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General Discussion / Re: 2026 MG Experience - Italian Alps ride
« Last post by turboguzzi on Today at 02:04:28 PM »if you want some tips from a local (I live in Milan, my girlfriend is from Biella), here you go.
May is a great time, Dolomites are starting to suffer from some (two wheel ) overtourism, but May should still be fine
Switzerland is bad with speed cameras and mobile speed traps, you can also get stopped and asked to pay cash on the spot if offense is high, so deffo stay there within limits, even if it gets boring at times.
Italy is much less speed controlled and police more easy going, just see what locals are doing (and where they slow down) and youll be fine.
ive seen the map, and Alps riding 2500km in 9 days is doable but VERY demanding, even if from a USA perspective it might not look like. There are going to be very little straight relaxing roads there. Average speeds in the mountains can be less that 50, so its easily 5 hours of net saddle time in never ending twisties. Add breaks and stops and you are essentially out there 8 hours every day. Fun, but ask yourself if you have the physical and mental stamina for it.
Riding skills. Its going to be demanding also in that sense. If you are not used to proper twisties and uphill/downhill hairpins, maybe try do a short riding course to polish up your skills. You are going to need them.
Last tip, always do your own pace, dont get sucked into a rhythm that is not yours. Dont try to keep up with locals that might know the road like the back of their hand.
May is a great time, Dolomites are starting to suffer from some (two wheel ) overtourism, but May should still be fine
Switzerland is bad with speed cameras and mobile speed traps, you can also get stopped and asked to pay cash on the spot if offense is high, so deffo stay there within limits, even if it gets boring at times.
Italy is much less speed controlled and police more easy going, just see what locals are doing (and where they slow down) and youll be fine.
ive seen the map, and Alps riding 2500km in 9 days is doable but VERY demanding, even if from a USA perspective it might not look like. There are going to be very little straight relaxing roads there. Average speeds in the mountains can be less that 50, so its easily 5 hours of net saddle time in never ending twisties. Add breaks and stops and you are essentially out there 8 hours every day. Fun, but ask yourself if you have the physical and mental stamina for it.
Riding skills. Its going to be demanding also in that sense. If you are not used to proper twisties and uphill/downhill hairpins, maybe try do a short riding course to polish up your skills. You are going to need them.
Last tip, always do your own pace, dont get sucked into a rhythm that is not yours. Dont try to keep up with locals that might know the road like the back of their hand.
