In this case the beast is Lazy Cat and 666 km is the distance travelled on the last day of my road trip. It was a long day, a proper full day’s ride and it was beautiful until almost the end. The last bit though was aweful 🙂 I hate highways, somehow it is much harder to travel 100 km/hour on highways than on roads, Lazy Cat doesn’t like it either, vibrates like hell and the wind buzz is deafening when trying to keep up a bit.
A misty morning in the Pyrinees, my high-viz rainjacket served dual purposes
But let’s not linger with those boring bits, I had a good time, a grand finale of my two weeks of fantastic travelling. The Pyrinees are beautiful for riding and I avoided the highway as far as possible, returning on road 211 from Lleida, the same I started on, but that seems so long ago now. I have already planned for next year to follow the Pyrinees longer until Pamplona and then ride back through Sierra de la Demanda near Burgos. I look forward to next summer already!
This Gaudi-style house looked out of place, it makes me wonder… Along road 211
But I am happy to be home, bike is stored away due to other travelling ahead and the washing machine is spinning – un-pack and re-pack. I’m going to Japan, life is sweet!
The WIMA Rally was situated in the area Val-de-Travers, in the french speaking part of Switzerland and our camp was on the sport ground in the village Couvet.
The WIMA campsite
We had lovely weather, better than I could imagine after last years nighmare ride in the cold and rainy Susten pass. For a couple of nights I did sleep with wollen socks and thermal underwear, but it was still fine. And if it gets chilly in the evening you can always warm up with a hot foot-bath as these ladies.
International WIMA foot bath
It is a chame that I forgot to take a picture at my tent, it was probably the smallest one. I was lucky with neighbours though, providing shelter for sun and cooking equipment. We preprared most of our meals ourself wich was nice and saved lots of money. The only thing I remembered to bring was my spork, originally intended to eat beans from the can.
One of my favourite parts of the WIMA rally is the parade, everyone gets their bikes ready with flags or other national assesories and we go for a shorter ride togheter.
Wima Japan is getting ready for the parade
Mountain ride and parade
At the end of the parade we got fruit and buns and there I spent some time admiaring others bikes.
The Finish president rides a beautiful Ducati Monster
Lack of height has never been my problem. This Japanese lady amazed us all with her skills balancing the for her to tall bike. But no need to worry, she is a rider-instructor.
Amazing Rumi
Apart from the riding there is plenty of social events taking place at a WIMA rally. The food was absolutely outstanding, very high quality and nutricious & delicious!
Poland, Curaçao, Sweden, Australia and Estonia was represented at this table.
Time runs quickly and to soon the week has come to an end. Everyone is packing up to head on or head home. Anneli is taking the route through the Italian alps on her way to Estonia. For me, La Grande Chaume is the next destination and I will have a day of rest before taking on the last leg of the journey.
Untill seing this lady pack her Ducati I thought riding a Monster was an excuse not to camp. Now I know better!
Next years rally is held in Poland and it seems impossibe not to go there and meet all the amazing WIMAs again. But before that I go to Japan and in then I meet some of these nice ladies again! 🙂 Having friends all over the world is a truly great thing!
Entering into Switzerland was absolutely fantastic. I fully enjoyed the roads from Chamonix to Matigny and further on into Switzerland. Surprisingly enough the roads got better on the Swiss side and the gasoline cheaper.
After Mosses mountain pass
I rode the Mosses mountain pass and arrived at Guyeres in time for lunch. The plan was to eat at the HR Giger bar but the bar I must say was more for enjoying the ambience than eating so after a coffee I went to the museum. I’m happy to have seen the museum but the alien designs are among the least weird that he has done and somehow I lost my appetite in there.
HR Giger museum
Arriving at the campsite was fantastic and I had my friends waiting for me, getting beer and helping to set up the tent all in good time for the welcome dinner.
The following day we went riding, a little leisurely ride in the surroundings. It was so enjoyable to ride last and follow my friends, I haven’t done that since last year and I miss it. Riding alone can get lonely. The weather was perfect and the roads and views were great. Switzerland is a beautiful country!
International group ride, Anneli from Estonia, Moira from Australia and Tina from Germany
