Mugello & Catalunya MotoGPs Ride Report - 2017

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

It’s late May and it’s time to head over to Mugello for the MotoGP races.

Day 1 – Thurs. 25th – c. 620 miles to Ashford

If I recall correctly it was a dry sunny day as I left home and headed for Ashford, Kent for a stop-over before an early (c. 05:00) tunnel booking the next morning. As I’d recently been made redundant I could leave anytime the weather was nice, so I did!

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Day 2 – Fri. 26th
Off the other side and ride a few miles before turning right onto the A26 peage heading south aiming for Albertville (again).

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Day 3 – Sat. 27th
I’m going to ride some of the Route Napoleon today and plan to stop in Castellane for the night assuming I can find a room somewhere. I had read one of Arsey’s many postings saying how idyllic it was around the village square and its quaint back paths. Unlucky for me it happened to be summer carnival weekend and the idyllic square was now dodgems and hook-the-duck stuff! Help! Anyway, I parked up and walked across the road to the Grand Hotel du Levant and got a lovely room no problem. Secure parking is in their garage (to the left in the hotel pic)

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

More pics:

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

and more:

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Day 4 – Sun. 28th

Leaving Castellane (after a lovely steak and red wine dinner, last night, in one of the back lane restaurants) I head for the French / Italian coast and on to Pisa, Mugello, Scarperia and places further north.
Here’s one for truckers amongst us:
In the pic where my bike is parked in a roadside services you can you see a Waberer’s truck in the background – they are a huge logistics company and you see their trucks everywhere.

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

continuing:

My wife wouldn’t let me go to Florence without her so, again, I bypassed it and went to see this historical structure that appears to lean a bit in Pisa.

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

then:

On arriving at Pisa I looked about for somewhere to park in the area I thought the tower was and, at my second attempt, I found a back road at 90º to the main tourist one leading to the tower. There was a side road off this back road and it was full of scooters. I quickly decided to abandon my steed on the corner and run to the Duomo and tower for some quick photos. I grabbed my phone from my tank bag and hurried to get my photos. Pics. taken and it was time to buy a fridge magnet and a shot glass (I am a tourist after all and I collect these things). Goodies purchased and I now need a pee before riding on. There’s a restaurant behind me so I swiftly walk to the back (that’s where the toilets usually hide) pretending I know where I’m going and find them no problem. As I leave I reach into my pocket for my bike key but it’s not there! Shit! Panic! Where is it? I hurry back to my bike and there it is – in the ignition and still switched on! I was only away for 5 – 10 minutes but that’s long enough for it not to have been there on my return. Note to self – don’t be in such a hurry!

Now I’m off to see the Mugello circuit and somewhere local to stay for the night (which turned out to be in Scarperia). I park in the village and find a room in the San Barbara hotel (ex-convent). I had a couple of beers (Birra Moretti) in the street outside a local hostelry and then went back to the hotel for dinner. I picked the steak at the top of the list, not sure what it was, but it was huge and one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. Four guys (golfers unfortunately) came in after me and had t-bone steaks and theirs were equally impressive. The evening continued with copies amounts of red wine.

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

more pics:

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Day 5 – Mon. 29th
I left the gorgeous Scarperia (I still need a lottery win to buy a place up here in the Tuscan hills sadly) and head north towards the lakes area – which lake I won’t know until I get there. Heading northish I meander through the Tuscan hill roads and they’re just heavenly! I come across this wee place, in the middle of nowhere and have a wee stop. It’s just idyllic.

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

and then:

Onwards and I end up at Lago Iseo. I find a hotel right at the shoreline and book a room for the night.
Can you spot my bike hiding behind a bush?

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

more pics of Iseo:

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Day 6 – Tues. 30th
I’m aiming for the Adriatic coast, somewhere, tonight via Lago Garda and Verona (which only occurred to me after going around Lago Garda).

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

More pics:

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Day 7 – Wed 31st
I’m going to find somewhere to stay tonight in Cattolica as I’m familiar with the place because that’s where I stay when I go to the Misano MotoGP. Before that though I need to visit the Marco Simoncelli museum in Coriano to pay my respects to a great racer and person. It’s a very moving visit as his life and career were cut very short.

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

more pics:

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

After this very emotional and moving visit I had to cheer up so headed to Tavullia (I wonder who lives there?)

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Then it’s on to Cattolica for some refreshments and a room for the night. I met my usual restaurateur (Rossi fan)

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

Time to head for Mugello to find a piece of grass somewhere for the next four nights. I find a small hostelry that clears out all its hens to provide camping area. That’ll do nicely and it’s not too far to walk to the circuit.

Khulu · Jan 18, 2019

more pics:

Mugello & Catalunya MotoGPs Ride Report - 2017

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