The alps 2012
 

Me and mate are planning to do the Alps this year on the SV's. We're going to ride down through France, stop somewhere mid way, but around the Alps we're not sure what to do, either move around and stop at a few different hotels or set up camp some where in the Alps and use that as a base to see things. I'd really like to use hotels recommended by bikers so if anyone has any recommendations that would be great. Any information or advice would be great to, such as must see areas or routes. Cheers in advance.

Re: The alps 2012
 

Route in this thread is worth a look. http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=152385&page=4 If I wasn't doing the P2P this year I'd do this, it is in my pratnav ready for last year but health problems got in the way. Wherever you end up, do a write up and make us jealous.

Re: The alps 2012
 

Cheers mate, that actually looks like a really good route! Yeah I'll definitely write it, plenty of pictures to irritate everyone lol.

We did Scotland on the SV's last year, was part of a charity run, 4 days, 1780 miles.. all in the rain on A roads. My **** was sore for over a week after getting back, epic sights though!

Re: The alps 2012
 

I went to Switzerland in 2011.

We spend one day on the motorways blatting through France in the pouring rain, four days based in Lauterbrunnen, then two fairly relaxed days riding back. The passes in Switzerland are great, though one of them was cobbles which would have been a nightmare in the wet.

My recommendations would be:

1) Book your hotels in advance
2) Print off detailed maps for your hotels. Satnav isn't always your friend.
3) Get decent waterproofs, and pack a spare pair of gloves
4) Pay for decent breakdown cover (one of our guys had to be relayed home)
5) Have fun

One final thought. Some of the villages (like Wengen) are car free zones in the summer. Check before you book your accommodation.

Re: The alps 2012
 

Where u can go in the mountains depends on what time of year u go. July August is best, busy but all the famous high passes will be open.

At that time of year the weather still can change very quickly. I have went for a dip in a lake in glorious warm sunshine only for a thunder storm to come over 30mins later.

Accommodation is plentiful. Would not book anywhere. So no daft schedule to keep to and no getting lost. Much more fun.

For a first trip I would recommend French alps. Tons of amazing routes. And if the weather is consistently bad in the alps u can just head south to the beach!

Have a look at the touring bit of ukgser and also check out alpineroads.com.
Viamichelin.com for spotting the "green" tourist/biking heaven routes.

Re: The alps 2012
 

What Stramasher said, especially the bit about not booking hotels. Riding and stopping to look at stuff, detours, long lunches in that nice roadside cafe etc ruin a schedule but make the trip great. No booked hotels = no schedule = :D

Re: The alps 2012
 

Cheers for the replies guys, some good information. After reading this and doing research I think I will just take an emergency tent and try and wing accomodation. Also thinking of pushing back to July, probably will to be honest, reading alot about passes being closed up to the third week of June in previous years where as July is meant to be pretty safe. Thanks again.

Re: The alps 2012
 

July is a good idea, we went in late June and all was good: http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=154910

Daimo went a few weeks earlier and had a bit more... adventures...
http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=153878

Re: The alps 2012
 

July.. July.. July! After seeing those pictures lol, I don't fancy that snow thanks! Both trips looked awesome though... those pictures make my more determined to get the cash together for this!

Re: The alps 2012
 

Ride around, there is so much to see and do!

September is ace, because everywhere is empty/cheap, but the weather is good.

A few of my personal examples:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=82336

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.p...11#post1294911

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=139613