|
CLICK
HERE FOR A SLIDE SHOW
OF SOME
OF THE 2009 MEMORIAL TOUR PICTURES
NOT IN
ORDER OF TOUR DATE
**************
The first Walter Van
Lierde Memorial Tour 2009
Has now successfully took place. With Diana's approval and participation,
the 29 participants from seven different nations took part on this 5 day 3,300
kms tour. It was agreed by all that they were honoured and very happy to have
taken part on
Walter's Alpine Memorial Tour.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
For most participants the
tour base camp 1 which lay in the Tyrolean alps near Kitzbüel in Austria meant
that they had to travel up to and beyond one thousand kilometres on the Sunday
experiencing weather conditions ranging from
30%C heat waves to hail stone, torrential rain and thunder storms.
Two tour routes for each day had been organised.
Tour A for long and hard riding and tour B for less demanding tour routes.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
PART TWO AUSTRIA TO ITALY
TO SWITZERLAND
The first tour day being the Monday stated with anticipated rain
showers and for the first leg over the Grossglockner the weather held
out. The tour day took riders over 520 kilometres through the Austrian
Tyrol, Italian Dolomite mountain ranges and into the Grisons mountains
of Switzerland. This first day turned out to be a challenge for the
riders on the tour A route and once leaving the Tyrol heavy rain and
low cloud made for very strenuous riding. From 28 % C in the lower
regions to + 4%C on top of the Stelvio Pass was just one extreme
temperature change on route.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Congratulations Paddy....... |
........on your first 100.000 ! |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
PART THREE AND FOUR SWITZERLAND TO
FRANCE
Day two and three covered a total of 830 Kilometres through
eastern, central and south west alps of Switzerland and into the
French Alps. With two stops on route in Switzerland the weather
conditions and high temperatures were to accompany us for the rest of
the tour. Ferry crossing and small military routes were just part of
the experience during these stages of this tour.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
PART FIVE FRENCH HIGH ALPS
Day four & five put another 700 kilometres under the belts of the
riders and took in many different passes through out the French Grand
Alps including the two highest road passes on mainland Europe. The
weather conditions were perfect for riding......Sometimes to hot along
the valley floors but always a welcoming cool breeze up in the
altitudes of over 2700 meters.......
Even the cool sea breeze of Monaco
proved to be an excellent point to visit for riders. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
PART SIX THE FINAL EVENING
After the trials of 5 days and over 2,300 kilometres and more than
35 passes in four different mountain ranges in 4 countries.....29
riders, including 2 female soloists, a sidecar, Nations from America,
Belgium, Holland, England, France, Ireland, Luxembourg. and
Switzerland all ended the tour safely in central France on a high
note. The routes, terrain, cultural, historical and culinary
experiences were all included into this tour and this is something we
know Walter loved.
The final evening was one full of emotions, tears, laughter and solemn
thought.
All agreed that the Walter Van Lierde Memorial Tour 2009 was great.
Diana confirmed that Walter would surely have been very proud and
happy
to see that his vision had now become reality.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
