Rolling Through Heaven

Image: Brian Mock

A third of the way through our 1,491-mile European motorcycle Alps tour — with Switzerland in our mirrors and Italy in our sights — we crossed into Austria, tackling the 8,117-foot Timmelsjoch Pass (Passo del Rombo) in the Tyrol region. Before immersing ourselves into the splendors of Italy, though, extreme heat reared its ugly head before heavy showers greeted us a few days later in the Dolomites.

Our pace was quick and rarely interrupted. We embraced roundabouts, which aren’t as prevalent here in the U.S. This saved unnecessary stops and starts in larger cities, and provided some respite from the heat once the midday sun started beating down. 

The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road is totally paved and very curvy, featuring 60 turns and 30 hairpin turns, with a 12.7 percent of maximum gradient through some of the ramps, offering breathtaking views of the Ötztal Alps. We enjoyed amazing vantage points, passing crystal-clear brooks and steep-ascending rock faces as we motored through the Ötztal valley to the Italian Tyrol. Our cafe and ciggy stops were becoming a highlight, but the petrol stops were an ongoing ball of confusion.