Alpineroads.com members meet in Livigno

[Ralf]

I know at least two posters here (Michael J and Global Rider aka Alex) also post on the alpineroads forum, an excellent source for traveling the Alps by motorcycle.

The first ever member meet was held in Livigno just now. I only managed to spend one evening there, but it was a great time.

Ultimately, I think once you've tasted the Alps, you keep coming back for more  

[Global Rider]

Ultimately, I think once you've tasted the Alps, you keep coming back for more  

Well Ralf, from the sequence of your pics, it looks like you came down through Landeck, turned off at Mals over the Ofenpass and took the tunnel to Livigno (just a guess). What a change when heading from one side of that tunnel to the other. The Livigno area looks like a moonscape, doesn't it?

Is the gas in Livigno still about half the going rate? In 2000, a liter went for 1370 Lire there, when outside of the toll free zone it was 2650 Lire. In 2002, a liter there went for €0.654. BTW, on one fill-up this year, I pumped in €43.10 while in Rovereto. WOW!

Who was all there? Are all the AlpineRoads riders English speaking out of the US and the UK?

[Ralf]

Well Ralf, from the sequence of your pics, it looks like you came down through Landeck, turned off at Mals over the Ofenpass and took the tunnel to Livigno (just a guess). What a change when heading from one side of that tunnel to the other. The Livigno area looks like a moonscape, doesn't it?

Is the gas in Livigno still about half the going rate? In 2000, a liter went for 1370 Lire there, when outside of the toll free zone it was 2650 Lire. In 2002, a liter there went for €0.654. BTW, on one fill-up this year, I pumped in €43.10 while in Rovereto. WOW!

Who was all there? Are all the AlpineRoads riders English speaking out of the US and the UK?

Alex, you certainly know your Alpine roads  . I took the Autobahn from Munich for Garmisch, then drove over the crowded Fernpaß to Imst. However, from Imst I rode to Arzl, Wenns, over the Pillarsattel, Kauns and Protz. This is a nice bit of road especially as the section Imst-Landeck tends to be pretty slow going.

Then, as you accurately pointed out, I went over the Reschenpaß, in Mals then over the Ofenpaß and through the tunnel into Livigno. I left work rather late so I wanted to make good time. Otherwise I would have taken the Stilfserjoch. Then Saturday, I had a fairly heavy hangover (oh those Finns), so I decided it was best not to ride the Stilfserjoch  

Gasoline in Livigno cost me 0.93 EUR Cents/liter, a good 40 EUR Cents cheaper than in Germany

Here's a shot of the tunnel into Livigno

[Ralf]

Alex, some of the key names from left to right:

Jan (Ludwig), a Finn  (forgot so many of the names ), Karza, another Finn, Mark, and Les (Fahr_Side)

[Global Rider]

I took the Autobahn from Munich for Garmisch, then drove over the crowded Fernpaß to Imst. However, from Imst I rode to Arzl, Wenns, over the Pillarsattel, Kauns and Protz. This is a nice bit of road especially as the section Imst-Landeck tends to be pretty slow going.

I know it well and have taken it a few times. I spent the night up in Serfaus on Monday June 25th. The next day, instead of taking the boring and packed Bundesstrasse (171) between Landeck and Imst (I only needed to take it once to know), I took the road you mentioned, but from Prutz to Arzl, then over the Hahntennjoch, up to Stanzach over Namlos, Berwang and Bichlbach (to Reutte), then back down to Weissenbach to take the Gaichtpass and the 310 to the A7.

Normally, I just continue onto Weissenbach and take the Gaichtpass, but this time I zig-zagged and remembered to take the road through Namlos. Well worth it.

I haven't taken the Fernpass is ages; too much traffic on it and not much of a pass road.

To bypass the 171 between  Innsbruck and Landeck, I take the road over the Kühtai Sattel and then the backroads from Sautens to Jerzens.

[Global Rider]

Alex, some of the key names from left to right:

Jan (Ludwig), a Finn  (forgot so many of the names ), Karza, another Finn, Mark, and Les (Fahr_Side)

Oh my God, Finns actually smiling, laughing...showing expression. Tell me it ain't so. They normally all look like Kimi Raikkonen...stone cold. Amazing what a few beers will do.  

One day I'll hook-up, but I'm usually on my way back by the beginning of July before the crowds start in Europe.

[Ant]

One day I'll hook, but I'm usually on my way back by the beginning of July before the crowds start in Europe.

Come over to Europe a lot then?

[Global Rider]

Come over to Europe a lot then?

Absolutely! Every year since 1995.

You Brits have it so good. I quick run down to the Euro tunnel and you're in the Alps in a long day.

[Ant]

Absolutely! Every year since 1995.

You Brits have it so good. I quick run down to the Euro tunnel and you're in the Alps in a long day.

That is good yeah... but then I'm always jealous of the wide range of different climates and scenery you can experience in North America. Deserts, mountains, green rolling hills etc. And depending where you ride you can avoid the rain quite nicely too. Not always possible in Europe!!
I think the grass is always greener on the other side (or at least as green)

[throttlemeister]

That is good yeah... but then I'm always jealous of the wide range of different climates and scenery you can experience in North America. Deserts, mountains, green rolling hills etc. And depending where you ride you can avoid the rain quite nicely too. Not always possible in Europe!!
I think the grass is always greener on the other side (or at least as green)

Deserts -> go to Spain
Mountains -> go to the Alps, Pyrinees, Scotland, Slovenia, Croatia, etc.
Green rolling hills -> Germany, central France, south of England, etc
Flat & boring -> Holland

You can do any type of terrain in Europe, and have any type of weather. And any combination. But if you are looking for mountain motorcycle fun, there is only one place in the world that cannot be beat imo and that's the Alps and Dolomites.

[Ant]

Deserts -> go to Spain
Mountains -> go to the Alps, Pyrinees, Scotland, Slovenia, Croatia, etc.
Green rolling hills -> Germany, central France, south of England, etc
Flat & boring -> Holland

You can do any type of terrain in Europe, and have any type of weather. And any combination. But if you are looking for mountain motorcycle fun, there is only one place in the world that cannot be beat imo and that's the Alps and Dolomites.

This is all very true... alright I admit it, I'm just thick and struggle with foreign languages!! I still travel of course, I just wish I could make myself understood a bit more!

[Global Rider]

That is good yeah... but then I'm always jealous of the wide range of different climates and scenery you can experience in North America. Deserts, mountains, green rolling hills etc. And depending where you ride you can avoid the rain quite nicely too. Not always possible in Europe!! I think the grass is always greener on the other side (or at least as green)

Yes, it is greener, a lot greener in Europe (it rains more)  . What I like about Europe is the quality of life. Where I live, we have a parkway as well as a bicycle path running along the river...for nothing but cars, inline skaters, bicycles and joggers. You'd think there would be numerous cafes and bars, places for people to gather and relax at. That would be asking too much. Along the Rhine, I'll be bicycling along and stop for a bite and a good beer. What a concept!

True, you can experience all that you stated in North America, but do you know how far you have to go to experience it? A day ride from home to Oshkosh for the EAA Convention is 1000 miles away and nothing has changed. That distance will get me from Germany to Portugal most likely and I'll have seen such varying landscape and cultures.

[FJR-UK]

... alright I admit it, I'm just thick and struggle with foreign languages!! I still travel of course, I just wish I could make myself understood a bit more!

We are very lucky that English is the de facto international language. Most people working in the tourism industry around the world will speak at least a little bit of English. However, I have found the hard way that motorcycle mechanics invariably speak only the local language.

Carry a phrase book and learn at least a couple of phrases. "Do you have" "I want" "Where is" you get my drift. I find that making an attempt always wins helpful replies (more often than not, in English) rather than just shouting English louder. The Berlitz series comes with a tape cassette so that you can hear the language as you read the book. Listen to the basics for a week or two before taking your trip. It tunes your ear and helps in understanding, too.

You're not thick, it just takes practice and a bit of patience.

[FJR-UK]

You Brits have it so good. I quick run down to the Euro tunnel and you're in the Alps in a long day.

The Chunnel is the best thing to happen to touring since the motorcycle. A great service.

Speaking of green, it has been raining for two weeks solid in London. Then, on Friday, the sun came out. The green hurt your eyes! We had the Tour de France, Wimbledon and the Live Earth concert over the weekend. Beautiful.

It's grey again and looking like rain.

[Global Rider]

It's grey again and looking like rain.

Little wonder you guys are buying up properties in the south of France and Spain (not to mention, who can afford anything is the UK). Everytime I blew through the UK on the bike...it rained.  

[FJR-UK]

Little wonder you guys are buying up properties in the south of France and Spain (not to mention, who can afford anything is the UK). Everytime I blew through the UK on the bike...it rained.  

You have to live here to get the good weather. It's even worse in Scotland. I know. I lived in Edinburgh for three years. But, when the sun did come out, it was glorious.

Ah, house prices. Stupid, stupid money. I don't know how first-time buyers can afford a place of their own here. On the other hand, my modest flat in south London is my pension.