Got back home mid-afternoon yesterday. Back to reality on UK roads with 10 miles of filtering on the M25. Where is everyone going on a Sunday?
Did 4295 miles abroad, which was very similar to last years round Spain trip, within 40 miles.
Only about 2 day's rain in total, so very lucky. It would have been more, had I not riden South into Italy at the beginning.
So at the end of two Alps trips, I feel fortunate to have done most of the best passes, and seen spectactular scenery. The bare, rugged, and often jagged mountains have the most allure for me. Some of them have a light reflecting top, like Mt Torredon in Scotland.
There has been the whole array of roads, from narrow stacked hairpins to the flowing valley fast sweepers. It was good to have a mix during the day.
The claim that the Dolomites consist of one pass after another, with no boring bits inbetween, is a bit of an exageration. Certainly in the immediate vicinity around Cortina, that probably holds true.
But even when not on a pass, I can still take an interest in the farming going on, the tractors, all the forestry and timber processing, and did I mention the tractors?
There have been many WOW moments from the combination of riding pleasure and scenery, but I don't think as many as last year's Spainish tour.
In Spain's favour you have much less traffic, better chance of good weather, great road surfaces, and better value accommodation and eating. On the down side is the time and expense of travelling through France, or just the expense of the ferry. As I said in that report last year, you dont have to go round the country, there is excellent riding to be had just in the North.
What about the Panzer, you ask? Well I think it's a pretty good all rounder, capable of doing the big miles with a great luggage system, while still engaging when you get to the destination. Yes, I have complained about the gearbox - I wish it was better. But that was more than compensated for by the intregration of the new sat-nav system with the bike, and especially the controlling thumb wheel on the hand grip. I lost count of the number of times I was able to zoom in or out of the map during the day.
Do the guys on the Tunnel Shuttle who take their Ducatis with tank bags so high they can barely see over, have more fun in the mountains? Undoubtedly. But they are far less comfortable on the journey, and are probably on a shorter break.
Chris
Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2014 12:27 am@Chris....hope you got me her mobile for next time I'm over
Now all I need Is reassurance that they've got "Butty Vans" over there.... Can't do without me Bacon sarnie from a greasy spoon on a morning.
Oh and Girls and Alpacas! 
strips.... what 
.