Greg & Michelle's Euro Tour v.2 the 2012 edition

Discussion in 'Ride Reports - Epic Rides' started by g®eg, Aug 2, 2012.

  1. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    The Prologue

    Since last year was so much fun (Euro Tour 2011) we decided it was time to go back. So Euro-Tour 2012, Greg & Michelle's Alps tour v.2 was born.

    we have a rough plan:

    [​IMG]

    We fly in to Zurich on September 11th, take the train to Aarau, and collect our rental bikes from Moto Mader. Another BMW F-800 R for Michelle (she loved it last time), and an F 800 GS for me. I would have taken an F 800 R as well, but they only have one full power model plus a 25 kw model... (that would have been no fun).

    The plan is rough. Some French Alps this time.... famous "Cols" from watching Le Tour! Ideas from inmate Cooltours incorporated. Also some areas of northwest Italy, with ideas gathered from inmate Tagesk, and his excellent "90 curves in six minutes" along with ideas from the Rosetta stone of Tuscan riding "riding in Tuscany"

    We would like to visit the area around Verona.. and have glass or two of Amarone. On the way to Verona, do we pay homage to the Ducati & Ferrari factories? Do we revisit Stelvio, or head back west instead to the area around Schilpario? All very special places from the last trip.

    We had hoped last year to make it to Pisa, but it was too ambitious a plan. This year however, it is on the route!

    Of course, it is just an idea at this time, and we are flexible based on weather, roads & which way the wind blows. So for now, the countdown is on..... Roll on September!

    :clap

    <div style="background:#000;width:350px; height:260px;font:0px sans-serif;text-align:left;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="cdtw" width="350" height="240" style="outline:none"><param name="movie" value="http://cdn.countingdownto.com/c/w.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="eid=114148" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000" /><embed name="cdtw" src="http://cdn.countingdownto.com/c/w.swf" flashvars="eid=114148" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="350" height="240" allowscriptaccess="always" bgcolor="#000000" style="outline:none"></embed></object><br/> <a href="http://countingdownto.com" style="font:bold 8px Arial;padding-left:19px;color:#444;">COUNTDOWN WEBSITE</a></div>
    #1
  2. Chelle

    Chelle Polish Princess

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    Schilpario? YES! :clap

    Can't wait for Version 2! September can't come soon enough.
    #2
  3. Mercury264

    Mercury264 Once you go Triple...

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    You suck.

    Both of you.

    Hard.

    Just kidding :D

    Have fun...
    #3
  4. GB

    GB . Administrator Super Moderator

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    This is going to be great! Safe ride and thanks for taking us along :thumb
    #4
  5. Britsabroad

    Britsabroad Banned

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    Only a month to go now, good luck & enjoy every minute of your latest trip.....:freaky
    #5
  6. levain

    levain STILL Jim Williams Supporter

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    +1, but I'm not kidding:lol3
    #6
  7. FrankoQ

    FrankoQ Been here awhile

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    Awesome report last year. I hope you do the same this year. ride safe and have a great time.
    #7
  8. Serbchaser

    Serbchaser Chasin' the Serb

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    Awesome - this will be good.:deal. Any surprises involving custom made jewelry on this trip?:lol3. Spend lots of money over there - Italy can use the revenue...:freaky:freaky:freaky.

    Chris
    #8
  9. malloy

    malloy Long timer Supporter

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    Fabulous!! Subscribed.
    #9
  10. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    well it wouldn't be a surprise then would it???? :deal

    we plan on a large donation to the vineyards & also the restaurant businesses :dg
    #10
  11. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    Eleven total days... but only four work days until holiday! :clap

    with tips & tricks from inmate Tagesk we have some of the Piedmont / Tuscany portion plotted out.

    I am looking forward to towns like this:

    <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hp-WbcccL10" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560"></iframe>

    (Tagesk video)
    I expect we will see additions to the excellent "Riding in Tuscany" thread soon....

    tick-tock!
    #11
  12. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    one more day of work left.....

    weather looks perfect for day one of the tour (so far)

    [​IMG]

    but even if it is crap... it is better than being at work!

    roll on Euro Tour!
    #12
  13. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    US Airways Envoy lounge philadelphia

    [​IMG]

    Life is good!
    #13
  14. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    The rain turned to snow on the Col de Galibier today so a change of route. All good though.

    [​IMG]

    Tucked in with the heat on for the evening.
    #14
  15. Mercury264

    Mercury264 Once you go Triple...

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    :clap

    (Not the snow bit :D)
    #15
  16. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    LOL
    No shit.

    So the question for to mow becomes return to Galibier and continue grande route des Alpes or replan? I think we may go defeat Galibier! Tomorrow we will see. Tonight we have salad , quiche and homemade sausage to warm our bellies. And wine of course! Bon nuit!

    And the gear will be dry by morning

    [​IMG]
    #16
  17. Cooltours

    Cooltours Do things right, or leave'em to be done by others

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    • Nizza, tomorrow, 24C in the afternoon.
    • Alba, Saturday, sunny, 22C! MAke sure you try something with truffles! Alba is known to be the place where the best truffles come from.
    • La Spezia, Tuscany, Sunday 26C

    In short: Freezing and wet socks is history for the next few days now!

    Thake care, post pics and have fun!

    When was it again that you'll be back in Zürich?
    #17
  18. 907Duc

    907Duc ducatisti

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    Know that a little snow would only scare me lol, you guys must be having a blast!
    #18
  19. g®eg

    g®eg world's fastest drone

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    The weather is much improved. Went thru Monte Carlo yesterday. Pretty cool to see where thur hold the race!
    Off to Alba and points east and south today. Zurich return Thursday night, fly home Friday morning.

    [​IMG]

    Dinner in Sospel.
    #19
  20. 907Duc

    907Duc ducatisti

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    Happy birthday bro !! Have a good one.
    #20