Finding Freedom...World Wide Ride

Arriving back to Venice it was like Christmas in July as we had a special delivery from Bumot Motorcycle luggage in Bulgaria! Finally got to put our rather large collection of stickers on too! So stoked to have the newest luggage system from Bumot!

13726747_901531606618141_6445099799375871918_n by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


Stickers by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We picked up the 650 from BMW. They found that the front wheel bearings needed to be replaced and that the swing arm bearings just needed lubrication to fix the noise. They did a great job at Motorsport SRL Mestre. Thanks so much to Gigi the head mechanic who speaks English perfectly and helped us so much with translation. He is also super excited about his Choral group.

Pusteria giugno 2016 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Sfilata palio 2016 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Now for some serious walking in the vehicle free city of Venice.


Venice 1-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


Venice 1-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 1-26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

On our second day we concentrated on wandering the smaller neighbourhoods. We also visited the Jewish Ghetto area.

Venice 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 2-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 2-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 2-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 2-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice 2-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Venice Selfie by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Today we are going north again thru the Italian Dolomites and our original plan was to stop in Lienz Austria just over the border, but we arrived there at just after 2 pm and decided to press on to Zell am See and go over the Glossglockner pass.

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 21.02.21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 21.07.07 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

“The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is the highest surfaced mountain pass road in Austria. It connects Bruck in the state of Salzburg with Heiligenblut in Carinthia via Fuscher Törl and Hochtor Pass at 2,504 m (8,215 ft). The road is named after the Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain. “


The weather there yesterday was poor, today’s forecast is cloudy, but not rainy and for tomorrow may or may not be better (or worse). We decided to go for it in case the weather is poor and we miss the iconic road that Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear said was “The best driving road in Europe”. We also planned to meet fellow rider Mario (Tradex56), who has followed our RR on ADV since the beginning. He posted to the RR that he had been sorry to see we had ridden very close to his home on our way to Bassano del Grappa. It was Fantastic of him to ride the 100 km to meet us for a coffee in Cortina d’ Ampezzo.


We rode north from Venice on the SS 13 until Treviso and then made for the even smaller roads thru Pieve di Soligo and over the Boldo pass to Trichiana. Here there are a number of run of the mill switchback, but as you come towards what looks like a dead end you can see a ladder of switchbacks in tunnels that go up the mountain side. It is a one way at a time system controlled by traffic lights.


Zell Am See CC by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Like GB said, The last couple series of photos are Fantastico!
What a great trip you guys are having. You are my favorite Canadians. Eh?
Keep posting and ride safe.

Awesome ​

Thanks so much guys. Im a bit behind on the RR, but trying to catch up this week. Headed to Romania riding Mecca on Sunday so I hope to have some great shots of the big 7 passes!!

Then you ride thru the Parco Nazionale della Dolomiti Bellunesi and thru Agordo, Cencenighe Agordino, and Alleghe. STUNNING!!

Zell Am See CC-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


Zell Am See CC-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

From here we headed to Cortina d’Ampezzo. It was so cool to meet Mario in person.


Zell Am See CC-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We crossed the border into Austria and stayed on the small roads as usual and because we had not yet bought a toll vignette. This is a sticker you must have to take the highways. It is 5 E for 10 days per bike.

Zell Am See CC-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


There started to be more clouds, but we went for it and continued past Lientz. Riding north from Lienz is very scenic and you get to Heilgenblut am Grossglockner without paying any tolls.

Zell Am See CC-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


Glossglockner-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

The 48 km Grossglockner has an outrageous toll of 25 E, but it must be done and “at least they give you a sticker!” After paying the toll you head up the first set of switch backs and at the T intersection you go left first towards the Pasterze, Glacier.

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 21.06.29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


Glossglockner-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We had about 3 minutes of rain and then the sun dried the road. Here at the end of the road there is a 5 story car parkade and a separate motorcycle parking lot so it must get busy. They even have free lockers for helmets and gear. We checked out the view and lots of other riders checked out our bikes.

Zell Am See CC-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


Glossglockner-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Then you back track to the T and go on towards Zell am See. This is the “high mountain” road with lots of switchback and sweeping panoramic views.

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 21.07.23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

There is a small peak (Edelweißhütte) who’s summit is called Bikers point and this is reached also by a series of tight switchbacks on a cobblestone road.

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 21.07.37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Glossglockner-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

The descent from the Glossglockner is also very scenic and again with lots of switchbacks. It is now after 630 and we have not had lunch.

Zell Am See CC-29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-31 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Zell Am See CC-30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

The plan is to head to the camp ground at the north end of the lake, set up and hope they have a restaurant. If not it is a 5 km ride to the town. We arrive to the packed camp site, but found a patch of grass in one corner just big enough for our tent. We started to set up and a couple of Dutch riders came over with a plate of grilled meats, vegetables, and bread for us. They said “ you have arrived so late (7 pm) that you must be starved and you must eat this”. Then they said “ We are just over there and we have beer so see you soon”. Super nice group of Dutch and Swiss riders that we spent a very nice evening with. Luckily the tuk shop was still open and we could get some beers for them as a thank you.Got to LOVE the biker community


Glossglockner-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We woke up to a nice sunny day and since we only had an hour and a half drive to Salzburg we planned a loop out into the Austrian hills.

Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 21.15.52 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


This was thru picturesque Austrian villages, past several lakes, and thru the mountains. It is very green, clean, and very pretty here. Austria is AWESOME!!


Salzburg CC-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg CC-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg CC-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg CC by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We pulled into the city at just after 4 and it was 28 degrees in the shade and the sun was blazing.


“Salzburg is an Austrian city on the German border, with views of the Eastern Alps. It’s known as the birthplace of Mozart and setting for the film “The Sound of Music.” The city is divided by the Salzach River, with medieval and baroque buildings of the pedestrian Altstadt (Old City) on its left bank, and 19th-century Neustadt (New City) on the right.”

We hid out in the hotel until after 6 and then walked the 2.5 km into the city centre. Here we wandered around the very pretty down town area and then crossed the river and explore the walled old city. Here there are narrow pedestrian streets with smaller interconnecting alley ways. You have several large squares, a number of churches and the castle towering on the hilltop.

Salzburg-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr


Salzburg-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

Salzburg-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We are crossing the north of the country from Salzburg to Wien (Vienna). On the small roads the trip is 5 hours, but on the toll road it is only 3. Since we plan to take the toll road to Slovenia later in the week we opted to just get the vignette today. You can buy them at any gas station and this allows you to drive on the highways, but some of the tunnels have extra tolls. So we had a quick, but fairly boring ride to Vienna.


Screen Shot 2016-07-20 at 21.16.57 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr

We planned to stay 2 days in Vienna and since hotels and especially the parking rates are outrageous in the city centre we stayed outside the downtown, but with free parking and at a reasonable rate. The hotel is directly on the 71 tram line to the centre. Dan’s 800 was doing some weird things on the way into the city. The dash lights flashing on and off, the fuel light coming on and off. The bike itself was running normally. This had happened one time in Italy for a few seconds, but today it was coming and going. Luckily we were close to the hotel. We hooked up the GS 911, but noted the fuel sensor was displaced from the port by quite a bit and he pushed it back in. The 911 said there was a loss of communication from the cam bus and there were hundreds of fault codes. The problem did not recur and the bike is running well, but there must be a loose or frayed wire somewhere as the fault codes are still occurring. We will have to do a thorough check to find out where.