2025 Cross Alps Trip / HGT'25: 13 days, 13 cars and a few thousand miles of driving
Introduction
Hello and welcome to my 2025 road trip through France, Italy, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Belgium with the BMW Performance Car Club!
This year saw us return to previously visited roads and areas but that doesn't mean it would be boring!
It had been over 10 years since i'd driven the
Route des Grande Alpes and was keen to head back there. And whilst we're in the area, i thought, why not head over to Switzerland as well? Been 6 years since i was properly in the
Swiss Alps and was looking forward to getting back there.
On Saturday, car was cleaned, prepped and packed ready for an early start on the Sunday morning.
Day 0 - Sunday 29th June
As is custom with my road trips, it was an early start to catch an early Eurotunnel train from Folkstone. We'd been checking the weather before departure and it had been looking toasty. Stepping outside the front door a little after 4am confirmed it was already too hot for a northener like me!
Reset the trip.
Road trip officially begins when you reach EuroTunnel checkin.
Steven however had booked the wrong train! He booked an hour earlier! So he waited for us at the Total.
As per last year, other club members would meet us at at the eurotunnel. Richard in his E63 M6 who was with us back in 2022 and Steven in his F90 M5 Competition joining us for his first time.
Quick breakfast.
All aboard!
Into France and it is straight on the motorway heading for the historic
Reims Pitlane. So well known that just about every euro trip makes a stop at this location. Leaving the toll booths, Richard got left behind after his barrier refused to lift after he paid the toll charges. He eventually managed to escape and joined us after the pitlane visit. Joao in his F87 M2 and Alexander in his F36 440i also joined us at this point.
Once the obligatory photos had been taken it was time for some lunch.
Then back on the motorway, heading for the hotel in Geneva.
We arrive at the hotel at 7pm and waste no time going for beer and food! It is also VERY hot, like 34 degrees hot.
And the view from the hotel.
Mads and his wife Line who had travelled all the way from Norway was already nicely refreshed at the hotel. Oliver and Marvin in their G87 M2 were also checked in.
Marek from
MDrives and Dom in his 140i would arrive shortly afterwards. The core members are now all present and correct.
There was one surprise later that night.........i had no idea this was happening, but as a thank you for organising this trip, i was presented with this E90 M3 cut out wall frame!!! There was absolutely no need to, but appricated all the same!
And worst face ever, lol.
After food n beer, it was time for the customary car park party. This involves shots of cheap / nasty spirits, removing bugs from windscreens and applying tour stickers.
Blue vodka in here;
Club and tour sponsor Nanolex providing some cleaning goodies for us;
Prepping cars for an early start in the morning.
Final stats for the day.
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