Alpine adventure on the Trophy SE

[Pauli363]

Having just recently retired, I have been planning a trip that has been on my bucket list for years.  I have just booked the ferry crossings from Ireland to France return for a 16 day biking trip from May 27th to June 11th 2023  I will be completing my dream ride to the Swiss and Austrian Alps as well as Germanys Bavaria and the Black Forest, starting off and ending in France.
With the ferries booked it is now a reality, and I am at the latter end of closely studying Youtube video after video, and the various Michelin paper maps to fine tune my trip as best I can.  Using the "green line" availability on the paper maps, I am managing to avoid large cities, and travel as much on scenic routes as possible.
Cross referencing with Google street view to spot check various roads and stop offs, I am enjoying this planning stage.
I have used MyRouteApp planner with a Gold subscription to plan daily routes which are easily transferred to my Garmin XT.
Next stage is to finish and fine tune my routes, then start looking at accommodation along the way.  I had toyed with the idea of doing some camping along the way, but given I would need to invest in a new tent, sleeping bag and a myriad of other stuff, it patently will not actually save me any money this trip, so it will be hotels all the way.
I'm currently watching loads of youtube videos, taking in hotel and route recommendations.

From the bike perspective, I have a 2015 Trophy SE in black. Purchased in May of last year, I have only completed a few thousand miles on it but loving it.  Anything it needed it has got.  This hasn't been much, namely a new rad fan, and I have bought a new standard seat and new rear seat for cosmetic purposes and the extra bit of height as I am 6 foot tall. I have replaced the fork oil and seals, and  I have fitted Tralex's Crash Bars and Pannier protectors, and a set of front led spotlights. Ive also replaced the Garmin 595 harness with the XT harness when I upgraded to the XT.
For the trip, I have purchased 2 x SW Motech DryBags, and an SW Motech tank bag and mag ring.  Their stuff is expensive but quality, and I love it.  Ive also bought an Oxford Cargo net and a set of long Rok Straps.  Of course I also have use of the excellent panniers and top box, which have the pannier bags in place. In addition, I purchased 2 x 1ltr fuel canisters with harnesses.  I don't think I will actually need these, but I've never done a trip this big before, and I am travelling alone, so its peace of mind.
I have replacement clutch and brake levers, as well as a replacement gear lever and rear brake lever with the two bolts.  These take up little room and could avoid a disaster.  I have spare bulbs and fuses, as well as a tyre repair kit and inflator and a toolkit.  I even have a duplicate cheap smart phone which mirrors my main phone for banking and all other apps.

As I want to vlog the trip, I will be carrying a few GoPros.  One fitted to the side of the helmet, one to the front crash bars, and I may have one pointing to the rear.
My plan is to update this thread and also do a series of vids on Youtube once underway.
The bike is running well and tyre tread on the michelins front and back is over 2mm, should be safe enough.
I've ordered the Austria and Switzerland vignettes in advance to be delivered to me.  One less thing to worry about.

I have yet to book European breakdown recovery.  Could I ask for any recommendations for the best organisation to go with?  I don't mind paying for the best coverage and Im sure there are a few members out there who have gone this path before me.
I would also welcome any tips for "must see" places on route and indeed any hotel recommendations.  As per below, from what I can see, my route from Switzerland to Austria then Germany is a well ridden path for bikers.
To give you an idea, I will be off the ferry from Ireland and sprinting from Le Havre in France via Dijon to Interlaken/ Grindelwald area for a few days.  Completing as many passes as time and conditions allow. Then right along the alps into Austria, Innsbruck/ Mittersill area before moving up to Berchesgaten  then back west through Bavaria to Lindau at Lake Constance in Bavaria, then up into the Black Forest and the B500 to Baden Baden.  From there a 2 day dash via Saarbrucken and Reims in France and back to Ireland via Cherbourg. There will be a few 2 day stops on the way as I have 16 days to complete the route.

[trophied]

Sounds like a great adventure!  Personally, I would think 2 mm tread may not suffice for the trip given the weight you will have on board added to the already portly weight of the Trophy.  And from other members experience the pivots for the brake and shift lever have threadlocker on them and it could be extremely difficult to remove a broken one from the bracket without some heat to soften it.  As a tip, a friend broke his on the road and the repairman first drilled a very small hole in it, then a larger hole, and was able to extract it since the air drill added just enough heat by drilling it twice.

[Pauli363]

Thanks Trophied.  Yes, I have been mulling over the tread.  I haven't totalled the mileage I will be travelling, but it will be around 2,500 miles.  I'm kind of reluctant to pull a pair of Michelins with over 2mm tread currently.  However, if I do more miles before I leave for the trip in May, Ill maybe change them.
I brought the pivot bolts more as a safeguard. If I cannot fix on the side of the road, I at least have a chance with a repairvan, or local shop given I will have the triumph bolts and levers.  Hopefully they won't be called upon!

[trophied]

Keep us posted.

[Pauli363]

Yep, will do.  Looking forward to the build up.

[HPTCC1]

I will be following your trip with interest. I'm planning a Europe trip next year so I'll be interested in where you stay, whether you pre booked or found a hotel at the end of the day. Sounds like a great trip . Personally, I would just put a brand set of tyres on and that's one less thing worry about. As they say, nothing feels better than brand new rubber.

[Novocastrian]

In September I travelled from Newcastle-upon-Tyne to Morocco and back. The year before I travelled to Italy and back.  As Nike say, "Just do it".  I have Carole Nash insurance which includes European recovery.  Doing it with 2mm of tread and expecting to not replace rubber en route is unwise...I had to replace a rear tyre which gave way in Austria ( can't link you to the tale as it's on Facebook and this group doesn't allow exterior links due to the strange way it operates - and the over zealous moderation is why I hardly ever hang out here now but that's another issue).  You can spend many hours planning a trip and it is an enjoyable exercise, but you can also overplan it.  I used AirBnB but having the ability to stay flexible is a bonus.  You listen to folk along the way and hear of things you must see (the Dune de Pilat in France, for example.....a must see that I would known nothing about unless I listened to folk along the way)....so don't be too rigid in your planning and schedule....be flexible!

[ChiefMn]

I'd rethink the tire situation. I don't know how Michelins wear,but my Pirellis went from plenty of tread to cords showing in a surprisingly short time. Possibly a softer compound near the cords?