Castellar, the town of scarecrows at the foot of Monviso, can wake us up, because even in winter on a motorcycle… you can!
February 8, 2023
The sun this Saturday morning makes us want to jump on our Africa Twin, by now there were really many, too many days that the fog didn’t clear and discourage us, but finally the time has come! To restart.
The streets are still freezing and we prefer it for this first round of 2023 stay on low altitudes but always supervised by the Alps and guided by Monviso, the well-known pyramidal mountain that has always guided travelers from everywhere.
We head towards the province of Cuneo, Casalgrasso, Moretta, Saluzzo and finally we enter Bronda Valleywe are greeted by a blue sky and a warm sun that timidly tries to heat the air.
Vineyards on plateaus accompany us towards Castellarthe country of scarecrows, but also of its endemic castle donated by the Marquis of Saluzzo to his son in 1357, an ideal place to escape from the humid plain of these days given the position 400 meters from the height and to seize privileged points of view.
The road that enters the village climbs the hills to drown itself among skeletal trees on ever narrower and steeper hairpin bends, the asphalt is icy the Winter Grip Anlas tyres they are perfect for winter temperatures and the nostra Africa Twin 1100 DCT she climbs eager to enter solitary places.
This tranquility and silence make us appreciate these car-free streets, we also meet two chamois on the road who in these areas can live peacefully in freedom!
The sun goes down early in winter, it is better to go back towards Saluzzo, on the sp. 47 on the left side we find the farmhouse il Nest of Bacchus ( tel: 0175-46603 ) of the good Emilio immersed in the vineyards, many Piedmontese delicacies such as the famous Ravioles of the Varaita Valley absolutely not to be missed!
Towards home, the streets are empty compared to the summer, so we can better savor the landscapes and colors that gradually change as the sun goes down, giving us serenity and a newfound freedom that we all always need.
Before leaving, especially in winter, let us remember the importance of check the weather conditions and the closure of roads and mountain passesin case of snow, motorcycle circulation is prohibited, it is very important to check the conditions of the vehicle and tires, better the specific winter ones with compounds and blades that best adapt to the frost of the asphalt and can transmit greater safety, we had the Anlas Winter GripPlus!
Another important thing to take care of is winter motorcycle clothing complete, if as soon as you set off it may seem that any jacket/trouser seems to work, after 50-60 kilometers even only at a speed of 70-90 kilometers/h, you realize that the pressure of the icy wind causes significant cooling areas such as the feet , legs and hands, the Africa Twin in the Adventure Sports version fortunately comes as standard the heated grips and already only in the position with 3 notches out of the 5 available, it can be sufficient in most situations.
And then in the end the best advice is prudence, look into the distance to anticipate any maneuver and danger, fluid driving and soft brakingthe grip in winter changes totally!
Now go! Even in winter, without traveling thousands of kilometres, you can have fun, learning to grasp different sensations that would not be possible at other times.
Fabrizio Gillon
Readers’ travels: tour in Castellar
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