- Dec 2, 2021
- 326
- 991
Update 16/08/2022
WE'RE FULL!
Many thanks to all those who have expressed an interest, across both lists. Please, if you are a little late to the party don't be put off. If there's enough interest I'd be happy to organise a second trip, following the same route and hopefully using the same hotels, for a later date. Though I probably won't be there in person, I'll do my best to make everything as easy as possible for anyone who fancies taking on the responsibility of taking up the reins.
And there's always 2024
By all means keep adding your names to the reserve list.
For now, if those on the main list could please PM your number in order to create a WhatsApp group to share info without clogging up this thread it would be very much appreciated.
The route is more or less finalised, with the exception of the odd tweek which may be needed to get to certain hotels, but in essence we'll be;
Heading from our respective crossings to meet at Baden Baden for the first night
Down through the Black Forest, crossing into Switzerland just north of Zurich
Then it's on to the passes, taking in the Klausen, Susten, Grimsell, Fuka, Val Tremola, Novena & Siplon
We'll have a break from the mountains briefly with a jaunt along the edge of Lake Maggiore, with a little suprise visit to a famous film location
Then it's back to he passes, with the San Bernardino, Spluga, Maloja
A flying visit to St Moritz, and onwards over the Guglia, Albula, Bernina
Then we'll mosey alongside Lake Livigno, crossing a dam before heading down a one-way traffic light controlled tunnel of around 2.5 miles
On from there up a small, little known pass called the Stelvio, then over the Gavia, Tonale, Mendola, Pennes, Monte Giovo
Next up is the stunning Passo Rombo, or 'Timmelsjoch', a toll road with half a dozen or so little art installations to stop and play with before you get to the toll booth, which just happens to have a motor museum attached.
On through Solden, with a stop for any Bond fans in the group
Heading into Austria we have another couple of small passes before stopping for a while at another speed-freak attraction (It's not that fast, tbh, but it is a bloody good laugh!)
Making our way over a couple of lesser known, but still amazing passes we find ourselves in Bavaria, with a quick view of a fairy tale castle or two
From here its a steady run back NW, again popping into the Black Forest before our final night at a hotel with a view of the Nurburgring
Given that the run from here to our respective crossings is only around 4 hours, there should be plenty of time to get a few laps in on the morning before we leave (This is dependent upon the day being a Touristfahrten (spelling!) )
Then it's home.
And when you get back it will seem as if the whole trip lasted exactly as long as it's just taken to read that.
If that's not got the juices flowing, perhaps consider removing your name from the list
++++++++++
This is being posted across a couple of forums and Whatsapp groups, please bear this in mind when reading responses!
After a fair bit of interest on previous postings regarding a GR-group Alps trip, I'm about to start planning in earnest for next year.
Obviously many things need to be sorted and finalised, dates, duration, routes, crossings, hotels, budgets, etc. so what I'm looking for initially is a show of hands from those who would DEFINITELY be interested. Please, if you fall into the 'not sure' category, by all means post to ask questions and so on, but if you can't commit 100% then please don't add your name to the list.
I would be looking towards the mid-end of June as the best time for me personally, so looing at somewhere in that region +/- a couple of weeks (Though some high passes are often still closed towards the end of May)
Whenever I've done these in the past a 10 day trip seems to work best, leaving the UK on a Thursday and returning a week on the Sunday, so again, I'd be looking for this kind of duration.
Route is still to be planned, but rest assured the roads will be epic, and with the exception of the first and last days there will be ZERO motorways, so a Swiss vignette will not be required.
We'll certainly tick off all the bucket list passes, including Stelvio, Furka, Grimsell & Gotthard, with some beauties that a few will have never heard of. We may even end up at the Nurburgring for rhe last night's hotel! (And a few laps!)
With the exception of the first and last days daily mileage will be around 200, with many opportunities to stop for coffees, natters and photos.
Once we have firm numbers I'll set up a Whatsapp group to keep everyone in the loop. Routes will be provided as GPX files, or whatever format you require. We can choose to either stay in a group, or individuals can pootle off at their own pace, meeting up at the night's hotels for a few drinks and food.
Having done this since 2008 in cars, on bikes, as an individual, and as a group of 18 vehicles, I have a fair bit of experience. I'm not doing this to make any money, I'm doing it bacause I bloody love the roads, and I get a buzz out of doing the organising (Weird, in know!) All pricing for anything that I book will be clearly accountable, though I reserve the right to choose the best room for myself if necessary ;-)
It's a shame to have to highlight this, but I've had to deal with some assholes in the past!
One thing the experience has taught me is to not go daft with numbers, so... This will be restricted to 10 cars MAX, each with 1/2 occupants.
If there's a silly amount of demand then I'd be happy to look into doing a duplicate event later in the year.
There's nothing required from anyone as yet other than a commitment to actually turn up. Once we finalise the crossings your payment for that will constitute a 'deposit' and commitment to attend.
The first one of these I organised started with 30+ Subaru owners, each paying a £35 deposit to cover the ferry booking. In the end 5 cars actually went, so please only add your name if you are 100% able to make it. I accept the fact that circumstances can change for all of us, and as such there will be a 'reserve' list, with any drop-outs being replaced from that list on a first-on basis,
So, who's up for a bit of fun on some epic roads?
Names below, and let me know if you'll be taking a passenger, it helps with the hotel bookings!
I'll curate this list, as it may be added to from other places.
If you're not able to know for sure, but you're certainly interested, add you name to the appropriate list, which will in due course become the reserve list.
Update 05/08/2022
With a good few names down as definite this is now certain to go ahead.
Can I suggest dates of Friday 16th June - Friday 23rd June on the continent, with a meet up for as many as possible to then convoy to the hotel, probably at a service station in Luxembourg (Usually cheap fuel) at a time TBA, likely early afternoon. For reference this is around 4.5 hours from Rotterdam Europort (Dates changed to avoid LeMans traffic clash)
It's up to the individuals concerned to sort out their respective ferry crossings to fit in with these timings, so for instance if you're going from Hull you'll need the Thursday night crossing to Rotterdam, whereas channel ferries and the tunnel offer more options, so would allow for an early morning crossing on the Friday
I'll most likely be booking the overnight from Hull, and would be happy to arrange bookings for anyone else planning on doing the same, though sadly we won't get any discount for numbers (They class a group booking as 12+ vehicles)
If the timing is awkward, the first night's hotel will be in Baden Baden, so as long as you can get there on Friday 9th, all is good. Total journey time from Clais or Rotterdam is around 6.5 hours / 600km
To address a raised issue, everyone will be provided with a route for each day which can be used with mobile sat nav apps, it's then up to you if you want to tag along with a group, take detours to see other interests, or pootle along at your own pace. So long as everyone ends up at the evening's hotels safe and happy. Whilst the roads from Baden Baden are, on the whole, absolutely amazing things to drive, I can guarantee that the scenery will keep your speed at sensible levels (not to mention the hefty fines should you be caught over the limit!)
To reiterate, this is a tour / driving holiday, NOT a rally / race / sprint etc.
Could everyone on the list please reply or PM me with your preferred crossing, I'll add them to the lists then folks can maybe arrange to travel together
Additional info
This WILL DEFINITELY be going ahead, regardless of filling the 10 slots.
Definite list
1 - Sticky + 1 (Twin room, Hull ferry)
2 - Airsoftandy + 1
3 - neilj (Single room, Channel crossing)
4 -
5 - Pittsy + 1 (Double room, Hull ferry)
6 - ricky6
7 - Duke (Joining on continent)
8 - Lauren + 1 (Double room, Hull ferry)
9 - Griippy (+ 1 ?)
10 - NickS (+ 1 ?) (Double room, channel crossing)
Reserve (not 100% sure) list
1 -
2 - Sly + 1 (Hull ferry)
3 - Coastliner
4 - Araf +1 (Double room, channel crossing)
5 - fuzzyfelt
6 - MarkBR
7 - Nemat Performance
8 -
9 -
10 -
WE'RE FULL!
Many thanks to all those who have expressed an interest, across both lists. Please, if you are a little late to the party don't be put off. If there's enough interest I'd be happy to organise a second trip, following the same route and hopefully using the same hotels, for a later date. Though I probably won't be there in person, I'll do my best to make everything as easy as possible for anyone who fancies taking on the responsibility of taking up the reins.
And there's always 2024
By all means keep adding your names to the reserve list.
For now, if those on the main list could please PM your number in order to create a WhatsApp group to share info without clogging up this thread it would be very much appreciated.
The route is more or less finalised, with the exception of the odd tweek which may be needed to get to certain hotels, but in essence we'll be;
Heading from our respective crossings to meet at Baden Baden for the first night
Down through the Black Forest, crossing into Switzerland just north of Zurich
Then it's on to the passes, taking in the Klausen, Susten, Grimsell, Fuka, Val Tremola, Novena & Siplon
We'll have a break from the mountains briefly with a jaunt along the edge of Lake Maggiore, with a little suprise visit to a famous film location
Then it's back to he passes, with the San Bernardino, Spluga, Maloja
A flying visit to St Moritz, and onwards over the Guglia, Albula, Bernina
Then we'll mosey alongside Lake Livigno, crossing a dam before heading down a one-way traffic light controlled tunnel of around 2.5 miles
On from there up a small, little known pass called the Stelvio, then over the Gavia, Tonale, Mendola, Pennes, Monte Giovo
Next up is the stunning Passo Rombo, or 'Timmelsjoch', a toll road with half a dozen or so little art installations to stop and play with before you get to the toll booth, which just happens to have a motor museum attached.
On through Solden, with a stop for any Bond fans in the group
Heading into Austria we have another couple of small passes before stopping for a while at another speed-freak attraction (It's not that fast, tbh, but it is a bloody good laugh!)
Making our way over a couple of lesser known, but still amazing passes we find ourselves in Bavaria, with a quick view of a fairy tale castle or two
From here its a steady run back NW, again popping into the Black Forest before our final night at a hotel with a view of the Nurburgring
Given that the run from here to our respective crossings is only around 4 hours, there should be plenty of time to get a few laps in on the morning before we leave (This is dependent upon the day being a Touristfahrten (spelling!) )
Then it's home.
And when you get back it will seem as if the whole trip lasted exactly as long as it's just taken to read that.
If that's not got the juices flowing, perhaps consider removing your name from the list
++++++++++
This is being posted across a couple of forums and Whatsapp groups, please bear this in mind when reading responses!
After a fair bit of interest on previous postings regarding a GR-group Alps trip, I'm about to start planning in earnest for next year.
Obviously many things need to be sorted and finalised, dates, duration, routes, crossings, hotels, budgets, etc. so what I'm looking for initially is a show of hands from those who would DEFINITELY be interested. Please, if you fall into the 'not sure' category, by all means post to ask questions and so on, but if you can't commit 100% then please don't add your name to the list.
I would be looking towards the mid-end of June as the best time for me personally, so looing at somewhere in that region +/- a couple of weeks (Though some high passes are often still closed towards the end of May)
Whenever I've done these in the past a 10 day trip seems to work best, leaving the UK on a Thursday and returning a week on the Sunday, so again, I'd be looking for this kind of duration.
Route is still to be planned, but rest assured the roads will be epic, and with the exception of the first and last days there will be ZERO motorways, so a Swiss vignette will not be required.
We'll certainly tick off all the bucket list passes, including Stelvio, Furka, Grimsell & Gotthard, with some beauties that a few will have never heard of. We may even end up at the Nurburgring for rhe last night's hotel! (And a few laps!)
With the exception of the first and last days daily mileage will be around 200, with many opportunities to stop for coffees, natters and photos.
Once we have firm numbers I'll set up a Whatsapp group to keep everyone in the loop. Routes will be provided as GPX files, or whatever format you require. We can choose to either stay in a group, or individuals can pootle off at their own pace, meeting up at the night's hotels for a few drinks and food.
Having done this since 2008 in cars, on bikes, as an individual, and as a group of 18 vehicles, I have a fair bit of experience. I'm not doing this to make any money, I'm doing it bacause I bloody love the roads, and I get a buzz out of doing the organising (Weird, in know!) All pricing for anything that I book will be clearly accountable, though I reserve the right to choose the best room for myself if necessary ;-)
It's a shame to have to highlight this, but I've had to deal with some assholes in the past!
One thing the experience has taught me is to not go daft with numbers, so... This will be restricted to 10 cars MAX, each with 1/2 occupants.
If there's a silly amount of demand then I'd be happy to look into doing a duplicate event later in the year.
There's nothing required from anyone as yet other than a commitment to actually turn up. Once we finalise the crossings your payment for that will constitute a 'deposit' and commitment to attend.
The first one of these I organised started with 30+ Subaru owners, each paying a £35 deposit to cover the ferry booking. In the end 5 cars actually went, so please only add your name if you are 100% able to make it. I accept the fact that circumstances can change for all of us, and as such there will be a 'reserve' list, with any drop-outs being replaced from that list on a first-on basis,
So, who's up for a bit of fun on some epic roads?
Names below, and let me know if you'll be taking a passenger, it helps with the hotel bookings!
I'll curate this list, as it may be added to from other places.
If you're not able to know for sure, but you're certainly interested, add you name to the appropriate list, which will in due course become the reserve list.
Update 05/08/2022
With a good few names down as definite this is now certain to go ahead.
Can I suggest dates of Friday 16th June - Friday 23rd June on the continent, with a meet up for as many as possible to then convoy to the hotel, probably at a service station in Luxembourg (Usually cheap fuel) at a time TBA, likely early afternoon. For reference this is around 4.5 hours from Rotterdam Europort (Dates changed to avoid LeMans traffic clash)
It's up to the individuals concerned to sort out their respective ferry crossings to fit in with these timings, so for instance if you're going from Hull you'll need the Thursday night crossing to Rotterdam, whereas channel ferries and the tunnel offer more options, so would allow for an early morning crossing on the Friday
I'll most likely be booking the overnight from Hull, and would be happy to arrange bookings for anyone else planning on doing the same, though sadly we won't get any discount for numbers (They class a group booking as 12+ vehicles)
If the timing is awkward, the first night's hotel will be in Baden Baden, so as long as you can get there on Friday 9th, all is good. Total journey time from Clais or Rotterdam is around 6.5 hours / 600km
To address a raised issue, everyone will be provided with a route for each day which can be used with mobile sat nav apps, it's then up to you if you want to tag along with a group, take detours to see other interests, or pootle along at your own pace. So long as everyone ends up at the evening's hotels safe and happy. Whilst the roads from Baden Baden are, on the whole, absolutely amazing things to drive, I can guarantee that the scenery will keep your speed at sensible levels (not to mention the hefty fines should you be caught over the limit!)
To reiterate, this is a tour / driving holiday, NOT a rally / race / sprint etc.
Could everyone on the list please reply or PM me with your preferred crossing, I'll add them to the lists then folks can maybe arrange to travel together
Additional info
This WILL DEFINITELY be going ahead, regardless of filling the 10 slots.
Definite list
1 - Sticky + 1 (Twin room, Hull ferry)
2 - Airsoftandy + 1
3 - neilj (Single room, Channel crossing)
4 -
5 - Pittsy + 1 (Double room, Hull ferry)
6 - ricky6
7 - Duke (Joining on continent)
8 - Lauren + 1 (Double room, Hull ferry)
9 - Griippy (+ 1 ?)
10 - NickS (+ 1 ?) (Double room, channel crossing)
Reserve (not 100% sure) list
1 -
2 - Sly + 1 (Hull ferry)
3 - Coastliner
4 - Araf +1 (Double room, channel crossing)
5 - fuzzyfelt
6 - MarkBR
7 - Nemat Performance
8 -
9 -
10 -
Last edited:
Driving over the Great St Bernard pass was one of the best drives I've ever done, and that was on a banger rally, so doing similar in a proper car will be epic!
