johnnington wrote:I have a couple of questions I hope someone can answer,
Is there anything I need to plan for/book for the Rally?
Do most people camp or stay in hotels whilst there? What would be the advantages of either?
As you can probably guess, this is my first Stella so any other important info I should know is very much appeciated.
Thanks
John
Just to add to what AfricaJim has said, the Stella Alpina comes with no pre-booking hassle; indeed, there isn't any provision for pre-booking!
As for accommodation, the majority of Stella participants can generally be found doing one of the following:
A. Staying in one of the many hotels, guest-houses or self-catering apartments in Bardonecchia (Iike me!),
B. Camping at the Bokki Campsite which is on the road heading south-west out of Bardonecchia,
C. Camping on the plateau at Rifugio Scarfiotti which is located on the track which leads to the Colle del Sommeiller, ie. the track that is the Stella Alpina which everyone rides up on the Sunday morning.
See attached map for the 'A', 'B' and 'C' locations.
Each location has it's own great social life and you certainly won't find yourself lacking good company at any of this places.
If you prefer having ready access to a hot shower, then you're choice is either Bardonecchia or Bokki Camping. However, depending on your budget, even Bokki Camping is not particularly cheap, even if the site is offering a 'Stella Alpina Motociclistica Internazionale' participant's discount again this year (don't forget to ask!).
If you like wild camping, looking out over stunning scenery, then camping at Rifugio Scarfiotti is possibly for you. Rifugio Scarfiotti is quite a ride (time-wise) out of Bardonecchia and so it's not a very practical option if you want to meet people in town in the evenings. Rifugio Scarfiotti is also nearly 3000 feet elevation above Bardonecchia and Bokki Camping so it will be a darn sight colder at night, even in July!
I have never camped at Rifugio Scarfiotti so I will leave it to others on this forum to advise on what facilities you can expect to find there (I understand that the refuge does sell food).
Where ever you decide to stay, make a point of calling in at the railway station bar in the middle of Bardonecchia during your visit - there's invariably a good few riders gathered there at all times of the day. Indeed, if you see an old white R80G/S parked up next to an un-faired blue Suzuki GS500 come over and say hello since my daughter Lizzie and I will be close by.
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