Really enjoyed this Tim! Far more presenting skill in this than seen in a James May travelogue... Having a proper few days in the Vosges is definitely on the list now maybe after the Pyrenees in 2024. Thanks for spending the hours putting this series together
What a lovely view and video Tim 👍🏾 those roads are absolutely stunning, puts the Uk to shame!! AND most countries ( I know Austria 🇦🇹 definitely doesn’t because my Mum is Austrian ) don’t have council tax and yet they STILL have enough money to make the roads look like a race track!!
Loving the WW1 content, visited Ypres many times and the Somme, didn`t realise the Vosges had some great places to visit. Done some touring in my motorhome through the area this year but looks like I need to take the Tiger 800 next time.
Great video Tim. The WW1 trench tour was awesome. Sadly WW1 gets overshadowed by WW2, but the amount of death and suffering in the trench warfare was incredible. Poor French soldiers trying to assault up the side of a small mountain. The riding scenery and the roads were very cool. All the best.
Part 2 😀 The whole area has been SO heavily fought over down the ages. It’s quite sobering walking in those trenches! Additional drone shots are fantastic Tim 👍🏻
Andre 3000 is in the band outcast -- weird he's riding bikes in Germany - I am obsessed by WW2 also - no doubt you watch Mark Feltons videos - and how many time have you watched Where Eagles Dare - it better be more than 10 !!
Thanks - you're right, it is sobering, but also a nice reminder that by and large we live in mostly better times... but you do sense the echoes of history sounding louder than ever.
Thank you - mine too, so any excuse to do a bit of war waffle mixed with bikes. The final episode goes live in a few hours and involves a trip to Natzweiler Struthof concentration camp.
Yeah the war history stuff is really interesting. Thank you for including it. If you ever decide to checkout the operation Dragoon region and want to see some of the awesome roads around here, then gimme a shout 😃👍
Very touching visit to those battle memorials. I had my fill when I visited Verdun. History in the UK tends to focus on the British battles (quite rightly) but the French and German losses were horrendous, and the war in the Alps and Dolomites was awful to (shocker!) I can almost recognise those stops and roads, but they look way too dry and lacking cobblestones and vegetation mush 😂 That little rock tunnel was a favourite. Did you get taken up the Hohneck? (not a euphemism)
Great video......I stayed in Colmar for a week in September so that I could ride the Vosges and southern end of the Black Forest. Brilliant riding on my new to me 2020 R1250 RT LE. Really want to do the Vosges again. Albania next year!
I stayed in the same region early this year Great views but didn’t find good roads mostly village after village part from one great road that took us through to bottom of the forrest will should of but the road was closed half way down no other road round it . Definitely worth a visit popular with German bikers lots of B&B . I agree if you find a area to explore stay a couple of days and enjoy .
Have just found you and really enjoying the content. Will you be visiting the Graves of Op Loyton? Paid my respects there a couple of years ago whilst touring.
I know the Vosges very well, I assume you filmed this some time ago? Most of the Route des Cretes is now closed until spring, and is converted into cross-country skiing tracks. When the snow is gone there is usually some road damage to repair, so be careful biking in spring. Also all the grit that gets put down in winter can build up in some places and be dangerous. The high roads are often full of tourists (with caravans and camper vans), but there are plenty of quick and curvy roads through forests lower down that are traffic free. There is fasinating history there from WW1 and WW2. The WW1 sites are among the best preserved anywhere, as a lot of front was static due to the geography. Where you had your pizza was an area of SAS operations (Loyton) in autumn 1944. Many SAS were executed when captured by the SS, one site is not far from that restaurant.
Also, I knew about Loyton but didn't know I was staying in the same area as it. I daresay I'll revisit the area again soon enough so will try to find some of their woodland hideouts.
Well, seeing as I live in the Netherlands now, (originally from the Leith Hill area in Surrey) This area in France is just 6 or 7 hours away from me. I am hoping to buy a brand new KTM 890 SMT in the next 8 weeks. So I have now put this on my to do list for the spring... Looks amazing, and it would be even better to go there when it isn't so busy as in the summer months. 😎 Love this style of content too by the way... I am pretty new to your channel, and really getting your sense of humour, I also like to see you riding around in surrey on my old roads that I miss so much... Like that lay by at the other end of that bit of road from the wise old owl (think its just called the owl now) I know those roads very well...
I am test riding one on Saturday. The other bike I like is the Ducati Monster. I rode it a few months back, loved it, but it runs very hot... not sure I like that, and I also like to do longer rides, so I wasn't sure the monster was the one... @@timrodierides
The MT10 is the one I bought! The KTM is equally brilliant but a bit more focused and can get wearing after a while, also (a big factor for me), I struggled to get insured on the KTM! M1000R would be best for trackdays, but is the least comfy by a large margin
Instead of being a bit pedantic, you should take the compliment… this is how you really put people off, by appearing to be a smart arse…. Up to you I guess, you want the revenue…
So, been enjoying an occasional "Tim Rode Motorcycles..." but, was a 'Lil disappointed when you got on the train while your Dad was in pain/distress from the gate dropping on him & his bike. Regardless of the intent of the trip- what's more important- your Dad or the Volges? I guess I didn't think you'd drop 'dear 'Ole dad' like a hot skillet the second he turned into a liability. Not saying that's what happened, but... left a bad taste after otherwise enjoying content. Yes, I am a father, and like many dads, I struggle to be able to schedule time together. The time, effort & expense was shared working to achieve an adventure. Too bad, so sad, Oops, my trains leaving. Clean up the bike, yourself & get to the hospital! I'm guessing that I'm way off base, so- I don't mean to bash you, nor degrade others impression of your character.
Haha, I double checked my Dad had his surgery and trip home sorted out. I also organised recovery of his bike. Then I checked he was OK, he just wanted me to crack on with my trip. I'm not completely heartless… most of the time
Thank you, Tim, for sharing this impressive tour series. The visuals are stunning, and I always appreciate your enthusiastic and engaging delivery. I appreciated the WW1 history tour. It was respectful, informative, and showcased the unique journeys and historical insights that being on a bike can offer.
