Have to agree with Shaggy, it was an amazing trip. I have seen views and ridden roads like I never knew existed in Europe. I think we did a total of six passes over the Alps in total, taking in French, Italian and Austrian passes but I'm not altogether sure which was which!
The highest we found that was open was just over 10,000 ft! These have to be seen to be believed - you just can't do it with words as I'm sure others before us would confirm.
When we left Calais we headed down to Cambrai, Reims, Chalons, Chaumont and stayed the first night in Gray. Then on to and thru the Mount Blanc tunnel (see Yoshi's pic of us at the exit). We then went immediately West back into France towards Briancon and Gap and then down to Monaco. Rode part of the circuit there and walked the rest!
Then we hugged to coast going east and went thru Genoa and on to Pisa where we turned inland to head for Florence. Three day here for the racing and we found a restaurant where three of us shared an amazing Florentine speciality steak that cost over ?80!! (I thought the menu said 5.5 euros per kg but it actually said 55 euros per kg - sorry lads, but it WAS the best steak you will ever taste!
We left Florence on the Monday and stopped over on the shores of Lake Garda via Modena and Mantova. Then thru Trento, Merano and into Austria by way of an abosolutely stunning Mountain Pass, Timmeljoch I think it's called! On thru Austria and into the German Black Forest, thru Bregenz, Hausen, Donaueschingen, and overnighted at Hausach. We then rode up, over and down the mountain into Baden-Baden on the legendary A500.... and then went up and down it again just to believe it! (Sheesh, that was a fast road and collects regular casualties we heard).
After B/Baden we went North up into Luxembourg and overnighted there, having a look at the Royal Palace in the morning. From Luxembourg we went thru a bit of Belgium and back into northen France and stopped for the night at St Omer, where we had the second best meal of the trip. Caught the 10.00 am boat from Calais on Sat morning and left Dover on a quick sprint up to the Ace Cafe for the last lunch of the trip. I got into Monmouth for late afternoon, which was somewhat of a come down. Ah well, it had to end eventually.
Somewhere in that lot was a lot of other overnight stops and six Alps passes but I'm not sure where! It WAS an amazing experience that I'll remember for ever. My gast has been well and truly flabbered. For anyone contemplating something like this my advice is save like fook and DO IT!!! You wont regret it.
When all the photo's are sorted and posted to me I'll post a load up for all to see. In the meantime, Yoshi's got lots more.
Yeehaaa!