It would be so much better if it stopped raining…

Today I was prepared for some rain showers during the day and since I was going to ride in the mountains it was likely to be chilly. When leaving Feldkirch it was sunny and hot, soon I was sweating in my waterproof riding trousers and longjohns. When I got lost in Lichtenstein I almost got rid of them. How is it even possible to get lost in such a small country?!? But when I found my way up to the mountains and entered Switzerland it became nice and cool. And not much later cool and rainy which turned to freezing and hard rain.

A new an unexpected country to pass by
A new and unexpected country to pass by
The little I saw of Lichtenstein was beautifull
The little I saw of Lichtenstein was beautifull

At lunch I could state some facts. My jacket is leaking, and my new waterproof trousers are not waterproof. Unfortunately, there haven’t been any rainy days in Spain since I bought them so I haven’t had a possibility to try them out. Now I will be looking for the ticket to return them. I almost froze my ass off on that mountain pass today. Furthermore, they leaked into my boots witch are now also soaked.

The combination of the lakes and the mountains is stunning
The combination of the lakes and the mountains is stunning
the combination of the rain and the high altitude makes it so so so cold
The combination of the rain and the high altitude makes it so so so cold

And on top of all the heated grips are not working and my gloves are wet from putting my wet hand in them after checking the map so many times, since the road signs in Switzerland are hard to follow and the signed names are varying and road numbers not mentioned often. I am, though, very happy I’m in a warm bar and not in a tent. They even had cup noodles so I didn’t need to go out for dinner.

Susten pass
Sussten pass

When paying for lunch and picking up my soaked jacket, which had made a small lake on the floor, I was thinking that Switzerland is in a way like Sweden, expensive, green, rainy and cold. It is also damn beautiful!

Auf wiedersehen Österreich

Today was my last day riding in Austria, tomorrow I will cross the border to Schweiz. I’m spending the night in Feldkirch and I had an amazing day riding here. The weather forecast was for thunderstorms along the way and here too, but I got rain less than half an hour. Just as long as it took to find a place to stop, get changed into waterproof riding trousers and transparent visor and then ride a couple of minutes 🙂

along road 178 between Bad Reichenhall and Innsbruck
along road 178 between Bad Reichenhall and Innsbruck
for much of the day I was riding along the river Inn
for much of the day I was riding along the river Inn
riding towards St. Anton and Alberpass
riding towards St. Anton and Alberpass
Feldkirch is a lovely little town
Feldkirch is a lovely little town

It was a long day riding, somehow it always is. After unloading the bike and getting changed I have walked around town and had dinner. Now it’s time for bed. Tonight I’m in a 10 bed dorm, I hope not to many of them snore.

As someone said, first I go to WIMA rally, then I need vacation…

The WIMA rally has come to an end and I’m writing this in a hotel in Bayerish Gemain just across the German border. It rained like hell when I arrived and I opted for no dinner, just drinks and crisps and an evening in bed.

Now I’m going to sum up my experiences from the last days of the rally and I’m starting with the bikes. I love to walk around the campsite and the area around and just look at all the bikes. The WIMA women truly ride a wide diversity of bikes.

on the campsite
on the campsite
some bikes are shinier than others
some bikes are shinier than others

 

One of my favourite activities during the Rally is the treasure hunt. It is such a good way to get around and see things in the area of the rally and if I feel that I’m good at the questions I can even get a bit competitive.

How tall is the highest rock?
How tall is the highest rock?
On our way to find out what is hanging above the fallen rock
On our way to find out what is hanging above the fallen rock

We rendered no prize for our answers but Kaija got the prize for the longest travelled distance on bike.

The winning lady
The winning lady

We took advantage and had a surprise party for Anneli to celebrate her birthday.

Happy, happy birthday!
Happy, happy birthday!

Our table at the farewell dinner.

Reingers - the hemp capital of Austria
Reingers - the hemp capital of Austria

The WIMA rally has come to an end, the week passed quickly and too soon we had to part. But I have had so much fun – my greatest thanks to all the hard working Austrian ladies who organised the event and all other WIMAs who came.

All the ladies gathered for one last night of party
All the ladies gathered for one last night of party

This was my 8th WIMA rally and thinking about it the rallies get more and more fun. Through these events I have found friends all over the world and I have travelled to places I might never have seen otherwise. In the future we have rallies in Switzerland, Poland, Australia, Sweden, Korea, Estonia and more to look forward to. Time to start saving. Travelling is addictive, motorcycling even more so.

The swiss presentation for next years rally - Au revoir en Suissa
The Swiss presentation for next years rally - Au revoir en Suissa

And last, something to think about: Why leave the dog behind when the family goes on vacation?!?

the biker dog on tour
the biker dog on tour