Day 8 Tight, Winding, Narrow and endless

We have now completed 4 day’s of riding, Today was shorter 224 kms but riding the hardest, at least I could, the best we could average was 44kms/hr. The morning started with a train ride down from Zermatt. In my feedback I will suggest Zermatt be the rest day. The problem is I am guessing it would be expensive and there would not be a ride from here option. The problem they have in planning these tours is that they have to convince people like me, who have before this never done a long ride and average less then 60km/hr, that we are getting good value. By the time we got in tonight the whole group is keen for the short ride tomorrow.

From the train, a short walk to pick up our bikes out of the lockup. We had to fuel first and then ride the same road out as we come in on 40k or 50k and then through a complex section of turns and out on the road up Simplonpass. This road was much more commercial with big trucks and buses but wide and over taking was pretty easy. Good fun as each of us rode at our own pace. On passes we have sections of what they call “free ride” on these section we are told of a land mark to stop at and the guide goes last and you can go at your own pace. We have pretty much sorted our selves out about who can go what speed by now so the order starts off pretty much the same Terry and Pam on their 1200GS are the only ones who really need to listen to the stop instruction because they will be there first and the rest of us just look for them.

We stopped at the top of Simplonpass (6000ft) for a cuppa and we set the GoPro up on Anna’s bike. Looks like we got some good footage but we may be home before you see it. Not long after that we crossed back into Italy for a bit. It is clear that Italy does not make the same investment in their roads, as the road condition fell dramatically. Still slightly better than Australia.

From this point, it becomes clear what the advantage of a tour like this is. We were headed for Locarno on Lake Maggiore and then by ferry at Intra near Verbania, but I really have no idea how we got there. Axel, our guide, lead us into the forest and on to windy roads, & up and down mountains. There was very little traffic and when there was, it needed to be negotiated. Most of it was narrow, one lane road by our standard, and not a place your would want to be in a car but on a bike you would be happy for it to go on all day. Be careful what you wish for.

Then is the middle of it, when your body and mind are saying “Hey, mate, I think we need a break” Axle pulls over into the building which is a family run restrurant. Run by classic Italians. The car park had not long been reseated and a little white-haired man came running out, handing small planks of wood to all the riders to put under their side stands so they did not damage the new surface. We had pasta and some had steak. The mumma cooked all from scratch. She came out a one point with 3 pieces of raw steak and a set of scales and went to Terry who had order one and asked something. I think she wanted him to see it was fresh and he was to select one. Terry was just thinking it was a bit rare. I had lasagne and it was beautiful, not like anything I had eaten at home. I am sure Axel said these type of businesses are only open from 11 til 2. They did not want to split the bill and when it came time to pay they did not take card. It was €240 all up food and drinks Wouter, the only one in our group who had conversational Italian sorted out paying. A great adventure.

At the ferry we stop for an icecream and found an ATM to top up our Euro.

After the ferry ride Axel said there was 40 kms to go over this big hill behind the town. He again lead us into the scrub and on to a narrow winding mountain road. 2hrs later we arrived at our destination for the day.

Two more quick things. We are back in Switzerland now for the last time. When we pulled up to fuel near the end of the day as is our habit, the service station doubled as a pub. There are blokes sitting on stools on the shop side of the driveway at high tables, drinking beer and smoking. Seriously, what could go wrong. The driveway attendant seem to double as a bar maid. On the way from there to the hotel we got separated from the group. Axel had told us to head for the train station and the hotel was near there. And to our great satisfaction we found it. Not without anxious moments.

We pulled in the earliest we have managed, about 6pm. Dinner was at 7.30 and we made it to bed an hour early than what has become normal.