Back in Switzerland - I love it here

[Moto-Charlie]

The pictures not showing is quite baffling. I could not see the final pictures posted for Day 9 or 10 this morning when I looked at the post like Thomas did.

However, one of those pictures was displayed in the Random Photos at the top of the page when you log in - so I clicked on it, which took me to the post and I was able to see all of the photos without any problem, including the ones I couldn't see just a few seconds earlier - very puzzling.

 

[Moto-Charlie]

I don't yet have the hang of posting pictures so that they reliably display in each post - sometimes I just see those little squiggly spots and a bunch of file numbers where the photos are supposed to be - even though they usually open if I right click them to do so in another window/tab.

Anyway - I have gone through the photos from my September trip. I have posted them to their own gallery in my SmugMug account. I have provided captions for each one to recap what they are and have included 3 or 4 videos as well. If you are looking at them on a laptop or desktop computer I would suggest clicking on one to get them to diplay in full screen mode - I think the landscape ones look better the bigger they are. Thanks for looking.

Here is a link to the Alps Scouting Ride - September 2021 photos.

 

[s-wiss t-om]

Hi Charlie
Happy New Year.
Nice photos, you as an American have seen much more of Switzerland than I who is at home here.
So let's hope for better times and that normality returns soon.
Greetings, Thomas

 

[Moto-Charlie]

Very nice. Where have you rented the bike? Was there a hustle with vaccines and negative results getting in and out? I skipped another year because of the restrictions.

I've rented from a number of places over the years. I spent a fair bit of time researching various dealers/rental shops based on selection, reputation, location, etc. Over the last 10+ years I've rented from Moto-Center Thun in Steffisburg right next to Thun. Thun is a great place to base out of in terms of things to do in the local area and their central location in the Alps. MC Thun is a large shop. They speak English, rent current year new motorcycles, and have an extensive accessory and apparel store in case someone forgets a piece of gear or wants to rent afull setup. They have done a great job of taking care of my tour members, which I appreciate.

I wanted to go on my own this year (2021) so that I would know what to expect for my tour members in 2022. I'm no tech wiz but I have been trying to learn how to use my smart phone more for my travels. For instance I usually print out my air ticket, train tickets, etc. This year, given the COVID emphasis on touch free procedures, I used my Samsung phone exclusively for all my tickets. I also activated a full international calling plan so that I could use it any time to make/change hotel reservations, check the weather, look at webcams before heading up a mountain in iffy weather, etc - the calling plan was well worth the cost.

I obviosuly researched Swiss entry requirements, how/where to get tested, etc before I left. Europe is way ahead of the USA in access to testing. There was a pharmacy less than a block from my base hotel in Thun where I could get either the anitgen or PCR tests. I got an antigen test to go into Italy (no one ever asked for it though it was required) and I got a PCR test in order to fly home. I also downloaded the Swiss COVID app. My antigen test showed up in the app leass than 2 hours after the test. My PCR test was in the app less than 8 hours after the test. All told I spent may 2 hours while in Europe figuring out where/how to get tested and how to make it work on my phone - very doable in my mind.

 

[Moto-Charlie]

Hi Charlie
Happy New Year.
Nice photos, you as an American have seen much more of Switzerland than I who is at home here.
So let's hope for better times and that normality returns soon.
Greetings, Thomas

Hi Thomas,

Happy New Year to you too. You'll be getting a Newsletter in your inbox later today.

It is sometimes true that tourists who like to explore often find places to see that the local people never think to do. It happens here as well. The good news for me is that Switzerland and the Alps have soooo many places to explore - I could make it my life's work

Like you say - let's hope for a better 2022 and then we can do some exploring together.

BR - Charlie

 

[Andrew Shadow]

How do you organizing your people for the tour? Do you book air, hotels, bikes for them or it's all their responsibility?

He is a vendor on this forum. Check out his website- click the below link;
Alps Tours By Moto-Charlie

 

[Moto-Charlie]

I guess that you fly to Bern. How do you organizing your people for the tour?

Andrew was kind enough to provide a link to my website in post #49 above.

I book the bikes, the hotels and lead every tour. I also provide a variety of pre-tour prep emails on everything from what documents you'll need to how to use your electonic items to detailed info on the rentals bikes to detailed instructions on how buy your train tickets/take the train from the Zurich Airport to our base in Thun - also info on what the weather might be, gear to bring, how much cash vs credit cards and a number of other things based on what people have asked over the years or what I want them to know ahead of time. All told I spend 3 - 5 hours per tour member before we get to the Alps - so yes - a fair bit of prior trip planning. I also mix up the routes, hotels, etc depending on how many repeat tour members I have. Almost 50% of my 2022 tour members have been with me at least once before, some 3 times, so I like to mix it up for them - hence my scouting trips

 

[Moto-Charlie]

In early 2020 I left deposit to a rental company in Milano called CIMT

I have heard of CIMT. They started a couple of years after I launched my website. They have a good reputation. I have had several riders that insist on riding Ducatis. They have rented them from CIMT (and a couple of other Milan based sources) and then used an extra day before and after my tours to get back and forth to Milan.

 

[Moto-Charlie]

Thank you Moto Charlie. I looked at you website. Looks very interesting. I'll also share it in our chat chat group.

Thank you - I appreciate it.

 

[OhioDeere]

Your booked up for 2022... Might be an opportunity to expand operations?

 

[Moto-Charlie]

Your booked up for 2022... Might be an opportunity to expand operations?

I apprciate your thinking. The idea has crossed my mind. For 2022 I will be in Europe for close to 3 months - excluding any personal riding. I've got to check into things a 90 day stay limit in a 180 period before I need to consider VISA type requirements. I will keep mulling it over.

 

[Vespa]

Thanks to COVID it's been 2 years (Sept 2019) since I've been able to come back and ride. Assuming that COVID is under control in 2022 my little summer tour business will be fully booked and then some. Good excuse to come do some "scouting".

Amazing adventure and beautiful photos - Thanks for sharing!

 

[TourNut]

I really loved Switzerland on my 2011 trip there. A 1/4 of my ancestors were from Teufenthal .