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Tiger Adventure Days - 2012

We're all back from the 'Tiger Adventure Days'... And still in one piece.
Well - the bikes may not be in one piece - but at least we are!
Some great moments...

The first day was Colle delle Finestre (2'173m)...



... then along the Colle dell'Assietta ... even if the weather didn't join in the fun!
It rained almost all the way... Slippy and windy! Not the best of conditions considering the road we were on!





The second day we tackled Monte Jafferau (2'801m) - including Fort Pramand and Forte Foens.
But not everything went as planned when wanting to go to Fort Pramand!!!




Even the Tigger got a rock thrown at it and damaged the kick stand switch!!!



But the ride up was lovely!



We did finally make it up there though!
But not without that Tigger attitude and some bashed up Russische Zopf!



Which made me feel like a super hero!



Looking back down from Monte Jafferau.



Once we got back down - it was a direct route to the Welcome Bikers Bar...
*hic*




Where - after a shed load of beer's and sambuca's - we met some great guys!




The next day - day 3 - saw us tackle the Colle Sommeiller (2'995m)





It's a hard, long, rocky and very high road.
The lack of oxygen doesn't help matters either!




And regardless of all that - WE MADE IT!





But there were some strange people up there - VERY large people!



On the way back down we stopped off at the Rifugio Scarfiotti to get some food back inside us!



As always - at the end of the day, the photos were pooled together...




Day 4-  DID NOT EXIST!
We were all showing signs of wear!!!
So while Denis and Soemmi rode back in one go, Bruno and I took two days and did a few passes - in the sunshine!




All in all a FANTASTIC event - with GREAT company!

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!