Where in the world is Bob? . . . . . . . . . . . . Time is our only truly Finite Resource.
2018-07-31
Link to PHOTO ALBUM:
It is not often that a Hotel deserves a post.
You know you are in an interesting hotel when: When you are walking around your hotel lobby, see some cars and try to get a closer look, and the guy says you cannot because it is their service area, for McLaren Automobiles……
2018-07-31
or, How to spend $10,000 on a $2,000 bike
What’s that smell?
All the plans I made in the last few days just went on hold.
So plans change. Originally I was going leave early June to go directly to Norway and loop clockwise through Loffeton islands and back down through Latvia etc. Then decide on a direction. Another rider from ADVRider.com was doing the same thing but counterclockwise and at an earlier time.
This was from a week or so ago, but I am trying to get caught up.
2018-07-22
Link to PHOTO ALBUM:
The Stelvio Pass is one of the more famous in the Dolomites which are the Italian Alps. This pass is not necessarily the best, but it is probably the best known. And photographed. And video recorded. SO, I recorded some video and took some pictures.
The road up from the south side.
2018-07-26
Link to PHOTO ALBUM:
Some Mountain Crystals
Yesterday I was a bit directionless. I looked at my “Riding the Alps” book, saw a route into Austria and a town and put that in the GPS. I did not really follow the GPS but that is not really anything new. I got to Lienz, and then chose Heiligenblut as my next destination just because there were some curvy roads and I had remembered seeing it in my book.
As I approached the town, riding great roads and seeing lots of other bikers (always a good sign) I saw a sign for TOLL, 28 EU or something like that. WHAT ! ! ! ! ! So I pulled into town to consult the book and see what my other options were.
Link to PHOTO ALBUM:
If the Grand Canyon were in Europe, there would be roads going up and down it, and tunnels, and people living at all elevations on it. Such is the way of the world.
Passo de San Baldo is referred to as the “High Water Mark” of the Austrian Advance into Italy during World War I. The Austrians got down over the ridge, but there were no roads for re-supply, so they built one. They carved the road back and forth down the side of the cliff, but there was no room at the ends for the hairpin turns, so they built tunnels. The tunnels go into the mountain, turn around and come back out. They are stacked five or six deep. There is nothing quite like leaving the bright sunshine and going into a dark wet narrow tunnel on a bike, then having to do a hairpin turn inside.
http://www.whereisbobl.com/2018/2018-07-25-rest-stop/2018-07-25-rest-stop.html
I am trying different ways to post, as I don’t always have the internet, and some people don’t have facebook, and some people have low bandwidth, and some people don’t read their e-mails. So ……. I will try to accommodate everyone by posting in different ways until I find the best compromise for everyone
Some Places just Feal Like Home
I like to stop for coffee and whatever sometime late morning when possible. Today I decided to get some fruit and find a good place to have it later. I almost moved into the fruit place.
So 5 LITERS for about $10 US – Nice Price
I love Garmin GPS’s. Of course, I like swearing at my electronics, and that is what Garmin gives me most, something to swear at.
I was riding through a town in Italy and stumbled across this small mostly Moto Guzzi Motorcycle show.
Conditions were a little better the second day. Also, a bit of info on Zermatt and how to navigate it.
Continue reading “Zermatt and the Matterhorn, what a difference a day makes”
Having hiked in the white mountains, I felt woefully unprepared for a hike rated as medium difficulty. But then I realized that here, medium difficulty means more than 45 minutes between cafes. Cotton office slacks, cotton denim shirt, sneaks. No gloves, warm hat, rain suit, or even a plastic bag for my camera. Yes, I am prepared to tackle one of the most difficult climbs in the world.
Continue reading “So She’s a Tease – Does it really Matterhorn?”
Not the fasted bike I had seen, and no where near as fearless in the corners as some. I have seen bikes going 80 KPH (50 MPH) in curves, this guy only reached 65 KPH (40 MPH) but it was on a very rough road with lots of unknowns and hazards. He was going a lot faster before I got the video going, but I don’t have a safe way to turn on my video recorder while moving. As crazy as the motorcyclists are around here, the bicyclists are far crazier. FAR Crazier. Even crazier is when you get to the top of a high pass, there are a bunch of bicyclists that just rode up there. Now THAT is crazy.
https://whereisbobl.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Travel/2018-07-Europe-by-Motorcycle/ALL/2018-07-VIDEO/i-fj5Zdjj/A
This morning I had a plan. I was going to go to ride around, and eventually end up in a certain area. I researched hotels in that area, and picked one that I thought would be good. I then forgot all about it as I rode around, changing plans and direction frequently. As I rode, I changed what my plans would be for the next day or two.
“To travel on Swiss motorways, road users must purchase and display a vignette (sticker) or face large on the spot fines. You can buy a vignette at most border crossings, petrol stations, post offices, by phone and online. The price of a vignette is currently CHF 40.”
It seems everywhere I go, the music being played is American Country.
