Touring Europe

[pilninggas]

Good post Andy. That does sound like too much mileage in a week for me nowadays, would be looking to ease the pace down a bit on a Euro trip, don't want it to be a chore. Yes I'm aware that Alpine riding means criss-crossing the mountains via passes. This is where I need to know more. Is it feasible to do day trips from one place, heading out into the mountains, maybe doing a loop via 2 passes to return to same destination in a day, or would that be too long a trip? Frankly, as it's the scenery I'd be going for, I wouldn't mind doing there-back rides on the same road.
Otherwise, I'd have to have another rethink, with overnights in more places? Which is fine as long as I don't have to do silly miles every day.
Your overall budget (under £1000) surprises me, and makes the whole idea seem more do-able, although I'd try to allow for more than this so I could relax a little with the spending. Plus, depending on what places I find, I certainly wouldn't be looking for outright luxury.
Camping is OK, it's just that if the weather turns sour it can spoil what could be a trip of a lifetime for me. Plus all the extra weight and bulk you'd have to carry, packing/unpacking every time you move etc. I haven't totally discounted it yet, but not sure it's how I'd want to go.
I'd certainly welcome anybody else to join me. Although all my UK trips I've done alone, it would add that extra dimension to have some company to share the enjoyment with. But I should warn you - I won't be trying to get the fastest possible times on those mountain roads! In fact, others could get fed up with how often I want to stop to get the camera out! Technically challenging roads don't daunt me, because I'm happy to take things slow where it's more sensible to do so. I'm happy to let the GSXR crews go sailing past in a blur!
My Welsh tour turned out to be a bit of a flop! I was so knackered after doing the Lofo ride on the Sunday, riding to Wales on Monday with an evening ride out, steaming hot sunshine with no relief and the tent an oven when I got back to it in the evenings - and the shower block on the campsite was the same, so I didn't feel particularly refreshed even after a shower. Then got home to find I'd come down with a viral infection! So you didn't miss much there.
But lots of time to plan (and save) yet. Haven't even figured out what would be the best time of year to do it in.
But thanks for your post, every one so far has been a great help in showing me what's best and what to avoid.

I've done similar stuff to Andy's post too.  I have used bolzano as a base camp; from there you can do a whole load of mountain passes and then return to Bolzano, meaning you are not constantly pitching and striking camp.  Stelvio is an hour to the west, the passes of the Dolomites start 45minutes to the east.

Last year i did 13 days and it ran me £850.  I'm off on thursday and have 2 returns booked 1@ 14 days and 1@21 days so i can decide how things are going - the worst it will cost me is £1100.

The weather in  the Alps (excluding bavaria, which is a beautiful place but can be wet) tends to be hot/dry in the day and thundery in the evening [sound familiar?!].  having said that I have got soaked, but having a decent tent and hard luggage helps.

Everyone rides at their own pace, the sportsbike fellas are not the fastest, the Austrians on BMs tend to set the pace - they are used to the roads and also have the suspension to iron out an bumps.

When I go on thursday day one, barring delays I intend to be in Freiburg im Breisgau (google it) by 8pm, leaving Bristol at 600am, after this i'll be doing far less miles unless I pick an entirely different route between now and then!).

here's my trip from last year:

http://s695.photobucket.com/user/pilning...t=3&page=1