Before the passes close...

[chandrew]

After last weekend's mixed driving (mixed as I got stuck on the Splugen as a coach full of nuns blocked the pass to standstill for 30 minutes, to say nothing of the folk with caravans who couldn't read the 'no caravan' signs!) I thought it might be worth planning something again for September before snow descends. The thought even occurred to me that another route might be interesting, say exploring a bit more east / into Italy.

Anybody else think this might be a good idea? Any thoughts on the likely weekend?

[DJRC]

Well there is a Hillclimb in the middle of the country somewhere this weekend, but Im driving home tonight, so will have to miss it.

My mad Finnish colleague and I will attend the Arosa Classic hillclimb out past Chur on the 2nd weekend in Sept. Some good roads around there to play with. That could be a good bit of fun?

[AndrewD]

Sounds good - before 19th though please!

[Whitean3]

I'd be up for one more run out in September. Not around on 9th 10th though...

[krallicious]

I would also like another run out but September is looking completely full for the time being!

[chandrew]

OK, as thought, finding a good time won't please everyone.

I quite like the idea of starting / ending around the hill-climb but other suggestions are welcome.

I've put it on doodle so you can say which ones you can make.

Hopefully the weather will be kind for us.

[Phil-CH]

Hi Andrew,

Excellent idea, thanks for the email! I would quite like the idea of exploring a bit of italy actually, but anything will do.

Phil

PS: I've connected Stelvio and Bernina, although the drive through from Bormio, I think, to the start of Bernina was a bit tiresome, but the Bernina pass did make up for it. I think something to take into account though is that the passes in the Engadin / Italy are less connected (more driving inbetween to get to them) than doing the passes around Uri.

[DJRC]

I will have to excuse myself, my driving days for the summer are over. The Donkey has crippled my foot, minor fracture across the ball of my right foot

[WelshBoyo]

DJRC said:

I will have to excuse myself, my driving days for the summer are over. The Donkey has crippled my foot, minor fracture across the ball of my right foot

Flipping heck I knew classic Ferrari's were a bit more manly to drive, but that sounds painful!

chandrew - not sure what weekends I am around yet as I have to spend some time in UK for business (but currently free the first part of Sep).

[iluvmercs]

Sorry guys, I'm full with PH East Anglia events for September. Seeing as I organise them, I guess I have to be there

Enjoy, and I will see you all next year

Darren

[DJRC]

WelshBoyo said:

DJRC said:

I will have to excuse myself, my driving days for the summer are over. The Donkey has crippled my foot, minor fracture across the ball of my right foot

Flipping heck I knew classic Ferrari's were a bit more manly to drive, but that sounds painful!

chandrew - not sure what weekends I am around yet as I have to spend some time in UK for business (but currently free the first part of Sep).

It frigging is painful, esp as I have to walk on it everyday. The drive back upto the UK Friday night/Sat morning whilst being absolutely epic...roof off, 100leptons through Germany in a fantastic balmy night at 2am was awesome...was also by a considerable margin the most agonisingly painful journey I have ever made. There is nothing that can be done about a problem across the ball of your foot either, except try and stay off it, keep the weight off. Not an option when you have to go to work everyday

[Stu R]

While you guys are on the subject, what months do the passes typically close and reopen?

Just planning a long overdue driving trip and wondering when to aim for

[chandrew]

Generally end of September is OK. That being said even the last weekend can be risky. Many of the passes (stelvio, furka etc) have webcams so check these before making the final push. If you're down this way and the weather turns the Black Forrest is probably your best bet.

[Stu R]

Thanks, I figured I'd be too late to squeeze it in this year - bearing in mind I've yet to buy the car I'll be using March / April seems a more realistic bet, planning to take in Spa, Nurburgring, some lovely german, swiss and austrian villages, then down to italy and back up through monaco / chamonix / reims etc. Mainly interested in Alpine roads though for obvious reasons

[krallicious]

Stu R said:

Thanks, I figured I'd be too late to squeeze it in this year - bearing in mind I've yet to buy the car I'll be using March / April seems a more realistic bet, planning to take in Spa, Nurburgring, some lovely german, swiss and austrian villages, then down to italy and back up through monaco / chamonix / reims etc. Mainly interested in Alpine roads though for obvious reasons

They will still be closed in March/April. On the Swiss run this year (middle of June) it was snowing at the top of some of the passes!

The year before a couple of passes were still closed for the first 2 weeks of June.

[AndrewD]

Just come back from a morning run over the Susten

There's a bit of snow up at the top, luckily the hateful stuff is melting

[RainerM]

Hallo,
we just came home from a trip in S.France, based in Roquebrune..gloriously hot weather:-(( around
35 till 42 degrees C...
On Saturday we still saw snow on the road-sides of the SanBernardino, Friday must have been totally chaotic on the Northern side fo the Alps.

September does not look good for us, unfortunately. Sorry for that.

Keep us posted nevertheless,maybe there might be a chance.

Good luck:-)

Dot and Rainer

[The Riddler]

I may be aiming to do the Stelvio, plus a few other passes between 8th of September and the 12th.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Heading from England to Monza, then from Monza onto the Nurburgring. If anyone can advise on which passes are the closest to my route and typical conditions of these it would be appreciated!

[krallicious]

The Riddler said:

I may be aiming to do the Stelvio, plus a few other passes between 8th of September and the 12th.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Heading from England to Monza, then from Monza onto the Nurburgring. If anyone can advise on which passes are the closest to my route and typical conditions of these it would be appreciated!

IF you would like the route then PM me. I might know a couple of good ones

[chandrew]

We have a draw between Saturday 10 and Sunday 18. Given the talk of early snow I propose the 10th.

So, last question - do we go for the central passes as before or venture East (or anyone else got a better / alternative suggestion?)