European tour day 7
I had a good night’s sleep but I woke early, I had lots to
do, so I crept out of the room and into the kitchen where I set about sorting
out the bits and pieces I had to do and making sure that we didn’t have a
repeat of yesterday, I did this by going on websites and checking for Pass
closures.
Although the whole journey was an adventure I quietly was
looking forward to today, as not long ago this route was voted “THE BEST
DRIVING ROAD IN THE WORLD” by a certain T.V. presenter. I had previously ridden
half of it but was looking forward to completing the whole drive.
The sun was already up and the skies were blue, the weather
forecast was good. Then one by one the others awoke and started the daily
routine. We were going to go across the road for breakfast, but the breakfast
bar remained closed so Sue decided to walk down to the COOP and get some
breakfast bits. After breakfast we
packed the vehicles and headed out for the usual fuel stop. Today was
particularly easy as two petrol stations were in view of the apartment. We then
headed out of Davos through the Swish countryside toward Livingio through the
Fluelapasstrasse (28) pass and a little tiny tunnel which led under a mountain
from Switzerland into Italy. This part
of the Swish Alps is lovely as there are small alpine trees lining the side of
the road under which grass and thick moss grow, it just makes the whole place
look green and lush, and the roads just twist and wind through the mountain
valleys. Again one or two road works hampered our progress but nothing compared
to yesterday.
Once through the tunnel at Munt La Schera in the Parc
Naziunal Svizzer, we headed down the lake road to Livingio but the view I could
remember from the petrol station had changed as once again the lake was at
least half empty and cars were driving out on to the lake bed. Also what had
gone from the petrol station was the funny loo sign they had there.
After a
short break we headed off towards what I considered to be today’s highlight the
Bermio and the Stelvio pass. We passed the tree line and the lush green turned
into slate grey of rock faces and mountain tops. The roads twists and turns and
is laden with switch backs and hair pin bends. As we weaved our way up the
mountain the roads got tighter and one particular tunnel is so tight that you
enter beeping your horn so to warn others coming the other way of your presence.
Luckily none of the tunnels are long. On one of the switch backs a motorcyclist
had come off, he was ok. We had just missed what had happened but I jumped out
the car to help pick up the bike and check he was ok. I think he had either taken the turn too fast
or had clipped the handle bars of another motorcyclist going the other way. But
apart from a few scratches all ways ok and everyone just wanted to get on.
Once we were most of the way up the west side
we stopped for some photos and a quick snack before heading the last few miles
to the top of the pass. We set off again up the last few switch backs then onto
a small valley before the top, here the snow lay thick. As we got higher the
snow got deeper. The top was in sight and soon we were turning into the car park.
Now was time to chill out do a little souvenir shopping and grab a drink and a
bite to eat. We sat in the restaurants court yard and enjoyed the warm sun, even
if we were surrounded by snow. We also took the time to look at our descent and
admire its twists and turns.
I had ridden this part of the route before and was just
going to sit back and enjoy the drive. White snow turned into grey stone, then
green appeared and trees before we knew it we were in deep pine forest. The
road follows a river and jumps from one side to the other. Along this road is a
bizarre artist museum with all sorts of dead things on display. It’s worth stopping
and chucking him a couple of euros for the privilege. Soon we were in a large
valley with lush green fields both sides of us.
Our next planned stop was Lago di Resia Reschensee. As with
all the lakes here in the Alps, the water is a deep blue, surrounded by lush
green countryside and snow-capped mountains as a backdrop. There is a carpark
where an old church spire breaks the surface, you can get drinks and
refreshments here and take a leak if you need too. Just past the lake is a
garage where you can fuel up for the final part of the day’s journey.
The last part of the day’s ride sees us leaving Italy, and
the SS40 turns into the 180 as we enter Austria. The road weaves its way along
a wooded valleys and cuts through Alpine villages and town. A nice relaxing ride. We entered Landeck
around mid-afternoon giving ourselves plenty of time to relax and have a nice
break after yesterday. 
