Does using your GPS help to know what corner is coming up or is it lethal to take your eyes off the road? My mate who goes there every year still spends a month on the playstation before each visit, it's really hard to memorise it all.

I suppose you could if you really wanted to but I think you're better off concentrating on the road and on whats coming up behind you. I had thought about something similar with separate POI files and spoken warnings for each corner to help me learn it but decided it wasn't worthwhile as one name usually covers a series of corners, Kallenhard and Pflantzgarten for example.

I'm not a gamer so your mate may agree or disagree but IMHO, the games sometimes don't reflect how severe an incline or decline is but they can give a rough idea of where the track goes. They don't include bumps or irregularities in the track surface either. If you search the internet, you can find a free demo of Grand Prix Legends for the PC and then search for the Nurburgring track layout for it. It's supposed to be fairly accurate in its altitude and camber profile, apart from using the 1960's track layout which includes what is now part of the GP track and spectator/paddock area. More modern games like Forza for the XBox use the current layout and show more accurate scenery so may be of more use. The altitude profile seems more accurate that the PS2 game (Gran Turismo) that I had a go on. I think Project Gotham Racing was criticised for massively optimistic cornering speeds too.

Despite playing the games myself, studying the maps, etc, I nearly had an off on my first ever lap at the corner I mentioned in my last post, even though I knew it was coming and especially as it regularly caught me out just playing the game! It seems to be the No.1 place if any that will catch out a first-timer. If I'd been riding something more stable and slower steering like a Ducati, ZX7R or Fireblade 900, I would have definitely been off. Basically, your first actual lap is still exactly that, no matter how many times you've done it on a games console.

For general tourist info, try Germany Tourism - German Tourist Info - Visit Germany - Information on Germany. They sent me a really nice map of the Black Forest last year.

I mentioned the Stelvio but I also want to ride the Timmelsjoch, Trento-Bondone hillclimb, the Monte Grappa road, some of the passes in the area between Cortina and Bolzano, etc, etc, so I won't be too disappointed if it closed.

There are some good bits of general info. for the first time tourer here. I think you are wise to try to keep the trip flexible: but make an especial effort to do this. It's all too easy to set yourself targets and end up riding motorways for long hours every day, and what's the point of that?

Rather than setting yourself specific destinations each day, try setting yourself riding times. Say five hours a day. Then you can have plenty of repeated stops and breaks, knowing that as long as you do your five hours, you are on target. Alternatively set yourself a specific time each day to start looking for accommodation, say 4pm. Again, this takes the pressure off.

And definately have a LOT of slack in your proposed trip timewise. Hurrying through places because you've just GOT to see that x, y, or z is just frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying. If you find yourself with extra time towards the end of the trip you can always add things on to your 'must see' list.

Matt

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