Bunny

PREFACE:
It all started last year when I was invited to Austria by Bajaj and KTM for a feel of what would be coming to India soon - READ. Though I hardly rode for like 200km, what I experience that day left a lasting impression in my heart and made me plan the ride of my life. After hundreds of emails and phone calls, the morning of 28th August saw me land in Salzburg, the capital of Austria. This was it – my first real solo ride outside India.

THE BIKE:
My previous interaction with the KTM guys helped a lot. They were very supportive about the whole ride and even went a step ahead and decided to give me the new 990 SMT for this week long trip. I couldnt have asked for me!

THE TRIP BEGINS: 28th August:
Mumbai - Zurich - Salzburg - Mattighofen - mondsee – st. gilgen – strobl - postlam – rigaus – golling – bischofshofen – dienten – lend – zell am see : 195km

Waiting at the Zurich airport in the morning for my connecting flight to Salzburg


My breakfast


Yes - thats a nice sign of things to come


Finally, its time to continue


Before starting my trip, i had requested my seat to be on the right so that i could have a glimpse of the Alps

Looking around for the Alps


Finally spotted them - yuppy!


When i landed in Salzburg, it took just around 10 minutes for me to see the orange KTM logo - thanks to Martin who was kind enough to have come to pick me up. We straight away left for the KTM factory, Mattighofen, around 30min away.

On the way, we stopped at a fuel pump to pick up something that helped me immensely - a road map

Fifteen mins later, we were there - a line up of KTM bikes including the sexy RC8 had me excited and then i saw it - the machine that would be my companion for the next one week - the beautiful SMT 990.

The KTM guys were nice enough to have three saddle bags and a tank bag ready for me. Yes, it took me a good twenty mins to put all my clothing in them and start rolling

This was it - the time had come. After months of planning, i was finally ready to hit the European highways, the Alpine curves and experience something completely different....



I had ridden and driven on the wrong side of the road on earlier occasions and hence it didnt take me long before getting used to the road rules here - completely opposite to what you have here in India. Yes, i was a little nervous and the first thing i did was get myself the ten day Austrian road tax sticker.

My plan for the day was to hit Zell Am See for the night. Martin had told me of a few good places to ride thru this day and the map made things easier for me. Within minutes, i couldnt help but stop for a photo-op





Clear skies and no hills? Yes, i was looking around for the Alps to start. And hence, i carried on...

Riding in Europe, specially this part can be fun as well as boring. Fear of speeding made me stick to the limit but at the same time, the inviting longish curves and the handling of the bike meant i was grinning inside my lid. Soon, i reached Mondsee lake and stopped for, yes, pictures!





The plan was to continue to Strobl, from where i would take a right through a private toll road and visit Postlam, from where i would get my first real good view of the Alps and boy was i loving this road...





There was hardly any traffic but soon i started coming across bikers - yes, there are more bikers on some roads than cars / vans / SUVs.. Postlam wasnt more than a small stop for tourists, but due to its height, the views were amazing. See for yourself..







After taking endless pictures and using my zoom lens to the max, i carried on, coming down from Postam and taking the small road to Rigaus. Enroute, clicked some more snaps



At Bischofshofen, i took the 164 to Dienten and then a right to Zell Am See via Lend.

I also came across my first mountain pass of the trip, though at just 553 meters above mean sea level, it was a little disappointing



Hotels in this part of the world look very very pretty



I continued ahead. I started feeling hungry and then came across a small resting area by the side of the road - a perfect place to grab a bite and also enjoy the bikers passing by





Bikers and cattle can be found in abundance in Europe


More views of the scenery around




Thats a sweeet house!


Finally after 195km, i reached Zell Am See. I had been to this lake side town on two occasions earlier. It did take me a good half hour to find a decent and cheap place for the night and finally when i found it, it was worth it.

39 Euros for bed and breakfast with my own balcony seemed worth it.


I walked to the nearby market and go myself a sandwich and a bottle of Ice tea for dinner. Also made calls back home and visited the lake






It started raining by the time i was back in my room - my biggest fear of the trip

The rain - view from my balcony!


View from the other window


I finally hit the bed at 8pm local time wondering how the day ahead would be in rains.... TO BE CONTINUED

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Aryan

Topic Approved.

FINALLY! We get the thread. Lovely stuff Bunny; you are surely living your dream! Loved the write-up and the pictures. Can't wait to read the next part. Thanks for sharing it all, Bunny.

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bluevolt

Great pictures and words, man. Keep 'em coming! Would like to do something like that myself one of these days... I see from your profile that your dream bike is the 1200 GS . I tried swinging my leg around it once and my toes wouldn't touch the ground since I am below 6 ft. And very, very heavy - if I am travelling solo and I accidently drop the bike, lifting it up back again would be a hell of an effort...

satyenpoojary

I was glued to this report on my journey back from Mangalore to Mumbai on BI!
Glad to see the xBHP version of this as well!

Kudos to your trip man, brilliant pic and the KaTooM is simply tempting!

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superman

You are giving us every reason to envy you. Things can't be better than this for any motorcycle enthusiast. Countless rides,every ride worth mentioning, are in your credit. Wish you all the luck and thanks a ton for the experience you have given us, inspite of sitting in front of the screen.

avinrichards

sigh if this aint life..what is.. ! awesome snaps. waiting for the rest..

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L.P.

Wooow!!! I must Say!

Beautiful One!!!!

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mav1234

supperb pics..

thnks bunny sir..

Bunny

Thanks a zillion guys : im preparing the second day's log (text and pictures). I am sure u will love these too!

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Raoul Black

Great write up and absolutely fantabulous pics, Alps sure are very scenic

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