Thunder To The Bloc Tour

It's that time of year again...
The bike tours are in full swing!

This year the Thunder Group split up:
One group were on an endurance trip - getting as many miles done as physically possible
while the other group set to make it more relaxing.
I joined the relaxing group ~ and lead them through Switzerland onto Como, Italy.


The Splitter Group.

The handing over of the "Around The World Rally" plaque was also an event I did:
 

Me and Frank from Australian.



The next day we all rode out from Como onto Bellagio where we took some refreshments before parting ways.



The group continued onto Venice while I took the ferry over to Verenna and then rode back home over the Splügenpass. Some pictures taken at Bellagio and the ferry:
 

Once across the lake Como it was North to The Splügenpass:
 

I also allowed myself to make a stop at the Rofla Gorge:
 

A fantastic weekend, with some good friends.

Mariangela's 50th Birthday Party

A spontaneous decision to call around at Mariangela's and join-in in her birthday celebrations.

The Start Of The EuroRally Trophies

Making trophies for the BonnevilleAmerica.com EuroRally that will take place at the end of July this year...

Finally, A Post With Food Again...

 I can't keep you any longer waiting for grill pictures... So there you have it!

 

BA EuroRally Patches

Got a parcel from Thailand today!

 

Filled with the BA EuroRally patches.... Excellent!

 

June Photo Scavenger Hunt Poll - Thunderbird1600.com

The June Photo Scavenger Hunt Poll over at the Thunderbird1600.com forum is up and waiting for you to vote ME!
(Birdy68)

Poll: June 4 2012 - Scavenger Hunt

My Photo:

Dunlop Trailmax TR91 Adventure

Well I had the chance to ride on a Dunlop event: "Trailmax TR91 Adventure".

The event was held around the lake of Como and we were based in the Park Hotel in Abbadia Lariana - the next village down from Mandello del Lario.






I chose to ride down on the Friday, over the Splügen pass!

The route took me up and past the Viamala Schlucht.




I must come back here one day and walk down the gorge.

From there the road goes up and over the Splügen pass ~ where I was greeted with THIS kind of weather...





Then going down the Italian side was foggy and wet ~ with a little detour off on a track or two...




Finally, 400km later I was at the Hotel where a warm shower followed by a shed full of beer was awaiting me...
I had actually ridden on a day early - the main group would be coming the next day!
So I had the privilege to join the host, Reto Camastral from Dunlop Switzerland and Michael Kutschke from Toeff Magazine at the evening meal.



Interesting Pizza!!!



The next day the other 5 riders joined us at the hotel...




We were then briefed as to what the day would involve and what was expected from us:
- Test the Trailmax TR91 tyre to the limit!
- Report back as to how it felt!

I was feeling fresh - and worried - but then realised that the other riders had already done hundreds of kilometers that morning! They had already ridden over the Alps!

They are ANIMALS!!!
:-)


But first, we had a ride up to Varenna and into the harbour where we did some quick photo shooting for the reports and possible magazine review.






Then the riding section arrived!!!
Up...
Down...
Up...
Down...
... the mountain!
Around the bend as fast as you can!

STOP!
More photographs...




Then more riding....
:-D

Actually is was great fun and I was learning a lot!

1) How to corner with more confidence and security
2) How bloody good these tyres are!
They are like super glue on the roads... Confidence inspiring.


STOP!
More photographs...




Then more riding and a few more stops... That's right ~ Photographs!
:-)



Then back down to Varenna for a final coffee...
NO PHOTOS!




After a good number of kilometers we were back at the hotel - showered and ready to go for food!
A small walk to the restaurant was called for!
Well - we had to let the bikes cool down!




The food was lovely!


During the meal there was a spectacular thunderstorm...



But not to worry - expresso and grappa was awaiting in the warmth...



The next day we were back on the road - direction home - the LONG way!
First port of call was back up to Varenna to get the ferry over to Menaggio...






Then we rode over to Porlezza and went South around the lake Lugano passing through Claino con Osteno. Then ont Pellio Intelvi and Lanzo d'Intelvi where we took a small track up the mountain to a spectacular view over Lugano!




Again - some more photographs... :-)



Then we rode back down into Switzerland and through Arogno and Maroggia where we took the motorway North to the San Bernardino pass.




We were also greeted by our friends on the other side of the hill...



But not to worry - all was OK and we were soon on our way home - stopping off for one last coffee before our ways parted...



All in all:
A FANTASTIC TIME
GREAT PEOPLE
LOVELY AREA
and most importantly...
SUPER SAFE TYRES that kept me rubber side down!

Dunlop Trailmax TR91

Best rated tyres to date!
Get them fitted.
NOW!