The 2nd Episode of my F900 GS Alps Adventure Series, the BEST roads in the Alps and a Coffee in sunny Monaco!
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Find Episode 1 Here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jlESUMG-cA&t=1942s
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The Car channel – @joeachilles1

Running order;

00:00 Intro
01:35 Climbing up Col Du Galibier
05:02 Descending Galibier
11:54 Approaching the Hotel
16:34 Early climb up Col De La Bonette
24:22 The Summit 2802 Meters
25:56 The long decent into Monaco
36:32 Arriving into Monaco
40:04 Lap of Monaco F1

Big thanks to my channel sponsors –
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GT85 – https://www.instagram.com/gt85spray/

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You got to be careful when it is this quiet because you kind of forget that there are other cars and road users. I think we’re going to hit a massive pool of light when we come around here. Oh, here it comes. Okay. I can’t see at all. Still can’t see. Wow, that is bright. Well, here we are, ladies and gents, at the top. Oh, it feels so good to be here. I’m getting emotional. I’m getting emotional. Hey guys, welcome to episode two of my Alps adventure series on my F900 GS. If you missed episode one, I’ll put it in the description below. It’s definitely worth watching. And I finished that episode here after covering 1,257 kilometers, which is probably about 750 800 miles. I’m about to head up to the top of Ku Galibier, which is a famous tour of to France climb and a beautiful spot. And today’s video, which will probably be over the next couple of days, is going to be an exciting one. I’ve got so many cool roads and ideas planned. So, thanks for tuning in and enjoy the episode. You get these photographers on the passes. We take really cool pictures. Well, I hope they’re really cool. Maybe not of me, but let’s see how that one turned out. Oh, I don’t want this to end. Got to turn left here before going in that tunnel, by the way, cuz we’re going up there. This road, when the weather’s sketchy, feels very sketchy. But in this weather, oh, it’s lovely. Look at all these cyclists. You can see if you’re coming up here in a car, it’s barely two-way. So, you got to be a bit more cautious. Ah, look at that for view. Probably in first gear corner there, but this thing’s just so lovely and torquy down low. Ah, fantastic. You can see all the paint and writing on the floor from tours gone past. Look at this. Going to have to get a picture over there. Fantastic. Oh, wonderful. And someone up here came past me on an F900 GS and it was also Sa Paulo yellow like mine. So, let’s just go and have a quick look. See if we can find it. Or maybe it’s gone already. Oh, no, there it is. [Laughter] And this is the other side. So although we’ve reached the peak at 2,642 m. Okay, I underplayed it, we now have the ride back down, which is equally as beautiful. We end up in that valley down there and then that continues and continues cuz you’ll probably find that valley is still at well over 1,000 m. Goodbye to my F900 GS friend and his partner, I assume, on the 1300. Right, then it’s an absolute hive of activity up here, but I need to head off because my hotel is 3 hours in that direction. So, uh, let’s go and have some fun. [Music] [Music] [Music] That’ll be me and Lou one day. Lou, if you’re watching or listening, you probably are because I forced you to watch it. That’ll be us one day. Even if it means me picking you up in uh Nice airport or something. See, I love road trips in cars, too, as you know. But you just don’t get this in a car. You simply don’t. 180° and more if I look back. And if you’re seriously thinking about getting your bike license and you’re worried that everyone else on a bike is really fast and really skilled, you’d be wrong. Genuinely, it’s like driving a car. I reckon 20% or not even of the bikers you find out here. So, they’re bikers that like to explore, like to ride, their level is average at best. And I know that’s probably a little bit rich coming from me who has recently, well, three years ago now, passed their license. Now, this next little gathering of chalets and restaurants and cafes is a good place to stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner if you find yourself up here at dinner. Hopefully, your hotel’s not too far away if you are here at dinner. And I’ve been up here a few times or a couple of times with the Petrol Red Tours and a couple of times on my own. That place in front, Pete from Petrol Red Tours, calls that the mountain burger place. And uh that’s because they do really good burgers and it’s on a mountain. Right now the road opens up a little bit. Look at this. Nothing behind, nothing in front. We can use all the road. Ah, I always have a lot of admiration for the workmen and women that work up here. Number one, I mean, what a view to have on your work site, but it’s just always so sketchy, always on the edge of a mountain. And trust me, the weather’s not always like this. And they tend to be working regardless of the weather. Well, we’ve dropped a good 500 to 1,000 mters, I guess, and it is now 19°. I think it was about 13 or 14 up there. Elevation definitely makes a difference with temperature change. Right, there’s nothing coming here. I’m going to pluck some of these guys away. Yeah, I think I’ve got it right with the lunch. Get lunch from a supermarket. I wish I could eat bread because obviously being in France their bread, pastries, croissants, etc. Just wonderful. They’re always fresh. Find a spot and enjoy the view. Also cost you a lot less, especially if you’re a family. You know, you go and spend €20 in a supermarket and it will feed everyone. Go into a restaurant and you’re at €100 straight away. Jimny in what looks like Sa Paulo yellow. Right then guys, you join me about two hours later. I stopped for about 15 minutes, have a bit of a breather, energy bar, talk to Lou, and to take off the waterproof inner layer from my RST jacket because, well, it’s saying 22° now, but it was 28° about half an hour ago when I was at lower altitude. I’m now climbing back up through the mountains, the beautiful mountains, and I’m only half an hour away from my hotel. And if that’s saying half an hour, probably more like 20 minutes, 25 minutes. We’re just going through Vase and I have a lot of memories from this place as well. In fact, there’s a pizzeria up there somewhere. Don’t know if it’s still there, but I stayed or stopped there for dinner when I did my first YouTube Euro trip. I haven’t watched that video for years. I filmed it in 2014 and I can’t remember if I even narate through it or if it’s just clips of me driving, but I remember heading to a hotel. It was late at night and I was starving. I stopped there for a pizza and it was really good. And in more recent years, I’ve stopped there with Lou and friends of ours when we did a mini Euro trip. It’s just another mountain town that’s worth considering. I’m sure there’s loads of hotels here, loads of places to eat, etc. Mountain biking. I think there was a World Cup here in Vase a few years ago and I know they do some enduro races here in recent times and it’s obviously a rather large ski resort in the winter months. So today is not going to be massive mileage, just over 400 km, which I work out to be about 270 280 mi. But obviously most of those have been in the twisties with a big silly grin on my face. I mean, this tarmac never gets old. It really doesn’t. I love the open flowy bits like this. I love the tighter hair pin stuff. I mean, look at that. It’s approaching half 5 in the evening and most people have got to where they need to get to or where they want to get to. They’re having a beer whereas I’m still out on the road. Sometimes the best time of day to experience the roads in France. I mentioned that in a recent M3 video I did in the Austrian Alps. Actually gets about half 5, 6:00 p.m. and everyone goes home or everyone has got to their hotel and checked in is having a beer. Wow. Okay. I just saw a caution sign back there. When you see a big concrete barrier like that, we know there’s a near certain death drop on the other side of it. Well, we’re on the last little climb up to tonight’s hotel. I’ll be here for two nights and if this road’s anything to go by and I’m sure the hotel will be fantastic. It’s not rated as highly as last night’s hotel, but it is cheaper. I think it’s only £70 a night. I don’t think that includes breakfast, though. Oh, she was lent over then. What a day. What a view. Holy moly. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Okay, let’s just have a quick look at the scores on the doors. So today, 5 hours and 43 on the bike. We’ve covered just over 400 kilometers. Average speed of 77 km/h. That’s just under 50 mph, which isn’t bad when you consider most of that has been on mountain passes and we’ve averaged 57.6 MPG. Sorry about the mess. I unpacked and then remembered I hadn’t got a film clip. But this is the little room. Lovely walk-in shower there. I could have either side because they’re quite quiet. So either this side in the sun with that view and the balcony. There’s my bike down there. Or I could have had a room on the other side with a better view but no balcony. Anyway guys, I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s segment of this episode. I’m getting up at 5 tomorrow to jump on the bike for 6:00 a.m. to take you up one of my absolute favorite climbs and beyond. I’m going to end up somewhere very special on the coast for a cup of coffee. So, I look forward to that happening tomorrow. In the meantime, I’m going to get out of this gear, go downstairs, find a drink, and find some food. Good morning, guys. It has just gone 7:00 a.m. I left the hotel about 40 minutes ago because I’m staying there tonight as well. I have no luggage on the bike, which feels great. And I am heading up called Le Bonet, which is one of the highest paved roads in Europe. It’s a long old climb even at good pace, probably 25 minutes, half an hour. Something else I forgot to mention is when I left the hotel this morning, it was 7°. Thankfully, it’s risen to 10 now. You can see that I’ve got my next nude on for the first time on this trip. And I’m glad that I bought it because yeah, it’s not warm, but it’s lovely and refreshing. Certainly waking me up. Also, I have about a third of a tank of fuel, and I did that on purpose. I almost went up to fill up last night, but I know there’s a couple of fuel stations once we descend on the other side and I thought as I’ve got no luggage, wouldn’t it be nice to have low fuel as well in terms of weight? So, this bike is about as light as it’s going to be on this journey. Oh, beautiful. I’ve been up here in various Audi RS cars over the years, many BMW M cars, including with my parents in my British Racing Green M3 Touring last year. I also shot the Audi R8 GT film up here. I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited as this morning. I mean, I’ve not seen another car apart from that parked beautiful 911 down there. Oh, yes. You got to be careful when it is this quiet because you kind of forget that there are other cars and road users. is and so you’ve always got to keep a good eye out. Here comes a little white golf polo rather. I should know that I recently had a polo on the channel. Ah, I’m going to have to stop for photo soon. Leave the bike in gear when you park it anywhere in the Alps because uh understandably it has a tendency to want to roll off. Oh, I could have swung my leg over because I’ve got no luggage. Oh, isn’t that nice? Let’s just feel the tires. Oh, nice. Some temperature. Yeah. Okay. Well, that’s good to know. Let’s just slow down a little bit and have a look back at that view. Look at that. Oh, wonderful. [Music] Ah, Cav written on the pavement for the legend that is Mark Cavendish. Well, we’re at 2,500 m already. Ah, this section’s always amazing as well. All these old ruins. Just incredible. I mean, what a piece of tarmac. It’s just beautiful. Look at that for a view. Now, from here on, you really need to concentrate and stay on the black stuff because that drop to the right just gets bigger and bigger and bigger. I think we’re going to hit a massive pool of light when we come around here. Oh, here it comes. Okay, I can’t see at all. Still can’t see. Wow, that is bright. 6°. Woo! Feels like it’s about minus 2. Okay, I can see again now. That’s a relief. Crazy landscape. Absolutely insane. Yeah, no need to be going fast when you’re this high. And with that kind of drop, uh, yeah, it just wouldn’t end well. So from this point onwards, you can kind of cruise up and just enjoy the scenery. You can walk right to the top up there. And in fact, when I was here with my folks last year, we all walked up there. My parents are in their 70s. So, can we just stop to give them a bit of a round of applause because um it’s not the easiest walk. And I’m not really talking about the elevation itself. I’m talking about some of the goat trails that you need to go on to get up there were pretty sketchy when we did it. So, fair play to my folks. Mom, Dad, if you’re watching, very proud of you. Well, here we are, ladies and gents, at the top. At the top. One camper van, which I’m guessing stayed up here overnight, and one incredible cyclist. Fair play, mister. See if he needs me to take a picture. Congratulations for coming up here so early. Yeah. Yeah. Where did you come from? I come from uh a little bit south of Okay. Wow. 2 a.m. Jesus Christ. Good work, man. That’s the best. If you did make it up here and you wanted to go for that walk, then you just follow this trail here and it kind of zigzags its way up the hill. Lab Bonnet, altitude 2802. Right now, I think it’s time to head back down the other side. And uh although we’re looking directly into the sun, it kind of heads down there and just goes forever. And then you end up, I think, in that valley over there. And then eventually that takes you to Nice and Monaco. But that’s a good hour and 45, 2 hours away. So, I’ll need to find somewhere before that to grab a bite to eat because well, I haven’t had breakfast yet. And um I’m starting to feel a little bit peckish. So, we came up that side and we’re going down this side. In fact, oh, let’s just stop here. You could see the road that we’ll eventually be on down there in the valley. It’s being lit up by the uh early morning sun. A marmott. Loads of marmott. Loads of them. Look at them all. Wow. Look at this. Oh man, this is a real pinch me moment. I get to do some cool things. I’m very fortunate. I know that. But you do make your own luck. And this this is just glorious. It looks cold down here in the shade. What a contrast. On one hand, it’s lovely not having the sun in your face, but it definitely mentally feels like it’s golden down here. just because you haven’t got the sun. I remember coming here 11 years ago now on my first sort of major European road trip in my original estral blue M135i. And then I remember coming here with a petrol head tours a couple of years later, maybe 2017, 2018. And I talked about this in my GS Alps adventure from two years ago. And the reason that it’s made me feel or it makes me feel quite emotional is actually this hair pin down here. Let’s hope that my sound is working this time because two years ago it wasn’t. So, I had to narrate over the top. But basically, I’m not going to stop and bore you with it again because I’m hoping that you’ve watched my 1250GS adventure videos, but I was here on a petetro tours in my then second M135i, the white one, and I just happened to stop on that hairpin. I can’t remember if I was filming flybys or what, but there was quite a few bikes coming down as is the case in the Alps like we saw yesterday. Not today. I haven’t seen one other biker. I’ve been on the road about an hour and I’ve not seen one other motorcyclist. That’s crazy. Anyway, this hairpin here and I stopped on that hairpin to film some cars and the scenery cuz it’s beautiful, especially with those ruins. And as I did, a biker and his girlfriend came down and waved at me. Or maybe it was just the girlfriend or partner wife on the back. But anyway, they waved at me. They did this, which all bikers do out here. It’s great. You’ve probably seen me doing it the past few days. And it was at that point as they meandered down this road that we’re doing now. I’m sort of up there watching them continue on down. It was at that point where I said to myself or I thought to myself, I’ve got to get my bike license. And yes, it took another four or five years and the help from Neil at Moto UK to actually make that happen. But that was the first real planting of the seed that watching my good friend Baron von Grumble or Chris from his early stuff on the Baron channel and obviously more recent 44 teeth stuff. Neil and yeah and my own I guess motivation to get it. It was a combination of things and the fact that I’m older now. I’ve talked about that before. I think a younger Joe wouldn’t have lasted long on a bike because I used to like to really push myself on bicycles. And I think on a motorbike that might have ended in tears. So, I’m kind of glad that when I was much younger, my old man was against the idea of me and my brother getting motorbike licenses. I think I got it at the right time. And that’s good advice for anyone that’s watching. If you’re in your 40s or your 50s, even your 60s, and you’re thinking, “It’s too late to get my bike license. Why is it too late? You only live once. It’s not like you can go back in time and get it. Let’s take this opportunity to fill up and quickly talk about the scores on the doors this morning. Uh well, we’ve been riding for an hour and a quarter, covered 65 ks, average of 60 km/h, and somehow somehow it’s averaged 60.1 MPG. How is that possible? I mean, this has been getting some serious action this morning. Should I guess? Yes, I should. Let’s say 11 and a half lers. Oh, first click at 10 lers. Basically, I think I might get this one close to the absolute brim. 10.76 L. Right, then we are fueled up and winding our way down to sea level and Monaco. says I’m an hour and a half away, but I think we should be able to make up some of that before I left home. And I didn’t want to jinx myself because I really wasn’t sure how my health was going to be and how fatigued I was going to be. But my aim was to get to Nice or Monaco and have a coffee on the coast. And well, providing the next hour and a half goes well, that’s exactly what I’m going to be doing. I also thought it would be fun to do a lap of the Monaco F1 circuit on the bike, albeit at pedestrian pace because, well, it’s going to be a Saturday morning in August. I’m sure it’ll be very busy. Oh, I’m really really loving this bike. I mean, to be fair, anything out here, it’s going to feel fun, but I think this bike’s done such a fantastic job. And sure, it’s not the big 1300, and I’m sure that would do a better job in some areas, but this just has so much character. The Michelin Anarchy road tires, they’ve really come alive on the twisty roads. Once you get some heat into them, they really give you some confidence. Oh yes, sunshine. 16°. Come on, bring it on. What a way to wake up. What a way to start your day. Fantastic. Look at this beautiful place. It’s always a bit of a shock to the system because one minute you’re in the beautiful scenic and quiet Alps, especially this morning there was just nobody around and literally it feels like 5 minutes later you’re down here in the suburbs of Nice. The temperature’s gone up 27°. Change everywhere. Change in temperature, change in people, traffic, scenery. If we carried on going straight for 10 minutes, we’d be in Nice on the coast. But I’ve decided Monaco just because we can hopefully do a lap at the F1 circuit. I mean, look at this. Money, money, money, money, money. It’s a rich man’s life. I’ve probably got the words completely wrong there. Well, here we go, guys. Arriving into Monaco. Oh, what perfect weather. 27° still. It’s times like these that I really wish that I was with Lou and we were staying here for a night or two. I could go for a swim and just enjoy it. Even though I’m not the biggest F1 fan, when I think of F1, I think of Monaco. I live five minutes from Silverstone, but I think of Monaco when I think of F1. And it has produced some of the worst F1 races in the world over the years because you simply can’t overtake. But still, it’s Monaco. And when you arrive into Monaco in weather like this on a motorbike, I mean, yeah. Oh. Oh, was that a GT2 RS? I think it was. Oh, look at this. Look at it. Of course, you got the new Monaco area. I think it’s called Monacoville or something. They’ve essentially reclaimed a load of land. It’s nice to have the visor open. Bit of a breeze on the face. right down here. I’ve been down here in the car a few times. It’s always quite tight. It’s quite nice to be on a bike because uh you don’t have that issue. Everything tends to be quite steep in Monaco as well. Really good bakery around here. If you’re in Monaco and you don’t want to pay 50 pounds for breakfast in your hotel, come down to the bakery that I’m probably gonna fail to show you. No, it’s here. This bakery here. This fantastic really good boner. Yeah, very very reasonably priced as well. Yeah, that’s that’s the principality up there. And that is a really nice walk. a gradual walk there or you can take the steeper stairs down here somewhere. Oh, I say gradual. That’s not very gradual, is it? M340D big in the game. Ah, Citroen Ammy. I don’t know if you’ve been watching our Drive Talk podcasts and listening to Patrick’s nightmares with his Ammy. If you haven’t, tune in to the Drive Tour podcast because it’s um it’s lots of fun. Oh yes. Here we go. 991 GT3. Right. Let’s do a lap of the Monaco F1 circuit at walking pace. Basically, let’s follow that turbo. So, the start finish straight is here somewhere. These are all the grid spots. This yellow marking is removed when the race is on. This is where all the pits are. Here’s the start finish straight. Just here. Just here. Right, we’ve started our lap and we’ve got a stop for people on the zebra crossing. We’re not going to do a um pole time, are we? Thanks to those guys. When I was here with my parents last June or July, there was a big equestrian event there which was just unreal. So, this is turn one as we go up the hill and boy oh boy, if you’ve not been to Monaco, obviously you know if you watch F1, this is a climb, but it is such a climb. Honestly, look at the gradient. to think they’re coming up here. They’re probably doing 160 170 mph by the time we get here. Unreal. Another Citroen Ammy. But this one’s like doesn’t have doors. It’s like a convertible Ammy. Look at it. Look at that. Just when you thought an ammy wasn’t particularly safe, you can get rid of the doors. Now, of course, we’re going to have to go to Casino Square. Don’t stall it, Joe. Don’t stall it. Ah, okay. Ah, right. So, that’s fun. You can’t go into Casino Square on a motorbike. Okay. So, now we’re joining the F1 circuit again. So, now we’re coming into I don’t know what it’s called, the righthander just before the hairpin. This is where Rosberg, was it in the 2016 season that he won, went up into the runoff area there and caused yellow flags which meant Hamilton couldn’t get on pole and then Rosberg won, I think. Anyway, here’s the Fairmont Hotel as a Lamborghini pulls out. Lots of people here car spotting as you would. There you go. Is that a PF? Perfy Perf. Let’s get around this. All right. See, they leave the curvings down, which is really cool. This is where we turn right to go through the tunnel and where Senna famously crashed out of the lead. And but this wasn’t there then. This is all new. This is the new reclaimed part of Monaco with apartments. I can’t remember what they start at. I think they start at about €4 million for the smallest like studio apartment. And they have three or four almost houses out there that are like I want to say 40 or 50 million, something ridiculous. I do like to exaggerate, but I don’t think that is exaggerating. Anyway, we’re going through the tunnel now. Obviously F1 cars come through here at I think these days 200 odd miles an hour as the exit coming past this building which looks like a giant ship. Oh, lovely GT3 92 parked up there. And then we come over the brow and the F1 cars are breaking I think about here. And you can actually see the F1 tire marks because they then go through the chicane and we can’t really it runs parallel to this but over there I believe on that side and then into the swimming pool section which we can ride along. This guy’s letting us go. Thank you very much mate. That isn’t Was that you Olson? No, I don’t know. Anyway, look at this. Look at this. Oh, amazing. Oh, it feels so good to be here. I’m getting emotional. I’m getting emotional. I’m getting emotional and I don’t care. I seem to get more and more emotional the older I get. Oh, this is brilliant. This is called the swimming pool section because through there is a swimming pool with a water slide. Ah, I’m happy with my life. But wouldn’t it be nice to win a few hundred million and buy yourself a yacht and come down here for a few days just to say you done it? There’s the old town up there and the principality over there. Oh, it’s just all incredible. This is Rascus. No, he doesn’t want to cross. We might as well finish the lap. So, this is the tight Oh, a Veyron. This is the tight section just at the end of the lap. And that basically goes up into the pit area. It’s really hard to visualize because it’s so different when the F1’s not here. And then we’re going to finish the lap after slowing down a few times of people crossing on the zebra crossings. And across the line we go into last place. And Joe Achilles on the F900 GS. is at the back of the grid. 5 minutes off the pace. Well, I had to come down here and get a photo of the bike. Stunning weather. It is the end of August, so it should be like this, but you just never know. I’ve been to Monaco before for a matter of hours and it’s been pouring with rain and obviously it’s just not the same. Anyway, uh let’s go and find a coffee. I’m going to head to the smaller harbor which is on the other side of the um old town over there. I’m not going to be going above 30 mph, but I need the jacket open because uh yeah, I’m feeling pretty warm. Although this is lovely and ventilated. Once again, I’m wearing all black, which is exactly what I did two years ago. Probably not the most sensible decision in the world. Look at this. Just look at the size of that boat or yacht within the yacht. I mean, it’s just ridiculous. Another Mayback. Oh, look at that. Stunning. Oh, look at the speedster. Topelino. That’s what that is. It’s not an ammy. It’s obviously based on an ammy. They’re called toppelinos. I mean, that sounds a bit precarious in the name alone, doesn’t it? But we’ll try and pull alongside it and show you the uh Look, there’s a piece of rope there to keep you in. Right. So, this is the other harbor, Front Vle, I think it’s called. It’s much more localized, by which I mean it’s a lot less touristy. I think I go down here. And then down here. And if you’re in Monaco, especially if you’re here for a couple of days, definitely worth coming down here because even when Monaco is heaving, it tends to be a lot quieter down here. Another Twizzy. There’s more modestsiz yachts here. I mean, they’re still in the multiple millions. I’m sure there’s some amazing looking restaurants down here. All well out of my price range. Look at that. Let’s just stop and have a quick look at that. That’s the principality up there. That is the old town. Absolutely stunning. Ah, come on, Twizzies. You’re getting boring now. Oh, pictures being taken of a car. What is it? McLaren of some description. They all look the same to me. Alura. I saw it on the back. But this is really nice. Kind of has a better feel about it to me. That’s the hotel that I’ve stayed in. Or no, it’s the other side of there. Right. Gards. Here we go. So, this is where I want to go for a coffee. Let’s just whack the bike down here. I’m sure it’ll be okay for 10 minutes. But yeah, this is the other smaller harbor. Look at that water. Doesn’t it look beautiful? I should have brought my swimming trunks. Okay, let’s go and find a coffee cuz that’s what I came here to do. Get a coffee. Well, that coffee and the service was amazing. And €8 for a Coke, a coffee, and that view. It can’t be sniffed up. I’m going to end this video here. But make sure you tune in to episode three that will start here and continue on because later on this afternoon, I’m going to hit the Red Rock Road. Please give us a thumbs up if you enjoyed this video. Leave any comments and questions below. There’s another Twizzy. And make sure you’re subscribed for the next one.

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30 Comments

  1. Great video Joe, I did my bike test 8 years ago this November and I'm 54 tomorrow one of the best things I did but like you glad I did it when I was older as I don't think I'd be still here as I'm bad enough on a MTB which I still do and go to the Alps every year.

  2. You make beautiful videos; they inspire me immensely. I bought a BMW F900XR last week. But I'm 70 years now. I hope to visit the French mountains again someday. Keep doing this as long as you can, and as you say, you just have to do it.

  3. Absolutely loved watching this video. You sound like you’re in your ‘calm place’ it’s a beautiful place, The Alps, & I’m pleased you brought us along. I’m pretty sure you rode past where Tadej Pogačar lives in Monaco.. looking forward to part 3👌

  4. What a mega video Joe, having done those roads on many occasions I felt like I was with you ❤ damn you winter, I literally want to book my shuttle and go right now 🇲🇨 🏍️ 💨

  5. Hey Joe, these are the best bike vids to date, clearly that being acknowledged, well done, looking forward to many more. Just a point, are you aware that left hand acknowledgement to other M/Cs is actually two fingers down, representing tyres on the road. I have seen pedestrians show it to me whilst travelling…….and no not the other way up 😂

  6. I really enjoyed that your best video yet 👏🏼 We rode the Alps last year and heading to the Picos Mountains next year. I’ve been a biker for 48 years but only started touring 3 years ago I can’t recommend it enough and what makes it even begins having my partner behind me ❤

  7. My Col de la Bonnette experience in September was similarly lacking in other traffic, at the time you mentioned earlier in the video: I reached the top at about 1730 and stood at the monument on the cime all alone in complete silence. Just as I thought it couldn't be more enchanting a pair of eagles appeared circling overhead for a few magical moments. I was so gobsmacked I didn't even get my phone out. Perfect. Edited to add: And I stopped on your hairpin!

  8. I appreciate a lot all your decision about your bike, same I’m going to do in mine too, for example the link exhaust pipe. Nice videos too. I have one question, as, like you, I love withe helmets and withe gloves too: what company made your gloves?

  9. You've taken really quickly to motorcycling and touring. You are also becoming an accomplished Moto Vlogger and rider. Well done. I didn't expect to like you, but I do !!

  10. Great video, love the content. But ffs, I can’t watch these at the start of our darker colder months – giving me proper no tour plan blues 😢😂

  11. I was in Provence with the Old Gits in September riding many of those roads. They are absolutely stunning and the joy that comes from riding them really cannot be understated. Your video nicely shows just how wonderful the roads are. Well done.

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