RE: Pure Driving Experiences: Stelvio Pass

[bluesboy]

rottie102 said:

One of the most overrated roads in the world
There are more entertaining roads within M25

Totally agree that it's severely overrated. If you've never driven it, I can assure you that hairpin after hairpin after hairpin can become incredibly tedious (unless the road is closed...) and those on the Stelvio are way too tight. If anyone wants to experience something similar as a taster before stumping up the cash to drive to Italy, then drive Zig-Zag Hill (just outside Shaftsbury) fifteen times. Then go to Compton Abbas airfield for a cuppa to help you recover!

[lowdrag]

I've now done it in three cars and unless you have a free run (rare) you are blocked by camping cars, cyclists and it is a pain in the proverbial. It also depends on your gearing, since I find that for the 48 hairpins I often need first-and-a-half to get round properly, first being too low and second too high. Still, memories memories, although personally I prefer the Nufenen and Gavia anyway

[raftom]

zeta3 said:

I cannot imagine an amusing drive in a Nissan GTR: after a few times, accelerating from 20-30 miles at the hairpins' apex, to 100 before a hard braking , dodging out bikers, camping cars, cars and last but not least the police, doesn't seem that fun!

That is almost always my feeling in those famous alpine "test-pieces" roads. Amazing landscape, fell good factor of just being there, but the actual driving boring after a while of hairpin next to hairpin.

The best alpine road I've found so far was not in the Alps but on the Vosges, the Route des Cretes. 80 km of sweeping corners, with stretches of good visibility, following the crest of the range. It was a road made during WW1 to transport troops and because it's mostly at around 1000m altitude, it is less interesting to cyclists which means less traffic.

[t1grm]

Agree with Stelvio being overrated. It's a bit like doing 48 traffic light starts interspersed with doing 48 emergency stops and 48 U-turns. I did it in the dark so didn't even get the advantage of the nice views!

[ferg1986]

This is the reality of the Stelvio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zldg1Hy0H-o

[anonymous-user]

ferg1986 said:

This is the reality of the Stelvio http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zldg1Hy0H-o

Your point being?
Looks like two blokes and a girl in a BMW convertible, (and a very poor one-handed driving technique)
Done it six times now, in varying weather and at different times of day. Bright sunshine first thing in the morning (pre-6am) and it's epic - in the right car
Driving rain around lunchtime during the school holidays.....forget it.
Agree with others; there are far better roads on the way there and back. Stayed at the top a couple of times too. Great atmosphere once it gets dark - you really do feel like you're stuck up there for the night.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 2nd September 07:54

[j_s14a]

"in one of the best drivers cars ever made"

Really?!

The R35 is a great car, and very capable. It is not a drivers car, certainly not a great one, and definitely not one of the best.

[s_zigmond]

Always enjoyed this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2OQFGJlcpI Although I think the driver might be a little bit mad.