Kaltstart is the German word for the attempt to start an engine when it is cold, relative to its normal operating temperature. Engines don’t really appreciate it. Yet, here were are, starting a big trip just after Christmas.
We’d been wondering how we’d make it over the Alps at this time of the year. What would the weather be like? Should we get heated grips, heated jackets, heated everything? Only to not use it again after the first three days of riding? The closer the day of departure, the clearer it became that we shouldn’t just hope for the best – but plan for the worst.
We ended up not buying the heated gear, but rented something completely different: a van.
With our bikes safely tied down in the van, we did a last surprise visit at our parents’ place to say goodbye (again!) and then we hit the Autobahn.
Roughly 800 kilometers and 9 hours later we made it to Konstanz. The next morning, we dropped the bikes off at the rental station and discretely switched from leisure wear to riding gear (not pictured).
Our first day of riding started sunny and we were happy to leave ze Germany behind.
The pictures above are the only proof that we were in Switzerland (apart from the e-vignettes we had to buy and won’t post here). We stopped once to admire this scenic service area below and carried on southwards.
The further we got, the colder it got, but it was bearable. And after a few hours, we reached Bella Italia – and fueled up.
We carried on until the little town of Saronno, near Milano. It was good to warm up again. It’s only about 160 kilometers from Saronno to Genova, so we figured it would be an easy ride the next day.
Parking in Saronno.
Parking in Genova.
Little did we know. Between the two photos above, between Saronno and Genova were: no photos. We never stopped to take one. Because there was lots of rain. And yes: it was cold. Our gear held up well except for the gloves which got completely soaked. The last 100 kilometers of the highway were the curviest highway we’ve ever been on, but at some stage no-one was going faster than 60 anymore. We were happy to make it to Genova.
It was New Year’s Eve and the restaurant we visited surprised us with motivating decoration: ZEN – LOVE – RELAX – TOILET.
And it didn’t stop raining.
Hence, no photos. We were busy anyway: we walked all over town to find a bar that was open – and ended up in a hotel bar. Happy new year, everyone!
The next day, it had stopped to rain and we were being good tourists: took the funiculare up the mountain, visited the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Lawrence, had Sicilian food.
The next morning we got up before dawn to get a ferry that was leaving at 2 pm. But, as you can see, we were pretty happy to board the ship that takes us from Genova to Tanger, Morocco. The ship is called Excellent so we’re counting on that.
And we’re hoping it won’t be as cold in Morocco as it was on our way to Genova. See you on the other side.