Ducati Monster Forum

I heard that several NMMR hooligans might be interested in doing a  [Dolph] tour through the alps in the not so distant future.
My friend Helene sent me several links of possible routes and places to see.
We would have to establish a route we want to take, how many days we can have to do the trip, where do we want to start from
and rent the motorcycles and how many people would like to go for starters.
Here are the links: http://www.alpentourer.com/roadbooks/austria_tours/austria_tours.html (http://www.alpentourer.com/roadbooks/austria_tours/austria_tours.html)
http://www.ultimatedrives.net/routes/best_driving_routes.php (http://www.ultimatedrives.net/routes/best_driving_routes.php)
http://www.alpineroads.com/links_tourist.php (http://www.alpineroads.com/links_tourist.php)
Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Once we have the major logistics nailed down, I should be able to give you a good idea of how much
a trip like this might cost.

I like John Hermann - The Alps and beyond  [thumbsup]

Quite a lot of traffic late July + August.

There are many good roads and very hard to avoid having fun anywhere - my favorites are the 'figure 8' South/East of Andermatt, Stelvio, Grossglockner and the whole area around Cortina.

You should all make an effort to go - it's very much worth it [Dolph]


http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=50068.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=50068.0)
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=32749.msg575030#msg575030 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=32749.msg575030#msg575030)  (starts with the 'rentals' post)
http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54053.msg1077912#msg1077912 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=54053.msg1077912#msg1077912)

Stelvio and St. Bernardino are musts, I think!  How far to ride to Bologna?

From about where you mention - a short day on the AutoStrada - +/- 300 miles. From there a couple of hours to Misano, Imola, Mugello and Rossi's home town Tavullia. If you're going that far south - maybe try to catch a WSBK or MotoGP race...

make sure you bring layers for the Alps and rain gear

Karl, I would love to do this with you!!  When are you thinking?

Since we would need to book hotel etc. a year ahead of time, I'm recommending early July 2014 due to the vacation season and increased traffic. What do you think?

You know I'm down  [Dolph]

But I plan to be in nursing school at that time, so I don't know how well that would work for me. I will plan to start saving money after we get done with the next couple of months and go from there. If im not in school I will be there if not then I'll have to wait until another time...

I'm in for this crazy trip as well!  ;D [thumbsup] [Dolph] It would be a dream come true! I'll keep a watch on progress here...I guess I'm the only one who needs a Schengen Visa for this trip...I'll work on it as soon as I get back from home in February. What about Ouray? Would be nice to have them both done in 2013...Wonderful year! [evil]

Works for me!  What a blast!

As long as you hold an Indian passport you would need the visa....not required for US citizens like myself ;D oh and German as well [laugh]

Any movement or further thought on this subject?  Have we arrived at even a ballpark price, yet?

Once you form the plans and dates are fixed, I'll have to send the hotel reservations and trip itinerary for the visa...It shouldn't be bad! I won't be able to do much till end of Feb or March. [Dolph]

Yes, the price will be equivalent to that of a small ballpark.




 ;D

Need some help with the starting point. Would everyone want to fly into Bologna to tour the factory and rent our rides there.

I'm not picky, I just wanna go ride D Alps...:) Please consider me game to the teams decision...well, except taking free fall from The Alps or punting me to the last available Vespa! ;D

That'd be fine....but I still need at least a rough ballpark idea of how much money we're talking about before I can even begin to think I'll go. 

Trying not to bother you too much, but to get the ball running...

Redbike rental Monster 1100 roughly $1,200 / week ($5,000 deposit)
Air plane ticket - have no idea
Daily budget with basic hotels, food & gas - ballpark $150 / day (+/- 50?)

Not cheap, but if you can manage I promise there will be no regrets [Dolph]

Very Cool! [thumbsup]

Air travel will be $1,700 to Bologna round trip or a few C-notes more if we return from a different airport.
Need to know if a week's worth of riding and a few days of side seeing would suffice.
I will then contact my travel agent friend Hélène in Europe to see what she can do for group rates.

No bother, thanks for your input...and yes, it would be an epic excursion [Dolph]

I'll need to wait a year or two, then.  More than I can spend right now.

I was planning this for 2014 anyway since we need reservations for hotels a year out to begin with.

I might be interested in a 2014 trip. I start a new job tomorrow and need to get settled into that first.  [thumbsup]

2014 or later sounds good. I'm wondering about the 5k deposit, does that mean in cash or a credit card would suffice? Cash would mean adding that to reserve cash for trip...which would bring the estimate around 10k roughly!?  [roll] Would renting non-Ducati's be any different? BMW, Triumph or Japanese? The motorcycle magazines always post ads from Edelweiss (http://www.edelweissbike.com/en/cont/def/motorcycle-tours.html (http://www.edelweissbike.com/en/cont/def/motorcycle-tours.html)). The rates vary depending on routes, type of bikes & other needs. It sure looks like a dream trip!  ;D [Dolph] I would definitely prefer a trip with friends than an organized tour, because we have demons and inner-rascals to please!  [evil]

http://www.edelweissbike.com/en/allTours/true/cont/eur/tour-of-tuscany.html (http://www.edelweissbike.com/en/allTours/true/cont/eur/tour-of-tuscany.html)

nice

Credit card  [thumbsup]  Unless a weird new routine has developed.

I'm equally sure it's possible to find other bikes/other Ducatis at lower rates.


GUYS: please do all you can - it's an experience that won't fade - if epic is ever an appropriate term...  this!!

IN.

[Dolph] Option  : http://www.ducatiusa.com/ducati_travel_experience/majestic_alps_tour.do (http://www.ducatiusa.com/ducati_travel_experience/majestic_alps_tour.do)

feedback welcome  :D

That's a perfect route  [Dolph] 

hmm wonder if someone gives us the routes and hotels we can put together a tag along with our euro based riders.

 [thumbsup]

I'm retired now and available in case anyone wants to go  [Dolph]

I'm there in July - would be happy to help out and have a beer  [thumbsup]

Cool  [thumbsup]