I've ridden most of the roads listed, and can confirm the author's enthusiasm. These are some of the highest, wildest, and most entertaining roads in the Alps. Of the alpine passes I've ridden, Stelvio rates as my favorite, but Passo di Gavia is not far behind. The French passes listed all all wonderful, and are surrounded by even more great passes that aren't on the list.
flying_hunA few years ago, during one of my trips I met a German biker,
who explain me one of most beautiful and spectacular outputs performed by his
Bavarian group of friends, when they were able to escape a work week,
they called ALPEN MASTER, consisted in perform a bike tour, the twelve
points higher in the Alps as soon as possible and could not ride before
eight in the morning or after eight o'clock. Depending on the route we
choose we can do more or less miles, but we always made an impressive
route from 2500 to 3500 km in the unique alpine area where you have 150
to 200,000 guaranteed curves of all types and for all tastes, summarizing
some in what we all dreamed of.The idea of complete it one day was
something that haunted me for a long time and one day prepare it all with
support of my wife, I decided to join the group of those who anonymously,
no prizes, no cups, no trophy, completing one of the special routes will
never forget, THE MASTER ALPEN, and was from then that each year I take a
week off to ride alone the Alps in either direction.The points to join with
our bike are the following:
Ötztal -2845 -2802 strasse
Col de la Bonette -2770 -2757
Col de l'Iseran
Stelvio pass
Col de l'Agnel -2744 -2680
Restefond Col - Col du Galibier 2646-2621
Gavia pass
Rombo pass -2509-2513-2505
Col du Raspaillon
Umbrail
Hochtor -2501 pass
These are the twelve highest points
where you can ride on road, off road you can climb to higher altitudes,
some of the most beautiful areas are off road in the valley of Susa in
particular in the Col delle Finestrelles and the rise to peak of Sommeiller.
More Info: xtrememototouring.blogspot.com