European Motorcycle Trip to Stevio, part 5

[@icedidi]

Morning Phil. First up, what a great vid and as I was watching it and thinking, you were talking about the same observations; lack of traffic and the quality of the roads, how clean and tidy it all is etc. I had the pleasure of a trip to Southmeads Hospital in Bristol on Thursday, it's only 46 miles but it took me 2.5hrs to get home - I needed counselling when I got home 🤣. Second up, what can I say, that brought a tiny tear to my eye. You're on a once in a lifetime tour in some of the most spectacular scenery on earth and you're talking about me, and in a nice way too and not referring to me as the name of that little place name you passed towards the end 😆😁. Thank you for your support and encouragement, as I've said before, you were the first motovlog I subscribed to, which lead to SB73 and the chain of events to bring me to where I am now, which is in the midst of a fantastic community of helpful, kind hearted souls. So I owe you thanks a plenty. Lastly, well done Karen. It's one thing hopping on the back of a bike to pop and grab a coffee, but to go on a Euro tour and come down the Stelvio pass knowing you're at the helm 😯😉🤣. One thing is for sure, you have made some amazing memories, not only for you, but for your family and indeed your friends and followers. Chow for now...b - oh wait, that's not how I sign off

[@wsmv]

Morning mate, I work near southmead and the traffic in Bristol is an absolute nightmare at any time 🤦‍♂️ I think we all go through a period of wondering if its worth it, and just need someone to tell us that they enjoy what we do to give us a boost. Your videos are brilliant and real, it's too common these days for people to edit videos to make their lives seem perfect, but yours are what people really want, to get an insight into the life of someone else. Karen did really well, that morning she came down feeling rough, which turned out be a very bad flu, but she soldiered on 😁👍

[@iantownsend17]

Stunning mate. Loving the series. 👌

[@wsmv]

Thanks Ian, , glad you're enjoying it mate 👍

[@Banditmanuk]

Brilliant series Phil, some beautiful areas you've ridden through. Interesting seeing where the great escape was filmed. I've sat on the actual bike used to jump the fence. It's in the Triumph Hinckley museum and it's owner Dick Shepherd, graciously asked me if I wanted sit on it. It was Steve McQueen's stunt man Bud Akins who actually did the jump.

[@wsmv]

I may have to visit the triumph factory museum at some point, yeah it's one of my favourite films and just being in the field he rode accross was brilliant 👍

[@HippoDrones]

Awesome to see the field from TGE 🙂 Shame we didn't get to see the castle, but I know it can be hard to film everything when you are also trying to have a holiday too. I've never been to Austria or Germany, I should remedy that one day. My grandma did a paraglide in Austria in her 80's 😀

[@wsmv]

Austria was incredible mate, best roads and scenery. I think Germany might be my new go to tour destination as there is so much to explore and an awesome country. Fair play to your grandma, I to scared to do one at 50 🤣🤣

[@grumpsrides6074]

I've watched that film, so many times! Every time, I think, "Well, he's tried enough times, maybe he'll make it this time?" 🤣🤣🤣 Great video and series mate 👍

[@wsmv]

Thanks mate, I know what you mean, I love that film and I know it was just a field but knowing that Steve mcqueen rode his motorbike there is epic 🤩

[@Saddlebags73]

😂 aww thank you mate! Of course I disagree but I appreciate the kind words I wasn’t responsible for the weather, sadly I won’t make it over there this year. Wonderful to see it through your lens though. What did you call that car park attendant? 🤣 Another very enjoyable episode 👏🏼

[@wsmv]

🤣🤣 one of the few words I know in german 🤣🤣 Was definitely saddlebags weather even if you didn't influence it 😁 Thanks bud 👍

[@Motoramblings]

You’re right, those roads look so inviting!!! Sorry Karen had a headache….

[@wsmv]

She was going down with quite bad flu but we didn't know at the time 🤒

[@Motoramblings]

@@wsmv oh no! That sucks!

[@Motoramblings]

Just such an amazing trip! Y’all are living life to the fullest! It’s a joy to watch you both do this, thank you so much for sharing these videos!!

[@wsmv]

An absolutely pleasure Patrick, thank you for watching and supporting us 🙏

[@johndiehardmclean23]

So are the folk who live in Wank (Vank) known as Vankers i wonder? 🤔🤣👍 So far what a trip mate & loving it from my end! 😎❤️✌️

[@wsmv]

🤣🤣 I hope they are, um thinking of moving there because I would fit in perfectly 👌

[@johndiehardmclean23]

@@wsmv 🤣😂🤣😂

[@BlakesPipes]

I think the positive part of this video is, riding on the correct/right 👉 side of the road. 😂 changed your view point of the world😅

[@wsmv]

I really like riding on the right, seems and feels correct 👍

[@BlakesPipes]

@@wsmv lol! hope you have a great weekend sir.

[@wsmv]

@BlakesPipes you too my friend 🍻

[@icedidi]

no no no no nooo no nope no no. Sir Isaac Newton proved that driving a motorcar on the left side of the road was in accordance with his theory of gravity, even Galileo Galilei agreed with him. When Albert Einstein read the paper on it he picked up his phone and spoke with Newton to both congratulate him and rip him a new one as he had pipped Einstein to post in publishing the data. It was during this post-right hand drive/left side of the road depression that Einstein worked on his second best theory, general relativity. It was the French, under Napoleon that insisted on lefthand drive/right side of the road as a protest at being defeated at Waterloo and Trafalgar. After 1776 the new, independent America had to fulfill their part of the deal with the treacherous French. In exchange for French help (🤢) the US promised to drive on the right hand side of the road. You're welcome. 😁

[@BlakesPipes]

@@icedidi so what you are saying is... I am right and your panties are in a bunch. Just wear boxers! Right is 👉! Only our post mail people drive from the right side of the car... which side do your delivery mail drivers drive on?

[@Motoramblings]

Karen did amazing!! I can’t imagine being on the back of a motorcycle on those roads….

[@wsmv]

She did so well, a lot of trust and much closing of eyes 🤣🤣

[@Motoramblings]

Cool you were able to go to the site of The Great Escape!

[@wsmv]

Yeah I was really excited about that because it's one of my favourite films 😁

[@GrahamWotton]

Phil we are off to South West Ireland on Sunday 28 July for 6 days on the mighty RT lol

[@wsmv]

Probably the best bike for it mate, you'll have an amazing time, and remember if you don't like the weather, just wait 10 minutes 🤣

[@Motoramblings]

Holy cow. How hard was it to go home after such an incredible trip! The scenery is just amazing every where !!!!!

[@wsmv]

After day 6 my a$$ was ready to go home 🤣🤣

[@Motoramblings]

@@wsmv I bet it was!!

[@GrahamWotton]

Great video Phil love the comments keep up the great work, ride safe and take care

[@wsmv]

Thanks Graham, you too buddy 🍻

[@leonardotaggio6995]

My wife was always telling me how impressed she was with Snowdonia, and the horse shoe pass Etc Etc in the UK. And I said to her, wait till you drive/ride through the French, Swiss, Italian & Austrian alps. Every hill or mountain in the UK will be boring! I was right. She doesn't seem to have the same joy as we do when we are in the European alps

[@wsmv]

It's strange you say that, I was in North Wales last weekend (it rained) and although its stunning, its not a patch on the roads and scenery down there 🤩👍

[@leonardotaggio6995]

@@wsmv And that's why I keep going back to the alps. I think I have been to Chamonix 8 times in my life. Ps my wife loves Weston. We have been there lots. Not my cup of tea, but anything to keep her happy :) Luckily we are only an hour and 30 mins away

[@wsmv]

@leonardotaggio6995 🤣🤣 it's a very interesting cup of tea but certainly not everyone's taste, especially the ones that live there 🤣🤣👍

[@specialcircs]

Does it 'piss all over Cheddar Gorge?' I don't think so. I don't know why we can be so derisive and disparaging about our own country, it's unbelievably beautiful in parts and as good as any other country.

[@wsmv]

And I don't know why some people just refuse to have a sense of humour 🤔

[@icedidi]

to be fair, I'm pretty sure there was an element of humour. He lives not far from Cheddar Gorge and is pretty used to seeing it. And yes, as far as scale they make Cheddar Gorge look like a pot hole.

[@Motoramblings]

Your philosophy on creating videos is almost identical to mine!! I wish I had videos of my Dad to watch. Mitchell will certainly have a lot of my life to watch!😂😂 It took me 7 years to get to 1K subs, but I’m still having fun!

[@wsmv]

Absolutely, I've created a video diary now of over 4 years worth of riding which will hopefully always be there. 👍

[@NooBiker]

Those German speaking areas of northern Italy were annexed at the end of the first world war, I believe. How do you get the vignettes? There are too many good motovloggers to watch and not enough poos on the day unfortunately 😢 Great route. Loved the scenery and the weather. Can I borrow your good weather charm?

[@wsmv]

That's really interesting about the northern Italy areas, makes sense now. The vignettes were a doddle, actually spoke to @pooley at the saddlebags ride and he explained about the app to use and its very easy. Search "vignette" on the phone and register on the app, then it's all digital and no need to stop or add a sticker to the screen. You're correct even I don't have enough time and I poo a lot 🤦‍♂️ I think saddlebags blessed my journey for me before we left, hence the weather 🤣🤣

[@noslacking3856]

Amazing series so far, just about to watch part 5! I am currently planning the same trip with 5 mates for the UK and would like to know a few things if that’s ok? How much were the tolls? How much did you spend on fuel? We are planning a 12 day trip, the same route you are taking there and back. Any other advice you could give us would be appreciated. I will be riding a Kawasaki Z650 ;)

[@wsmv]

Hi buddy, the tolls weren't as expensive as some people make out depending on which entry into Italy you take, some are private tunnels which I think cost about €24 but apart for that only about €30 total to fly through France. Fuel was about the same as here apart from Austria which is quite expensive. I think altogether I spent about £300 on fuel. Doing it in 12 days is ideal, we did it in 8 but it got really uncomfortable towards the end and we didn't have much time to take detours because we needed to get to the next hotel. I wish we had taken a few more days and enjoyed the time more between stays. It's the best thing we've done and got a real sense of achievement from it, not sure when you're going bit if it's next year and you want to do the stelvio pass wait until July because after heavy snow fall this year it was closed due to snow the day vefore we rode it at the end of June. You love the trip, get a monzo card so you don't have to pay any conversion fees, and it makes it easier as all toll stations are tap and go with cards 👍👍

[@noslacking3856]

@@wsmv Hey bud, that brilliant info! I have budgeted about £300 for fuel, £250 for euro tunnel (a flexible ticket in the event something goes pair shaped), hotels £600 and £300 for miscellaneous spending about £1500 all in. We are looking around the middle to end of August as we know the Stelvio Pass can be hit or miss depending on the weather. My son has been badgering me to get a Monzo card so it looks like I am going to bite the bullet and grab one. The unexpected train journey looked like fun too! Loving every minute of yours and Karens adventure, we will be sharing ours on here. Thanks for the amazing tips and advice. 👌

[@wsmv]

@noslacking3856 no problem mate, hope you have the best time, we booked all our accommodation well in advance on booking.com which meant me knew we had so.ewhere to stay, but also meant we couldn't make any last minute detours so it's swings and roundabouts what you're most comfortable with. Set aside some money for souvenirs too, I've got hats and wall plaques from stelvio plus a cuckoo clock from Germany (next video in series) 🤣🤣