Italian Weekend Gear Test Ride
What was meant to be an enjoyable two-days gear-testing adventure, turned into a draining experience, with exhaustion and fever.
About this trip
The motivation behind embarking on this journey was to put my gear to the test in preparation for an upcoming adventure in Iceland. After my initial expedition with my buddy Mike, I found myself yearning for more offroad escapades and camping experiences. I also realized that I had been lugging around an excessive amount of luggage. On the T7, I was using panniers with soft luggage, which, in hindsight, was serviceable but made me feel as wide as a car and far from agile. Consequently, I decided to upgrade my luggage system, and after conducting some research, I stumbled upon the MoskoMoto Revolver, which has proven to be the ideal luggage system for me. I continue to use it to this day. Given that this trip was only slated for three nights, packing light wasn't a concern. I also invested in a compact, lightweight tent from Decathlon, as my previous tent weighed a hefty 5kg and had dimensions of 50x20cm when packed—an unwieldy choice for my current preferences. I meticulously prepared everything to enable a swift departure after work on Friday, with the aim of getting as close as possible to the Italian border without resorting to the monotonous highway route, which I intensely dislike.
Summary of this trip:
- Duration: 2 Days (3 Nights)
- Distance Covered: Approximately 500 km
- Total Expenses: Around 150 CHF
Now, what made this trip even more special? It was the debut ride for my beloved Husky, a motorcycle I had acquired just two months prior. I decided to take on the Grimselpass and journey into Italy via the scenic Simplon pass. My mission was clear: seek out those exhilarating gravel roads. To spice things up, I incorporated some Trans Euro Trail (TET) sections in Italy. My trusty sidekick for route planning was the Calimoto app, ensuring each twist and turn would keep me engaged.
Day one: Setting Up Camp Under the Stars
The clock struck 5 pm, signaling the end of my workday. Without hesitation, I rushed home. My Husky stood ready, fully packed, and eagerly awaiting our adventure. After a hasty meal, I swung my leg over the saddle, fueled by the determination to cover as much ground as possible before darkness cast its shadow. Finding a suitable campsite was my mission, but here's the catch—wild camping is strictly forbidden in Switzerland. After roughly two hours of riding, nightfall began to creep in along the valley. My decision was swift—I would make a spontaneous stop in Innertkirchen. Luck was firmly on my side, as I managed to secure a spot for my tent, despite the reception being closed for the night. Setting up my brand-new tent under the cover of darkness turned out to be a surprisingly smooth and fuss-free experience.
Day Two: Unexpected Chills
The night turned out to be chillier than I had anticipated. I had packed my summer sleeping bag, thinking August would still be warm, but I must admit it was surprisingly cold that night, with a thick blanket of clouds obscuring any hopes of sunshine. Nonetheless, I packed up all my gear onto my bike, settled the bill for the night, and set my course toward Grimselpass. I was eager to leave Switzerland behind for a brief moment. (I can get a bit impatient at times, yes, I'm aware it's something I'm working on, and I do work on it. You can ask anyone who knows me; they'll vouch for my patience, except when I'm riding and can't maintain the speed limit.)
Many Swiss drivers don't always adhere to the speed limit, and with the clock ticking, the cold creeping in, and nothing but clouds ahead, I couldn't help but feel time slipping away.
Thankfully, the weather cleared up as did the cars in front of me after crossing the Grimselpass, and from there on, it was a splendid journey towards the Italian border. This was especially enjoyable because I had selected a less-traveled road, allowing me to pick up speed while savoring the breathtaking mountain scenery all around me!
The rest of the day was pretty mellow, with nothing special happening except for the fantastic views, those narrow roads that kept me on my toes, and some beautiful warm weather. Unfortunatelyon this TET section there was almost no gravel roads or any offroad trail. At this point in my journey, I didn't have any cooking gear with me, so I decided to grab lunch at a restaurant. After refueling, I ventured up to a mountain peak to soak in even more of the stunning scenery!
Later that evening, after a long day on the bike and experiencing some wild temperature swings from cold to warm in the morning, I was feeling a bit tired and weak. I was on the lookout for a campsite near Lake Como for almost an hour to find an available spot because the established campsites were bustling with activity. Luckily, the campsite owner noticed I wasn't in the best shape and kindly allowed me to set up my tent amidst the serene olive trees just outside the official camping area. I actually preferred this quiet spot over being packed in with other campers and their caravans. To cap off the day, I treated myself to a delicious pizza, with hopes of feeling better tomorrow for the journey back home, before calling it a night.
Day Three: Battling Sickness
The night proved far from restful. Despite the relatively mild 15-degree temperature, I spent most of the night and morning feeling uncomfortably cold. I woke up with a stuffed nose, a throbbing headache, and aching muscles. It was clear that I had caught some bug and was running a fever. It took me a bit longer than usual to get myself ready, but thankfully, the weather remained cooperative.
Despite my weakened state, I was determined not to abandon the route I had planned for my journey back home. The return journey itself wasn't particularly scenic, just a ride through two passes: Passo de Maloja and then Julierpass to Chur, Glarus, Lachen, and finally to Zug. However, things took a turn for the worse as soon as I re-entered Switzerland. The streets were congested with cars, and the weather took a nasty turn, with rain and a biting cold settling in. I layered up as much as I could, but the cold still seeped into my bones, making the ride far from enjoyable.
Normally, I don't mind a bit of rain, as I'm usually well-prepared for the elements. However, I hadn't anticipated this sudden cold front and the toll it would take on my body. Despite the discomfort, I pressed on without taking any breaks, focusing on riding safely (for the most part) and reaching home quickly for some much-needed rest and a warm cup of tea.
One specific part of the ride stands out clearly in my memory. I was getting hungry and began shivering somewhere in Glarus. It was a Sunday, and I pulled up at a restaurant with an "open" sign outside. I eagerly removed my helmet, only to discover that they were not open at all. I uttered a few choice words and tried to find a silver lining, but at that moment, I couldn't help but feel frustration towards the person who left the misleading sign out. Summoning every ounce of energy, I got back on my bike, determined to push through the pain. To make matters worse, the path I had mapped out turned out to be impassable, leading me to a dead end. Nevertheless, I snapped a picture of the situation and started laughing, considering it a perfect test of my endurance. It felt like a challenge, and I decided to laugh it off, turning back in search of an alternative route.
The journey home seemed to stretch into eternity, but I eventually arrived home in one piece. As soon as I got there, I immersed myself in a hot bath, sipped on some tea, and had to call in sick for work on Monday. The fever worsened over the next few days, leaving me without the energy to even unpack my luggage.
All in all, it was an incredible trip that taught me a lot about myself and my limits, knowledge that will undoubtedly serve me well on future travels. I've put together some videos of this journey for you to enjoy. For now, I'll wait out the winter, focusing on grappling/BJJ until I can hit the road again in the warm spring weather, just in time for my journey to Iceland in June!