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Swiss & Italian Alpine Tour 2010
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Tusky
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:30 am    Post subject: Swiss & Italian Alpine Tour 2010 Reply with quote

Swiss & Italian Alpine Tour 2010


Lauterbrunnen (based) Swiss Alps Tour


I am arranging for a small 'Private Group', of ex Swiss trippers and a few others, who have asked/nagged me to visit the Dolomites next year, however, I thought it would be rather nice and good fun, to run this trip in parellel with an 'Open Invitation' to Lauterbrunnen for forum members, this would mean you could stay in Lauterbrunnen and base your trips from there for a week, rather like we did in 2008. The Dolomite group would say goodbye after the first night and continue for an arduous and slighty more expensive week's touring into Italy and Austria. The hope is, that we would all go down to Lauterbrunnen together and return from there together, although this may be phased over two days on the way back to the Ferry/Tunnel.

The costs at Lauterbrunnen are pretty reasonable and the scenary is amazing, as you can see from the pics on the Swiss Trip 2008 Thread Link

Martin (Moriwaki) has confirmed that he is happy to stay at Lauterbrunnen for the week and act as Lauterbrunnen leader Mexican wave Big thanks to Martin for agreeing to do this 2 Thumbs up


Here we go..... happy biker


Saturday 21st August 2010

Meeting at ours, or Calais, if preferred and then getting the early ferry/tunnel and follow this route Four Elms – Vosges Map Link 446 miles Shocked

We will be staying at this funky place for the night Bubble Hotel Link


Sunday 22nd August

Travelling down to Lauterbrunnen taking in one of the Vorges region's best biking roads. [url=http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=88110+R%C3%A2on-l'Etape&daddr=N66+to:47.774406,7.130127+to:Route+de+Vendlincourt+to:Lauterbrunnen,+Interlaken,+Berne,+Switzerland&geocode=FQKe4gIdPmRoACkTDtQp0IyTRzEwdzeauV8KBA%3BFWBo2gIdgmJrAA%3B%3BFYDM0wIdaBFtAA%3BFYT7xgIdoqh4ACkrGkXACaCPRzHw9BhAiP8ABA&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=2&sz=11&via=1,2,3&sll=47.794707,7.058029&sspn=0.321052,0.862427&ie=UTF8&ll=47.580231,9.18457&spn=2.579038,6.899414&z=8]Vosges – Lauterbrunnen Map Link[/url] 186 miles

You will be staying in this chalet at Valley Hostel Lauterbrunnen Prices are pretty reasonable at £25 - £30 per night and cooking facilities are available. Please be aware that the first nights accommodation may be a bit mix and match due to numbers !!!


Monday 23rd August

The Dolomite Tour Group will split and head east in the morning and the Lauterbrunnen group will remain for a further 6-7 nights at the chalet until Sunday 29th or Monday 30th August (to be confirmed). That will leave plenty of time to explore the fabulous mountain passes found in the area.... here are some examples....


Suggested Day Tours from Lauterbrunnen

The Sorenberg Tour takes in some stunning scenery on the north side of Lake Thun before heading North and then East into the foothill farmsteads leading to Sorenberg and the modest 3396 ft Brunig Pass. This is a gentle run that is a nice change from the high mountain passes Sorenberg Tour Map Link 103 miiles

The Mont Blanc Tour is optional and may possibly involve an overnight stay due to the mileage Mont Blanc Tour Map Link 401 miles

The Simplon Pass and Locarno Tour is also optional and would be a long day it also involves putting the bikes on a train at Kandersteg for a trip under the mountain to the Sion Valley Simplon Pass and Locarno Map Link 261 miles

The Four Passes.... this is an absolute must, taking in the Grimsel (7103 ft), Nufunen (8130 ft) St Gotthard (6860 ft) and Furka Passes (7976 ft), using this route The Four Passes Map Link 157 miles

Forgetting motorbikes for a minute, there are some awesome places to visit and if you don't go up some of the mountain cable cars and trains, you are really missing out !!!


Sunday 29th / Monday 30th


Meeting up with the Dolomite group on the 29th August, probably at Chaumont in the evening or possibly at Lauterbrunnen / Interlaken midday for a bite to eat but only if the Dolomite Group fancy an extra 70 miles? (Sunday 29th) heading straight to Chaumont for those travelling back on the Bank Holiday Monday ferry/tunnel

Lauterbrunnen - Chaumont Map Link 248 miles

Ferry/Tunnel return to the UK (To be confirmed)

Total Mileage 2000 approx


The rules are simple.....

1) We go as a group but people are free to do their own thing.

2) The pace is pretty relaxed with occasional hoonage, especially when the road demands it. There will always be the facility for people to go faster or slower, if they require it but they would need to let me know, so that I can plan meeting points.

3) You must arrange your own insurance, recovery and hire-bike if needed. Repatriation is your problem, as there will be no support vehicle.

4) If you're interested, you will need to fully commit that you intend to come (no hokey cokey) and pay me a £150 non refundable deposit ASAP. You will also need to book your rooms at the the Bubble Hotel for one night on the 21st August and another night (29th or 30th to be decided), as they require the payment of a 50% at time of booking.

5) People need to be self reliant, I will arrange accommodation at Valley Hostel but booking tunnel/ferries, hotels and alternative routes are your problem. You will be told time and place.... the rest is down to you !!

6) We all try to keep costs down by cooking spaghetti bolognese and pizzas etc. at the Valley Hostel or any other accommodation that has cooking facilities but you have to do your fair share of helping out.


If you're interested in doing this trip, you will need to budget £75.00 per day for fuel, food and accommodation. If you're taking a pillion, then budget £120.00 per day for the pair.

I will do my best to find rooms that suit your requirements, this will be based on who confirms and stumps up their deposit money first but please remember that accommodation on the Lauterbrunnen nights of Sunday 22nd and Sunday 29th may need to be rather 'group friendly' Shocked especially if numbers are high Laughing You also need to be aware, that the Dolomite Group will not be adding their names on this list and arrangements have and are already being made.
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Last edited by Tusky on Wed Mar 31, 2010 3:14 pm; edited 2 times in total
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moriwaki
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 11:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some of the passes featured on this trip.

http://www.bikecam.ch/paesse/pass_susten.htm
http://www.bikecam.ch/paesse/pass_grimsel.htm

http://www.bikecam.ch/paesse/pass_furka.htm

http://www.bikecam.ch/paesse/pass_gotthard.htm

http://www.bikecam.ch/paesse/pass_nufenen.htm

Roll on August Cool
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Tusky
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Following on from Martin's post, here are some pics of those Mountain Passes .

Susten Pass



A dramatic ascent through a wooded valley opens up to give you a view of the Titlis mountains.



A tunnel framing an amazing vista of the Titlis mountains



Looking down on the glacier at 6000ft, you can ride up the farm track and then walk to the glacier.



Moriwaki with the glacier in the background..


The Furka Pass



At the top of the Furka Pass and enjoying the snow



Looking at the descent route and the road to the Grimsel Pass in the distance




Ooh er Misses! Hope the ice melts


Time for a map



Lauterbrunnen is south of Interlaken on the map and the five mountain passes of interest are in the area indicated with the big red arrow.

Grimsel Pass



This give some idea of what the switchbacks are like on the southern approach to the Grimsel.



Hitting the snow line, the road in the background runs up to the Furka Pass




It may have been late August but this was one days snow



Looking north from Grimsel



Heading north from the Grimsel the terrain changes completely and becomes quite surreal at times

Nufenen Pass



At 8130ft this is the highest Swiss Pass, only took one pic as I was in awe of the road on the way up


St Gottard Pass



After leaving Nufenen you head down towards Italy and then up the new St Gottard Pass.



This is viewing the old St Gottard Pass great fun if you like cobble roads !!!



Looking to the right, it carries on like this for miles. Awesome stuff but forget trying to get your knee down.

See what it's like on a satellite photo


Simplon Pass



Ride to Kandersteg and stick the bike on the train which goes under the mountains.



Coming out in the Sion Valley there are some great views of the back of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau.



Some of the villages can be a real step back in time



Cross the Sion Valley and head up the Simplon Pass and then descend on a spectacular road into Italy.



Valley Hostel Lauterbrunnen

Not too much of a shabby view to wake up to Very Happy


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PostPosted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 8:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think I could well be up for this, put me on the list please Smile
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

awesome, awesome, awesome!
Cool

I would love to be there. ST finances).
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 9:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am very interested, but cannot yet commit to anything...
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Def interested, looks bloody awsome.
But like lil mush can't commit fully just yet.
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have the week booked off work Smile . Just the small matter of finding the shekels now Confused
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Names noted and 'provisional places' are fine with me, just means you can't always guarantee the room you want Wink

Waki's deposit paid and room booked..... Shocked

Steph.... If you did go..... would you head straight there? It's 650 miles from Nancy to Lauterbrunnen, which is the same as it is from the UK....

Best get saving Duncan...... 2 Thumbs up
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

That's great Tusky, but I am in Nantes! Laughing
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lil Mush wrote:
That's great Tusky, but I am in Nantes! Laughing


Doh...... that's the place.... never did understand French Laughing

Still 650 miles Wink
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Will see if my big bro is interested in joining me Very Happy
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lil Mush wrote:
Will see if my big bro is interested in joining me Very Happy


Cool
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:23 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?

Opinions please!!

Confused
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 10:35 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

djSharky wrote:
I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?

Opinions please!!

Confused


All depends on how many miles you're used to doing on a regular basis.
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

wivvy's dad wrote:
djSharky wrote:
I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?

Opinions please!!

Confused


All depends on how many miles you're used to doing on a regular basis.


Lauterbrunnen is fine for newbies to touring, it is cheap accommodation and flexible..... That is why we have opened it to general forum...... Just the first day is big miles but a lot of that is on private Motorway, so it should not be too bad. In Lauterbrunnen you can pick your routes and where to visit, so it is ideally suited to first timers.

The Dolomites is different because the route there is not great, especially if you have vertigo and that is why it was primarily invite only and aimed for those that know they can handle the altitude and drops Laughing

You coming to the Dolomites then WD........ might take in a certain private Austrian road you've been itching to do Wink
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 12:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tusky wrote:
wivvy's dad wrote:
djSharky wrote:
I'm very much interested in this... Would you guys ay it is a good first tour or should i go for something with a bit less mileage first?

Opinions please!!

Confused


All depends on how many miles you're used to doing on a regular basis.


Lauterbrunnen is fine for newbies to touring, it is cheap accommodation and flexible..... That is why we have opened it to general forum...... Just the first day is big miles but a lot of that is on private Motorway, so it should not be too bad. In Lauterbrunnen you can pick your routes and where to visit, so it is ideally suited to first timers.

The Dolomites is different because the route there is not great, especially if you have vertigo and that is why it was primarily invite only and aimed for those that know they can handle the altitude and drops Laughing

You coming to the Dolomites then WD........ might take in a certain private Austrian road you've been itching to do Wink


I definately need to meet up with some of you guys and talk this through.. Try and work out a rough cumulative total price etc...
Other thing is being xmas and all that it's gonna be end of Jan before i can front up 150 notes.... Will that be a Problem?
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 6:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Late Jan/early Feb is not a problem for Valley Hostel (Lauterbrunen), they are pretty flexible but I feel guilty if I leave them hanging for 'maybe bookings' too long....

What I need by end of December is a pretty firm idea of who's in and who's not.

Only downside of late deposit is guaranteeing the Bubble Hotel in Vorges or room choice in Lauterbrunnen Wink
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 8:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also, when we went before in 2008, we had the Eurotunnel booked by the end of January. Just something else for peeps to consider.
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 12:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tusky wrote:
You coming to the Dolomites then WD........ might take in a certain private Austrian road you've been itching to do Wink


Don't have the finances unfortunately................................... Crying or Very sad
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 24, 2009 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Food for thought Cool ................
View at the top of the Nufenen Pass.

Grindelwald, which is just a short ride from Lauterbrunnen.

Cable car heading back down to Stechelburg. Shocked

The glacier on the Susten Pass.

...And even time for a break. Laughing

Have some tea and cake
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PostPosted: Mon Dec 28, 2009 1:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

moriwaki wrote:


Have some tea and cake


Git Laughing

Current position is that about 7-8 of us will be going on to do the Dolomites and accommodation is more or less sorted...

Waki's single room in Lauterbrunnen is booked Thumbs up

What I need to know now is who is seriously thinking of staying at Lauterbrunnen with Waki?

I currently have the whole week block booked but in fairness to the owners, I would want to let them know what rooms we will and wont be wanting ASAP......

This does not mean you have to cough up a deposit right now but it does mean you may lose choice of rooms or a place to stay, if you don't say so now Wink
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 29, 2009 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Reading up on the Klausen Pass which i missed out on last time Rolling Eyes , i found this site.
http://www.alpineroads.com/uri.php Cool
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 4:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Really can't wait to try out the Klausen Pass. Shocked
http://www.bikecam.ch/paesse/pass_klausen.htm
Kneedown
And, also, the lower Brunig Pass.
http://www.bikecam.ch/paesse/pass_bruenig.htm
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PostPosted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:08 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

moriwaki wrote:
Reading up on the Klausen Pass which i missed out on last time Rolling Eyes , i found this site.
http://www.alpineroads.com/uri.php Cool


Used that site for info on The Vosges - excellent source.
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