Riding BMW’s F800GS out to the Aosta Valley in Italy
As part of my latest adventure – to climb Monte Rosa in the Aosta Valley, raising awareness and supporting the charity Coppafeel – I’ve ridden over here on my BMW F800GS.
I packed the bike so that I could sit neatly between my bags – it was in line with arm chair comfort!
The journey to Aosta involved; two days, almost 900 miles, 5 tanks of fuel, 3 countries and a huge number of dead fly’s and bugs!
My route took me down through the UK to the channel tunnel in Folkestone. From there I went to Tignes in France. Taking the tunnel meant a very short crossing so I was able to cover a big distance in one day. I rode over 700miles and felt good at the end of it.
The much shorter second days travel took me over the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard, a mountain pass from France into the Aosta Valley in Italy. It was a joy to ride the bike along the twisting and turning, beautiful mountain roads. I was lucky that both days travel saw sunshine and a little cloud… but no rain.
The comfort I experienced on the 800 was just brilliant and really made a huge difference. The riding position is perfect so there’s no back, arm or neck ache. The size of the bike means that you sit snuggly on the seat and experience very little wind against your body. One of the most noticeable comforts I enjoyed was as a result of the hand guards – no wind on my hands meant warm hands.
The bike sat happily at 80mph enabling me to cover a good distance in a short time. It also had enough power to carry my much needed 30kgs of luggage as if it wasn’t even on there.
I broke up the travel days with a couple of days in Tignes, where I was able to fit in some good acclimatisation time – a cycle ride up the Col de l’lseran and a hike up to 3,500m on the Grand Motte. I was really happy to be up high. The Monte Rosa is 4,634m so I’ll really feel the benefit when I climb!
The weather forecast has changed several times in the past 72hours which is so often the case when you are in the mountains.
I’ve now arrived in the Aosta Valley, click here to see my arrival Punkt! Fingers crossed that it’s good conditions for the three day climb I have ahead of me.
Monte Rosa was first climbed in 1855. So during this climb I’m hoping to raise £185.50 for breast cancer awareness charity, Coppafeel. Click here to donate. Thank you!
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