Ride around Mont Blanc in 4K. 3 countries 2 motorcycles 1 day. Alps 2023

[@madmick6805]

Made me smile all the way through but made me laugh at the Syncing on Carols Butt! and the camper going the wrong way 🤣🤣🤣 Great video guys .

[@Banditmanuk]

😂😂Yes it's the little things that make you smile. Thanks for watching

[@FastyRides]

If every long day was like that you wouldnt mind it at all. Such a stunning place. Great video guys, enjoyed watching it. Fasty-Rides

[@Banditmanuk]

Appreciate that Fasty. Was a great day.

[@davidlutton4560]

Very enjoyable. Such fantastic scenery and credit to your steeds having to cope with the turns and gradients in that heat. With the dreadful summer we've had this year at home and my poor 1050 Tiger currently sitting idle in the garage, your video has got me thinking about a similar Alpine trip in '24 all being well. Thanks and take care.

[@Banditmanuk]

Had the 1050 Speed Triple, a great engine. The tiger would be great on those Alpine roads. 👍🏽👍🏽

[@BadMonkeyTouring]

I've driven through the tunnel several times when driving between Nice and Geneva. It's actually quite fun. What I found interesting is that if you take not of the air temperature before your enter, you'll watch it get warmer as you drive through. As the temperature starts counting back up, it's exactly at the midpoint. Then, when you exit the other side, the temp is generally the same as when you entered, unless it's sunny on one end and cloudy on the other.

[@Banditmanuk]

We would probably drive through the tunnel. Much like the French toll motorways, its a fast way of travelling. I know safety procedures are probably much better now but I can clearly remember the devastating fire which claimed so many lives back in 1999 On bikes when we don't need to make distance, I'm not riding through

[@BadMonkeyTouring]

@@Banditmanuk yeah, if you're not in a hurry, then there's no need and the last time I did it was back in 2007 when the toll was in excess of €20 each way. I think you took the much better route for sure. I'll have to get over that way soon myself.

[@cloudmaker]

Never made that connection before Mont Blanc--Mont Racon! 😁 What a brilliant ride that was yet again, just perfect to watch after a lazy Sunday breakfast with a coffee. As you say why would you go by tunnel when this is the alternative, just absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing this. Ride safe and happy. BTW Should be 4 countries really, even more impressive! 😉👍😁😁

[@Banditmanuk]

😂😂 Yep left France and eventually arrived back. Glad you enjoyed the ride. Cheers, best wishes and ride safe.

[@victorvandenbergh1085]

It was amazing meeting you guys at the Saint-Bernard museum! I was the man from Belgium :). Amazing bikes and amazing videos! Keep up the great work!

[@Banditmanuk]

O yes. Was fantastic to meet you at the top there. We had a great time. We got a little lost in Aosta but eventually found our way back to Bourg St Maurice. Thanks for saying hello and, of course, watching our video. Best wishes Richard and Carol

[@Darkvisor]

stunning scenery!!

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks, it was a great day

[@crumblymal8479]

Just wonderful footage guys and ohhh those cakes mmmm lipsmackingly good , what an awesome trip the views the roads though sometimes challenging I am sure fantastic, and the Swiss lake waters looked so clear too . How well do the Italians do tunnels light and airy . Perfect as usual guys unparalleled footage superbly done always a great watch thanks for your efforts 😉👌👍

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks very much, really nice to get feedback like this. Was a great day but editing down the footage was a bit of a job.

[@johnbellamy6449]

I just love your videos . lying on the top of the bed at six minutes past ten at night ,enjoyed every bend ,every line ,also lovely scenery and background music , I did notice at that last stop you both looked tired before you said you were. I hope you enjoyed a nice evening meal after that . thanks again for a great days riding .

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks for the lovely comments John. It had been tiring and although we didn't film it, we had a bit of a nightmare getting lost and back on track before the small St Bernard pass. That and doubling back for petrol had probably cost us two hours. We arrived back in Borg St Maurice about 9.00pm and just took the easy option of McDonald's before parking up at the cabin and getting cleaned up. We were happy it was raining the following morning as it was a good excuse for a lazy relaxing day of French coffee shops and local bars.

[@Steve-Clark-1200rt]

Fantastic video loved it great roads and scenery and a pleasure to watch, your channel deserves so many more viewers. Great job thanks for sharing. Steve 😃

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks, Steve, that means a lot coming from you. We make the vids primarily for ourselves to look back on in years to come. It's nice that a few others enjoy watching. It's difficult to figure out views on vids. The tours probably do 1-2K yet filming at Prescott Bike festival that took no making at all does 60 K???

[@Steve-Clark-1200rt]

@@Banditmanuk know exactly what you mean Richard my Applecross video that was basically left to run and required little editing has over 110k views yet other tour ones that take me forever to edit struggle to get above 5k 🤔😂 Still we are the same reason as yourself when we can no longer ride they are going to be a great thing for memories. Keep up the good work you two and ride safe.

[@grahamhunter3233]

I really enjoyed this. Thanks for taking us along😊 If the weather had been bad, it might not have been so enjoyable 😏

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks for watching, yes completely agree about the weather. We had checked the forecast for the week and that day was the best. The following day it rained and we didn't ride

[@BadMonkeyTouring]

@12:39 that's the road we took down to Martigny, then onward to Sion during our Bad Monkey Touring Mega Alps Tour 2018. Another great vid guys.

[@Banditmanuk]

Its such an amazing view down to Martigny from that road.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

My last video of the night before turning out the lights. Excellent views everywhere so it must tough to determine where to stop. Gorgeous ride!

[@Banditmanuk]

Being in a different time zone 👍. It's breakfast time here on a sunny Saturday morning. I find it easy knowing where to stop. Carol usually has a plan and has scouted out viewpoints/ stops on Google Street View. The GPX map she's made has approximate timings for each stop, so she knows how long a day she's got. All fine until you get lost 😂 Hope the recovery is going well. Best wishes Richard and Carol

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@Banditmanuk Carol's logistics and planning seems to work perfectly. I'm doing fine but I'll wait until next week to see what the professionals think.

[@5coaly]

Some stunning scenery and those lakes!! Should have brought your cossies!! Must get down to that part of Europe some time. 👍

[@bmw1300gs_rider]

Loving it guys…We did Gt St Bernard and many others in Switzerland and Italy in June/July. The ride down from the top to Aosta is special. And I’m doing a solo in September down to the Alps to cover a lot of the Route de Grand Alps and a bit of the Route Napoleon. Looks like the Alps are going to be epic 🙌😎

[@Banditmanuk]

Loads of people swimming in Champex Lac. Was temping considering the heat. Its an amazing area, hope you get chance to visit.

[@Banditmanuk]

@@bmw1300gs_rider So much great riding out in the Alps. We unfortunately missed our turn in Aosta and got horribly lost (heading further in to Italy for a while) it's probably why we looked tired but relieved to be stood at the French Italian border after getting back on track. Have a fantastic time in September 👍👍

[@AndyGSATractor]

So now i really want to go back there and tour again . Few ago we had breakfast in Germany lunch in Italy and dinner in Austria .Thanks for sharing .

[@Banditmanuk]

One of our most enjoyable days on a bike this one. You've done some amazing European riding, isn't it great to travel and see new places 👍👍 Hope you’re keeping well, thanks for watching

[@AndyGSATractor]

@@Banditmanuk Always amazing to tour Europe and indeed the uk hoping to get away again in September weather permitting .

[@andyallen1651]

Another great and beautiful vlog. Shame you didn't have ya Speedos. Now, that would have been interesting 😅. Loving this trip. Cracking roads, too. I might have to take a trip there on my bike sometime. Made my Saturday morning. Thank you both. 🙂

[@Banditmanuk]

Brilliant glad you've enjoyed it. Me in Speedos would have spoiled many a breakfast time! Was temping to head into that beautiful lake for a swim though. Nothing like seeing the places in person if you get the chance 👍 Appreciate you watching and for the kind words. 🙏

[@rafaelpelizza5757]

Lindo paseo en moto buenisimos videos saludos Rafa de mardel plata Argentina

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks again for watching and for your kind comments 👍

[@kevinwestwood6668]

I've been on a few mountain bike holidays in Chamonix, it's beautiful there 😊

[@Banditmanuk]

It's certainly beautiful. Didn't actually film in Chamonix but would definitely go back. Thanks for watching our video. Cheers

[@wsmv]

This is amazing, the scenery is just unbelievable, I know what you mean about the tunnel but I think I would have loved to ride my VTR through it just for the noise 😢 Have to take the sportster instead (if it would make it there) 😂 What a great day to see those countries in one day, awesome ❤👍

[@Banditmanuk]

It was a special day, think the novelty of riding through the tunnel would pass after 7 miles in there! I'll take the long scenic ride (unless it's raining). Hippo Drones says the tunnel is a great place to dry off

[@DanGoodayleUnreal]

Amazing journey! Looking forward to making my own journey over that way soon!

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks Dan. I'm sure you will have a fantastic time. Appreciate you taking the time out to watch our vid. Best wishes Richard and Carol

[@Followthebeard]

Great vlog guys, very enjoyable, could of watched a couple of hours worth of those passes. thanks for sharing .

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks very much. As you know there's nothing like being there but we do our best to try and capture some of the magic of riding there. Always good to hear from you

[@Followthebeard]

@@Banditmanuk mission accomplished, you always capture the essence of the places you visit in all your vlogs. That’s why I always watch them over and over again.

[@the_mad_leprechaun]

Now that looked fantastic. I just watched while away on another sidecar weekend. I will give your adventure again on my TV when I get home. My Daughter was in that area around the same time as you. She watched your video with me.

[@Banditmanuk]

Hope the racing goes well, thanks to both you and your daughter for watching (neither of our lads watch our vids!) Best wishes Richard and Carol

[@davebrown567]

Love this

[@Banditmanuk]

We're quite enjoying the filmmaking. It's nice one or two folks enjoy watching.

[@paullee6663]

A thoroughly enjoyable watch! "we missed the petrol station!" 😧🙂 I've had a few 'adventures' at Garmins expense, a couple could have been 'user error', but the worse by far was when I was about 5 miles? short of Cain in the Pico's, when it said 'Turn right' the only thing to my right at the time was about 1000m drop to the canyons valley floor!!! As soon as I think 'things' might be going pearshaped I stop come out of the routeplanner (which is what I use) and just enter the destination of the next town I want to get to. Once it gets 'lost' it's never got me back on the right route. (Again that's probably at least partly user error. No idea how you guys managed a day that long in those temperatures, on roads like that. Hats off to you both.

[@Banditmanuk]

Missing a petrol station when you only have 120 mile range is a problem. We wasted 1 hour going back when it turned out we could have made the fuel station at the Swiss border! O how we laughed about that! At least you were in a scenic area near Cain. We got lost in a very built up industrial part of Aosta Italy. Should have filmed it but we were just concentrating on getting back on track. The Garmin wasn't helpful and we figured it out with Google maps on our phone Long long hot day but still enjoyable. Thanks again for watching

[@paullee6663]

@@Banditmanuk I didn't word that very well, I didn't get lost on the Cain road...even I couldn't get lost on the Cain road 🙂 It directed me to drive off the edge of a cliff on the Cain road. It got me lost on the way back from Santiago de Compostella, still nice scenery though!

[@MTBrider26]

Really love your videos and their relaxed nature. On the slow switchbacks try leaning against the bike, counterbalancing the weight, rather than leaning with it. That way you can load up the outside peg and it stops that tippy out of balance feeling.

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks very much, don't think we've over analysed our slow corning. The 360 camera's make it look like we're leaning more than we are.

[@youngeroldie5089]

Wow, benchmark video with benchmark content. I could say I am not jealous but that would be an utter lie. Such fantastic roads with amazing scenery, would have took me a lot longer as my wife can not ride pass a coffee shop anywhere let alone ones with views like that. Carole's road positioning was spot on A1 round those bends she should be proud of herself.

[@Banditmanuk]

So kind. It was a fantastic day. The more difficult part is making sense of many hours of footage and turning it into something vaguely watchable. Probably two days work, so yes we're quite proud of this vid. We love coffee shops but were strict with ourselves on this day because of distance. If we hadn't doubled back for fuel and got lost in Italy, we probably would have done it in 10 hours. Carol will love your kind comments

[@Flummoxed-B4]

Thank-you youngeroldie, its certainly a trip to improve hairpin riding skills, I just have to make sure richard edits it out when I mess it up!

[@youngeroldie5089]

@@Flummoxed-B4 Even not on the hairpins just on the regular bends you are changing from position 1 to position 3 which is safer and gives you better vision around the bend. Top stuff.

[@HippoDrones]

Amazing as always guys, thanks for bringing us along! Regarding the overheating of the camera, are you able to turn off the front screen on it, or have it time out like the GoPro screens do? That would possibly reduce the heat the camera makes, and as a bonus, extend the battery endurance! I went through the Mt Blanc tunnel when I was riding thais part of the world, it worked in my favour as it was tipping down with rain and it was so hot in the tunnel, I dried out... had steam coming off my clothes as I rode... really wierd, but was grateful lol 😀

[@Banditmanuk]

Good idea regarding the front screen and heat. I've not checked as yet to see if it can be timed out. I do like seeing it in my mirror as an easy reference that the camera is still running. I would possibly use the tunnel if I had to. I'm just aware of all the folks that died in the fire in there and it make me nervous.

[@HippoDrones]

@@Banditmanuk yeah, not nice way to go... and stuck in a tunnel filled with thick black smoke would be terrifying

[@NooBiker]

Amazing roads and views for the two of you! My trip around France on my Kawasaki Z1000SX also had some great roads and loads of hairpins, but with loads more trees so the views were restricted. I also had slightly lower temperatures (7C at one point!) and a lot of rain 😂 I have one video which I think will be around 25 minutes and I'm scared of publishing it that long because people don't tend to watch the longer videos, but I don't want to split it or remove stuff from it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Banditmanuk]

You did the France touring properly by bike. None of this van nonsense we used 👍👍 I would take the lower temperatures. We did get rain one day where we didn't ride. Just walked into town that day. Coffee cake and beer day! I'm ignoring the idea that only short vids can be successful. Honestly, I/we don't care about length so long as it moves along and tells the story. Always make the vid you want to make, would be my advice. I'm sure it will be great 👍

[@NooBiker]

@@Banditmanuk appreciate the feedback 👍

[@IanTed]

Carol, it’s the glacial run off that creates the colour of the lakes, microscopic bits of limestone suspended in the water refracts the light. Moraine Lake in Canada is amazing, look it up…and don’t hit a Marmot🤣. I want cake😍 PS. Stunning scenery…

[@Banditmanuk]

I love it when we actually learn something in the comments section. Limestone refraction 👍🏽👍🏽 Marmot must have better eyesight than English badgers, didn't see any by the road. No shortage of great cakes there. Thanks again for watching

[@KazoMoto]

Catching up with your content. Found you through Peaky. We don’t have the luxury of this sort of ride in Australia. One big country. Great to connect. New sub 👍🏼

[@Banditmanuk]

Welcome, I'm just watching Peaky live at the moment. At least in Australia you're heading into summer. The heat of this trip seems a distant memory now.

[@Saddlebags73]

Amazing as always. Great views even with the pram cam 🤣

[@Banditmanuk]

We're pam cam fans! Hope your Wales tour went/is going well?

[@Saddlebags73]

Me too 😎 All home safe and well thank you. Great trip 👍🏼

[@ladyjrider666]

Another channel the rider gets in for a dip in bike gear and lets it dry while she rides! I definitely think your warm ride and that beautiful weather would have had me testing it out! Great video despite the filming issues. Ride safe, LJ

[@Banditmanuk]

That was probably a good idea. I was certainly thinking of soaking my mesh jacket to use evaporation cooling. I think we considered the heat a challenge but still better than mist or rain. We consider ourselves lucky to have seen the sights and ridden the roads. Thanks for watching

[@shuckers381]

Hello looks really nice riding as never done France 🇫🇷 don’t suppose you have gpx files keep up the good work Safe riding john

[@Banditmanuk]

It was brilliant riding. We've not posted the GPX routes from this day as we believe they may contain an error, and we don't want others to get lost in Italy as we did. The Google overview is shown near the beginning of this vid if you pause. If we can find time to correct any errors in the GPX, we will post them in the description below in a Dropbox. Appreciate you watching John.

[@GuernseyDave943]

Great video , thanks to your mention a few videos back Itchy boots has another subscriber, nothing seems to faze her .

[@Banditmanuk]

We should feel highly honoured that you found our channel before Noraly at Itchy Boots. It's our favourite KZbin channel. She just deals with any problems and is a terrific filmmaker. Thanks for also watching our little channel 👍👍

[@GuernseyDave943]

@@Banditmanuk have told loads of people in Guernsey about it , so hope you get more subscribers

[@Banditmanuk]

@cohudave so kind thank you.

[@TheRhythmicBiker]

I love self service fuel stops, don’t know why they are aren’t the norm in the UK. Not sure I’d want to wild camp up there, bet it’s well dark at night 😂 That does look a beautiful lake, a great place to just sit back and relax. Never heard of a Marmot, it does look a big boi though 😂 Stunning views all round, what a super place to ride 🤘 Even the name Champex sounds awesome 😎 Oh lord don’t say Brexit, youtube ain’t the place for that 😂😂 Wow, the twisty down the pass look so much fun, bet that a right good blast🏍️💨 Bless you both, a good hard day in the saddle, but all worth while for the amount of fun you had ☺️ Another great video you two, hope you’re both well 🤘

[@Banditmanuk]

Was an awesome day. We had a great week out there and are thankful we've managed to capture a little of what it's like on video. Hope repairs are going well on the big K 🙏

[@thepeakybiker]

great vid again mukka

[@Banditmanuk]

Cheers and thanks 👍

[@greywolf9292]

Well what a magnificent ride that was, thank you so much for sharing it with us even although the tech was trying it's best to melt 😰 Speaking of which I don't know how Carol managed to look so cool with her jacket on in the stifling heat, I'd have been a puddle at the side of the road 😂

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks, yes the electronic stuff struggled in the heat, as did we. Carol's jacket was only the outer shell with lots of mesh. The coolest jacket she had. Mine was fully mesh, but the black absorbs the heat, would probably pick a lighter colour next time. You don't often get 40C in Scotland 😀

[@carllatham9844]

Take a look at the insta 360 rs i use it as a helmet cam its never over heated on me,could be a great option IMHO

[@Banditmanuk]

Thanks Carl, our Insta 360onex2 camera's didn't overheat. I'm sure the RS would be great. In all honesty this is the first time we've had issues with the Action 3s. We're also filming at max resolution in 4K which generates heat. Combined with exceptional ambient air and slow riding. Back in the UK now with no issues.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

What was the name of the first lake there? Great ride, just a bit too hot, just like you mentioned. Overall you covered quite a lot I think. How many miles it was when you parked? A wonderful video.

[@Banditmanuk]

First lake was Lac du Roseland. Yes definitely too hot but you make the most of it. Better than it 🌧 As for miles, I'm not entirely sure as we got lost in Italy and didn't measure the trip. I'm thinking around 280

[@shuckers381]

Just a quick on the second Dacia was a sandero not Duster 😂😂 only because I have one 👍

[@Banditmanuk]

Ww stand corrected 😂 👍👍Cheers

[@TheMatlockBiker]

That certainly was a long day, but so well worth it 👍😎🌞 Please tell me you took the following day off 😴😅

[@Flummoxed-B4]

Er yes, lazy day the next day, we didn't get on the bikes at all 😂

[@Banditmanuk]

Well Carol beat me to it but absolutely. Rained in the morning then cafe's and bars in the afternoon in Borg St Maurice

[@davidmatthews3093]

A great video. How many miles was that? You confuse me by using fill-ups as a unit of measurement as I’m used to riding bikes with a range of over 300 miles. 🙂

[@Banditmanuk]

The calculated route should have been just about 200 miles. We added about 50 by getting lost heading to Turin on an Italian toll motorway! Lots of stops probably made the day super long. It's definitely an easy done day ride around Mont Blanc

[@davebrown567]

We left later in the day with Bill. I remember being sick on the way back. I over heated badly

[@Banditmanuk]

I remember. Think it was equally as hot on last year's visit, only difference is I had vented kit this time. Bill never could get going in the morning 😅 Still great memories of that trip David. Hope you're keeping well?

[@MansfieldPestControl]

Did you DRIVE there or RIDE there?

[@Banditmanuk]

We took the bikes in the van to Borg St Maurice then had 5 days riding in the Alps. Only had 7 days free so we didn't want to spend two days getting there and two to get back. Previous vid here explains kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKbMZKOgiKyJZ80

[@NooBiker]

Switzerland is nice to visit but wait until you hear the rules when you live there. Can't flush the toilet at night, can't cut the grass on a Sunday etc. Mind you, no loud popping exhausts late at night...

[@Banditmanuk]

Think we would need to check out those rules! As the proprietor of a mowing and maintenance business, Sunday is often the only day I get to mow my own lawn!

[@aunoates6617]

Ah….that could explain why, when walking around the peaceful villages on a sunny afternoon, you see so many of those robot mowers gliding, silently, around people’s gardens with nobody to be seen. Must be a way around the rules!

[@Flummoxed-B4]

Can't flush the toilet at night! 😳 May be I will have to re-think!

[@elpobrouse2277]

Don't say Mont Blanc but Mont Blan, loose the "c". I know it's an Anglo-Saxon thing to do, I hear it with most English speaking people. The French pronounce some letters not. Nice vlog like always.

[@Tojj29]

Absolutely stunning place to ride. Those roads and bends! Still can't believe those temperatures 🤦

[@Banditmanuk]

Every day is a learning day on KZbin👍 We've been hammered in the comments for our Welsh tour place name pronunciations. Apologies to all the French speakers out there.

[@Banditmanuk]

​@@Tojj29We had an amazing time. Worth the effort getting there (even though we used our van) Not sure how much hotter we could have stood it but it was still better than rain.

[@Jay_Speed]

Exellent piece of journalisme, you just show it like it is. ⛰️ Do you have roadside assistance on your trips ?

[@Banditmanuk]

So kind thank you. Yes, both bikes are covered by full roadside assistance via Carole Nash insurance. We also run year round travel insurance that covers us for medical/repatriation or holiday cancelations, again with Carole Nash as they cover riding bikes over 125cc

[@Jay_Speed]

@@Banditmanuk Can you maybe make a piece about that, would be interesting. Something for the winter.