2014 trip

[100milesaway]

Debs, If you must do the Stelvio be VERY VERY careful, there are LOTS of bikes hit the deck on this pass . I would advise doing it from the Italian side first, which is mostly downhill . But going UP the Stevio from the Swiss side is a Very different story. You need to be right up against the wall on the WRONG side off the road going into the hairpins, and then after you have tipped into the apex use all the road again coming out, again you are right up against the wall on the WRONG side of the road, whilst praying that there is no one coming down, because if you do meet someone coming down and they (like in our case ) dont understand that you absolutely NEED to be on their side of the road, you are done for. It is hard to describe just how STEEP the Stelvio is, also at the apex of the hairpins the camber of the road is so severe it actually scares you. And for those who have not been, an added hazard is the fact that as you approach a hairpin,(which are more severe than you will have ever seen before) the traffic coming down the pass could be completly out of your vision until you have COMMITTED to go. There is NO room for error, once you have decided to go you must go, stopping mid hairpin is impossible (well it is whilst still on the bike). So if you must do it go and sit and watch on one of the tighter hairpins, and work out what you need to do to stay safe. It is a fantastic thrill but at the same time it scares the  out of you.   

[2kwacks]

Debs, If you must do the Stelvio be VERY VERY careful, there are LOTS of bikes hit the deck on this pass . I would advise doing it from the Italian side first, which is mostly downhill . But going UP the Stevio from the Swiss side is a Very different story. You need to be right up against the wall on the WRONG side off the road going into the hairpins, and then after you have tipped into the apex use all the road again coming out, again you are right up against the wall on the WRONG side of the road, whilst praying that there is no one coming down, because if you do meet someone coming down and they (like in our case ) dont understand that you absolutely NEED to be on their side of the road, you are done for. It is hard to describe just how STEEP the Stelvio is, also at the apex of the hairpins the camber of the road is so severe it actually scares you. And for those who have not been, an added hazard is the fact that as you approach a hairpin,(which are more severe than you will have ever seen before) the traffic coming down the pass could be completly out of your vision until you have COMMITTED to go. There is NO room for error, once you have decided to go you must go, stopping mid hairpin is impossible (well it is whilst still on the bike). So if you must do it go and sit and watch on one of the tighter hairpins, and work out what you need to do to stay safe. It is a fantastic thrill but at the same time it scares the  out of you.   

good advice there Geoff but remember what goes up must come down so extra care is advised either way of course it's a must to try and see what's coming the other way and like you said approach the hairpin tight on the other side "your wrong side" and let the bike lean in tight on your side "your right side" as entering the hairpin at a speed that keeps the weight of the bike comfortable but the speed is just right for that hairpin and the bike will do the rest I find approaching tight hairpins this way, is the safest way.. then if the other side is clear you can get right over again for the next hairpin.. I think a lot of bikers start the turn as we said but use all the road this is fine and you get faster exit with more lean, but with the pass being so long and enjoying "one's self" it's very easy to get to caught up in the "Red mist" and at that time there maybe a car, lorry, biker or even pogo stick rider on the right side "there right side" and you will end up as a ornament on a bonnet or kissing some hairy bikes visor I find it wise on tight hairpins to play it safe at all times after all.. the Passers which tend to have dam tight hairpins are not the best  roads to have fun on but the get it right and it's  time get it wrong and it's time