A perfect day riding in the Swiss Alps

My Swiss friend took me for a days ride

A beautiful day with the sun shining, 9 high mountain passes and 430km covered

I was buzzing at the end

There is the right way! Ascend the mountain on the side with the tightest corners and descend where the corners are not so tight.

Why?

Its more challenging that way!

Then you must do your favourite pass twice.

Looking over Glestch to Furka Pass from Grimsel

There was still lots of ice flows remaining from winter.

Then there is a stop at a mountain top restaurant for lunch

Goulash soup my fave at the top of Nufenen

And the view

And of course the amazing Alpine transport system

Fast trains

And luxury coaches

San Gotthard to Airola coach runs up and down San Gotthard pass

Just a perfect days riding

St Leon sur Vezere and glimpses of the Dordogne

There is something special about the little camp ground beside the Vezere river at St Leon

Its simple without trappings but just beautiful.

And a perfect spot to explore the valley.

From where the Verzere meets the Dordogne at Limeuil

To the beautiful town on Montignac

The Vezere valley offers

Wonderful sights to see. Magnificent Chalets and wonderful roads to ride

What a ride 3 countries, 4 high passes.

The Col de Iseran looms high above the Val d’Isre

The Val d’Isre is a Ski Ressort in winter a biker mecca in summer

Then there is the Petite Saint Bernhard that crossed from France to Italy

The Petite links to the Great Saint Bernhard at Aosta,

And at the top of the Pass it crossed into Switzerland

The Great Saint Bernhard runs to the Swiss city of Martigny

There the is a final pass to Chamonix in France

The Col Forclaz with its little hotel in the Pass which is so Swiss

And then in Chamonix stay at the foot of Mount Blanc.

Back in Beautiful Brittany

There was something strange about getting on the Normandy Express in Portsmouth

Was it deja vu?

But yes this fast cat was built in Tasmania Australia and used to cross Bass Strait

It was an omen of positive things to come.

First stop was beautiful Mont St Michel at the northern part of Brittany.

The beautiful coast and farm land around the northern coast

On the west coast

The sunsets

The little coves

And in July it’s mussel season so fresh and sweet

South of Brest there is Camaret sur Mer an historic fishing town

The maritime city still a working port and welcoming to tourists

With beautiful beaches and great motorcycling roads near by.

Bet really it’s the little ports of Brittany that catch my eye.

The Ancient Town of Rye

Rye which is a seaside town on the East Sussex, Kent borderA town with a long history of pirates, fishing, trade, and defence of the realmThe towns has beautiful tudor building with the top of the hill dominate by the church and old castleThe view from the church tower over looks the old castle and the Rother River that leads down to Rye HarbourThe hinterland offers scenic ridingAnd winneriesBreweriesAnd traditional pubs and beer gardensMaking sure you dont get thirsty or hungry.

And of course the ultimate.

A Moto Guzzi in the shed