baden-Baden towards the Swiss border (but not into),we rode on via the backroads using only a map,as I did not want to ride using a sat-nav.We had this facility on our mobile phones,but it seemed more adventurous to not use them.Beside,I do not like being told what to do and especially not by some electronic gadget Wink

At times the scenery was worth pulling over and taking some pictures Dance!

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After several hours we rode into Baden-Baden,found ourselves a nice hotel,got washed and scrubbed up and went out for a walk and to find ourselves somewhere to eat.Suitably refreshed I looked forward to riding the B500 Dance!

With the town being on the B500 it was quite easy to find the beginnings of the twisty road that soon twisted its way higher and higher.Some corners were similar to Ramsey Hairpin for those who have been to the Isle of Man and not to the Alps.Scenic photo opportunities abound and soon we stopped to take in the view Cool

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The B500 tracks along three parts,which are interconnected by other stretches of good tarmac which flowed very easily through towns and villages Very Happy

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Having eaten a hearty breakfast we did not stop until about mid-morning and took in the views while snacking in the warm sunshine

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The B500 was on my list of roads I wanted to ride,even though Mrs.Fizzer had her reservations about how I might attack it,knowing that I have my 'fun' moments on my R1.But I had assured her that the FJ is no sport bike,particularly when laden with heavy hard luggage and a passenger.I can always go back on the R1 should I feel the need Twisted Evil
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Last edited by Fizzer Thou on 18:52 - 24 Dec 2017; edited 1 time in total
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arry
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PostPosted: 18:48 - 21 Oct 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like a great trip - worthy of the amount of work that went into the bike!
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grr666
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PostPosted: 20:30 - 21 Oct 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Glad you had fun! I had a read of the build thread too. Blimey! Loads of work!!! I wish Mrs grr would tour although
to be fair I have now just bought something completely useless as a tourer & I'll be keeping it for a fair
old while. Or until it kills me, whatever comes first. Glad to see you and your lady having fun and having an adventure
though. We sort of tour but we do it by car, road trip style. Then the Mrs can carry the 8 metric tonnes of clothes
she insists on having along. Bike looks fab! Thumbs Up
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 23:22 - 21 Oct 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for the comments.I will post the next installment of our three week trip away when I get the opportunity Thumbs Up
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Casper
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PostPosted: 01:54 - 23 Oct 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Not long back from the black Forrest area and wanted to head north up the B500. Managed about 25 miles then sat nav had other ideas. What i seen looks bloody nice though. Smile
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alan29
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PostPosted: 11:23 - 24 Oct 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Travelling back had planned to do the B500. But the morning was foggy so changed my mind. But roadworks diverted us along it anyway!!!!!!
Saw nothing. Froze my nuts off.
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Snowdonia Rider
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PostPosted: 08:50 - 03 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice trip Thumbs Up

France having another fuel strike? Shocked Fark me how many do they need Laughing At least they're standing up for themselves I suppose.
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 00:26 - 07 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

For anyone who has ridden all three sections of the B500 heading south towards the Swiss border will know that Tienge is right on the border,but I did not want to ride into that country.Our aim was for Austria and into Italy via the Brenner Pass,so we rode along the Swiss border into Singen with a few worthwhile photo stops along the way Thumbs Up

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160705_123033_zpsaaolqn6w.jpg~original

But after diversions and traffic jams luckily we were on a bike and got to the front quite easily and so had a clear road ahead for 30 odd miles;the way ahead was quick roads with good tarmac.Having looked at the maps we decided to head for Singen as it was still bimbling along the edge of the Swiss border so we at least had the scenery of the Swiss Alps around us.
But Singen did not really want us as the hotels were jammed with people,even the Holiday Inn Shocked Luckily the receptionist gave us a map and a list of a few other hotels to try and we chanced upon a place that had secure parking and had an excellent menu.And a good stock of lager beer Wink Laughing

As Singen is right on Lake Konstanz it was worthwhile to ride around the coast road the next day and found a place to stop for a drink

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Even though it was early July even this place was jammed solid with campervans and big SUVs,so we did not stay for long and headed for the town of Fussen on the Austrian border,with Mrs.Fizzer really enjoying the scenery.The A and B roads were far more fun than motorways and we were in no hurry to get anywhere,so it was much more fun.It appeared to us that many European bikers preferred the route we were taking as well.At one time a Hyabusa overtook us along a particularly twisty section of road and was really going some in the bends,dragging his right knee and disappeared off.There was no way...and no way I was going to even begin to think about trying to keep up.Maybe if I had been on my R1 it would have been different.

Having entered Fussen we had no clue as to where to look for hotels as this place was busier than Singen had been.Luckily Mrs.Fizzer noticed a tourist information office so we parked up where other bikers were and walked in.They were really helpful in suggesting places to stay that had vacancies for around the 60 Euro cost for bed and breakfast and even phoned the B&B on our behalf once we had chosen one.With a supplied map in gloved hand we easily found the place and shortly after a wash and a brushup we walked into town,which was a mix of old and new.The old town had quite a few places being brought up to date with better facilities and a restaurant run by Croations who knew some English had a good menu and more beer.

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But Fussen was very touristy and crowded,so after eating we went walkabout and found an Irish bar selling some of the liquid gold for Mrs.Fizzer,while I had a few pints of the Kilkennys Thumbs Up Razz Thumbs Up

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Luckily we did not get lost getting back to our B&B,so long as we kept the mountains on our right

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/13566997_1329827967045048_7715074395080050764_n_zpswafolu4k.jpg~original

Next day it was head for Austria where you need a vignette for riding on their roads (they should do this in the UK for all those foreign vehicles)

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20161002_185316_zpsqnlvn4ql.jpg~original

Although we would not be very long in this country for very long I paid for a 15 day pass as I knew that we would be passing back through again within that time period.
The road from the border of Germany into Austria got twisty and mountainous very quickly and we followed the signs for Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass via the fast three lane A roads.The weather by this time was increasing in temperature the further south we rode and by Brenner we decided to stop for a coffee at the McDs right on the border,so as to use their wi-fi to let the kids know that we were okay and having fun

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160706_110846_zpsxakx59zn.jpg~original

The view while drinking coffee back into Austria was quite breathtaking

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/13567232_1329827560378422_7289256269527189674_n_zps3eyn6q75.jpg~original

But I passed the petrol stop just before the coffee break stop so we headed on along the Brenner Pass and into Italy where we stopped for a breather as it was getting hotter and hotter Sun Dance! Cool

Here we met a couple from Finland who were also touring on a Yamaha FJ1200,a bike in excellent condition but with over 120,000 kms showing.His partner was nice and chatty as well Laughing

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160706_124349_zpsjvxltilg.jpg~original

We left them to get on with their journey and headed further south,deciding to head for Bolzano as it was within a few hours more riding.But along the way Mrs.Fizzer indicated her need for the loo so I stopped where I could,which also happened to be an ideal picture opportunity Thumbs Up

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The mountains formed the perfect backdrop Dance!

Bolzano was quite a town and we stopped at various expensive hotels before giving up and headed out of town.But I found some signs that indicated some B&Bs,so headed for these instead.Maybe we were just lucky as the first one that we stopped at were very hospitable and before long we were shown our room,where we could enjoy their swimming pool,sit in their apple orchard and most importantly,where we could park the bike for the night Clapping

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We were told by the people at this B&B that there was a pizzaria within a short walk and by the time we reached there I was gasping for a beer before anything else.The view back towards the Alps was what I remembered from when I worked in Italy over 30 years ago

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/13731704_1341054215922423_2469852304669271485_n_zps5bihinmp.jpg~original

The beers arrived and Mrs.Fizzer got stuck in

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We knew that the next day was going to be a really hot one,so we prepared the night before to get on the road early

Sun Sun Sun
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Last edited by Fizzer Thou on 19:01 - 24 Dec 2017; edited 1 time in total
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Enduro Numpty
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PostPosted: 19:05 - 07 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great report, sounds very similar to the route we took a few years ago. Thumbs Up
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Polarbear
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PostPosted: 00:17 - 08 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

I now want another FJ1200. I have had 3 over the years, two white and red and on black one. I thought they were wonderful bikes, and if they had made a shaft drive version rather than the Divvy 900 I think they would have been an even better tourer.

My daughter sitting on one of mine sometime in the past. It's the only photo I can find of any of them. She's now 24 so that was taken a long time ago.

https://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f261/WhiteFurryBear/CJampFJ.jpg
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 18:53 - 27 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

So,after a hearty breakfast and loading up the bike,we set off in the direction of Trento and Bassano de Grappa.It was a hot one before we even got on the bike and the sky was cloudless.Ideal photo opportunity thought I,with the Alps in the background.Mrs Fizzer just could not help herself but to photo-bomb the picture

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160707_091432_zpsi1b1fkbt.jpg~original

So I had to take another without

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160707_091442-1_zpsp0gohbnz.jpg~original

Once on the road the intention had been to head for Padova via the A roads.Luckily the signposts were not too bad in this area and we soon got onto the S12 and then the S47 after Trento.The heat was soon so hot that it was not worth stopping as we would have melted very quickly.
With an easy 160 mile range if the fuel tank is topped right up when on centre-stand,then it was more a question of how soon our legs needed a stretch or we got numb bums.My section of the seat was okay,but Mrs.Fizzer reached both symptoms by the 120 mile point and we stopped in a roadside cafe that luckily had air-con,as well as an excellent buffet style setup.
Despite the dull sky,it reached 35c and as soon as we left the cafe we were over heating again.The further south we rode towards Padova,which was our destination,it got even hotter.In leather jeans and cordura jackets,we made full use of Camelbaks that I normally use during dirt bike rides.

Padova is a beautiful city and is very touristy.I worked there over 30 years ago but only got to see the inside of the hotel,an industrial unit and the train station.But while relaxing after work I sat outside of the hotel eating pizza,drinking beer and watching the world go by.At one point I watched a group of bikers approach and stop at a roundabout by the hotel so as to discuss which way to go next.They did not seem to have a care in the world and I liked that idea.This picture had been on my mind since that time.Since then we have had two children and now we were living that dream.

But Padova is a big place with busy streets and as I had no maps of the city I was riding around in 35 degree heat looking for that hotel that I had stayed in all that time ago.We did find parts of the ramparts that I remember being close to the hotel,but we did not come across that location.So we found an ideal place for the night called the 'Hotel B&B' near the station that also had free underground secure parking,which was ideal for 68 Euros including breakfast and a room with excellent air-conditioning.
After a wash and a brushup we headed for the city armed with a marked up map of the place that we got from the reception with possible locations of the hotel from 30 years ago circled.Despite the heat,the breeze cooled us sufficiently to make it comfortable.
Heading for the suggested part of the city that I hoped would be where I stayed years ago,we found lots of places of interest.But I was dead set on finding the place that I had described to Mrs.Fizzer and to the receptionist.We did find a hotel which was similar to my explanation,but it was not the correct place.So we discussed our options of either walking around the whole city.....or heading for beer and food.The latter seemed more important and,despite feeling a little bit disappointed at not finding the reason for coming here,at least I had fulfilled a promise to myself to return.

After a hearty meal of food and drink....and more beer,we got back to the hotel and relaxed in the coolness of our room.If anyone ever rides to Padova,head for this place.Recommended.

Breakfast over we loaded up,refilled the tank and tried to find the R11 out of the city towards Vicenza and Verona.Well that was the intention.We just went round in circles as signs pointing us in the right direction took us in the wrong direction.This happened to me two years ago in France and my inbuilt navigation system told me that we were going in the wrong direction.This sixth sense would kick in quite a few times during our three weeks away Thinking

Eventually we found the correct route and were soon barrelling along towards Verona and Lake Garda.I had also worked at Verona,but it held no good memories as my second child was just about to be born and the last thing that I wanted was to be abroad during this time.So,despite Verona being quite attractive,the adventure was to go to new places that neither of us had been to previously.

Once at Garda,a small town on the east coast of the lake,we stopped for cold drinks and food.With the heat of the day,we had our fill before riding around the coast road.This sounds good,but the speed limit was mostly 30 and 40 kph,which,if the roads were empty,would have been ideal so that we could take in the view of the lake.The shore sloped down into the water in many places,where boats of all shapes and sizes bobbed at their moorings.

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When the heat got too much we stopped in the shade,if only just to attempt to cool down.Luckily there was a breeze and it was easier to take in the mountains around the lake.Breathtaking Sun Dance!

But the hotels that we enquired at had no vacancies,so we rode on around the lake.After following the R249 up the east side,we joined onto the S45 at Riva del Garda and rode through cool tunnels with intermittant views across the lake and the east shoreline through holes cut into the walls of the tunnel.Eventually we rode into Gardone Rivera,but there was nowhere to stop,even for a motorbike.Reaching Salo we rode through a car park and stopped within a few yards of the lake edge.We could not have picked a better place Sun Cool

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After more sustenance we headed for Brescia.It must have been a big holiday weekend the 9th and 10th of July as the road heading north-east from Brescia towards the lake was jammed.At that time of the day it was still really hot as we cruised along at a calm 60 kph.

As we got into Brescia at the end of a long day,we hunted for a hotel or somewhere worthwhile to stay.But the place appeared to be very industrial and commercial,with little or no evidence of tourism.So we were lucky to come across a 4* Marriott Hotel that looked far outside of our budget.We took a chance and enquired as to the cost for a room for the night and were surprised and very pleased when they said 65 Euros for the night.Secure parking was an extra 12 Euros,but I prefer that than to take a chance.
Our preferance for a beer after a long days riding took us downstairs to the bar....which did not exist.Beer was available,but at 9 Euros for a large bottle and 7E for a smaller one,we only had the one each while I perused the map for the next days route.As this hotel was in the middle of nowhere in the town,we did not really feel up to wandering around the place looking for somewhere to eat and drink.So we decided to head for the substantial double bed early Wink Thumbs Up Dance!

https://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/w384/Rhencullen5/Europe%20Tour%202016/20160708_183901_zpsh289ztgu.jpg~original

As breakfast was an extra 25 Euros,we were out of the place by 0900 and heading for the P237 north-east out of the place.As it was a Saturday the supermarkets out of town were busy and as there was a cafe next door we had coffee and tastey baguettes Very Happy
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Last edited by Fizzer Thou on 19:09 - 24 Dec 2017; edited 1 time in total
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 22:07 - 27 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mrs.Fizzer had her reservations about this road,the P237,as the southern end showed on the map to be quite twisty,which I revel in.But being two up on a heavily laden touring bike is not the best tool for barrelling around at sportsbike speeds.But what a fantastic area the Val de Chiese is.The P237 road is virtually empty,except for some agricultural and local traffic amongst the light tourist stuff.
A suitable stop at Lake Idro after a breathtaking and spirited ride through the twisties Very Happy

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The shade was welcomed at this place,but as the sun moved further around we soon overheated and we agreed that it would be better to ride on than bake where we were.
About 20 km further along this P road we came across a tourist information centre.The young lad here spoke really good English and he was able to show us worthwhile places to stay within the valley.He was good enough to phone the selected hotel that we liked and after a relaxing 30 minutes sitting in the shade we made our way to the Alpine hotel

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We found the hotel on the southern approach to Roncone and after dropping off the panniers and other unnecessary stuff from the top box we headed twisty road shown on the map as the Val di Daone.This steep and twisty cul-de-sac road was to take us to a large hydro-electric reservoir and Mrs.Fizzer was very glad that it was the end of the road

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The mountains in the background seemed to go up and up forever Cool

We had passed quite a few views on the way up and so I made a point of stopping on the way back down


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If you look closely at the bottom left of the last picture,just in front of the bike,you can see a person at the edge of the waterfall lake.This should give you some sort of idea of the size of the waterfall Exclamation Wink

Mrs.Fizzer was glad to get back to the hotel so as to relax with a beer or three.It was quite a road and I had great fun.But as Mrs.Fizzer also has a full bike licence I know that she would prefer to be on her own bike.Being a passenger,as good as she is,it is not the same.I doubt that I would enjoy being a pillion rider after 41 years of being at the front Shocked

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel,where we decided to stay for two nights,a route further up the P237 and the S239 towards Madonna di Campiglio was chosen as it is a known touristy high spot in the highest part of the mountains.This road was a lot wider than the one up to the reservoir the day before,but even so,Mrs Fizzer was still having her reservations about things.A quiet layby with a view seemed the ideal place to sit and relax in the sun Cool Sun Thumbs Up

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As this was as far as Mrs.Fizzer wanted to go,we returned to Roncone and,looking out of the front of the hotel,we could see storm clouds approaching

After being on the bike every day so far,we chose to go walkabout in the afternoon and we walked back up the valley after the rain storm to the Lago di Roncone

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To further build up an appetite and an even bigger thirst,we walked around the shoreline of the lake,back to an open air guitar band concert where we sat and supped a beer or four
Dance! Wasted But as there was no food to be had at this bar,we managed to find a suitable place to eat that was not too busy for a Sunday evening.But it soon got busier once we had ordered.It made for an ideal end to a good weekend Thumbs Up

We had arranged to meet Mrs.Fizzers brother somewhere around the Brenner area and as I had only bought a 15 day vignette,it seemed ideal to head in a generally north-east direction so that we could get to this meeting point at some time over the next few days.
On the map,Cortina in the Dolomite Alps seemed like a good place to head for the next day.But the map does not do much to show just how twisty and mountainous the road was going to get....far more twisty than expected Shocked

So once again we rode north-east,but this time towards Trento so as to pick up the main 'A' road,the S12 back towards Bolzano,before turning off along the S48.
But before we got to Trento we found an ideal picture opportunity

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The scenery was/is breathtaking Shocked and it was a shame to have to move on.

Before we turned off the S12 onto the S48 we stopped off at a roadside cafe for drinks and a light snack.In the heat of the mid-day sun it was the same decision as the couple from Scotland that we got chatting to.Their new ZZR1400 had a far greater load than our FJ1200 as they were camping.It was quite a climb on board for the diminutive passenger and it was a good thing that she was as there was not much room Shocked They asked about our route and they said that they were heading into Austria and Innsbruck.Whether their bike would handle the Dolomite twisties any better than our bike,I would not wager Thinking

But the road got more and more twisty and mountainous and very soon Mrs.Fizzer needed some fortification.So we stopped at a place with an ideal view once again

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Although Cortina was our intended destination,the weather very soon dictated otherwise.The storm clouds followed us up the pass road towards the crest

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Once the rain caught up with us we could only go so far.Although I was up for bashing on,Mrs Fizzer had got to the point of not wanting to go any further.As it happened,an ideal hotel appeared out of the mist of the woods and despite its rustic appearance,we could not have got much further without a soaking as it deluged down not long after getting to our room

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This was the view of the main hotel from our window in the annex Thumbs Up

It had good value for money food and cold beer so was ideal Clapping What happened the next day was a bit difficult to fathom as there was no internet in the rooms.But I did not care.It had to be better than what we had just ridden through Rolling Eyes
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Last edited by Fizzer Thou on 19:47 - 24 Dec 2017; edited 1 time in total
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Mawsley
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PostPosted: 08:03 - 28 Nov 2016    Post subject: Reply with quote

One of the all time greatest motorbikes right there. Huge love for the FJ, nice pics Smile
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 18:50 - 09 Jan 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Having spent the night in the hotel in the hills,the next morning brought us dry roads and sunshine.Maybe....just maybe,if it had been the same weather the day before,then we may well have made it to Cortina,which had been my original destination.

Looking up the way we were due to ride once we had eaten breakfast,we were taken in by the way the road meandered

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This next picture is borrowed from the net,but it gives an idea of the route that we were going to take

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So up and over towards the top,with Mrs.Fizzer daring not to look over the the right as we wound our way up.Without a barrier near the tunnel entrance,it was an easy 500 foot drop down the side of the mountain.Easy in the dry,but a bit slippery in the wet if we had continued on our way the day before.
Once over the top of the crest of the Pass,we wound our way back down the other side towards Cortina.This famous skiing town would normally be packed during the Winter season,but on this day it was less than busy.
Once we were on the S51 riding towards Dobbiaco/Toblach,the roads levelled out and just twisted and turned.This was much better for Mrs.Fizzer and she began to enjoy the ride again

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Having got to the 'T' junction at Dobbiaco and the S49,we headed for the S12 and Brenner,where we were due to meet Mrs.Fizzers brother at the border crossing.We did encounter a serious landslide along the S49,but the traffic jam was easily passed by on the bike.Not long after we got by the landslip area,we got onto the old mountain pass 'A' road and,after a stop when the rain turned into a deluge,we got into Brenner itself.
My brother-in-law was nowhere to be found and so all we could do was to sit and wait,knowing that he had to come from somewhere near Innsbruck.But as he was not answering his phone or replying to our text messages,all we could do was to wait.....and wait

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Luckily there was a bikers rest area of the petrol station where we stopped right on the border,so we drank coffee and ate pizza while chatting to many of the English speaking bikers that passed through during our enforced stay.
After about three hours,my brother-in-law appeared and after another round of coffees we set off for Innsbruck and hopefully a better quality place to stay for the night.But,because of the rain,we did not try to push on too far after Innsbruck.I wanted to take the road into the southern Tirol so once a local tourist information office was consulted on ideal B&Bs in the area,we only had to double back on ourselves about 100 yards and there was our B&B.Much food and beer was consumed.

The next morning was much the same weather as we had encountered the day before,with a low cloud base

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Once into Germany and heading in the Augsberg direction,the weather dried out and although we had eaten a hearty breakfast,the call of a strong coffee was enough to make us stop along the way

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With my brother-in-law leading the way back towards his place in the Black Forest....and he prefers to use a sat-nav,we utilised some fast dual carriageway roads,despite quite a severe crosswind.
The good thing about many German arterial routes are the regular stop off/rest areas,that have abundant parking areas and toilets

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There was no way that we were going to be able to make it towards Frankfurt in one day from Innsbruck and enjoy the ride,so we aimed for a small village called Bopfingen,which is east of Stuttgart.Along the way I recognised a few places that I had passed by eleven years previously on the way back from Tuscanny to visit my brother-in-law.
The town was okay but there were few places to stay and once around the town we almost gave up and contemplated moving on elsewhere.But just as we were about to go we spotted a place and my German speaking riding partner talked our way in just as the people behind the desk were about to shut shop for the day.
We were soon brushed up and on our way to eat,drink and get merry once again Dance! Wasted

Unfortunately it was raining with a vengeance the next morning,something I prefer not to have to ride in when leaving cosey accommodation Thinking

Luckily the rain did not last too much longer,the more we headed towards Frankfurt.The route that we rode soon dried out and so we went via the twisty roads instead of the faster dual-carriageways.This was a lot more fun than the roads around the Alps as there were far fewer switchbacks.By the time we got to my brother-in-laws place near Erbach,the sun was out,the beer was cold and the world was good

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I could not have picked a better place to stay in the Black Forest for a few days.Little if any traffic,good company,no need to have to get on the bike and the ideal environment to just kick back and relax in the sun

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But I wanted to do an oil and filter change,so Patrick and I rode into Darmstadt,where they have a few bike shops similar to the hein Gericke shops we used to have in the UK,where we picked up what was needed,as well as a few extra items that I have not seen in the UK before.Meanwhile,Mrs.Fizzer went off to go girly shopping more locally,together with Maya

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But I was far too used to getting out on the bike everyday for the last two weeks and so I suggested that we get out on the bikes together.All four of us headed out into the sunshine

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We rode into Erbach via the twisties and soon worked up an appetite and a great thirst after finding somewhere to park alongside the river

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All too soon it was time to leave for the ride towards home.I had looked at the maps and decided on a route west towards the French border at Saarlouis.We bade our farewells and did not look back,promising to soon return to the idyllic setting that we were leaving.

Our train was booked for Thursday the 20th July and so we had plenty of time for the several hundred miles back to Calais.We decided to book a hotel near to Calais and,having stayed in Le Touquet two year previously on the way back from a foreign tour,we looked about for somewhere nice to stay.With the holiday season in full swing in France,the cheaper places in Le Touquet were booked solid.Montruil is not that far from the coast and I reasoned that it should not take too long on Thursday morning to ride the short distance to the train terminal.
Along the road once in France from Germany,we passed numerous Imperial War Graves Commission signs that pointed off track.One cemetary was right by the side of the road and despite the light rain shower,it was good to stop and to pay our respects to the many fallen buried at this place of rest

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We were diverted from the road near Sedan and found a small French hotel that,by the time we got there,I was in agony from a previous injury sustained while greenlaning and hitting a tree rather badly.After changing,all I wanted to do was to sit in the garden and drink several beers....and then a few more.It was hot and I was uncomfortable.What better way to relax Wasted Dance!

Next morning we headed for Montruil.The hotel we booked there looked ideal and was called 'The Ramparts'.I knew that the town had fortified walls around the main town,so it was relatively easy to find the place once we rolled into town.But we were far too early for the place to be open,so we just sat back....and had a beer or three in the sun.

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But the bed was far too small,the room was cramped and airless,despite the window being prised open as far as we could.
The next day we were up early and decided to eat breakfast along the way towards Calais via Boulogne,Sangatte and the twisty coast road Dance!
The train service was boringly efficient,we got back to the UK and the crowded roads in no time at all,and.having stopped off at the Oakdean cafe for a cuppa and a sausage sarnie,we popped by to see Gavin,Jo and Dave having fun in the sun at a Brands Hatch trackday.

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And home at last,3000 miles or so after setting off.Great adventure.

After a day of being at home we wanted to just get on the bike and do it all again....via a different route Very Happy Thumbs Up
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Last edited by Fizzer Thou on 20:06 - 24 Dec 2017; edited 2 times in total
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 19:13 - 24 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Pictures updated Thumbs Up Wink
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raesewell
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PostPosted: 19:36 - 24 Dec 2017    Post subject: Reply with quote

Photobucket has a lot to answer for!
I now use imgbb.com
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JonnyFoxtrot
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PostPosted: 18:05 - 07 Mar 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Bit late to the party but indulged myself while at work for the last hour! Great write up Fizzer! Inspired me to drag the missus along a similar route at some point.

I love that you didn't need to book many hotels in advance either. I'd not enjoy having to rush around to each pre chosen destination and much prefer to leave the day open to just stopping wherever we wanted and staying at wherever looked nice!

Would you recommend July as a good time to go then?
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Fizzer Thou
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PostPosted: 17:33 - 08 Mar 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

We found that July was an ideal time as the weather was 99% sunny,the kids were at school in most places and the main holiday period in Italy is not until later in the year.

Last year we used booking.com to prebook our hotels when we knew that we were aiming for a particular town and were not too sure what time we would arrive.When we were wanting to stay in Le Puy-en-Velay I knew the hotel which I have stayed in on several occasions so booked direct,which worked out cheaper than going via the other website Thumbs Up Cool
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ocatoro
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PostPosted: 19:51 - 08 Mar 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice work man. Looks like you had a ball
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PostPosted: 22:40 - 08 Mar 2018    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great write up fizzer thou, looks like you had a great time and no misshapes what more could you ask for Very Happy
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