Ali in Austria

Heavy late snow delayed the opening of The Grossglockner from the scheduled 29.04.2017 but today it opens - unfortunately only for 4 wheels and a requirement to have snow chains. Hopefully the next few mild days will open it up fully. https://edelweissspitze.panomax.com?t=2017-05-03+07-00-00&r=209&z=144 Nockalmstrasse is fully open from today though

Had the 20S since it came out, in fact before it went on general release, and ride in some monumental storms when I get caught out in the mountains. Never had a problem with water ingress. I do use silicon oil around the rubber bung just as I use it on GoPro door seals and buttons. Maybe that is why.

Sena's Universal Connection allows you to connect to non Sena Headsets regardless. Range is more limited with that connection but connect a group of Sena and non Sena the right way and you can expand the number of connections. Sena of course allows multiple Intercom connections between other Sena headsets, the number depends on the model. Certainly the 20S has a group function which is easy to set up on the App. I can set up a Group connection and include the Audio Pack for GoPro in that Group. I can also listen to my music with any connection combination. Sena have music sharing but as the significant other half doesn't share my diverse taste in music I have never used it. She has her own music connection. The range of the Senas is about what they claim in ideal conditions and is certainly good enough to be functional. The old SMH10 is just under a KM while the 20S is considerably more. They reconnect after a dropped connection fairly reliably IMHE. My only experience with Cardo was the Schuberth Integrated System which wasn't designed for distance and was intermittent at best. While canvassing guests here Rider to Pillion wasn't an issue with any of the makes really although the actual quality of the Audio on the cheaper models was. It was Rider to Rider that was important to me and at that time the bigger manufacturers were not compatible with each other although you could pair to some of the lesser known makes. The Sena Universal Connection addressed that as far as they could and certainly made a difference. Maybe things have moved on since my last purchase. Mine is working fine so I have had no cause to look. At the time Sena was head and shoulders above the others for what I needed for my personal entertainment and Tour Guiding. I'm sure I'll see some of the newer models passing through this coming season and may even get tempted because I just can't help myself

Used Sena for a few years now, both the SMH10 (wife Lid) and the 20S (mine). No issues with water ingress and we have some monumental storms here which occasionally catch me out. Did a lot of research with Bikers passing through our place and at the time Sena seemed the most reliable. Their Universal Connection gives you the opportunity to connect with other makes. Can't fault the operation or quality. I love music while I am riding and the 20S gives really good audio.

Horses for courses. My Bike is hibernating out here from November to April so a Quad gives me a winter fix. On snow covered roads they are great entertainment. Plus I could't fit a snow plow to my bike

As long as you got Puntigamer Been out and about Saturday/Sunday. Weather is slowly getting there though still funny seeing people doing cross country skiing right next to the road Schladminger is our local brewery Another 4 weeks at least before I will wake mine up. More snow forecast next week

but do you have Bars and eateries with in walkin distance ? We have a small bar. Nearest restaurant is 200m away. Plenty of others around here. We do a free shuttle to various restaurants for Bikers.

Welcome. A bit more information as to where, when and for how long would help.

Kettle is normally on. Something stronger in the Bar We are only small ( 5 x Double Rooms) but just in case you hit a problem in our area we have a Bike Garage and tools. My mini bus can recover a rolling bike and I have a tame mechanic nearby

Some people don't have the confidence to Tour abroad for the first time. Others like someone to do all the leg work for them, others are just seeking company. IMHE most of the people that make up those groups aren't looking for a camping or budget experience but I am sure you have done your homework and found there is a market. I run a small Biker Friendly Alpine B&B and often sort out the whole trip for those travelling on a budget. Some say I am a fool but I don't charge for the service. Often we are a couple of nights stopover for those who have planned a Camping Tour. I tend to find that most abandon the camping aspect very soon in to their Tour. Are you planning on meeting your tours at the start or are you expecting them to navigate to a destination in Europe. If the latter, TBQH, once they have done that bit on their own there is no reason why they wouldn't do the rest on their own. So much information can be found on the Internet these days, especially Forums, that planning a trip is actually very easy. Many of the Tour Companies and Biker Hotels I know say they get the best results from personally attending Bike Shows.

In some quarters all Muslims are tarred with the same brush, that is all.

... and a Muslim to boot

Had them during my time in. Usually they got their just deserts but a few seemed to lead a charmed life. Nice to see they are routing them out still.

I'm a Rukka fan but managed to shred my decent suit in a low speed off. My Old "Rukka Steel " suit is still going strong 10 years down the line and still fits, just about. I now use a Dainese Teren for day to day use. Shower proof outer, zip in and out Thermal and waterproof layers. Changing or even carrying layers is a faff but I find the outer is genuinely shower proof and puts up with sustained exposure to all but the heaviest rain. In that event I pop a 2 piece oversuit on which I used to use over my Rukka in bad weather anyway to keep it clean. The Teren has good ventilation that can be opened in the even it gets hot and while not a substitute for a T-Bag Jacket, it does a good job of keeping me cool.

A post today on another Forum: "Long term lurker here, signed up as ive spent the last few days stranded in this f**king country All petrol stations in the north and west are either on the bones of their arse or completely dry of all fuel. The ones that are open are rationing it and have 1hr + queues. I've been stuck in the loire valley since Saturday morning when my reserve got low and every petrol station i passed was shut. Spent a few days in a hotel there before realising no unleaded was turning up in the foreseeable so have stashed bike with hotel owners, bussed it to nearest big town and got TGV to Paris where ive picked up a cheap flight to Seville, where i was headed on the bike. Dont come to france until this is sorted, its carnage."

In case you have missed it and you have a trip planned in the coming weeks that involves France please be aware that there are strikes involving some of the oil refineries being blockaded and in some areas petrol stations have run out completely according to the news. Rationing is also taking place in some areas that have fuel. I have seen a couple of posts on other Forums where guys have run out of fuel.

A bit like this - Fast Forward to 3:55 http://youtu.be/Y5tpcJHn2Wk Panomax Cameras are great. Snowing up there at the moment though. Spring resumes tomorrow Bikers Point /Eidelweißspitze - http://edelweissspitze.panomax.com?t=2016-05-24+10-30-00&r=79&z=138&tl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Fischer Toerl - http://fuschertoerl.panomax.com?t=2016-05-24+10-30-00&r=17&z=138&tl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Kaiser-Franz-Josef's-Hoehe - http://grossglockner.panomax.com?t=2016-05-24+10-30-00&r=169&z=138&tl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The VStrom has been laid up since the end of October last year. Check the fluids etc, fired up the first time of asking, glorious day so away I went http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htTfafrdyHY A longer version riding down from Kaiser Franz Josefs Hohe to the North Toll Booths http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-B4iAyDgPhA http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd406/PensionHausMaria/The%20Grossglockner%2022%2005%202016/GOPR4239_zpsjmofde4f.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd406/PensionHausMaria/The%20Grossglockner%2022%2005%202016/GOPR4241_zpsccfynsjm.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd406/PensionHausMaria/The%20Grossglockner%2022%2005%202016/GOPR4246_zpsrcv30f8r.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd406/PensionHausMaria/The%20Grossglockner%2022%2005%202016/GOPR4249_zpseogsfg8n.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd406/PensionHausMaria/The%20Grossglockner%2022%2005%202016/GOPR4252_zpsicibhrrr.jpg http://i1218.photobucket.com/albums/dd406/PensionHausMaria/The%20Grossglockner%2022%2005%202016/GOPR4260_zps9bkzsn0p.jpg

Here are some points of interest: http://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zllkQBAwv3Mw.kK2oDNPXQ1BQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; If you want any specific information about Austria drop me a PM. Be careful in Switzerland. The National Speed Limit on ordinary roads is 80kph and fines are frightening. Italy in August is manic with much of the country on holiday and numbers swelled by other european countries also on a month long holiday. It is best to have accommodation booked in advance. Places like Lake Garda and Como will be chocker but The Dolomites and Süd Tirol aren't to bad and should be on any Bucket List. Stelvio is on your Bucket List so here's a taster. Ride it from North East to South West, you'll thank me later: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nygwqJSGTWQ Often missed is the Umbrail Pass just down the south west side from the summit. It is easy to do several loops to do it all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taUFYs9OeRc If you are going for long enough then do Slovenia and Croatia while you are at it. The Julian Alps in Slovenia are beautiful. If you make it to Croatia do one of the National Parks such as Plitvice, just stunning. This was a rushed visit, wish I had allowed more time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4nrwx_otMw ......... and a bit of the Coast Road between Starigrad and Karlobag: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FcNbNfbY10M I run a Biker Friendly B&B about 1 hour south of Salzburg. Have a look at our YouTube Channel for things to see and do in our area: http://www.youtube.com/user/PensionHausMaria?feature=mhum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am the manager and the dolly at the desk at our place along with handyman and general dogsbody Our rate is fair, some would say very cheap for our area, and we don't negotiate. Take it or leave it or save yourself the walk in the first place. One night stays are hard work for little reward so you are unlikely to get a discount. Many seasonal places don't take them as they have a minimum stay policy and many add a supplement that looks like you are getting a discount for a longer stay. In our case the rate is per person regardless of single or double occupancy and we welcome 1 nights stays without adding any supplement. Bikers do get a free beer on arrival Use the Booking.com App but go to the accommodation direct as they are usually more than happy to lose the Booking.com commission. It is a cut throat business and many places have set their rates at a bare minimum in the first place to be competitive so don't set your expectations too high.

If you get to The Alps, here a few suggestions https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?hl=en&authuser=0&mid=zllkQBAwv3Mw.kK2oDNPXQ1BQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As others have said, it is best to have an Advanced Booking or you will get stung. I have arrived early and late with an Advanced Booking and always got the next next but one train at no extra charge. I did arrive on one occasion without a Booking when I had intended to use the ferry but they had gone on strike again. I was fleeced well and truly. Fortunately I wasn't footing the bill

You soon get the hang of riding on the "wrong side of the road". IME the real danger is when first setting off after a stop such as coffee or fuel. Just take a few seconds to orientate yourself and away you go. Somewhere on here I did post a list of Touring Tips. New to that list would be the requirement in France to carry a reflective vest in the event of breakdown. You should also be aware that Card Payments in rural or mountain regions are often not accepted so have some cash on you.

Anyone Touring in The Dolomites this summer should be aware of the following: It is proposed that The Sellajoch / Passo Sella will be closed to traffic between 1100 hrs and 1400 hrs during July and August in order to keep the people at UNESCO happy. If successful, it may be rolled out to other passes and areas the following year so do them while you can!!!! Here is an article in German, translate in Chrome - https://www.stol.it/Artikel/Chronik-im-Ueberblick/Lokal/Dolomiten-Paesse-Der-Weg-zur-Sperre-ist-frei" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Touring Europe is easy and Bikers are welcome just about anywhere. Use the French motorways (Tolls) or Belgium motorways (Toll Free) to get to the decent riding areas and off you go. If travelling to Alpine Regions just be mindful that in reality your average will usually be around 30 mph during the course of the day. If anyone wants any help or advice feel free to drop me a line http://www.pensionhausmaria.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. We don't have to be on your itinerary for us to help