This year marked the 100th anniversary of Il Gyro d'Italia so, I thought it would be neat to catch the Stelvio stage of Il Gyro. Headed north out of Parma on my faithful Guzzi to our first night's stay on the shores of Lake Garda
Lago d'Idrio
I had arrived while the Mille Miglia was being run. I knew sumthin was up as, I kept seeing whole slews of classic cars. These blokes were heading back to the UK in their Ferraris
Castle whose name I forgot
The Stelvio Pass had just opened the day I had arrived and Gyro fans were already staking a claim
I got a hotel room at the foot of the Umbrail Pass. My plan was to head up the Umbrail Pass to where it joins the Stelvio Pass and watch the riders go up the Stevio and then, watch them again as they looped around and climbed the Umbrail Pass. The next morning was a beautiful sunny day. I bought some sausage and cheese for lunch then, headed up the Umbrail. About halfway up, the police stopped me and said no more motor vehicles. Curses!
In actuality, It wasn't too bad a viewing area as you could see them coming for quite some distance before they took a hairpin corner. I passed the time talking to a nice Dutch fellow riding a BMW GS
Amateur riders head up as far as they can before the race caravan overtakes them
The breakaway group arrives
The main pack takes the hairpin. This gives an idea of 14% gradient
After the race caravan passed the roads were open to all comers. Racing a thousand bicycles down hill
Swiss views
Sitting forlorn and perhaps forgotten
From the Stelvio Pass, I headed west across Switzerland hoping to catch the Furka Pass out of Andermat but, my plans were dashed against the rocks as the Pass was still closed from the winter snows! Argh! This forced me to take a slightly tamer route towards Lake Geneva then on into France to the Dijon Prenois race track for the Coupes Moto Legendes classic bike meet. For those unfamiliar with the venue, this was the location for the epic, final lap battle for second place between Gilles Villeneuve and Rene Arnoux. Google it.
I spotted my first Voxan in the parking lot
A pristine Kawasaki Z1
Mash motorcycles are supposedly built in China by a French company. I must commend them for getting the details right. Snub tail section. nice cafe fairing, mirrors on the bars.
The French love their endurance racing
A tasty Honda 6
Gratuitous Guzzi picture
Motobecane 500 two smoke
No idea what this is. I think it uses a Citroen engine
Almost 40 years later, they still remember the '79 tussle
From Dijon, I head southwest deeper into the Massif Central to another classic race track. The Wikipedia page describes the five mile long Charade Circuit as a twistier and faster version of the Nurburgring. Its sinuous layout was said to separate the men from the boys. Today, the race track has been shortened and converted into a dedicated track although, parts of the original layout are still being used as public roads. Think about what it would be like if Highway 1 to Leggett looped back into itself and you get an idea what the track must have been like. Throw in 1970s Formula 1 cars and it must have been mind blowing
The Gravenoire curve was the fastest corner on the racetrack.
I turn back towards Italy enjoying the fast, flowing roads of southern France...sport touring at its finest. I love stopping to eat at nondescript places that seldom see any tourists.
Verdon Gorge
I stayed the night at Moustieres-Sainte Marie. The hotel had a fantastic restaurant which meant that it would be rude not to partake in some good grub. Moustieres-Sainte Marie at dusk
I return to Italy via the Pass della Maddalena and pass thru the picturesque Piemonte region before arriving safely in Parma
Trip Statistics:
Travel Days:15
Rest Days:2
Mileage: 3,000 km
Countries: 3
Gendarmes Encounters: 2
Calories Consumed: 10,000,000
