Alpine countries and Dolomites - The main ride 2026 IFMR Slovenia and North Macedonia

Ten days, nine motorbikes, thirteen participants and one common passion – freedom on two wheels. At the end of May, IFMR Slovenia and North Macedonia members set off on an unforgettable motorcycle journey through the heart of the Alps and Dolomites, where in ten days we covered more than 2000 kilometres, crossed six countries and conquered twenty mountain passes.

The journey began in Slovenia and on the first day we warmed up with a pass over the Korensko Sedlo. Soon the road began to reward us with views that only Europe can offer – from gently rolling landscapes to dramatic mountain ranges. Each following day brought new views and a different scenery: from Bavarian royal stories at Linderhof, the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle and the shores of Lake Bodensee to the top of Germany’s Zugspitze. From the passes connecting the valleys of the Swiss four-thousanders to Alpine villages and fashionable resorts. From the popular ski resorts of Italy to the bell tower of Passo Resia submerged in the lake.Every pass was a new challenge, every turn a new story, and every stop an opportunity for friendly conversation and laughter.

The days were full of riding, and the evenings were dedicated to socializing, exchanging impressions, and planning the next stages. The fatigue that accumulated after long hours in the saddle was always rewarded with a sense of accomplishment. When we parked our motorbikes at the end of the day, we knew that we had overcome another part of the journey together – not only geographically, but also as a team.

The character of our team is best described by the following event. On the sixth day, we planned to start from the base in Andermatt and cross the three famous passes, Furka, Grimsel, and Susten, with a morning start. It rained and snowed at night and in the morning, and the Susten pass was closed. All the passes were still covered in thick clouds in the morning. The situation did not discourage us. On the contrary. We used the morning to see the Devil's Bridge in Andermatt, moved the start to the afternoon and adjusted the planned route, and instead of the planned Susten pass, we conquered two others, and in total four instead of three.

Such trips are not just about moving from point A to point B. They are an opportunity to strengthen ties, make new friendships and consolidate Rotary values even outside of formal frameworks. IFMR, as a platform for connecting Rotarians, motorcyclists and other open-hearted people with whom we share values, proves once again that a common passion opens the door to unforgettable experiences.

The highlight of the trip was not a fairy-tale castle, an emerald lake or the most demanding pass, but an evening in the company of friends, when we welcomed a new member among us.

When we returned home after ten days, we brought with us more than just memories of the kilometers traveled. We brought stories that we will tell for a long time, photos that will preserve moments, and above all, the feeling of being part of a community that knows how to combine friendship, charity, and the love of riding.