Daily reports were written by the fantastic Steve Sharp
DAY ONE
We had a bright and early start at Stop 24, where we met most of the team. The next 300km were a bit wet as we encountered a band of rain through France, but it didn’t dampen the beautiful scenery northern France had to offer. I thoroughly enjoyed it. We all arrived safely at the hotel in Reims, and after a great kick-off evening meal, we’re looking forward to the rest of the tour. One team member had a minor issue with their bike, but we’re optimistic that we’ll be back to full strength tomorrow at the stunning Baden-Baden.
DAY TWO
After an amazing breakfast, we left the safety of the Continental Hotel (a nod to the John Wick fans) and set off for Germany. Despite being surrounded by threatening rain clouds for much of the journey, I think we all managed to dodge them today. We experienced a mix of endless straights through France and a few minor twisties. We crossed the Rhine on the Drusenheim ferry — you have to see it to believe how fast it zips across the river. Dinner at the hotel was first class. Off to Füssen tomorrow.
DAY THREE
We left Baden-Baden after a splendid breakfast and went straight onto the famous B500 through the Black Forest. With one section undergoing maintenance we had an excuse to drop down to Oppenau on some excellent twisty mountain roads. It was a cool 12°C/54°F at the top of the mountains. We then rejoined the B500 and passed through the endless farmlands of southern Germany, with their distinctive smells (I’ll leave it at that). The skies brightened and warmed up. When the Alps appeared in the distance, with their snow-capped peaks, it was a breathtaking sight. We finished in Füssen on the Austrian border, with a wall of mountains in front of us.
DAY FOUR
Today, this tour really shone. The sun arrived, and the Alps delivered. We started out in the wide, sunny U-shaped glacial valleys of northern Austria, but before long, we began the climb towards the Italian Timmelsjoch Pass, following the white-water streams. We stopped at the Motorbike Museum for lunch and then continued up over the pass (2474m), which was absolutely packed with motorbikes and sports cars. The descent into the valley was incredible, with world-class views. The temperature climbed from 12°C/54°F at the top to 32°C/90°F in the valley. Our afternoon coffee stop was at the top of another 1500m pass, and we then headed to our hotel at 1700m, overlooking the Adige Valley, 1.5km below. The views were the best I’ve ever seen.
DAY FIVE
We had a later start this morning, as it was a shorter day’s ride. We left the hotel via the same crazy twisty road we came up last night, heading south over the Santa Giustina Dam and through the stunning Adamello Brenta Geopark. We descended into Riva del Garda on Lake Garda for some ice cream. It was very hot along the numerous tunnels of the lake-edge road down to the hotel in Toscolano Maderno, so we were all happy to be greeted by Erminio (the hotel owner) with a glass of Prosecco. A few of us had a swim in the pool and then decided we weren’t cold enough yet, so we went for a swim in Lake Garda itself. Invigorating!
DAY SIX
It was a Rideout day so we all did our own thing. A few visited Toscolano-Maderno (local town). Some went back to Riva del Garda to do a boat trip. A few others (including me) did the suggested rideout into the mountains to the west of Lake Garda to visit Lake Idro. I had lunch with Hugh at Limone Sul Garda (great place to stop) and then went up to the Santuario di Montecastello (monastery) high on a cliff above the Lake Garda. Finished off the day at a local Italian restaurant. Tomorrow I will be sad to leave Italy behind, but getting back on the high Alpine passes will make up for it!
DAY SEVEN
Today’s roads were a distilled version of the Alps’ greatest hits. With a lot of miles to cover, we had an early start. We zoomed west via Brescia and then north past Lake Iseo and Alto Sebino Park. Continuing north, we arrived at the legendary Stelvio Pass, where we stopped for lunch at the top. After lunch, we backtracked a couple of miles and crossed into Switzerland at the Umbrail Pass. Before we knew it, we were going over the Flüela Pass. We stopped at the top for a final coffee, and then enjoyed a final run of sweeping, fast twisties to our hotel in Flims. It was a day of pure biker’s heaven: breathtaking views and spectacular roads.
DAY EIGHT
Today was a day of high Swiss passes, and what a day it was. We tackled the Oberalp, Gotthard, Susten, Grimsel, Furka, Tremola, and finally the Nufenen. It’s impossible to capture the scale and spectacle of these roads in pictures or videos; you really need to experience them to understand. If I could get up tomorrow and do the whole thing again (but in reverse), I absolutely would. Tomorrow, we head back to France and the Vosges Mountains as we begin the journey home.
DAY NINE
Heading home today, we crossed back over the Grimsel Pass (with the incredible new dam), which was a fitting farewell to the high Alpine passes. We traveled north through towns, valleys, and more mountain passes. The Alps had a few encores as we made our way north to France. It was a hot day at lower altitudes (30°C/86°F) but cooler in the hills. Some of us had to contend with a monsoon-like rain just before arriving at our hotel in Remiremont, one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed at — I wish I had more time here. A blown tyre at the top of the Grimsel Pass caused some complications (to put it mildly), but it was sorted, and those involved (along with Richard) made it here just before midnight!
DAY TEN
We left the pleasant Vosges region and headed north through France into Belgium. We stopped for a light lunch in the city of Toul, then continued to the Douaumont Ossuary near Verdun. The surrounding area is a vast memorial forest, planted after the war, covering much of the battlefield. We also visited a nearby abandoned historic fort in the forest, which was fascinating. Finally, we arrived in Libramont-Chevigny for a farewell dinner. It has been an awesome tour with a great group from the UK, USA, and Australia, but now it’s time to go home.
DAY ELEVEN
We had a lovely day exploring Dubrovnik. The old town is in a league of its own – simply stunning. We sailed around islands, walked the fortifications, ascended by cable car, and even had a ride out to Montenegro, as if we hadn’t ticked off enough on this epic adventure. But we have to move on…
