Italian Alps summer 2012

[Ninja2]

BTW - I also asked about our leathers, helmets, etc. We can discuss as well.

[OUTLAWD]

this sounds prettyb awesome...if I can rob a bank between now and booking, I'm down

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

After readig about Edelweiss tours for over 20 years, I've always wanted to do one. I think people could get a good tour going by themselves, but there's an equal chance that it would be a miserable experience. I've learned a lot from the last 2 summer trips into a foreign land (Utah). A lot of the roads that look great on a map.....are dirt, or otherwise impassable on a sportbike. Throw in other languages, lack of goo road signs, different laws and cops. To me, Edelweiss takes care of all that for you, and it's about what you'd pay, if not less because of the group discounts they get, than doing it yourself and risking it all. For me, that's not even close to be worth risking it. Now, if you really knew EU like those guys do and are fluent in multiple languages, awesome.

Regardless, I wish all the best of luck and a great and safe ride! Post pics!

[Ninja2]

I am open to whatever. I would always take my own maps, regardless. Never had any problems with roads that were indicated as paved not being paved in Germany, Switzerland, Austria or Italy.
You can get international health insurance. Bike rentals that are international you have to get full coverage, too.

I do not like organized tours because they are rather inflexible and usually include stops at tourist places because the organizer gets major discounts and/or some other form of incentives. Plus, they have to charge their "management" fee for organizing, etc.

To me, the risks mentioned are the same whenever I go on any vacation to a foreign country. But I do understand the concerns raised and would like to understand better the troubles you have run into because I know you've been riding for a long time.

My biggest concern with this trip is the weather because the weather in that area can really suck!

[CaptGoodvibes]

I like the idea of figuring this out ourselves. More of an adventure and all that...

One of my profs just took a semester off and went with her husband to Italy to recreate a motorcycle trip they did 40 years ago. She's back and said it was great! They did it themselves. She brought me all her maps and travel books including two moto-specific books. Good times!

[JDK1962]

Before I moved to Boulder, I lived in Ivrea, in northwestern Italy. A few thoughts off the top of my head...

-- Do it, do it, do it.
-- The autostrade (toll highways) are fast and expensive. Surface roads are almost always available as alternatives, but sometimes it seems like it takes forever to get anywhere on them. Fine if you're just soaking up the countryside, not so much if you're trying to get somewhere on a schedule. Plan for 200-300km/day at most for surface roads.
-- Watch your speed: they use photo radar in Italy. I was there in early June 2010, and got my ticket in the mail in February 2011. Between the fine and the wire transfer to pay it, I was out $250. For going 55km in a 40km zone.
-- Don't miss the Grand St. Bernard pass (sort of the Italian equivalent of Beartooth Pass) into Switzerland. You can check it out on YouTube...it's the road in the first five minutes of the original version of "The Italian Job.
-- Riding in the Cinque Terre area (between La Spezia and Genoa) is great. Mountains, forests, and the Mediterranean. What's not to love?
-- If you like lakes, Lake Como is definitely worth it.

I've heard good things about Knopf Tours, in southern Germany (http://www.knopftours.com/Web-Site/Hello.html). The neat thing is that you can buy a motorcycle in Europe and store it at Knopf, and when you come over, they take it out of storage, and get it all ready to go. Always thought that would be cool. Love motorcycling in Colorado, but miss Europe.

[Ninja2]

Thanks so much, JDK. Great info. Unfortunately, the radar works like that in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, too. But the good thing is that you can find out beforehand with certain software and some extra equipment in navigation systems, I was told.

Knopf is in Heidelberg, and my parents live only 20 mins away. I have the day planned to spend with my niece, and tomorrow everything is closed. So I will call them Mo morning before I fly back to CO. Meanwhile, here some pics from Heidelberg, which is a really nice town with a castle by the river. I know this is somewhat unrelated to the trip, but thought I'd share in case you do go back and go to Heidelberg.

Heidelberg Castle:


View of Heidelberg from the castle:

[Sully]

Very interested!! Passport is ready and I will start saving $$ now.. then figure out how to rob a bank or sell a kidney by then!

[Ninja2]

Capt., now that we lured Sully into a trip to Italia, I think it is time to start looking into this in a bit more detail. I like the idea of all getting together and get to know each other in person, and look at dates, maps, etc. Thoughts?

[CaptGoodvibes]

I have a couple more weeks until I'm done with my degree and then I'll have to find a job. After that, I'm available to get together for sure. Fwiw, Sully knows me and you and I have met once. I'll update the top post in the next couple days with an "Interested" list so we can keep on this better.

[Ninja2]

Have you graduated yet? I'm getting impatient. LOL

[CaptGoodvibes]

Have you graduated yet? I'm getting impatient. LOL

Coursework is done. I'm graduated! I'm in the job hunt right now so very distracted. I'm not even checking CSC daily let alone every 15 minutes. Everything depends on the job.

[Ninja2]

Congratulations!!!
Hurry up and find a job!

P.S. What are you looking for?

[CaptGoodvibes]

Congratulations!!!
Hurry up and find a job!

P.S. What are you looking for?

Entry level Electronic Engineer position for someone with 15 years experience as a Software Engineer

[OUTLAWD]

I now have a job lined up, and I should have enough vaca by next summer built up...how long you thinking?

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

would so love to do something like this...unfortunately everything costs money, something I rarely have extra of. Dave, if you do plan a bank heist...let me know.

[Jmetz]

I'm in.

















For the bank heist.

[Ninja2]

As many folks participating in the heist, you may wanna find your own bank.

Meanwhile, here some pics I found from my trip to Lake Garda in '09. I think we might be going by some of the lakes in that area (Garda, Maggiore, etc) on our way south.

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

anyone want to go see "Tower Heist" w/ Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller to see how it's done this weekend?

someone will need to take notes on the do's and don't's

[Dr. Joe Siphek]

j/k...i can't even afford to go to the movies.

[Pharmgirl]

I am interested....was thinking of doing these areas and Mugello next summer. I am also interested in Southern France and Spain. I will go anywhere, as long as it doesn't interfere with the MRA schedule.

Once you have more information, please post-up. Trying to come up with vaca ideas for next year.

[CaptGoodvibes]

j/k...i can't even afford to go to the movies.

Haha! I was thinking the same thing.

But that's now. Summer is a ways off.

And yes, I'd really like to time it so we can attend a race.

[CaptGoodvibes]

Update: Still nothing on the job front so I have no idea if I'll have the funds and/or be able to request the time off.

I did have a contact through CSC and will pursue that for sure, although the job boards at that company don't have anything obvious for me.

I've updated the top post. If you're interested please post here so we can start a tally of members.

[*KEN*]

I'm interested.