Hi there folks,
Planning this years trip.
The basic trip is Athens to the UK, 2 up on a PanEuropean ST 1100 . Duration - about 2 weeks max 3 weeks.
Firstly this is not my first trip in Europe but this is the first time that I will have to plan a route. I normaly travel with my brother and mates, so I was not fussy about where I stayed.
This trip is slightly different. My 20 year old daughter will be riding pillion.
I'll be carrying a tent for the more expensive countrys.


My route so far is:-
Leave Athens on 23rd June heading for Sandanski (Bulgaria), Pitesti, Transfaragas Highway, Sibiu, Brasov, Vienna.
I’ve only planned as far as Vienna.

So looking for suggestions where to head for after Vienna, was thinking of the Alps so maybe looking for a good route to and through the mountains.

Please feel free to comment on any part of my route.

Rory

Hi Rory,
You could ride just about anywhere in the Alps and spend two weeks there alone, so I fear you will be short of time.

If your timings allow, then head for Bardonecchia, Italy for the weekend of 8th July (this year) where you will find the annual Stella Alpina meeting - about half way up the mountain you can camp for free among 100s of other bikes/tents.
Outside that weekend the place is pretty dead, being better known as a ski resort, but for those few days just follow the bikes up the mountain - you can't miss them!

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Dave

Thanks for the suggestion.
Looks like a good place to stop for a day or two.
Rory

Your very welcome.
I have just been watching this, which gives a good feel for the meeting:-
Stella Alpina Highest motorcycle meeting in the World climbing highest mountainroad of Europe - YouTube

Personally, I wouldn't take a Pan to the top of the Col, but that is because I have been there! All kinds of bikes have been up there, so I am not saying it can't be done - just have a thought for the bodywork on your bike.

The camping is done lower down, in two separate locations with one next to the mountain refuge hut (and a road bike can easily get to either). The whole concept of this meeting has always been about taking a road bike to as high as is feasible for a road bike to go with a decent rider.
That can be misunderstood which is one reason why this meeting is never advertised; there is no organiser, no costs, just turn up.
An Italian guy goes there every year in his van to sell badges & sandwiches but you don't have to buy one; he probably makes a small fortune.

There will be some folks there who drag a crosser out of the back of a van, but they are a small minority.

It is a great weekend to see a lot of bikes from all over Europe - anything on 2 or 3 wheels basically.

The guy who first did this trip is now on sticks/zimmer frame and gets there by car (I met him in the town, not up the mountain) - that is how old he is nowadays; as they say, spend time when you are old regretting what you didn't get done when you were younger, or something on those lines.

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Dave

The road to the campsite looks bad enough .

The campsite looks interesting.
It the timing is right I definately be there.

Rory

Rory,

We had a great campsite about 10 minutes from the north end of the Transfagarasan Highway, in a little village called Carta.
It is run by a Dutch/Romanian family good facilities clean highly recommend.
Mike says the was a wee bit warm but that was not the fault of the camp site.
We are heading towards Switzerland in August.
Hoping to make the weekend at Cannich, Mike is working abroad just now so not sure where he will be, and me as usual due to work the Saturday but then I have a weeks holidays so at some point I will be there.

Liz

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Only dead fish go with the flow