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AMA III Film Support Team

Sunday, September 3, 2023 | Thomas Ritt | Europe

AMA Part III - We are coming! The Dream Team on Tour again. She is so excited riding two weeks on a bike in the Alps! And he thinks: happy wife, happy life

Day 01 - Mieming to Damüls
For us the tour starts at Mieming. Packing the bikes and heading towards Nizza. As a warm-up: Hahntennjoch (Pass No. 1) and up there a little picnic.
First km are done for today. Destination for tonight: Damüls. How wonderful the air up in the mountains. And one more pass we made: Hochtannberg-Pass (Pass No 2)

Day 02 - Damüls to Favaro
The day begins with a breakfast with everything you can ask for. A long riding day we have ahead of us. Nothing for beginners.
Pass No. 3: Furkajoch
She beams all over the face: best weather conditions. Well, he would'nt mind a few degrees less!
It's worth climbing down the looong staircase to the Via Mala - and up again!
Pass No. 4: San Bernardino. Perfect picnic spot, we think.
A short walk in Verbania. Nice little town. There are a few more km to ride!
We are done for today. It was a very looong day. So we think, we earned this spectacular dinner we got in this little cozy restaurant AND hotel. She was a little bit scared, because it was a surprise dinner. But what a surprise: it was really fantastic!!!

Day 03 - Favaro to Turino
Mark it as a hidden treasure for sure! Top 5 on our list.
On his bucket list for today: Colle de Nivolet. But the traffic was hell and we turned around. A look on the map: a nice side valley maybe an alternative. But the road got worse and more worse, so...
...she stopped at one point and at least on the way back he found a nice picnic spot.
You wouldn't believe it. We reach our goal for today in daylight.
A little rest in the hotel room and lots of water we are ready for a short sightseeing walk through Torino
She found the best pizzeria in town and he was happy that it was a bulls eye after walking all the way there. And our way back along the river was realy good for us.
Mole Antonelliana by night!
One last shot of an empty shopping arcade and now hurry up, the bed is calling, he thinks.

Day 04 Turino to Nice
Before leaving Turino, we rode up to Basilica di Superga to get the best view of the city.
We think the Basilica is impressive as well.
Next and our lunch stop as well: Santuario di Sant'Anna. We knew about the fantastic view, so it was obvious to get there and enjoy our food.
She has seen the ibex from afar, a foto is a must, she thinks. Stopped and climbed up to take it. He has to take care about the bikes. That's his job after all...
By the way we are just crossing the Col de la Lombarde. (Pass No 05)
But he enjoyed the view as well!
We can't wait to grab some yummy stuff from a French bakery again for our next picnic.
But this time we only stop for a cold soft drink and he has to fresh up his cooling vest. Poor him, she thinks, I don't need such a thing.

Day 05 - Nice to Beguda
Poor us, no time to test the pool area in this hotel. Only a foto just before we leave.
Just waiting for the group. She would have liked to cuddle this cute cat. But unfortunately, only a photo was possible.
Pass No 06: Col de la Turini. Also a Coffee Stop. And inside all the walls are plastered with pictures like this. We loved it.
A foto outside shows the restaurant and also which pass we were crossing. (just if you don't believe us)
One of several stops to drink something. Well, the weather is still very hot. We're sweating and sweating and wonder why we have still something to sweat.
Oh, did we mention, that our day No 5 is Day No 1 with the group? Yes, the AMA III is running. And guess what? Charlie is also a tour member. We met him on our Honeymoon trip years ago! Such a pleasure meeting and riding with him again

Day 06 - from Beguda to Briancon
Beautiful landscape of Colle dei Morti (Pass No 07). We're prepared for filming.
And here they come...
We did it. Colle dei Morti or Colle Fauniera.
While she is on holiday, he has to get his job done.
Another really impressive scenery up the way to Col de Sampeyre (Pass No 08).
Only two words: just stunning!
Work can be fun, too!
Actually, she is on vacation. At least she thought so.
At least she has great souvenir pictures.
Border crossing made easy. Pass No 09: Colle dell'Agnello, Europe's highest international border!
Aren't they a cute couple? And of course, doing a great job. But there should always be time for a coffee break.
Finally reached Briancon. No more passes. Too bad, she thinks and is already looking forward to the next one. Closing time, he thinks and looks forward to dinner.

Day 07 - from Briancon to Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise
The van is loaded. Ready to start. He is already filming, while Tourguide Markus is enteraining the group.
First pass for today: Col de Granon. Honestly, we rode it the same way back down. The other side is unpaved and military zone.
Great shot from him up there on Col de Granon. She thinks so
Happy us, it's EBT-Picnic Time at the Lac du Mont-Cenis. Best place ever for a picnoc spot, we think. And she had to take a photo with her beloved bike in front of it.
After a load of yummy food we made it on top of the Col de l'Iseran. And look at this view!
Can you believe? She made a foto without a person in front of the sign.
Only a short ride down the pass, unfortunately with some rain we reached our next hotel. And just wow, what kind of hotel room expected us. Can we stay for another night?

Day 08 - Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
He is already working: filming the Daily Briefing as Time lapse. She can't wait to ride the next passes.
A short snapshot from the location of our overnight stay, hard to leave we think. Worth to stay a second night, or three or four...
Happyly she checked another Pass off her list: Col de Madeleine. As you can see, a route section of the Tour de France.
Had Lunch there, unplanned. We saw Poutine on the menu and couldn't resist.
Col de Chaussy, one of the passes of her list, she was so excited to ride on her own!
Can you believe what you see: Lacets de Montvernier, part of Col de Chaussy. Just stunning for both of us. And now waiting for the group...
...because it's perfect for a drone flight. Now time to let land the drone and head on to reach the group.
She can't get enough of the passes. Extra loop after reaching the hotel, she can't resist, he neither. First one of the loop: Col du Glandon!
We think we deserved this super delicious Gelatos on top of the Col de la Croix de Fer. Yummy!
Crossing passes all day long and in the end yummy Ice Cream while enjoying this stunning view! This day should never end, she wishes!!!
Last pass for today, unfortunetely she thinks: Col de Mollard.
Now hurry up, the Opinel Museum closes soon. We have to get a souvenir from there.

Day 09 - Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Embrun
New Day, new passes are waiting, lots of fun! A short stop for a foto on the top of Col du Telegraphe.
After breakfast we rode ahead to find a nice filming place. And there is on of the best shots we think on the way up to Col du Galibier.
Nice panoramic view with dramatic skies, so we better put our raingear on...
We decided to stop, maybe it get's better. Thought wrong. A few minutes later lots of water with heavy rocks (it just sound like this) fell on the roof. Only a snapshot, then hurry up. Unfortunetely no photo of the mud on the road. Two highlights: a waterfall that threw stones on the road and the water crossing on a bridge at the end. She thought about it for a moment, to do it twice, to get at least a photo...
Well, this foto gives a little impression how bad it was. Rocks all over the road. We had to find a another way to the hotel.
We can't believe it. Sun is coming out again. So we decided to switch to the original route and take the last pass for today: Col de Moissiere.
Nice picture of us, we think. Although the road was very, VERY bumpy, we had fun!

Day 10 - Embrun to Barcelonnette
The day started late, waiting for the rain to ease. Just a short ride to visit Mont-Dauphin, a historical village/fortress. Here is a nice little impression.
Yeah, the rain has almost stopped. Perfect, we found a nice section to do some filming with the drone.
Play video Download
Filesize: 11 MB
Here a short impression.
Landing the drone and catch up with the group.
The rain gets harder, the day is already advanced. Maybe we take here a nice little lunch?
He likes to come out of the rain, it will be getting worse over the next ours. But she is sad, none of the planned passes could be conquered. Especially the Col de la Cayolle she would have liked to ride. Just reached our Hotel room, which is very nice.

Day 11 - Barcelonnette to Nice
New Day, new Challenge. The weather seems to be not as bad as yesterday. Well, up to Col de la Cayolle there were lots of little rocks on the road and it was raining a little. So careful riding was to be kept in mind.
We came successfully down the other side and just a short stop to warm up a little with Coffee (for him, of course) AND also a really yummy hot chocolate for her. Well, THAT is not as easy to find, as you may think! Lucky her!
But we do not forget: we have a mission: Filming! Gorge de Daluis. What a stunning road, all these tunnels, we can ride through. She loves it, and he does too.
Unfortunately, the picture can't catch the scene how impressive it is in reality.
Therefore just a few pictures may help, we hope.
Well, we had to check big passes from our list, but smaller passes can be lots of fun, she is smiling over her whole face. Here: Col de Felines
She can't stop smiling, immediately afterwards another one was following. Col de Trebuchet!
Of course, he has just as much fun and she is happy to upload this great snapshot of his to the blog
Lunch-Time! Finally, we found what we were looking for: a super tasty baguette from a great bakery, and after that we strolled around the nice little village Entrevaux
He was so nice to stop by a really impressive waterfall. She did a lots of photos, but she was only allowed to upload one photo to the blog. Well, she tricked him a little.

Day 12 - Nice to Briançon

Departure Day. The AMA III is over. Goodbye to all. We had a great time.

Especially she had an unforgettable ride on this extra loop with you guys, Markus and Steele! And Terri, maybe another tour will be planned soon? We hope so. Also Charlie, it was such a pleasure to meet you again.

And Brian, have fun with the new Col de Chasseur Shirt. Larry, luckily we had more days with you on two wheels. Alain, although we did not share much time on the road, we are very happy to meet you.

Oh Eugen, sorry for the heavy luggage. Well, he needed a new EBT-Shirt every day and she purchased several souvenirs as unforgettable memories on special places on the tour. And John, well we hope you got lots of pictures.

So, we also had to leave and try to find a way home. Col de la Bonnette, she sadly noticed, is still closed. Hopefully, Col du Galibier can be crossed, on the other side we booked our overnight stay in a very cosy hotel.
What an impressive gorge, even better than the day before, we took some photos and he did a drone flight.
Col de Valberg, a pass that wasn't even planned. A photo of the scenery is a must.
The scenery was just amazing.
She successfully chased one more Pass. Col des champs.
We were stunned and tried to decide which stop showed the more impressive scenery when the sky is so dramatic and the pictures look so wow.
Next Pass on her list checked: Coll d'Allos. The sky is unbelievable.
A short break should be possible, for some coffee for him and sharing a blueberry tarte with her.
Col de Vars. What a hell of a ride. The road is in almost perfect condition, with almost no traffic, we flew over the road. In terms of riding fun, we think this pass counts as one of the best!
She could not decide which foto she should post, so both of them can be seen here.
The riding ends here. We can not reach our booked hotel. The Col du Galibier is still closed. We thought, this last pass makes our day perfect. But no, we had to find a hotel here in Briancon and take a look at the map, which route we can take to reach our following hotel, that we already booked.

Day 13 - Briancon to Sion
Without breakfast, straight on to the Col de Mont Cenis, it was bitterly cold. She needed a few more layers. But after the pass, the reward: this bakery with unbelievably delicious things. We really hit the spot and made up for our breakfast (or rather lunch) on the spot.
A hearty breakfast gives us the strength to deal with the next pass and the lots of snow on it: Col de L'Iseran
Just the last week there was a burning sun, now it seems to be winter. No view, just fog.
She likes to chase passes, then straight on to the next one, he thinks and stops just right the next village to buy some sandwiches for a late lunch is a must, he thinks also.
Col de petit San Berard. Lunch Time! It is very cold and windy, but with a great view.
And we had an unexpected guest: Death's-head hawk moths. How great, she always wanted to see one.
What the... So sad, we were just right in time for this Chocolat Heaven. It opened at 3 o'clock. We dreamed of a very nice ice-cream. But then we saw: not on Wednesday! He was so inconsolable.
Next pass almost done: Col du Grand Saint Bernard. What a beautiful view!
We did it! Here is the proof and not that often: both beside the pass sign.
Aren't this pictures beautiful up there? We think so.
And here she comes. He can not escape her!
Short stop at this beautiful waterfall, just nearby a well-known Cafe. Lucky him with his coffee, poor she: this marvellous chocolate drink they have is today not available.
Hard riding day, a lot of passes, very much fun. And now one of the greatest burgers we ever tested! And who found it again? She found it and he thinks about, in which tour it could be a lunch stop.

Day 14 - Sion to Livigno
New day, new list of passes he had for her! 6 on this day. The first one, Grimsel, does not really fit to the route. Therefore, up to the pass and down again.
And are they not cute, these Marmots? We think so!
Just a little bit further he knows a really nice Cafe. She is also for taking a break to warm up a bit. Ovomaltine (swiss kind of hot chocolate)!
But now THE pass! For her the No 1 on her list. Furka Pass, this famous pass in the movie Goldfinger with Sean Connery.
Look at this view!
She was worried that it would be still closed and now she can sit here at this place, the James Bond Curve!
Sorry for all the pictures but there are many places to be shown. On the left is the gas station from the movie, or at least the roof, the only part that still exists. And on the right the hotel where Sean Connery had his room.
Half past one already. Lunchtime with this tasty Rösti (Swiss traditional dish). And did we mention that we started the day without breakfast? So we think a dessert is today also possible and we share it! By the way: we are in Andermatt.
Batteries are charged again and he brings her to the next pass: Oberalppass.
We had to ride a few more km before we reached the next pass: Albula Pass. Each of us has chosen a different scene.
It's late already but this pass (Passo del Bernina) is on our way to Livigno anyway.
... and this one comes just right after: Forcola di Livigno
For her, thinking of Jimmi Bondi, this hotel is a bull's eye for tonight's stay. Unfortunately only one night, we both like it very much.
By the way, we are actually in Livigno. Nice little village, also to stroll around,

Day 15: Livigno to Mieming and back home
The last riding day has begun. Just before we leave, he surprises her with another souvenir which she saw the day before during an evening walk in Livigno.
But nonetheless, there are also 6 passes on the programme today that need to be tackled. Just don't slack off, he says, and she is all in! Starting with Passo Eira.
The next Pass follows suit: Passo Foscagno. Only a short stop for a picture.
We are on the way up to the supreme pass destination. But right before that, don't forget the Umbrail Pass, he thinks and she is smiling all the way up!
This time we stop long enough to take a picture of us as a couple beside the pass sign.
Passo di Stelvio is done, the Queen of Alpine Roads, which every rider should do at least once in a lifetime! For us, not the first time and surely not the last.
78But every time it is overwhelming for both of us: the road, the 78 switchbacks, and on the top this view! We cannot get enough of it.
Up there, you have to try one of the extremely tasty Würstel (classically in a "Vinschgerl" from Bruno. It is a must, of course, and a better one you will never get, we can testify to that!!!
We left Italy behind us, took the Reschen Pass, and now one last photo of the last pass for today: Piller Höhe.
She is already on her way home, not on 2 but on 4 wheels, unfortunately, and takes one last picture of the mountains, which a very hard to leave behind. He follows on her beloved bike.

AMA III is over for us. She is already dreaming of the next tour, hopefully an EBT Tour, AND hopefully with him again.

Congrats again to Charlie for finishing AMA Part I to III! But be aware, she is hot on your trail! And she already knows about next year's AMA Centenary Tour, which will be simply incredible. It's a must for her, on her wishlist, and hopefully with him and also with Charlie again. We hope both, and maybe some other person from this tour???

 

To be continued...

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Add a comment Rate this post
Angela de Haan
Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 16:54
Heya Tom fantastic blog, I shall be curious to see a picture of "she" and "he", eventually
Thomas Ritt
Sunday, August 20, 2023 at 17:03
Hi Angela,
"he" is used to being in front of the camera while you probably won't see "her" very much as she is busy taking pics and writing the blog...

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