Honda Adventure Riders Forum
General Category => Ride out & Touring reports => Topic started by: zebulon on September 17, 2015, 19:20:47
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Think it's time to begin a short report of our Alps 2015 summer trip. We've done again a lot of passes (see the passes thread). Trying to do them the other side we've done last year... 8)
Decided to take the south "Gorges du Verdon" from west to east to join the Alps this year; weather was not perfect but I have to join my sister ...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zK78YqoCHqk/VfreCmaeUuI/AAAAAAAAEuY/ljrGLZZpo24/s800-Ic42/DSCN3858ok.jpg)
Arriving to Trigance, nice Provencal village
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PaZxlosRpww/VfreF2V3R7I/AAAAAAAAEuo/dNxj8n4xqfw/s800-Ic42/trigance.jpg)
And then to the "Serre-ponçon lake" ...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PhAOF6NXIAQ/VfreEVCwknI/AAAAAAAAEug/_Bs1brSNBhs/s800-Ic42/DSCN3877ok.jpg)
We decide then to go to the "Lombarde pass"; riding by Vars pass
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pKUtL3UyvF4/VfreHyYwmTI/AAAAAAAAEuw/D2TzVjwGjxk/s800-Ic42/ColVars.jpg)
And after "Col de Larche" arriving in italy...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Po0h8FbWj_g/Vfrjm9qacoI/AAAAAAAAExY/1ja7xpvwJxQ/s800-Ic42/DSCN3893ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W9-6_afPscc/VfrjoI1jIxI/AAAAAAAAExg/l1-l_dBFhIA/s800-Ic42/DSCN3892ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GK1un8JeUIY/Vfrhvj_E5UI/AAAAAAAAEw4/hkHjVO_j54g/s800-Ic42/DSCN3891ok.jpg)
Beginning then to climb to "Lombarde pass"; very nice narrow road
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5n9XLMHXbp0/VfrjlTn9AmI/AAAAAAAAExQ/G8PfITjnix0/s800-Ic42/DSCN3896ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KOJ157bAmmw/Vfrjjx4SIcI/AAAAAAAAExI/ncH-dZuMIdo/s800-Ic42/DSCN3897ok.jpg)
A lot of gravel roads around this pass
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e619TR5gMjs/VfreXhXq6bI/AAAAAAAAEwA/fj0WUijRsRg/s800-Ic42/DSCN3907ok.jpg)
West view to France and Isola 2000 resort
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--JbVX0Vor70/VfreZrOTW-I/AAAAAAAAEwI/NkByee4Ed60/s800-Ic42/DSCN3905ok.jpg)
Est Italian view : Sant'Anna monastery (european highest - 2035m)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6vEi3GFIppw/VfrebqHNNaI/AAAAAAAAEwQ/CJjK71PeIjI/s800-Ic42/SAnna.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iyOkkFGAS8g/VfredkqX4uI/AAAAAAAAEwY/dPo3k32BW_c/s800-Ic42/DSCN3903ok.jpg)
Riding then to the Tinée Valley
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o8DvO8iiHFE/VfreVx2fx0I/AAAAAAAAEv4/U6mRgCXSIH4/s800-Ic42/DSCN3915ok.jpg)
And then go north to the majestic "Col de la Bonette" from south to north this year ; still so beautiful
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HOsImmNmhLY/VfreUfGG1rI/AAAAAAAAEvw/l1_tHldfOJM/s800-Ic42/DSCN3921ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9u1Wzh-Fimg/VfreOCabXwI/AAAAAAAAEvQ/d4s2mWd5wL8/s800-Ic42/montBonette1.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w5CC6hrjJKU/VfreP8LJVFI/AAAAAAAAEvY/6aGA6Wknk0o/s800-Ic42/DSCN3928ok.jpg)
Wonderful tarmac now this side too
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7mLGsGf-v9w/VfreRargoSI/AAAAAAAAEvg/WPocjuz9lJM/s800-Ic42/DSCN3930ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AuLPa-dwQso/VfreSv9usUI/AAAAAAAAEvo/f30mwSWsOkA/s800-Ic42/DSCN3924ok.jpg)
After a short stop, time to go down
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C0exnDGuS3Y/VfreMQSlvRI/AAAAAAAAEvI/ASIQiLnboQY/s800-Ic42/dscBonette1.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AMTU0lX5f_k/VfreK1b9EJI/AAAAAAAAEvA/4curOkIQtRU/s800-Ic42/dscBonette2.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gg_i1pmKo0A/VfreJIB5R2I/AAAAAAAAEu4/N-Ya--us0zM/s800-Ic42/panneauBonnette.jpg)
VCIF_salut to be continued
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Nice pics Gilles VCIF_ThumbUp
Thanks for sharing VCIF_salut
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Nice views, Gilles. They bring fond memories back.
Regards,
Josep
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We decide then to do a "Ecrins round tour" Direction Lautaret pass
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aqKeKZXK8NQ/VfwoxRMCUwI/AAAAAAAAEyI/8O_xdN59ybg/s800-Ic42/DSCN3946ok.jpg)
and the Galibier (because north road to Grenoble is still closed... :( )
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u_bRFZ3ZN-Q/Vfwo5nTjT8I/AAAAAAAAEyo/XNCHXWS9Tpg/s800-Ic42/DSCN3949ok.jpg)
At the top
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGgDpWtwVtA/Vfwo33s15PI/AAAAAAAAEyg/DVWs3fy3Peg/s800-Ic42/DSCN3950ok.jpg)
east view (Savoie) - Mont Blanc is always majestic from everywhere ...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rpWA_s0PvVg/Vfwo2T6fRVI/AAAAAAAAEyY/Id5l-L6L1jo/s576-Ic42/DSCN3951ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Sesu2smnP0/Vfwo0uszESI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/VDsLv9NqLyk/s800-Ic42/DSCN3952ok.jpg)
Down from Télégraphe pass to Maurienne valley
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q6XJN9tZ40U/Vfwo7OoPvVI/AAAAAAAAEyw/qM--cw8toH4/s800-Ic42/DSCN3957ok.jpg)
And up by Arves Valley to Croix de fer pass
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5-Yejo18J0k/Vfwo8xrIDMI/AAAAAAAAEy4/DZkLgBKNpPM/s800-Ic42/DSCN3963ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IfAdbJAfsKs/Vfwo-ZW6B3I/AAAAAAAAEzA/JC6eL8drNqE/s800-Ic42/DSCN3961ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ME1AmQbHFhA/VfwpB98tkDI/AAAAAAAAEzQ/n_li1alPoVM/s800-Ic42/DSCN3965ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLmzeEtKnEw/VfwpAIJL2-I/AAAAAAAAEzI/gbtuHUmpXQg/s800-Ic42/DSCN3964ok.jpg)
the famous iron cross which gives its name to the pass
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sRquFc0EPp4/VfwpDdThDrI/AAAAAAAAEzY/Ux1uzFvhUwY/s800-Ic42/DSCN3968ok.jpg)
Happy to go up with a bike instead of a car - Col du Glandon direction
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U90BzDCDMXY/VfwpE_6XclI/AAAAAAAAEzk/NDLzMXdXiJg/s800-Ic42/DSCN3969ok.jpg)
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Wow, great pics, Gilles.
I have written a report about our tour in Brittania, 2 weeks ago. Its in Dutch however, will make a short English summary ASAP.
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Still on my bucket list, is to ride the Alps... Soon aye Two Plugs..
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Still on my bucket list, is to ride the Alps... Soon aye Two Plugs..
I thought you had already toured the Alps a few times.
Or was it the uncrowded, NZ Alps? ;D
Seriously. Do it, it's one of these things one has to do given the chance ;)
Greetings,
Josep
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Still on my bucket list, is to ride the Alps... Soon aye Two Plugs..
I thought you had already toured the Alps a few times.
Or was it the uncrowded, NZ Alps? ;D
Seriously. Do it, it's one of these things one has to do given the chance ;)
Greetings,
Josep
I'm in the process of buying a motor bike and storing it with a friend in Europe so I can more easily do just that. VCIF_ThumbUp
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Still on my bucket list, is to ride the Alps... Soon aye Two Plugs..
On a 'TransAlp' I suppose? ;D
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And then we can see the lake where some of you slept some years ago ... 8)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fXYZc7RJM1o/VgO7ZZlygRI/AAAAAAAAE04/Q7HmvvdBwpk/s800-Ic42/DSCN3970ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dIaNX_CYgM/VgO7YPVyrnI/AAAAAAAAE0s/GzQR_WsjimE/s800-Ic42/DSCN3971ok.jpg)
West side of Ecrins we had still nice roads, landscape and villages on the direction to Gap ...
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RCsUg5RhVic/VgO7cbgL9sI/AAAAAAAAE1E/8vQ3b0oMxqw/s800-Ic42/DSCN3976ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wTMtbANP8rc/VgO7avjPC5I/AAAAAAAAE08/sulVouv4650/s800-Ic42/DSCN3978ok.jpg)
VCIF_salut
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Going this time to Izoard pass from south
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vqHyHOFvyYE/VgPBb4IjA9I/AAAAAAAAE1U/Xt7b5RQRA7I/s800-Ic42/DSCN3984ok.jpg)
"casse déserte" is still so stunning !!! 8)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WAjDRHEc6Vw/VgPBdju3a5I/AAAAAAAAE1c/29zgdYo5Zfs/s800-Ic42/DSCN3990ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FcUg_eafugs/VgPBfdr6kFI/AAAAAAAAE1k/fDPCQxS7ftY/s800-Ic42/DSCN3989ok.jpg)
South view from top
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vyO99O9mK6c/VgPBgy3VFXI/AAAAAAAAE1s/yk8RM5CpLzM/s800-Ic42/DSCN3996ok.jpg)
Michelle reading... ::)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wyWPym1sCHo/VgPBif3Lj7I/AAAAAAAAE10/T115_NDep3E/s800-Ic42/DSCN3997ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sRjO_HEYbn4/VgPBj0Je1vI/AAAAAAAAE18/O0Ati-DEN0Y/s800-Ic42/DSCN3998ok.jpg)
As said Shasta white is the beautifulest color 8)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Kef6WqNWH4/VgPBlNdF0HI/AAAAAAAAE2E/-tYZKVMZusQ/s800-Ic42/DSCN3999ok.jpg)
North side
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lrC-9bUyhkw/VgPBmxOHQyI/AAAAAAAAE2M/shy7-1_9dOc/s800-Ic42/DSCN4000ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OepzYFhMpsw/VgPBoy2_2SI/AAAAAAAAE2U/sBBaoFqkt-I/s800-Ic42/DSCN4002ok.jpg)
Then we took Clarée Valley
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zDWQLfXq00E/VgPBqoRm56I/AAAAAAAAE2c/Vr_H0mgHvqs/s800-Ic42/DSCN4005ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dv6uToAjU64/VgPBr36SnaI/AAAAAAAAE2k/Ck7GSHlg8-A/s800-Ic42/DSCN4011ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9lTUbbMXkJ0/VgPBtcK6mDI/AAAAAAAAE2s/rBGC0l2mx_w/s800-Ic42/DSCN4010ok.jpg)
"Col de l'échelle" , Italy and coming back by Montgenèvre pass... VCIF_salut
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Coming back home, col de Vars then Ubaye Valley :
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nmZNFtKEjoI/VgUayIMztAI/AAAAAAAAE3I/cKaQLx8iO_o/s800-Ic42/DSCN4015ok.jpg)
And going up to "col de la Cayolle"
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OASX12F-02w/VgUaz96ewyI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/wQjGueprRbw/s800-Ic42/DSCN4023ok.jpg)
Be careful (don't know if it is for them or for me ;D )
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8NgF6m03UfE/VgUa2c9vt_I/AAAAAAAAE3Y/qTLb1ZIkWDo/s800-Ic42/DSCN4028ok.jpg)
Arriving at Cayolle pass (2326m) for picnic time ... be careful with marmots, they love chocolate !!!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M1fOFEK5avY/VgUa37bkq3I/AAAAAAAAE3g/6D99Zj8Z1d8/s800-Ic42/DSCN4031ok.jpg)
South view from the pass
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dG2uXCWBcSY/VgUa5ZrxAJI/AAAAAAAAE3o/kX6Y8TqS_B8/s800-Ic42/DSCN4033ok.jpg)
We met some strange bikes :o (never seen before)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zK32utXd9UQ/VgUa7EYevDI/AAAAAAAAE3w/3JawTaBaOb0/s800-Ic42/DSCN4032ok.jpg)
And have then a small ride on the moon VCIF_varaGrey VCIF_2757
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GFXSQ55Fq5A/VgUa9OgkRmI/AAAAAAAAE34/eL5RzePWDMk/s800-Ic42/DSCN4039ok.jpg)
Gorges de Daluis are on the program of the journey
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OUgP81dX5LU/VgUa_BKJPuI/AAAAAAAAE4A/EaJeO80I5Ig/s800-Ic42/DSCN4043ok.jpg)
Then Gorges de Cians
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FVArybV8bg8/VgUbA0A-lbI/AAAAAAAAE4I/ls7fr7Chgzs/s800-Ic42/DSCN4057ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H0XGh5hlXVw/VgUbCqWYlCI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/j0AaujZvTFc/s800-Ic42/DSCN4058ok.jpg)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IQRHdyGk8uI/VgUbEUWHtHI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/G5ptZfdYZOs/s800-Ic42/DSCN4056ok.jpg)
Then Tinée Valley south direction
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ScKUNS7QhPM/VgUbFjCI-MI/AAAAAAAAE4g/LEPdj7T5DSU/s800-Ic42/DSCN4064ok.jpg)
Then Entrevaux with its Vauban Citadel and fortifications
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V76_QFHJV5w/VgUbGzCLYSI/AAAAAAAAE4o/l6l4GWQzEKk/s800-Ic42/DSCN4070ok.jpg)
Some other wonderful "Clue"
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eg_er325NYE/VgUbIX5LJKI/AAAAAAAAE4w/W9IHQjcO3FI/s800-Ic42/DSCN4078ok.jpg)
VCIF_salut VCIF_ok
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I was there too this summer :)
It is not too bad...
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I was there too this summer :)
It is not too bad...
Still waiting for your report ... ;D
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Aarch!!! Your pics made my skin itch every where, Gilles!
Soo badly I want to revisit (especially) the French Alps. They are simply great.
Well... the Pyrenees will do for next year @ VIM20... ;D
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I was there too this summer :)
It is not too bad...
Still waiting for your report ... ;D
Well, I have been there several times since that posting... but lazy to take photos and report without photos is like house without balcony...
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Aarch!!! Your pics made my skin itch every where, Gilles!
Soo badly I want to revisit (especially) the French Alps. They are simply great.
Well... the Pyrenees will do for next year @ VIM20... ;D
There is always the opportunity to detour on the way down or back or both ;D
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There is always the opportunity to detour on the way down or back or both ;D
So you've planned to come back to Europe, David VCIF_ThumbUp , seems you've said VIM19 was the last ....
;D Great idea ! IMO Alps are greater ! VCIF_salut
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There is always the opportunity to detour on the way down or back or both ;D
So you've planned to come back to Europe, David VCIF_ThumbUp , seems you've said VIM19 was the last ....
;D Great idea ! IMO Alps are greater ! VCIF_salut
No not me next year, I was merely pointing out to Bernard his options, not that I needed to...
I'm not back for at least three years, I have other trips planned. It is back to the UK next year with my wife for her cousin's wedding - that will be a car trip around the England and Scotland plus some time in Ireland, then north America (USA, Canada and Alaska) in 2019 on a bike for about then weeks. After that I have not planned. But, I may yet take you up on the offer of riding through the Alps at some point in the future. I loved the little bit I did and I'd like to spend a lot more time doing those passes.
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There is always the opportunity to detour on the way down or back or both ;D
So you've planned to come back to Europe, David VCIF_ThumbUp , seems you've said VIM19 was the last ....
;D Great idea ! IMO Alps are greater ! VCIF_salut
No not me next year, I was merely pointing out to Bernard his options, not that I needed to...
I'm not back for at least three years, I have other trips planned. It is back to the UK next year with my wife for her cousin's wedding - that will be a car trip around the England and Scotland plus some time in Ireland, then north America (USA, Canada and Alaska) in 2019 on a bike for about then weeks. After that I have not planned. But, I may yet take you up on the offer of riding through the Alps at some point in the future. I loved the little bit I did and I'd like to spend a lot more time doing those passes.
VCIF_ThumbUp
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You'l Be Back, David! 8) ;D
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You'l Be Back, David! 8) ;D
Yes more than likely, I can't get the images of the Alps out of my head from the tiny bit that I rode (nor do I want to). So my planning and scheming mind is at work trying to figure out a means to make it happen. When I do come back it will be to ride those mountain roads in Europe, I've had enough of flat Europe ;D