The Simplon Pass is major crossing from Switzerland to Italy, it is wide, well-made and often busy. It is open all year around, except during very heavy snow in the winter, but we really don’t really want to be on two wheels in these conditions.

In 2011, the Swiss were doing some major tunnel work up towards the top, with only one lane open, so if you were unlucky you could get delayed. I think they will be at it again in 2012.

Ok, the ride: Starting up the North ramp from Visp you will find nice wide road with passing lanes and superb road surface. There are many opportunities to pass, so even if you encounter some traffic you can usually get by. The vistas down the valley are just stunning.

About 3/4 of the way up, the road is covered to keep snow off in the winter, but you can see through the side and it makes for an interesting ride.

The summit is a bit of Das Symbol mit dem hochsten Gegenwert ist jedoch das Wild des online casino spiele s. a moonscape, all above tree line. If you hit it on a nice day, there are some great places to stop on the side of the road and take it all in.

The south ramp starts wide with sweeps corners and then snakes into a rocky canyon. If your not in a hurry, the scenery is beautiful. Before you cross the border into Italy, tank up at one of the several service stations just before the crossing. Fuel is still cheaper in Switzerland.

Once you hit Domodossola, the interesting part of the ride is over. If you continue south towards Lake Maggiore and Milan, the road is long and strait, initially just two lanes with not passing, then opening up to 4 lanes but limited to 110kph. At the end of the day, if that is the way your going, it gets you there reasonably quickly.