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| View, what view? |
For a change the weather forecast was spot-on, it pretty much started dripping when we were all geared up and ready to ride, and there was little to no chance to avoid getting wet and grimy on that day. But this is how it goes sometimes, it is part of the whole motorcycle experience, and you better deal with it.
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| Non-vista of the Rhone valley |
Due to heavy snow falls the passes were still in winter closure, and the originally planned route had to be diverted, leading us through valleys and tunnels instead of mountain peaks. But negotiating hairpin turns in foul weather is not for the faint of heart anyway, so I guess all of us were happy to meander through the valleys instead.
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| Not sure where I am. Can't see a thing! |
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| Oh wait, we are actually in the Alps. |
Crossing Switzerland was pretty much a blur, only interrupted by occasional coffee breaks, and food stops. I am sure that we must have come across the most beautiful scenery of the various Swiss lakes and mountains. Gary presented us pictures from one of his previous trip to show us what we obviously missed out this time, oh well... ;-)
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| A room with a nice view (still raining though) |
As if to compensate for the bad weather, Gary had made reservations at a pretty decent four star Spa Hotel in Chamonix, a ski resort located in the French Alpes, overshadowed by the mighty Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alpes. There, our sore and wet bodies were appropriately treated, while our spirits got restored with drinks at the bar, and a rich dinner, mostly consisting of cheese related stuff such as fondue and raclette. So in the end, all was well with the world.
May 5th, 2015
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| Fondue |
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| Chamonix |
***
Schlechtwetterbericht - Teil Zwei der Reise zum HD Euro Festival
Leider stimmte der Wetterbericht bis ins Detail. Es fing an zu tröpfeln, als wir uns für den Tagesritt fertig machten und regnete so ziemlich den ganzen Tag über. Aber auch das ist Teil der Motorradreise-Erfahrung und man sollte sich an so etwas besser gewöhnen oder das Touren gleich sein lassen... die Pässe waren wegen Schneefall immer noch geschlossen und so musste Gary die ursprüngliche Route umplanen. Das war aber auch gut so, denn wer will schon Haarnadelkurven im Nebel fahren. Leider gab es wetterbedingt nicht viele Eindrücke von der Schweiz, aber Gary zeigte uns Fotos von seiner Tour vom Vorjahr bei schönstem Sonnenschein... damit wir wussten, was wir gerade vor uns haben sollten... Prima!
Passend zum Wetter hatte er genau das richtige Hotel ausgesucht, ein Spa Resort in Chamonix, in dem wir Körper und Seele wieder restaurieren (lassen) konnten. Die Bar und das spätere Abendessen (die meisten wählten Käsefondue oder Raclette) sorgten dann für das innere Wohlbefinden und so endete dieser Tag trotz Regen für alle sehr zufrieden stellend.
The bike in front of the group photo doesn't look very Harley-ish. Even with the fog and the rain, it looks like a great trip. The nice resort in the French Alps probably does help...
ReplyDeleteWell spotted, Richard! This was our support vehicle, a KTM, carrying spare fuel, tools and all spare parts needed to keep the Harleys rolling ;-)
DeleteWait... You had a KTM along as a support vehicle? Shame.
DeleteJust kidding, the KTM seemed to need more attention that the Harleys...
DeleteChamonix, fondue, and "adventure weather". Looks all good to me!
ReplyDeleteIt had all the right ingredients, Martha. And weather comes as it wants.
DeleteIt was a real pleasure riding with you Sonja. I really enjoy your company and you are a good safe rider. Yes, the weather wasn't great for a few days, but it is the good company and riding that makes the trip.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gary. Same here. We had a great team of likewise spirited people. And I don't mind the weather as long as everybody is safe. I didn't mind that the rain stopped eventually, though ;-)
DeleteDas ist auch eines dieser Mysterien. Der Wetterbericht stimmt bei Schlechtwetter immer aufs Haar. Aber jemanden, der vor den schönsten Ausblicken Bilder zeigt, was man dort eigentlich hätte sehen müssen, den hätte ich im Schwarzwald auch gebrauchen können....
ReplyDeleteNa, Minya, dann schau' Dich einfach noch in meinem Blog um unter dem Tag "Black Forest", dann weißt Du, wie es hier aussehen müsste ;-)
DeleteOh ja, cool. Nach einem Schlechtwetter-Ritt in ein Spa ... Ein Träumchen :-)
ReplyDeleteFunny, du, das war genau das Richtige nach so einem nassen Tag.
DeleteSonjaM, so all the bikes had a sticker/device showing they'd paid the road tax imposed by Switzerland? Do they look for such at the borders? Bummer about all the wet and fog but riding, is riding.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dom, that's pretty much all the border officials do these days. If you're bike has a sticker you're good to pass through. The sticker is mandatory if you plan on using the highways.
DeleteBest to cross into Switzerland through the unmanned borders in small villages, saves paying out those Swiss gnomes!
ReplyDeleteNikos, as a matter of fact it was on one of the unsuspecting small border crossings when I was traveling with Roland last year that we came across a very thorough Swiss officer... and yes he checked IDs as well as the toll sticker.
DeleteOops! We normally end up going through at 02:00...
DeleteSo much rain, but at least you were on two wheels with a great group.
ReplyDelete