The morning starts with the heroic endeavour to get the warped motorbike fork under control. This ambitious project requires three morning grumps to heave the Transalp onto the centre stand before breakfast – the ultimate early morning fitness programme!
Once the Transalp is on the centre stand, the epic battle to realign the triple clamp begins. Using the tools available, the handlebars are steered back into the correct position and the footrest also holds up bravely. An impressive morning workout for the bike, and it’s in good shape – top performance!
No counting at breakfast this time (but that’s another story), because culinary rebellion has triumphed! At around 9.30am we set off again towards the Gotthard. Due to yesterday’s refuelling chaos, the evening refuelling was skipped for the late group, and now the need for fuel is calling loudly for fulfilment.
But Versya oversleeps the last petrol station before the turn-off to the Nufenen Pass. And then the inevitable happens: About 3 kilometres before the pass, the Transalp runs out of fuel. While the group waits in the fog at the pass, Versya – out of necessity – takes action and brings a canister with 1.5 litres of petrol reserve. This not only enables them to climb the pass, but also to reach the Eni petrol station at the junction with the Furka road in the valley.
Here, all motorbikes are filled to the brim, including the reserve canister. The journey continues westwards towards Sion and Martigny. After a while, the ride becomes a little monotonous and we consider taking the motorway next time or the Simplon Pass instead of the Nufenen Pass. But a funny surprise awaits in Martigny: Astrid meets a former work colleague who is currently on a pilgrimage to Rome – small talk in a street café!
We linger in Martigny for about an hour before the next rain clouds drive us on. Fortunately, the rain stops quickly and the pass road over the Great St Bernard proves to be as dry as dust!
We drive up at express speed, the sun shines on the pass and the obligatory photos are a must. Bella Italia, here we come!
The descent is just as fast, but the traffic increases, especially as far as Aosta. There, 30°C awaits us! And our hotel. There is also a petrol station at the turn-off to the hotel, and this time, in view of the previous refuelling episode, we fill up diligently.
The hotel may be a few years old, but apart from the Wi-Fi (only on the ground floor), it is cosily furnished. Astrid, Elfi and Versya make their way to the town centre to explore the town and the view. On their wanderings, they even discover a spring in the middle of the town and a cosy pizzeria – that’s what we call travelling in style!
We stop off there at 19:00 and enjoy seafood and fish – everything is great!
Around 22:00, we return to the hotel satisfied and with full bellies.
Weather: Sunny, cool, cloudy, rainy, sunny, hot
Distance: 275 km – with an extra lap for refuelling and a small talk at the roadside!