Alps 2011 + 5
That evening back at Bad St.Isidor we sat for our evening meal on the balcony whilst watching and listening to the thunderstorm in the distance. It was a terrific experience to be in such a warm climate whilst watching the streaking forks of lightning from our vantage point high on the hill.
The storm was closing in on our location so we moved from the balcony to inside whilst the full dining area width glass door area was still open.
We had another good night of sleep before obtaining details of the whereabouts for the local BMW outlet from one of the daughters of the family owners after she made phone calls on our behalf. We set off a few kilometres southbound toward Trento and found the BMW outlet amongst other industrial units.
Unfortunately they were far too busy and couldn't fit us in for a proper diagnosis. Rather than to spend unnecessarily on 'guessed' parts we continued on our way , besides, any suspected parts I required were order only and we didn't plan on waiting several days for parts arrival.
The storm was closing in on our location so we moved from the balcony to inside whilst the full dining area width glass door area was still open.
We had another good night of sleep before obtaining details of the whereabouts for the local BMW outlet from one of the daughters of the family owners after she made phone calls on our behalf. We set off a few kilometres southbound toward Trento and found the BMW outlet amongst other industrial units.
Unfortunately they were far too busy and couldn't fit us in for a proper diagnosis. Rather than to spend unnecessarily on 'guessed' parts we continued on our way , besides, any suspected parts I required were order only and we didn't plan on waiting several days for parts arrival.
The bike was becoming frustrating with its newly familiar reluctancy to start, as well as becoming threatening to cut out at junctions and any time the engine was idling.
We persevered on through towns and occasionally slow moving traffic until a clearing along the main road was available and I fed in more power to pass a line of vehicles that were not allowing the bike to run particularly happily.
I saw a figure step out into my path in the distance as I clocked the Polizei Ford Fiesta with camera equipment at the side of the road in a lay by.
Damn!
I pulled over and wondered whether to turn the ignition off or not, knowing she'd be a pig to restart!
I chose to switch off as I didn't know how long the Polizei would keep me and walked over to their vehicle.
A roadside fine of just under 40 Euros instead of a potential 100 odd , something to do with a Summer Sale offer I think , a ticket, a sneaky photo by Jo and we were on our way again ... after the bike decided to start.
We arrived at Riva del Garda along the SS45bis route through Dro and Arco and set about looking for a campsite. We followed along the lakeside route through the fascinating tunnels carved into the rock until we reached Limone sul Garda.
We persevered on through towns and occasionally slow moving traffic until a clearing along the main road was available and I fed in more power to pass a line of vehicles that were not allowing the bike to run particularly happily.
I saw a figure step out into my path in the distance as I clocked the Polizei Ford Fiesta with camera equipment at the side of the road in a lay by.
Damn!
I pulled over and wondered whether to turn the ignition off or not, knowing she'd be a pig to restart!
I chose to switch off as I didn't know how long the Polizei would keep me and walked over to their vehicle.
A roadside fine of just under 40 Euros instead of a potential 100 odd , something to do with a Summer Sale offer I think , a ticket, a sneaky photo by Jo and we were on our way again ... after the bike decided to start.
We arrived at Riva del Garda along the SS45bis route through Dro and Arco and set about looking for a campsite. We followed along the lakeside route through the fascinating tunnels carved into the rock until we reached Limone sul Garda.
One of the main points of interest (POI) for me was to seek out the Tremalzo Pass , an old military route that would cross the high ground along a rocky surface for some 13kms or so. I eventually found the right turn about 100 metres after passing through yet another tunnel.
After a twisty climb through numerous switchbacks we came across a three-way fork in the road and asked a number of cyclists for the Tremalzo Pass route. The wrong directions were given and after several fruitless kms travelled I turned back to the fork and took one of the other routes - the middle one to be precise!
This led to exactly where I wanted to be, though I didn't expect to come across such a rocky track so soon into the climb. It proved to be very difficult , the bike was still fully loaded and despite asking Jo to dismount whilst I tried to tackle the climbing track it was just too much under the circumstances. We took a 15 minute rest before heading back down to the lakeside to set up camp at one of the many campsites in the Tremosine region.
After a twisty climb through numerous switchbacks we came across a three-way fork in the road and asked a number of cyclists for the Tremalzo Pass route. The wrong directions were given and after several fruitless kms travelled I turned back to the fork and took one of the other routes - the middle one to be precise!
This led to exactly where I wanted to be, though I didn't expect to come across such a rocky track so soon into the climb. It proved to be very difficult , the bike was still fully loaded and despite asking Jo to dismount whilst I tried to tackle the climbing track it was just too much under the circumstances. We took a 15 minute rest before heading back down to the lakeside to set up camp at one of the many campsites in the Tremosine region.
I was very disappointed at not being able to give the Tremalzo a good run but in hindsight I was ill-prepared and it really should have been a solo effort without the luggage on board.
We would set up camp for a much need rest , Jo because she was in a certain amount of discomfort through sitting in a cramped position for so long , and me , I was tired and uncomfortably hot. We both needed some food and refreshments , which is always as good a reason as any for time outs.
The bike parked up , tent pitched and off to find some food!
Temperatures were a dizzy 35 degrees , a long way from those generally felt in the UK.
The following morning was a moment I shall never forget and the beginning of the end of our Alps/Dolomites Tour 2011.
We would set up camp for a much need rest , Jo because she was in a certain amount of discomfort through sitting in a cramped position for so long , and me , I was tired and uncomfortably hot. We both needed some food and refreshments , which is always as good a reason as any for time outs.
The bike parked up , tent pitched and off to find some food!
Temperatures were a dizzy 35 degrees , a long way from those generally felt in the UK.
The following morning was a moment I shall never forget and the beginning of the end of our Alps/Dolomites Tour 2011.