Tour 2015 Ride Report to Misano MotoGP

Khulu

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Going back to 2003:
My misses and me had both ridden up to Hyder, Alaska (we were living in Alberta, Canada at the time) to join the end of the Iron Butt ride which covered all US states in the shortest possible time. I rode my H-D FXSTC along a gravel road but having a 21” front wheel and forward pegs I was rather slow. I tried my wife’s H-D FLSTC and, with her fatter front tyre, I was a bit faster. However, along came a GS(A) and rider at about twice my speed and I thought then that my Harley couldn’t do everything but his BMW could – I wanted one!
Recently I bought myself a 2013 TB TC GSA. It’s taken me 12 years and voluntary redundancy to get it but I’ve now got one.
Where could I go for an inaugural mainland European tour with my GSA? The MotoGP at Misano, Italy came to mind so a plan was formulated.
I had USA military friends near Ramstein, Germany so I could visit them for a night (in both directions) then head through Switzerland to the races and back via Basel (I worked there for a few months many years ago) and then head for home.

Day 1 – Fri. 4th September – c. 620 miles to Ashford
It was a dry day as I rode down to my pre-booked Travelodge (maybe it was a Premier Inn) near Ashford, Kent for a stop-over before an early (c. 05:00) tunnel booking the next morning.

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Day 2 – Sat. 5th
Off the other side and head for Ramstein, Germany where my friends live. We spend the evening catching up on happenings and drinking good German beer, as you do.

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Day 3 – Sun. 6th
I’d decided to head for Interlaken as I’d never been before and believed it be rather nice and also very handy for a few mountain passes. I arrive at Interlaken and find a lovely wee campsite just to the north of the “Sees” and right at the shoreline.

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I have a saunter about the town, find somewhere for dinner and just soak up the atmosphere of the place. Very nice.
 
Day 4 – Mon. 7th
Time to ride some of the Swiss passes; Susten to Andermatt (I just love this place) then on the Oberalp pass (another of my favourites) aiming for Chur.

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From here I end up over the border into Italy and find a room for the night in the duty-free town of Livigno.

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Day 5 – Tues. 8th
Early morning and it’s a bit frosty, 0ºC. It took 4 water bottles worth of hot water to thaw my tank and seat before I could use them.
 

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It had to be done (at least once although I’ve actually ridden it 1 ½ times) – Passo Stelvio.

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After surviving the Stelvio (and buying the usual sticker and fridge magnet (and a shot glass) I headed south and found a lovely campsite on the eastern shore of Lago Garda just to the north of Garda proper. The campsite went right down to the lake where I watched the sunset with a glass of red wine. Idyllic.

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Day 6 – Wed. 9th
Time to head to Cattolica to my (unusual as it is) pre-booked accommodation. I’ll be staying here for 5 nights so I booked in advance. Instead of arriving on the Thursday night ready for Friday’s practice sessions I thought I’d have an extra day to find my bearings and all the good eateries / drinkeries!

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My hotel for my stay:

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Day 7 – Thurs. 10th
I couldn’t come all this way and not go to Tavullia now could I?

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Day 8 – Fri. 11th
Practice day.

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Free car park soon to be full:

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At night (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) there’s always a free bus [every half hour] to and from Tavullia from Cattolica. Obviously, I go.

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Day 9 – Sat. 12th
Qualifying day and a night out, again, at Tavullia (no pics. today).
I did, however, shake hands with Graziano (Rossi senior) during the evening.

Day 10 – Sun. 13th
Race day but, again, no pics. but spent the night in Cattolica.

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Day 11 – Mon. 14th
Left Cattolica after breakfast and headed north to the lakes area, somewhere but nowhere in particular.
Where did I end up? Como, right on the lake shore. I found a hotel with a room available and parked my bike round the back in a lane. It turned out my room was more of a suite than a box.

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Day 12 – Tues. 15th
I leave Lago Como and head north until I reach Koblenz, Germany where I find a campsite for the night.

En route to Koblenz:

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Day 13 – Wed. 16th
I am now heading for Basel, Switzerland to visit some old haunts but go via Touratech’s place in Niedererschach. (Anything for a free coffee mug!)

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After that I head for Grenzach on the Rhine and just to the north of Basel. It’s cheaper to stay and eat in Germany than it is in Switzerland! Here’s some photos of Basel:

Weird street architecture:

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Heading into Basel:

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Rathaus:

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My favourite biscuit shop:

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A lovely wee square for a beer:

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My local restaurant / dunkel beer brewery:

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Day 14 – Thurs. 17th
Leaving Grenzach I again head for Ramstein where I’m entertained with deep fried whole chicken in peanut oil (It’s an American thing but very tasty.)
Day 15 – Fri. 18th
Time to head home.

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Till the next time.
 
Cheers again for RR, nice to see i'm not the only daft bugger that uses the tunnel all the way from gods country !;)
 


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