Europe Advice please?

gman1969

Joined Jan 2011

63 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Jan 3, 2013

• #1

Dear All,
Im lookin at doing a trip to Europe to take in some of these roads that everyone raves about. Im looking at going May/June time getting an early ish ferry on a Thursday and coming back the following Tuesday night ferry.

I dont want to be doing huge mileage every day although dont mind putting in the saddle time to get there and back and then spend a coouple of days with some relaxed awesome riding with great scenerary, I would also prefer to hotel in the evenings as after years of caravanning I have an aversion to camping!! lol

I will be on my T and probably waiting for my brother to catch up on his Triumph Thunderbird!! Bless him, no accounting for taste!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Cheers
Stuart

 

Aldo

Joined Dec 2008

6K Posts | 84+

Usually at the top of the apple tree.

• Jan 3, 2013

• #2

gman where are you based, what area of europe are you thinking about and what sort of daily mileage would you be looking at?

 

gman1969

Joined Jan 2011

63 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Jan 3, 2013

• #3

Im based in Essex, mileage Im not too sure really as not really done anything like this before I guess the max in one day would be 2-300 miles but would not want to do that everyday, obviously if we had to cover upto around 400 to get to and from somewhere then no probs, still if the rides were worth it when we got there or whilst we were covering that sort of distance then no problem - just did not want to sit on boring roads covering that sort of mileage, if the scenary and roads were that special then its well worth it I guess - as you can tell I have little experience of any touring!! lol

 

C

Crisis

Joined Sep 2009

54 Posts | 1+

Surrey

• Jan 3, 2013

• #4

Me and 2 mates got fed up with the day it takes to get to mid/south of France - so we hired a van and put the 3 bikes in the back - even after hiring the van it worked out cheaper by the time you add up the Ferry, petrol and tyre wear, quicker (fewer fuel stops) and you get to share the boring part of the driving.

try the www.bestbikingroads.com site for good routes to try out.

The roads are amazing and mostly empty - sometimes they seem to put amazing series of bends in them for no reason at all.

 

brooksy

Joined Oct 2011

4K Posts | 66+

COUNTY DURHAM

• Jan 3, 2013

• #5

gman if its your first tour have a look at the link below:
http://www.ridewithustours.co.uk/
takes the hassle out of booking ferries and hotels and they have a comprehensive list of routes, i am planning on a trip to Luxembourg this year.
good luck mate

 

H

hilift

Joined Oct 2012

1K Posts | 50+

the wasteland east anglia

• Jan 3, 2013

• #6

accomodation wise there is a chain hotel group throughout europe called ETAP hotels they are cheap plentiful do good breakfast , are usually on main routes into towns and some have secure parking . two i would recommennd are honfleur the other side of the pont du normandy nr le harve -- which is a good start point for " the beaches " . and lemans right in the city centre 2 mins walk from central square 10 mins ride from the circuit , this has gated secure parking with cctv .

 

H

hilift

Joined Oct 2012

1K Posts | 50+

the wasteland east anglia

• Jan 3, 2013

• #7

i do have some addresses for chambre d,hotes if you want them and a good hotel in belgium and a couple in valkenburg holland and 2 near the nurburgring . send a pm

 

gman1969

Joined Jan 2011

63 Posts | 0+

Discussion Starter
• Jan 4, 2013

• #8

thanks all, I will probably check out the ridewithus tours for my first soiree, thanks for your advice

Cheers

 

Bigralphie

Joined Jun 2011

292 Posts | 0+

• Jan 4, 2013

• #9

The boat to Santander is not too bad now if you factor in how much you would spend on fuel and you have a load of great Spanish roads to go at

 

Mike Water

Joined Oct 2010

131 Posts | 0+

West Midlands

• Jan 4, 2013

• #10

Last June me and 3 mates went over to Spain Portsmouth to Santander - fantastic ferry trip overnight chance for a few beers and a good nights sleep whilst the ferry covers the miles
Based ourselves in a hotel in Potes in the Picos de Europa right in the middle of the mountains
First trip abroad for us all weather was dry & sunny roads were smooth and twist, natives were friendly and helpful
We planned a different circular route each day
best weeks biking I have ever done just watch out for the fresh cow s......t on the road if your start early in the morning

 

A

Ash

Joined Jan 2011

1K Posts | 8+

NW Leicestershire

• Jan 8, 2013

• #11

Don't try and do to much in any day other than getting to your base or back to the ferry.
The Europeans do have a better attitude to bikers than the Brits. :thumbup