Date: 29-03-24  Time: 10:27 am

Author Topic: Off to Euroland again  (Read 7388 times)

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #25 on: 09 July 2017, 09:14:48 pm »
Was it someone on here that said there are better roads in the Black Forest than the B500? Did a bit of the infamous, and many other roads today, and all I will say is it's not the only cracking hooning route around here!  :evil


After a dull.mostly motorway ride to get down here from Luxembourg, I had my kit offloaded into the hotel room in this little town near Baden-Baden by 1pm, so went out to explore. Chose some twisty looking routes from the Michelin map, plugged em into the twat nav, and had about 5 hours of solid zoooooommmmm! :b  Not many photos, as only stopped for coffees and a late lunch (schnitzel, but can't find anywhere that does Jaeger Schnitzel  :( ). Bikes everywhere today, a very popular area for us two-wheeled folk unsurprisingly. Saw quite a few Fazers around too, wondered if anyone else off here is out here at the moment.


Loffenau:














Thought I was back in Wales for a minute:








B500 proper tomorrow, and Meiringen, Switzerland.

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #26 on: 10 July 2017, 09:55:08 pm »
So, today was the B500, with a couple of detours here and there.








Beautiful grippy tarmac - this on a smaller road to Oppenau, which I actually rate higher than the B500 for riding fun:





Not much in the way of views as the cloud was low, and had a fair bit of rain, although short-lived heavy showers for the most part. Roads were still fun to ride though.





Wolfach, not quite on the B500:








Could that be red98?  :lol  :





Only one shot in Switzerland today, taken somewhere en route to my hotel:





I was just following the twat nav's instructions, so couldn't really tell you where this was. The hotel is actually on Grimselstrasse, so well placed for some fun from tomorrow, assuming the weather is better.

robbo

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,015
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • - Mk 1 Speed Triple
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #27 on: 10 July 2017, 10:32:05 pm »
The pic of your bike in Wolfach next to a green parasol, is taken in front of a hotel I stayed at in 2005. Small world and all that. Glad you're enjoying your trip.
Whizz kid sitting pretty on his two wheeled stallion.

red98

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 6,567
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • - FZS600,CB400/4,X7,CB250
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #28 on: 11 July 2017, 06:38:31 am »
LOL........late for the party as usual    :lol       a kawasaki z400, 500 , 550 or maybe looking at the logo on the engine cover a GPZ550..82 / 83  vintage.......i need to get out more   :rolleyes


great pictures as usual nick , look forward to the next instalment ,have a good trip    :thumbup
One, is never going to be enough.....

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #29 on: 11 July 2017, 09:43:47 pm »
Thanks Paul, I do my best! Today I did do the Susten/Furka/Grimsel passes loop, then a blat down to Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen:






























































Tomorrow, I'm thinking of a repeat of the Grimsel and Furka but in the other direction, and down over the Nufenen pass. Will depend on the weather. The forecast thunderstorms didn't materialise today thankfully, but they're talking of the same tomorrow. Better on Thursday,  but haven't thought where to go then yet. Any suggestions (in this local-ish area) would be welcome if you know this place.

Tmation

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,194
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #30 on: 12 July 2017, 03:21:35 pm »
I am so jealous of the photo taking, I am normally enjoying the ride so much that that I forget to stop, either that or too lazy  :'(


Photos of rural petrol stations or village cafe don't impress anyone.


Enjoy the ride  :) , I am off to Vienna end of Aug via the Black Forest and the Alps.

HarryHornby

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,668
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 00-01
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #31 on: 12 July 2017, 07:09:31 pm »
OH WOW Nick, what stunning photos.  One thing that keeps going through my mind seeing those houses surrounded by mountains is "How fantastic it must be to live with a view like that every day!".


Love the paraglider in one of the pics.


Roads look amazing!


Ride safe and enjoy!
Money doesn't buy happiness, but it buys beer, and that helps!

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #32 on: 12 July 2017, 08:17:32 pm »
The photo-taking is actually a big part of touring for me, one of my main motivations for going to these places in the first place. I do actually get to enjoy plenty of good riding in between, believe it or not! Today, I started with the Grimsel and Furka passes again, and only stopped once for coffee - just caned it along those spectacular mountain roads instead  :evil








Then did the St. Gotthard Pass (nothing spectacular), and then another brilliant one; the Nufenen Pass. Hacked it all the way to the top before stopping; great fun!  :evil :evil :evil
At the top:





It was a brilliant day for mountain photography today, with the changeable light. I took dozens here, as you wait a moment and it all looks different again. Just a couple:

















Bottom of the other side, saw this:





Biker Point appeared to be just a fairly nondescript hotel though.


Then headed towards Zermatt - mistake  :rolleyes
You can't get all the way there by bike, but have to take the mountain railway, which I couldn't be bothered with, and it was a long, slow, hot ride (29deg) to get there and back, with only a couple of mediocre shots as the reward:








Nice roundabout though:





 :b


Did find a bike dealer to get a new headlamp bulb though, as I noticed one of mine was gone yesterday. Might even get around to fitting it  :lol

red98

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 6,567
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • - FZS600,CB400/4,X7,CB250
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #33 on: 12 July 2017, 09:28:29 pm »
Stunning pictures nick  :thumbup ........going to get some stick here but got to say it , cant help thinking that your 3rd picture down would be better without your fazer.................
One, is never going to be enough.....

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #34 on: 12 July 2017, 10:03:22 pm »
Stunning pictures nick  :thumbup ........going to get some stick here but got to say it , cant help thinking that your 3rd picture down would be better without your fazer.................



You mean like this? :





I got it covered Paul :D   :lol


Saw loads of Fazers today. 3 gen 1 thous within a couple of miles of setting out for the day, every kind throughout the day. A gen 1 thou same colour as mine but with silver frame and engine at the dealer where I got the bulb too.
While there, a mechanic came out of the shop, patted my bike on the tail, and said "top bike"  :D
« Last Edit: 12 July 2017, 10:08:10 pm by Hedgetrimmer »

red98

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 6,567
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • - FZS600,CB400/4,X7,CB250
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #35 on: 13 July 2017, 06:51:10 am »
 :lol Thats better nick  :lol


i did the same on last years scotland trip , one piccie with my phone for the forum and another without the fazer with my camera for the album   :lol


what sort of daily milage you doing ?
One, is never going to be enough.....

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #36 on: 13 July 2017, 08:35:49 am »
:lol Thats better nick  :lol


i did the same on last years scotland trip , one piccie with my phone for the forum and another without the fazer with my camera for the album   :lol


what sort of daily milage you doing ?


Most of my shots are without the bike. I only really take ones with the bike in, as you say, for the forums, to keep it at least slightly relevant - I get to see my bike everyday, after all  :lol


When I'm based somewhere for a few days, like here in Meiringen, the daily mileages are generally under 200. Between destinations, not a great deal more; at most 300, sometimes less. I just don't want to be worn out at the end of each day, and leave myself too tired to do much on the next.
Having said that, I might be running out of steam early on this trip  :\  Might be running out of money early too - Switzerland is foccin expensive! (No "I told you so" please  :rolleyes   :lol  ).

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #37 on: 13 July 2017, 09:19:59 pm »
Last day in Switzerland was spent doing repeats of the Grimsel, Nufenen, Furka and Susten passes, due to lack of imagination. Tbh, you really don't need anything else, they're such great roads, with fabulous scenery and plenty of good cafes.


This mountain had remained hidden on my first visit to the top of the Nufenen, but it dominates the landscape for miles around when it does reveal itself:





The Grimsel Pass road, seen from the start of the Furka Pass road:





Taken from the same spot, looking up the Furka Pass road:





And that same highest mountain from the Furka:





This shot gives an idea of how it stands head and shoulders above everything else around:





And a few more from the rest of the day:




















Short trip this time as my bank account is in danger of meltdown  :eek


Home via the Route des Cretes (Vosges mountains) from tomorrow.

limax2

  • Creep.
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 1,929
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 00-01
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #38 on: 13 July 2017, 09:55:38 pm »
Thanks for the tour so far, I've been following it with great interest. Fantastic pictures which give me itchy feet, although I almost feel I've done the trip already  :) .  Safe ride home.

5LV

  • DAS Born Again
  • **
  • Posts: 73
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #39 on: 14 July 2017, 10:48:52 am »
glad you enjoyed the road to oppenau. see if you can come back via the vosges mountains from Freiburg to St Die des Vosges ;)

robbo

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 4,015
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • - Mk 1 Speed Triple
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #40 on: 14 July 2017, 07:15:23 pm »
Excellent account and pics Nick.Will pm you a few questions when you get back.Enjoy,and ride safe. :)
Whizz kid sitting pretty on his two wheeled stallion.

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #41 on: 14 July 2017, 09:35:45 pm »
glad you enjoyed the road to oppenau. see if you can come back via the vosges mountains from Freiburg to St Die des Vosges ;)


Tick!  :D
Route des Cretes done, fabulous ride. Currently overnighting in Metz, which is a lovely city, very lively cafe culture. Too late to be bothered with pics tonight, maybe tomorrow or when I get home.


Robbo, feel free to fire away with the questions  :thumbup

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #42 on: 14 July 2017, 10:49:24 pm »
Oh well, got round to it tonight after all.
Route des Cretes:










Highest point on the route I believe:





Couple of cafes and a hotel at the top:





In the tradition of posting pics of food eaten on a trip:





Oops, sorry, I ate it!  :lol





Sainte Marie aux Mines, at the northern end of the route:





The owner of the hotel I'm at in Metz has impeccable taste:





Well ok, it's blue...we can't all be riding gods  :lol


Metz, dominated by the magnificent cathedral:














The Moselle river:








Chunnel train and an overnight stay in Dover tomorrow, before the slog back to Carlisle. No epic one-hit returns this time!
« Last Edit: 14 July 2017, 10:50:32 pm by Hedgetrimmer »

slimwilly

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,698
  • I love to ride them hills
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Faired Gen2
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #43 on: 18 July 2017, 11:28:27 pm »
Lovely trip mate  and may there be many more
An ageing test pilot for home grown widgets that may fail at anytime.

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #44 on: 19 July 2017, 12:05:51 am »
Lovely trip mate  and may there be many more


No, I'm afraid there may not, no more money!  :'(

lew600fazer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,253
  • There is only one form of racing, road racing.
    • Main bike:
      Other
    • - 2017 MT-09 Tracer ABS
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #45 on: 19 July 2017, 08:57:53 am »

Thanks Nick, fantastic trip and amazing photograhs really enjoyed your posts.  Money wise your obviously very adapt at getting about on a bike. Rob a bank (they have been doing that to us for years) and head for the hills.

MT-09 Tracer for those who no longer can handle a BIG boy Fazer

moffmeister

  • Boffie - Yaks it like it is
    Terminally Incontinent
    The Golden Bulge
    The only gay in the village
    Moff Minogue


  • Global Moderator
  • GP Hero
  • *****
  • Posts: 4,000
    • Main bike:
      FZ1 Faired Gen2
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #46 on: 19 July 2017, 09:59:48 am »
Great pics and commentary - I've still not managed to get to Europe on the bike - maybe Spring Meet 20 !

midden

  • Operation Foc-UTree
  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,546
    • Main bike:
      FZS600 02-03
    • - Falcon Stealth
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #47 on: 24 July 2017, 09:34:35 am »
Great pics and commentary - I've still not managed to get to Europe on the bike - maybe Spring Meet 20 !


now that would be a good event, Spring meet's euro vacation..... next year
Women have chocolate men have bikes.....
including ones who like chocolate....;)

downey

  • WSB Pack Hound
  • *****
  • Posts: 633
  • loving the new ivanised beast
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #48 on: 25 July 2017, 12:26:04 am »
wow epic trip and as always unreal pictures but tbf id say u couldnt take a bad picture in a place like that,,thanks for takin us along,,someday ill get there
please god let the sun keep shining

Hedgetrimmer

  • GP Hero
  • ******
  • Posts: 5,711
  • FOC-U official topiary expert
    • Main bike:
      FZS 1000 Gen1
    • View Profile
Re: Off to Euroland again
« Reply #49 on: 25 July 2017, 04:53:49 pm »
tbf id say u couldnt take a bad picture in a place like that


This ^