2025 Alps Tour

[RAYK47]

So 2025 brings my first European tour, will include France, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein,  the final destination are the Italian alps, stelvio pass etc.  

 

My questions to those seasoned tourers are: -

• are there any special requirements for any of these countries?  I know in the past you had to carry certain things for car travel i.e. bulbs etc but what about bikes?
• what is the best way to deal with toll roads (unlikely to use them often but may have to occasionally to make up time (probably on the way home.  Someone suggested apps like Bip and Go as they have had issues with contactless previously. 
• any essentials i need that i may not have thought of i.e. i am bringing tyre repair kit and battery jump starter. 

 

I am intending to travel light, i am going on a street triple with a couple of Krieger's on the back.  

 

Thanks in advance

[husoi]

Depending on which main cities you are visiting you will have airecrit in France plus the equivalent on all EU countries.

You will need to purchase a sticker at the border to Austria too.

Check the current requirements for France because they change every day.

 

[Gerontious]

Stay away from cities in France and there is no need for the Crit Aire.

 

Tolls in France? Just use a credit card. The signs are self explanatory. Be very careful to store the ticket safely.

 

set your sat nav to ‘avoid Tolls’ in Switzerland it’s a bit slower but you’ll see more. And you won’t be forced to buy a pass which costs around £40.

watch your speed very carefully in Switzerland as the instant fines are excruciatingly painful. I wouldn’t bother with Liechtenstein at all to be honest. I’ve been there once and wouldn’t recommend it.

 

The motorway pass in Austria is cheap.. but totally unnecessary if you’re just heading for the western end. I’ve never bought one as I’ve never actually needed to use the autobahn in that country.

 

i wouldn’t bother with the Stelvio either. But if you must, then climb it via the Umbrail pass which joins it just below the summit on the south side and then ride down it. It’s a much nicer ride down than up. And don’t even think about riding it at the weekend!!

 

so my main tips are about a proper sat nav. Being extremely careful about speed for the entire time you are in Switzerland and care about timing you ride on the Stelvio.

 

if you were to ask me as a friend where to go? My answer would be… forget most of that and make a beeline for the Dolomites and then wander back over the course of 5 days. My top advice would be to avoid Switzerland completely. Get across France quickly into the Black Forest… then south east towards the Alpine foothills that straddle the German/Austrian Border… and either follow the German Alpine road. Or dip south and over the Timmelsjoch into Italy and then wind your way across and through the Mountains to the Dolomites and as part of your return journey head north and ride the Grossglockner high road. Oh… and if you happen to be anywhere in the Alps on a Sunday. Have the day off from riding. Take it as a rest day.

 

if your plans go pear shaped for whatever reason. You can always come with us to the Eifel in September. And use that week as an easy introduction to touring.

Edited January 22 by Gerontious

[Yorky]

Ditto avoid Switzerland, unless your wallet is bursting.

 

[RAYK47]

My friend has organised the route and sent the GPX files but i think we are doing most of what you say. 

 

I am not sure the exact routes (not studied the gpx files yet but these are the overnight stops

• Metz 
• Freiburg 
• Trentino 
• Cortina 
• Maniago
• Trentino
• Freiburg
• Metz

Austrian tyrol, stelvio pass, fluela pass etc. Alpine routes and dolomites on the return leg.  Optional and contingency (if any passes are closed) will be grand balon and glosslockner, depending on time.

 

I think Switzerland is a fleeting pass through, not really sure. 

Edited January 22 by RAYK47
.

[Gerontious]

I nearly always stay in Cortina. It’s an ideal base. Last time I went with @smallfrowne and he seemed to enjoy it. We had a day out to Slovenia and went up the Mangart. Really nice though it has to be said that it is by far the most scary road I have ever gone on.

 

but it was so worthwhile.

 

I do like the Grossglockner though.

 

[RAYK47]

Thanks for the advice Gents.  Any items i should take that may not be obvious to a touring virgin?  I am going with seasoned tourers so i hope even if i have forgotten something they will have one.  

[veracocha]

I have a copy of the Simon Weirs "Europe for Bikers" I can let you have on loan which has all the recommended routes and lots of advice around preparation. Pm if you want a loan of it and I'll send it gratis. 

[RAYK47]

that is very kind veracocha but my friend is sorting all the routes (he does about 4 tours a year so has a lot of experience).  As its my first tour i am happy to let him do the organising this time.  

[Gerontious]

26 minutes ago, RAYK47 said:

that is very kind veracocha but my friend is sorting all the routes (he does about 4 tours a year so has a lot of experience).  As its my first tour i am happy to let him do the organising this time.  

I wouldn’t worry too much then. Best advice I can offer is to have a euro friendly credit card. I have 2. A Halifax Clarity and a Nationwide. Most useful in France if you use an unmanned petrol station. Never use a debit card in one of those. If you don’t already have a euro friendly credit card then get one. And just pay it off before the interest kicks in. Since Covid everyone accepts credit cards. But it’s also useful to have a bit of cash for very small purchases too.

 

ask your mate about tolls. Where you might be using them and so on.

[bonio]

As for what you have to take

• V5 (you're supposed to have the original)
• motor insurance
• spare bulbs unless they're leds
• fluorescent jacket (for French motorways)
• passport

Although you don't have to, it's wise to take your EIHC card, to get some travel insurance in case you fall seriously ill, and some breakdown cover in case the bike has to be shipped home.

[Pie man]

33 minutes ago, bonio said:

As for what you have to take

• V5 (you're supposed to have the original)
• motor insurance
• spare bulbs unless they're leds
• fluorescent jacket (for French motorways)
• passport

Although you don't have to, it's wise to take your EIHC card, to get some travel insurance in case you fall seriously ill, and some breakdown cover in case the bike has to be shipped home.

Good shout, I forgot about the fluorescent bib 

Edited January 22 by Pie man

[curlylegend]

3 hours ago, Pie man said:

Good shout, I forgot about the fluorescent bib 

I think the yellow bib is for just about any road in France.  They're light and don't take up much room.