Epic Ride Up the Gotthard Pass on a Gold Wing!

[@ricatiman]

Every episode has been my favorite so far - in my humble opinion, the most scenic and fun of all of your tours to date. Having open choices and less defined deadlines was always the way I preferred to ride. Great roads, fabulous views, and your informative commentary makes these journeys incredibly important to us senior citizen motorcyclists.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes I thought this was one of our best tours yet too - so glad you agree!

[@arcticcraic]

Couldn’t agree more. My only wish is that there was more of it 😂 Hopefully with the ability to trailer the bikes down there, we will see more of this next year.

[@stevebolton8471]

It's also a great demonstration of the Mighty Gold Wing.

[@123rtheo]

Definitely the best tour yet,wow some of those hairpin corners & dodgy cobblestone road surface too boot,you say you’re not a great rider but I have to disagree you handled it with aplomb. 👏🏻

[@BazzerObama]

It’s difficult to beat the Gorge du Verdon in France, Swiss mountain passes and an Italian lake or two for fantastic touring n Europe. Great trip, really enjoying it…….especially on these dark, wet, British winter nights. 👍

[@MsDenver2]

First of all I have to correct you on something , you are not a rubbish rider, from what I’ve seen your a good rider, your sensible and safe and I’m not praising you it’s just the truth 👍🏍️. That lake looked beautiful I was imagining what it’s like to live there , lovely to have a boat . It’s alway amazing how they build these roads right up the mountains absolutely beautiful, thanks for sharing 😊

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you for the kind words and for watching once again!

[@LickyDischarge]

Well said 👍🏻👍🏻

[@blsstre]

I woke up feeling dizzy with a slight headache, and when I saw that you uploaded a new video, I decided to watch it. Doctor, you've completely relieved my headache! Thank you so much! What an amazing journey!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Wow, thanks

[@paulmarley754]

Love the "Green Salad" 😂😂😂😂

[@sarge2665]

Another great video guys, keep 'em coming. I don't know why you doubt your riding ability so much Andy, you're coping very well and have probably done more miles of varied riding than most! I can appreciate how a fully loaded wing with Mrs Flyer on the back makes you nervous in certain situations as I would be exactly the same (the responsibility of another person's safety and well being!) but as I say I reckon you're handling it brilliantly. Looking forward to the next one 👍🏻

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

That's very kind of you to say so - thank you!

[@johngittins6244]

Last year we rode up the old Gothard pass on a fully loaded up Africa twin adventure sport with my wife as pillion. I hadn’t realised there was an old Gothard pass until we were on it. Good grief, cobbled all the way with an unbelievable number of tight hairpins and switchbacks ! I was watching this thinking, don’t turn onto the old pass !! Great series TMF. Love it ! 😀

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes I didn’t know that either - thank goodness I turned off the old pass after just a few turns (unbeknownst to me at the time!)

[@SimOvScot]

Very enjoyable episode and great to see the transition from lake to mountain roads. You really shouldn't doubt your riding...you take the changing roads and variable weather conditions in your stride. Looking forward to the next instalment.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you!

[@FreddieDobbs]

I love this part of Italy- beautiful!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes Italy is fantastic isn’t it Freddie….as are the people, food, weather, cars, bikes…

[@RobLittleuk]

I went over the Gotthard Pass with my parents in 1960 and of course it was the old Road cobbles and all! Snow at the top it was great for kids thanks for the memory Andy.

[@phillipmorgan6822]

Blimey I was nervous watching this on the cobbles; well done!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

You should have been sat where I was!

[@treesthatleave876]

What a thoroughly enjoyable series this is but what a time to have no road surface! The coffee stop looked a rather pretty building and just in the right place too.

[@davidwood974]

What an amazing adventure for the Flyers! What a beautiful route and appreciate the map snapshots to help us orient a bit…well done, safe travels!

[@MarkMSM]

Cobbles, wet weather nice combo😮

[@tomblewomble3369]

Really enjoying the touring videos. Inspiring me to start touring next year, up until now ive just commuted and run errands.

[@freemenofengland2880]

You finally got to take it up the Pass!! I suppose you'll be contemplating taking it up the Grimsel next... 😂😂😂

[@sharknose425]

Merry Christmas Mr and Mrs TMF, thanks for a great year of video’s, looking forward to seeing what you guys are up to in 2025. 🎅🏼🧑‍🎄

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Same to you!

[@samhill3496]

Great ride. Splendid road even with the stones. The lake speaks for itself. Great. Glad to have the op to see some of it. All good from east KY USA. Look forward to the next time. Nomad Mountain Man

[@johnwelbers4248]

Hey thanks for taking us along on that great ride👍🏻🤓😎🏍💨💨💨💨💨💨👍🏻🇨🇦🍻. Big wing handled it just perfect. People have a tendency to be worried about the bigger bikes but they are not near as bad as people think. Great touring machines. Big ultra same couch on wheels.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes for long distance trips like this it is the best bike bar none!

[@jamesread9014]

Switzerland and Italy are beautiful countries. Good riding.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

We agree!

[@staudio]

I think I've commented "awesome scenery" for just about every video in this series I've watched. This one no different.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

It was!

[@johnmacdonald1878]

Very nice. Mountains and lakes, adding the Alps to my bucket list.

[@ianrobertson7651]

Beautiful, I do love the Italian Lakes😎

[@tankitrolls3844]

Fantastic series TMF, keep them coming !!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thanks, will do!

[@wltrlg]

So nice to kick off the Saturday morning with a nice Alpine tour and The Flyers! ❤

[@bigbadjan]

Very excited for the next video. Bet Mrs. Flyer loved the downhill part :D

[@stalbansbiker]

We absolutely love the Italian Lakes were we have stayed many times glad you loved it and thanks for a great ride video

[@jimcfds]

Good Evening Andy, WOW, Italy really looks beautiful, or at least this part of the country. Switzerland also has some great views and incredible road engineering. I think you chose the perfect bike for this tour. Looking forward to episode 9.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes the Wing is great at long distance touring up - there’s nothing to touch it IMO

[@paulpartridge2674]

Well done Flyers, great tour superb view , really enjoying 👏

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Good to hear

[@ericlips2420]

I appreciatie your honest mild hairpin anxiety. To be fair I think most of us at least sometimes doubt their own skill with which we do them. We all do some of them better than others. Nice scenic ride. Again.

[@IanSixbikes-by6ei]

Another thoroughly enjoyable "Winging it" tour video, lovely scenery around Lake Maggiore and if course the Gotthard Pass, I have been lucky enough to ride around both Lake Maggiore and the Gotthard Pass on two previous occasions and it's still as beautiful in 2024 as it was in 2009, on the food front, the meals you and Mrs Flyer had in your hotel looked outstanding. Looking forward to next Saturday's episode.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@stalbansbiker]

❤ I'm absolutely loving this tour your best so far probably because I know most of the locations we are so luckily to have this near enough to ride regularly

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you John - I agree it was a great tour and we are indeed lucky to have all this playground on our (relative) doorstep....

[@stevesunderland3943]

Great that Andy & Carol. Most enjoyable. 👍👍

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jameslewis6186]

you sound a lovely guy i'm sorry for your loss from james im just starting my jny as a biker at 59 years young got myself a bmw 310 gs just a small bike mate good luck on your journey 👍

[@andrewmanahan2469]

Andy, I know you gave some tech reasons why it was trouble to do but you HAVE to fix it to have Carol on the banter .. it would really add to these trips.

[@PhilC184]

Lovely ride, nice to see beautiful Stresa with it’s posh hotels and a quick glimpse of the Borromean Islands. I found myself humming “On days like these” as you swung around those hairpins. 😅

[@nevillebriggs1002]

I rode over there from Switzerland down to Italy in 1982 in the rain and low cloud on my Moto Guzzi T3. The road was very rough and potholed near the top. Didn't see much and I was drenched and arrived down at the bottom in the dark. I'll never forget that ride!.

[@greengreenie55]

This trip gets better all the time.

[@stevemarsh8664]

What incredible views. Those hairpins looked... fun? Really enjoying the tour - thanks for sharing it with us.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Our pleasure!

[@peterv.2033]

Don’t complain about cobblestones, Andy, it is vintage. They are even restoring this kind of surface for the historic feeling. We had fun on our bike and later our vintage Citroën DS. Part of the experience! The tunnel is tedious…

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

...I bet it is - glad we avoided it.....

[@jonnyj600]

Fabulous, really enjoyed that.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Glad to hear it!

[@martinburns342]

Great video Andy. I was on a tour with a group of Aussies in 2023 from Munich to Corsica. We stayed at Lake Maggiore right on the water. Most of those speed cameras in Italy don't actually have cameras in them. Some just have a sticker on them that looks like a lens. Our tour guide showed us one. Can't wait to see the rest of the tour. 🇦🇺

[@christopherhorton5449]

I am a frequent visitor to Italy and love it. Its a pity you only had one night there. I did the Gottard pass a few years back. It looks in better nick now than it was. I stopped for a hot choccy at the top. Fabulous views. I had a cappuccino on the go whilst watching this 😋

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Nice one....

[@WheelieGoodTV]

Another cracking watch folks!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Cheers Dave!

[@tony-yp6qk]

Another great video has always Andy and carol missenden flyer 👍

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thanks 👍

[@StressKind]

I remember doing this on my bicycle years ago. I may have to revisit it on the motorcycle, it's such an epic road.

[@Markevans63]

Bacon sarnie and a TMF tour video, Saturday morning perfection 👌

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

What a morning you’re having!! 😘

[@mathiashammar1]

cobblestones on a Goldwing :D in the rain ! your a champ Andy ! that stuff is so slippery.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Tell me about it....

[@xfactor5876]

Beautiful video,. The only thing that would make it better is if I would have been the next bike in line.

[@guzziman]

Cant beat italian coffee, there is a reason Starbucks can not make it there, another level... The pass ride looked amazing, I much prefer to do it when no one around, like you guys did and maybe not "optimal summer weather," opposed to doing it when there are many young street Rossi wanna be's zooming through each corner. Amazing episode Andy, the vidography, editing, narration, everything is top notch

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you very much!

[@ragerider6283]

Fantastic episode. Scenic indeed & very spectacular. Sympathise about the cobblestones, definitely disconcerting, especially with a big heavy bike & a pillion but you did well.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Many thanks!

[@allanmason7544]

epic vid both

[@gibboian]

I had a close call on those cobbles 2 years ago with my wife on the back of my R1250RT. I ran wide and clipped the high kerb on the outside of a left hander. I was luck to stay on, unfortunately my ankle was very swollen for a few days. My TCX boots saved the day! I've ridden it previously with no dramas! You looked like you took it in your stride

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Must have been a trick of the camera!

[@billcotton1551]

That would be scary on any bike! Nice job handling it on the Wing, TMF.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you!

[@johnlenart597]

Enjoying the trip and reading all the kind comments. I was commenting through out the video. My kind of hairpins-from my recliner with my morning coffee. Lol. My morning views are seeing almost 3' of Lake effect snow with another 5 days in the forcast. 🌬❄️❄️❄️☃️. Makes me feel like in a snow covered mountain chalet, not N E Ohio. My salvation was watching your video series. You and Carol make my day 🤗🤗🤗 👍👍

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

That's great to hear - thank you John!

[@ydarbg]

Beautiful,. Thanks for sharing 👍 excellent control on the Twisties. We were trying to get to Andermatt mid September from stelvio but it was snowing and freezing so we went south like the birds instead... Oh well maybe next time

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

This was filmed at the end of September - the passes had just reopened, where south did you go?

[@ydarbg]

We were at lake Garda after the dolomites and were heading for stelvio/chur/Andermatt but just went south to Monaco/Cannes and back up through France. All interesting and avoided the cold and snow 👌​@@TheMissendenFlyer

[@ChrisRob509]

27 degrees (-2C) here this morning. Your vid is warming me up nicely. Cheers, friend.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

That was what I was hoping these videos would do!

[@kresimirmilisa5560]

Good moto vlogs as always😊

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Glad you like them!

[@martynlaverick3405]

Stunning scenery but cobblestones! What were they thinking🫣 Great tour series and really enjoying the fact you are winging it.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

More to come!

[@antonoat]

Great stuff, really enjoyable travelling/(virtually) on the Wing, the sound of the engine is sublime and the smooth gearbox makes me wonder if your good lady ever falls asleep while riding pillion, lol. I'm guessing you'd agree the DCT gearbox is a blessing on some of those tight turns! Looking forward to the next one on this fantastic tour! Cheers.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes the DCT is fabulous for this application....

[@horspiste]

Retracing my tyre treads yet again Andy, although we came down from Andermatt to Maggiore on the Norton. My memories of that stage are a) ice on the tent at the campsite in Andermatt, and they only had cold showers; b) on the descent my brake lever was back to the handlebars and we still weren't slowing down (single leading shoe front brake). 😁

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Nightmare!

[@reinmansmith]

Did the Gotthard Pass in September on route down to Florence, a lovely piece of road, (didn’t tell my wife that there was a tunnel option! 😆) and we stayed for a few days alongside Lake Como which I can also recommend 😎 So many lovely roads and places to visit in Europe and it’s all just a tunnel ride away! Enjoying your ‘Winging it’ tour, keep them coming 👍

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Nice one!

[@jag1970s]

Great stuff

[@johnmatheson7414]

Informative, fun, exciting, well done yoos toos ( just educating those who don't have good English😉😁) As usual excellent video!

[@edwardt1941]

Such an elegant machine is the GW

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

It sure is - perfect for this caper!

[@patrickmuller7284]

I love this series, so many stunning views. Can't wait for the next video in the series. Personally I love riding up and down the "Tremola" (old Road). It's stunning and just challenging enough. As a swiss I don't have that far to get to it tho. Sadly at the end of october this year it was already shut down, so I had to take the new road up. If I were U, i would try to take the corners a bit wider to not end up in oncoming traffic, especially on narrow passes.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thanks for the tip Patrick!

[@martingreen5489]

Went over the Gotthard pass to Italy two years ago, then back again. Bits of the tunnel had fallen due to the earthquake in Morocco. All three tunnels closed. Magnificent pass and views even for a Scotsman..

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Crikey - that was some earthquake!!

[@davidharris4789]

Wow those bends! And the green salad made me spit me coffee over myself! 😂

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

That salad tho….

[@gavd6726]

Been a really nice trip this. Love Switzerland-will be back at some point. You did well with the roadworks-looked tricky!

[@bren106]

Driven coaches over the Gotthard pass twice, it's stunning when you come up through low clouds into brilliant sunshine at the top and then back down into cloud. One day in the not too distant future I hope to do it again on a bike.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Sounds epic!

[@justsomeguy6474]

Literally a cliffhanger ending! :)

[@benedictcroft3488]

Love your videos, particularly two up travel! It would be great for you to reference rough cost estimates for the trip including accommodation, fuel and any vignettes etc . Having done an organised tour $$$ it would be good to have the comparison for when “Winging” it!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

We have talked about costs as we go along and I think we sum them up in the final video (episode 10 coming in 2 weeks) but duly noted....

[@benedictcroft3488]

Brilliant, thank you both for a wonderful trip

[@michaelworrall6804]

Hi Andy … I have to watch these beamed to my full size TV to appreciate the amazing visa of this wonderful film …. This series is wonderful and inspiring… my partner is German and hoping I can talk her into doing this on the new GS if I don’t get out of it and if I ever see the luggage before I get too old to ride it !!! Thank you for this beautifully produced film .. Mike

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Many thanks!

[@marcfalardeau6058]

Amazing ride Andy! This summer, my wife Helen( 60 years young) has begun riding with me on my GS 1250…perhaps Carol was an inspiration! 😉 Cheers, Marc, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦 My riding season has ended until April! 🥶🥹

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Gret news re the Mrs, bad news re the end of the season....

[@steveball2307]

Can't beat a cobbled hairpin 😅, you'd love the Vršič Pass in Slovenia, it has dozens of them. Great episode as usual.

[@SteveInskip]

Great that Andy and what a gorgeous area. You could do a week in each of Maggiore, Como and Garda no problem. And you’ve got Milan and Verona to have a few days in. Have a good one. 👍

[@pureblood2020]

I really enjoy touring on that motorcycle so much I put 36,000 miles on mine in the first 18 months (4 years ago). You can if & when your light on the throttle achieve 52mpg with two up. Not sure how many tanks I have been "light" on my throttle... Do wish the fuel tank was a few gallons larger. Cheers!

[@hopper9751]

I did the orignal Tremola cobbled pass from top to bottom two up on a fully loaded Busa. Absolutely awesome. By taking the modern section you actually miss out on a much more scenic and exciting ride. Still enjoy your vids though. I'm also pretty sure the wing would manage it easily.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes I was unaware of that when we were there....next time!

[@aunoates6617]

Am really enjoying this series. It brings back memories of 1991 when went to Lake Maggiore and couldn’t find room in any of the campsites so had to make do with a posh hotel for the first night with breakfast on the lakeside terrace! When I got into Switzerland on my way to the Simplon Pass, a group of policemen surrounded my bike and one squatted down looking at the sump guard. My first thought was that I should have bought a vignette after all. They then explained that as it was the newly launched 1991 Kawasaki KLE 500 that they had not seen one before so were just interested in the bike! There seems to be a new one coming (hidden in a box at the NEC) am interested to see what it is like. 🙂

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes me too! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@zyghom]

this goldwing looks like a car and probably is as comfortable - nice lovely video - I expect it is old - November already ;-)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

It was only just over two months ago!

[@twagn]

Gold Wing just purrs along

[@stuartfollows3789]

Love it

[@SouthWest-jj8yu]

Great Saturday morning watch TMF, when you said you didn’t know what coffee was like in Switzerland me and my wife both said at the same time expensive after a trip there a few years ago. The green salad thing we were in Croatia a bit ago and ordered a tomato salad, didn’t expect it to be just a plate of tomatoes.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

It’s what it said on the tin!

[@lauriebloggs8391]

Just love it..............

[@OntarioAndrews415]

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

[@Mushlooker]

….”got this fuelling down to a fine art…” Proceeds to faff for 15 minutes…😂😂😂😂😂 this is motorcycling. Awesome video Andy.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thanks....

[@stevebolton8471]

They could have put something on/in front of the pumps to indicate they weren't in use.

[@Grahamvfr]

Brilliant Andy, tried the pass in may 2019, but shut with snow. Tunnel was very long and at one point worryingly hot 🥴. Love lake Como 👍

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes lake Como is beautiful isn't it - as is the town of Como itself....

[@flhfd1703]

Very nice, Andy! I very much appreciate the chill vibe of this series. That being said, however,... - the ideal cycling route is anything but "dead flat", - the N2 is not the proper choice for any kind of motorcycle.

[@garyhope0103]

Once again more fantastic views from start to finish, (excluding the green salad 😂😂). Most definitely a 'must do' if you are in that area. Though you would have to keep an eye on the weather. So not looking forward to this trip finishing, I may have to get my old Italy map books down from the loft.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Get planning for next year!

[@garyhope0103]

@TheMissendenFlyer Still waiting for DR's to give me the ok, then I'm off haha

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Good luck!

[@CliveTurner-d6v]

I've done that route a few times, but only by car...it's wonderful. St Gottard Pass....you'll have found out by now that you do bottom to top......then down the other side.....

[@John-cz2pe]

Hi Andy,wow, 3e for two genuine Italian cappuccinos. We get taken for a different kinda ride over in blighty 😮.Great bike for this kind of touring with ya main squeeze on the back

[@chrismurphy4724]

I had the pleasure of riding the Gotthard Pass twice back in September on my V85TT. 1x day wet the next time dry, and I remember those roadworks on the bend very well. I was wondering how the hell you were going to navigate that big old bus on the tight cobbled hairpin bends, then you ended up cheating by using the new road .... nice tour ....

[@itsallabouttheridekeepingi4449]

Fantastic scenery mate 👍, and don’t put your riding skills fella , your a good and safe rider. Enjoying your channel as always. Haven’t watched the whole series, been away on the bike myself on a trip . Regards your 1968 brother in Arms ( or bikes 😂) Paul from Australia.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

1968 rocked!!!

[@davidhall370]

Your lamb rack meal looked like it had a Findus crispy pancake on the plate.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

“Success on a plate for you” 🎶

[@peterdane9138]

Sausage sandwich, alpine pass and the flyers, excellent.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

What a start to your weekend eh!?

[@Andy.H.H.]

Great series Andy. I can't help but think some drone footage of these locations would really be amazing (I understand it's a huge pain to shoot with it). Maybe only when you stop for the night to show the surrounding landscapes?

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Using drones in the Alps is illegal as far as I am aware (certainly you can’t take them skiing)….

[@Andy.H.H.]

@@TheMissendenFlyer Yeah, that makes sense. Bummer though

[@davidarthur616]

So that’s what it looks like. Was there in July, but did the “old” road, all cobbles and even tighter bends. Would be very challenging on a Goldwing. We were on Z900RS & Z1000SX. Returning next year for more.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes well worth a revisit me thinks!

[@twowheelstouring482]

Im sat in bed butt clenching the sheets watching you go around those cobbled bends! 😱

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Don't Panic!!

[@stevebolton8471]

Slow and Steady did the job. Very good that you were going uphill for the cobbles, worse coming down I reckon.

[@Beemergypsy]

I stayed in that hotel a few weeks ago on my way home. It didn't stop raining for days.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Oh no!!

[@palantir135]

Hi Andy, Been to that region. I had a hotel in Lugano, very nearby the lake Lugano. You really should have visited Isola Bella island. Such a historic and beautiful place. Nice movie. Be careful with speedcam warnings. In some European countries like Germany they are strictly forbidden. In the Netherlands though, no problem because those speed cams stand at places with danger. People slow down if they get warned and that’s exactly what the police wants. Try to stay on the outside of the lane when riding hairpins. The turn will be less sharp. You are starting on the inside of your lane at left turns and in the middle at right turns. I had an x-ray of both shoulders, only little wear due to my age so it must be the soft parts that hurt; as I already suspected. In a few weeks an ultrasound examination.

[@splodge57]

I'm enjoying this ride through some wonderful scenery. €3 for two coffee's by the Italian lake makes Costa Fortunes £4 for one cup look what it is, a rip off.😂