FRENCH ALPINE FANCIES
Delve deep into the Alps and you will soon lose count of how many times you think a mountain pass can’t get better, marvel at cyan lakes, the endless switchbacks, aggressive climbs and plunging descents. It’s an addictive riding heaven of snowpeaked mountains, raging waterfalls, rolling highlands and epic skyscapes. And there’s plenty of scope to duck off the tarmac and explore on the sort of tracks your adventure bike was made for. Plan your route south to include the B500 (a Bucket List ride on any bike) through Germany and you’ll be delirious from the sweeping bends of this amazing ribbon of tarmac before you’ve even arrived in the foothills of the Alps.
Pick the right route you’re going to be immersed in some technical and challenging riding. And most of the roads are best tackled on an adventure bike rather than a sportsbike or a big tourer. As you tick off passes, you’ll also be racking up the countries. France, Switzerland and Austria (don’t forget your carnet), all blur as one in a vertical world of heavenly riding.