Ride the Dolomites?

[Orson]

...and maybe someone like Orson to show us around, I think it'd be a blast!

don't follow me...cuz I usually don't know where I'm going....or when I get there I find out it wasn't where I thought I was going  

besides, I'm a spoil sport who insists the best biking roads are in the south of France  

but if you must do the Alps...Andermatt, Switzerland is popular cuz it's located smack dab in the middle of some of the best passes. The Dolomites are also a day's ride from there.

[sfarson]

...
but if you must do the Alps...Andermatt, Switzerland is popular cuz it's located smack dab in the middle of some of the best passes. The Dolomites are also a day's ride from there.

This advice is sound and was suggested to me by a friend in Italy.  Following business in Geneva rented a bike there, rode to the Andermatt area, and found a hotel to launch rides from in every direction.  It was a memorable trip including the day spent seeing and riding the Dolomites.  Report, images, and vids: http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=11890  Have done the same in other countries.  While seeing value with tour companies, have found the lower cost, flexibility, and adventure from doing it on your own more than attractive.  Last month it was here: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=240376

[throttlemeister]

I'd love to attend something like this, but there is no way I am going to pay 1800 euros for 5 days riding the Dolomites. See Global Rider's thread.

On the other hand, I am willing to step up and help organizing. I have been there lots of times (and going there again in September), know the good stuff and could make some very nice routes. I also know several nice hotels ranging from going cheap to 4-star accommodations, which in case of the latter would still give you a total price of less than half the quoted prices on CIMT.

Example: excellent 4-star hotel, deadsmack in the middle of the Dolomites rooms/suites (double) including breakfast and 4 course dinner with free garage for motorcycle parking and inside pool @ 140 euro/night. Which makes 70 euros per person. Times 5 + bike rental equals approx 1000 euro for rider (+350 for pillion if you have one). Only added cost is then gas and drinks, which you also have to pay with CIMT.

If you don't rent, cost would be the same as for a pillion: 350 euros + gas and drinks.

[Global Rider]

I also know several nice hotels ranging from going cheap to 4-star accommodations...

Example: excellent 4-star hotel, deadsmack in the middle of the Dolomites rooms/suites (double) including breakfast and 4 course dinner with free garage for motorcycle parking and inside pool @ 140 euro/night. Which makes 70 euros per person.

Links..info?  

[dm_gsxr]

I'd love to attend something like this, but there is no way I am going to pay 1800 euros for 5 days riding the Dolomites. See Global Rider's thread.

No way that's necessary. Since it's my first time looking into actually riding on a different continent (well other than the impromptu scooter ride in Greece), I was seeking information. Since I'm a computer type geek, I don't want to just post "hey what do you think" without at least a few options to prime the pump.

Sounds like it's working too.

On the other hand, I am willing to step up and help organizing. I have been there lots of times (and going there again in September), know the good stuff and could make some very nice routes. I also know several nice hotels ranging from going cheap to 4-star accommodations, which in case of the latter would still give you a total price of less than half the quoted prices on CIMT.

Example: excellent 4-star hotel, deadsmack in the middle of the Dolomites rooms/suites (double) including breakfast and 4 course dinner with free garage for motorcycle parking and inside pool @ 140 euro/night. Which makes 70 euros per person. Times 5 + bike rental equals approx 1000 euro for rider (+350 for pillion if you have one). Only added cost is then gas and drinks, which you also have to pay with CIMT.

Sounds great. Do you have more information such as the name of the hotel or a website? And some suggested routes that you've ridden?

If you don't rent, cost would be the same as for a pillion: 350 euros + gas and drinks.

Sorry, I don't understand this? If I don't rent a bike? What other options are there? I've heard of the home swapping vacations where folks get together and swap homes for a week.

Carl

[throttlemeister]

Well, since this is about a European meet, or at least on the European continent, I would expect some interest and participation of our European ST.N-ers. They will not need any renting.

One of my favorite hotel in the area: http://www.hotelevaldo.com/posizione_estate-e.htm
Hotel Evaldo, Arraba with about a dozen fun passes within a radius of like 30 mins riding.

[Ant]

Sorry, I don't understand this? If I don't rent a bike? What other options are there? I've heard of the home swapping vacations where folks get together and swap homes for a week.

Carl

I'm not sure about Italy but here in the UK the insurance issue would be the main problem with anyone loaning bikes around. I noticed on another thread here that in the US the bike is insured, not you, so if you loan the bike to someone they will be covered under your policy. Here it is you who are insured and not the bike. Anyone borrowing bikes rather than renting would also have to deal with the issue of insurance and I'm not sure how that'd work without a European driving license  

Oh and unfortunately I don't have any spare bikes even if we could figure something out... Sigh... oh to be rich  

[Global Rider]

Oh, I do think however that it makes more sense to organise it ourselves...

Absolutely! The minute you let anyone take charge other than yourself, the costs double.

I don't really know the area as such but I don't think you can go wrong really!

The Dolomites area is packed with accomodations and you could say that they are all motorcycle friendly; thats how they survive in the summer.

I've never booked anything but then, I tour solo. As for an organized meet where everyone wants to stay in the same place, then booking X rooms in advance is a must. I've stayed in Canazei, Corvara, Kiens and Agordo when I'm in that area.

This isn't rocket science. Accomodation info is all right here for starters...bottom of first thread:
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,180.0.html

The only problem then would be for you guys from the States would be renting bikes, I assume that organisation does just rental?

Easy! Find out where the rentals are. Bianco Blu in Milan comes to mind. You can get to Milan from the US directly, I believe. And from Milan to the Dolomites is an easy day ride with good roads enroute.

More rentals listed here:
http://www.bmwmoa.org/global/ToEurope.htm

The first thing you need is a head count and some kind of commitment, actually, you don't...everybody books their own bike...same goes for the accomodations, you just book them with one e-mail showing all persons names and credit card info.

Easy! And you don't even need a tour guide or tour suggestions. All roads in that area are good. Just buy a map before getting there.

[Global Rider]

I've been through the Dolomites twice so btdt. While western Austria/Northern Italy (referred to as South Tirol or Alto Adige) is nice, especially west of Bolzano, I think Switzerland and the French alps offer better riding and more scenic passes.

You mean east of Bolzano, where the highest concentration of passes are.

As for Switzerland and the French alps offering better riding and more scenic passes, thats a matter of opinion and many would disagree.

Mid to late June would be best. Not as hot as July/August and rates are a bit lower. I've never found a pass closed that time of year yet, at least not due to snow.

[Ant]

I don't think I've ever been quoted so many times in a post
All very valid points and exactly the way I travel myself, I've never travelled as part of a big group before so it is the group thing that I don't know what the best way of doing it is...

Your suggestion of all booking individually would work but the worry would be making sure that everyone involved booked around the same time to be sure we didn't end up with a situation of half of us booked and half can't get a room since they've run out of rooms. But then there is the issue of getting everyone's money together for a mass booking, how does it work for the National? Is one trusted person given the responsibility of handling everyone's money?

[throttlemeister]

Mid to late June would be best. Not as hot as July/August and rates are a bit lower. I've never found a pass closed that time of year yet, at least not due to snow.

That depends very much on where you want to go. The Dolomites passes are pretty much open almost year round, however if you go mid June the higher passes like Furka, Susten, Stelvio and most French passes are still closed. It is very rare that they are open that early. Last year, most passes didn't open until the first week of July.

From my experience best is late June or early September. Typically good weather everywhere in the Alps, nice temps and not crowded with tourists.

Also keep in mind, 20C down the valley means below freezing on top of the passes, so I personally prefer full summer down below to have bearable temps in summer gear on top.

[throttlemeister]

Your suggestion of all booking individually would work but the worry would be making sure that everyone involved booked around the same time to be sure we didn't end up with a situation of half of us booked and half can't get a room since they've run out of rooms. But then there is the issue of getting everyone's money together for a mass booking, how does it work for the National? Is one trusted person given the responsibility of handling everyone's money?

One person can book; most European hotels do not require advance payment to make reservations, but they will charge a no-show at full rate, unless you cancel your reservation well (a few weeks) in advance.

[dm_gsxr]

I don't think I've ever been quoted so many times in a post
All very valid points and exactly the way I travel myself, I've never travelled as part of a big group before so it is the group thing that I don't know what the best way of doing it is...

Your suggestion of all booking individually would work but the worry would be making sure that everyone involved booked around the same time to be sure we didn't end up with a situation of half of us booked and half can't get a room since they've run out of rooms. But then there is the issue of getting everyone's money together for a mass booking, how does it work for the National? Is one trusted person given the responsibility of handling everyone's money?

We have set locations and identify likely areas. We contact them and let them know we have a group coming and based on recent gatherings, they should expect 50 to 75 folks. The folks coming make their own arrangements since some like to camp, others will locate a cheap motel and others will stay at the "resort".

(see, quoted again ).

Carl

[Ant]

One person can book; most European hotels do not require advance payment to make reservations, but they will charge a no-show at full rate, unless you cancel your reservation well (a few weeks) in advance.

  I knew that... of course I knew that... I live here and travel in Europe regularly...
I need coffee  

[Global Rider]

That depends very much on where you want to go. The Dolomites passes are pretty much open almost year round, however if you go mid June the higher passes like Furka, Susten, Stelvio and most French passes are still closed. It is very rare that they are open that early. Last year, most passes didn't open until the first week of July.

Well I've been everywhere in the Alps during the month of June (for 13 straight years) and they've all been open...at least the ones I happen to cross. Maybe I just got lucky...although for that many years? And those that weren't open were closed due to heavy rain causing an earth slide.

Last year may have been an exception. They didn't have snow like that in 20 years. I was there last June...got through every pass I happen to drive over and since I'm not on-line while enroute, its not like I picked and chose.

I know I wouldn't stay beyond the middle of July. I already noticed an increase in traffic after the first week of July.

[greench440]

I did mean east. Penserjoch, Jaufenpass, Gavia, Stilfserjoch, Timmelsjoch, Umbrial.....

[Ant]

I did mean east.

I vote that greench doesn't navigate

[dm_gsxr]

I vote that greench doesn't navigate

All in favor?

*Aye*



Carl

[greench440]

AAAARRRGGGGHHH!!!!  That's why I use a GPS  

[Global Rider]

I did mean east. Penserjoch, Jaufenpass, Gavia, Stilfserjoch, Timmelsjoch, Umbrial.....

Yup, I can see I'll have to lend you my GPS (which by the way, I don't use for navigation).