“Those who travel a lot work a lot,” they say. After returning from the Alps we understood it well: a month earlier we had been in the mountains, and now we sigh over the photos while working. Without sleeping or eating, we covered 6 countries, dozens of cities and many kilometres in 18 days. We are glad we did it.
What kind of tour was it?
We rode a BMW GS 1250 Adventure in June and July 2023 and included cities, towns, villages, mountains and mountain pass crossings. The details were always in our Instagram stories, and this page is the overall story.
What is a mountain pass?
A pass is a road that rises in bends to join two valleys. In the Alps passes can close with snow in winter, so check conditions before you go.
Where did we ride?
- Austria: we started around Zell am See and Kaprun, and one of our first crossings was the Grossglockner High Alpine Road at 2,504 metres.
- Switzerland: cows with bells, Interlaken between two lakes and mountain roads. We spent 27 June in the Swiss Alps with a birthday celebration.
- Italy: the Dolomites welcomed us with Lake Braies, Val di Funes and fog, and on 2 July 2023 we finished our planned passes at the Stelvio Pass. We also saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa and Tuscan villages.
Where did the tour end?
In Venice. It was going to be either the start or the end of the tour, and it became the end. The next day we set off for home by ferry as the sun set, leaving behind a good tour full of memories and experience.
What did we learn?
Even in the mountains the civilisation we saw was valuable. To widen your horizon you have to strive with the most of what you have; everything you keep postponing is waiting for you.
Riding notes
On bend-rich pass roads, rhythm and line matter more than speed. Set your speed before the bend, look through to the exit, use engine braking on long descents, and keep rain gear and layers handy.
A Rider Healthcare Tour Pack and a Galata Healthcare tablet were in our bag, and Educated Moto Riders offers group tours and riding courses.
Read the full story in Turkish with photos and videos: Alpler Motosiklet Turu 2023.