Who is going in 2011
1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA
2/ Andrew Ellis - BMW R1200GSA
3/ ????
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To all those travelling with the main group we will meet in the main car park outside the terminal building for Hull/Zeebrugge/Rotterdamn HU9 5PW on Saturday 30th June. Please be there on time, fully fuelled no later than 4.45pm. Remember it is worth bringing a couple of small straps/ tie downs to secure your bike on the boat as they only supply some rope which is not always ideal for your pride and joy. Your bike needs to be good for around 2,500 miles for the whole trip and everyone must have European Breakdown insurance (AA 5 Star or similar for the whole duration of the trip). Don't forget your Passport, MAP, Euros, Visa Card, E111 Medical Card (As a minimum but private health can also be useful). You also need your original driving license, V5, Insurance certificate (and green Card if necessary) and test certificate (No photo copies). See you all on the docks no later than 4.45pm, Paul C
Out Hull/Zee on the 30th June overnight (Dover Calais option for southerners please ring me for details ond let me know the crossing times you want), 1 Night in France, 2 nights in Switzerland, 2 nights in France, 3 nights in Italy plus 1 more night in France and back Calais Dover Tuesday 10th around Mid Day. Full trip Includes Ferry both ways, 10 Nights accommodation, 9 Breakfasts, Two Evening Meals, Bike Parking and a guide. Loads of Fab new stuff never done on a Stella trip as well as the best old stuff backwards including the Stella Itself - Cost from £TBA per person sharing.
FULL DETAILS - THE STELLA ALPINA 2012 - A TRIP WITH SERIOUS ALTITUDE (BACKWARDS!) TBA SOON
FULL DETAILS TO BE POSTED SOON>>>>> To build on the success of this fantastic trip, I again intend to accompany one group the whole way there, and back if you wish. I will book the Ferry and sort your accommodation as well as plan and lead the party on the most interesting routes I know. We know all the good restaurants, best routes and best vantage points along the way. To start the holiday the main group will take the night boat from Hull (Please be at the docks no later than 4.45 pm) on Wednesday 6th July - where we'll all get to know each other over a pint as we cruise our way down to Zeebrugge, it just doesn't get any better than this.
Wednesday 6th July - We will all meet up around tea time on the Docks at the Hull/ Zeebrugge Ferry Terminal (Not Hull/ Rotterdam) before boarding the ferry for our overnight cruise down to Zeebrugge. This is in my opinion is the best way to start any trip and is a good opportunity to get to know your traveling companions over a wee drink before a good nights sleep ready to hit Europe fully refreshed and knowing who is who.
(Dover/Calais crossing around 07.00 Thursday 7th July for Southerner Shorter Trip)
Thursday morning we'll disembark, then travel down to meet the southern group near Arras before all heading down to arrive at our Hotel past Dole at about 6pm for our overnight stop.
After Breakfast Friday - the real fun starts. We will depart through Geneve, then conquer some of the smaller and less well known Alpine passes before picking up lots of new stuff as we head into the Vercors region to explore some wonderful new gorge roads. We will get to our digs in the Vercors around 6pm before taking a nice dip in the pool, then nosh and drink before bed.
Saturday and its time to get some serious altitude as we potentially bag number 2, 6,7, & 8 of the Highest Surfaced Passes in the Alps Top Ten list before arriving at our Hotel in Bardonecchia about 6pm . Then it's out for a beer and some nosh.
Sunday - It's up the Stella with the rally in the Morning maybe taking a packed lunch to nosh on top of the world. After that it can be Pass bashing or Sun bathing and shopping, depending on your preference.
Monday - An easy and scenic day trip to bag 9 on the Highest Passes List and maybe the odd easy trail, or you can plan your own ride, or maybe take some sun bathing or shopping.
Tuesday - After Breakfast we're off again, heading north/east over some truly breathtaking passes. A stunning days ride bagging number 3 on the list and eventually ending up at our Hotel in the high Swiss town of Andermatt, bang in the middle of an area many believe to be a bikers Nevada.
I have no doubt this will be the best Alps trip ever after many years of doing these trips, the way it is planned is the most flexible & pleasurable way to do this monumental trip, and all in just over 10 Days. That said, some may wish to make this the start of a longer holiday, or even make the trip shorter. Therefore, I have no problem with people wishing to return on a different date. I will still book your ferry out via Hull (and back via Calais on a date of your choice) and sort out all your digs for the nights you wish to stay with the group. All the main ports can be done in one hit from our last nights accommodation in France, indeed we are on the same road for most of the way back to the channel.
I believe this European jaunt to be suitable for all, one or two up, both novice and veteran alike. It can be tackled on almost any bike (as long as it's capable of longer journeys) and any UN-surfaced sections can easily be avoided. To help me with organising I'm afraid, as always, very advanced booking is required and maximum numbers will apply. Due to the new booking system at P&O the prices of the crossings will rise as the Ferry fills up. This is designed to encourage people to book and pay early (like some of the low cost airlines), so book early to avoid the price quoted rising as the summer approaches. Now it's time to get out your new diary and see if you can join us on this fantastic journey The Stella Alpina 2011 ( A Trip with serious altitude).
Don't be disappointed, send your deposit now as this one fills fast and is always over subscribed Just £100 (Fully refundable) gets your place.
To book your place on The Stella Alpina 2012, hit this link, then print off a booking form. Send this along with your remittance ASAP.
Who went in 2011
1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA 2/ Andrew Ellis - Honda Vara 3/ Alex Penrose - Yamaha TDM 4/ Shaun Henderson - BMW R1159GS 5/ David Black - BMW R1200 GSA 6/ David Barker* - BMW R1200GS 7/ Jim Dobson - KTM990 ADV 8/ John Makin - DR1250 BIG 9/ David Walker - BMW 650GS 10/ David Jones - BMW R1200GSA 11/ Darren Duesbury - KTM990 ADV
Who went in 2010
1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA 2/ Andrew Ellis
- *Honda Varadero 3/ David Jones - BMW R1200GSA 4/ Douglas Steel - Cagiva
Navigator 5/ David Barker - BMW R1200GS 6/ Mark Gillispie - BMW R1200GS
7/ George Ballantyne - TDM 900 8/ Bill Naismith - Kawasaki Versys
Who went in 2009 - The Long Way Round
1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA 2/ Andrew Ellis - *Honda Varadero 3/ Tim Green - Honda Varadero 4/ Ben Wheble - KTM 990 ADV 5/ Alex Penrose - TDM 900 6/ Adrian Lloyd' - KTM990ADV 7/ Paul Homard' - BMW R1200GSA 8/ Adrian Molloy - Tiger 1050 9/ Mark Dinner - BMW R 1200 GS 10/ Darren Dewsbury - KTM 990 ADV 11/ Tony Chadwick - BMW R 1200 GS 12/ John Boothroyd - KTM 950 ADV 13/ Jim Dobson - BMW R1150ADV 14/ Dave Jones - BMW R1200GS
Who went on the Stella in 2008 - 1/ Paul (Klarkey) Clarke - BMW R1200GSA 2/ Andrew Ellis - *Honda Vara 3/ Ian Harding - BMW R1200GS 4/ Alan Dixon - BMW R1200GSA 5/ John (Irish Guy on a Bike) Bruce - BMW R1150GSA 6/ Tony Chadwick - BMW R1200GS 7/ Paul Homard - BMW R1200GSA 8/ Nick Slater - Suzuki DL1000 9/ David Wyatt - Suzuki V-strom 10/ Adrian Lloyd - KTM 990 Adv 11/ David Carr - VARA XL1000 12/ David Barker - BMW R1200GS 13/ Mike Craxton - *BMW R1200GSA 14/ George (Ochay) *Ballantyne - TDM 900 15/ William Gregg - BMW R1150GS 16/ Steve Cogdell - BMW R1200GS
The BTB.C Stella Alpina 2000?
