 |
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by adrian74
Thanks for the replys everyone.
Walkabout, i see your point about having to use the motorways to make up some time, and i expect i will have to use them maybe from Turin to the Millau viaduct, otherwise in your opinion is 200-250 miles per day on European a roads a hard slog or fairly easy?
Stevenkirk that trip you took last year is very similiar to what im planning at the moment, makes me want to go right now, especially seeing that pic of the viaduct that flying doctor posted, i saw it for the first time on an episode of Top Gear last year, it looked amazing.
Im taking the v-strom to Ireland again on Sunday for 4 days, hopefully the weather will stay fine!
|
Hi Adrian,
In the last 12 hours you have received replies to your query that are all perfectly valid and I agree with all of them (some days you will ride longish distances and on other days you will be stopping frequently for breath-taking views, sight seeing of whatever, torrential downpours blah blah &, yes, you can end up doing more than you prefer in order to catch some ferry or other - the Long Way Down people are doing exactly that right now and Ewan is not happy!); there are still factors that no one knows about you, such as "will you be carrying a pillion passenger and, if so, does he/she give you "grief" at every fuel stop?".
Very glad to hear that you are off on a short trip soon - no doubt you will use this to get a feel for your own preferences in the daily distances debate.
Let us know what you think after that!
Cheers,
__________________
Dave
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by wile e
Ok, apparently I need to rephrase my above question.
That bridge shot is stunning. As an ignorant American I am having difficulty in understanding how the autoroutes are set up in Europe and have no idea of how to locate that exact location. I would love to include that location in my upcoming European motorcycling travels if someone could help me out in locating it. Thanks for any help I can receive.
|
Being Europe, each nation has its' own road classification system (having said that, there is also an EU system in place as well, I believe for just major motorways, just to clarify things  ).
D roads in France are run by the local highway people; D = Departement, something about the same size as a county in the USA.
Therefore, there are loads upon loads of D roads and the numbers, as you have discovered, can repeat themselves across 100s of Kms of roads.
Having got that out of the way, the very best twisties in France are often the D roads!!
__________________
Dave
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
|
|
More about French roads
I've just noticed that the "As" and "Ns" are mentioned as well:
A: these are the Autoroutes/Autobahns/Autostradas etc, like Interstates in the US.
N: these are the national routes of strategic importance to France but not constructed to "A" standard (can also be quite twisty and of interest to motorcyclists therefore!).
__________________
Dave
|
7 Nov 2007
|
 |
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
Posts: 49
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by adrian74
...my plan is to travel from Callais to Belgium (Bastogne), thru luxemburg to Germany (black forest), to Switzerland (alps), to northern Italy (Turin), to France again (millau viaduct), to Andorra, to Spain (Santander) for the ferry back to Plymouth...
... I'm not planning to use motorways or toll roads (except for millau viaduct) and would like to keep my milleage down to about 200 to 250 miles per day.
|
Hi Adrian,
We covered some of the same ground recently and my 2 cents worth would be to take the motorways and cover big miles between the main sights you've chosen in Belgium and Germany to get to the Alps and northern Italy (e.g. the Lakes) spending most time liesurely winding around the mountains and lakes. We were a little disappointed by the Black Forest. Then motorways again down to Millau, winding back roads again through southern France. Cheers
Quote:
Originally Posted by wile e
I can't seem to locate that bridge on google maps satellite view.
|
Wile e,
Try these coords in Google Earth: N44 04.861 E3 01.243 - You'll see the tall pilons in place (or their shadows) and the construction work, but no bridge/viaduct road platform as the maps are still too old! We took these photos of the Viaduc De Millau on 4th August 2007:
Traffic hold-up due to rubber-necking on the bridge!
Cheers
John
Last edited by John-DownUnder; 7 Nov 2007 at 13:13.
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
|
|
Nice pics John. I must have missed that rest area under the bridge, good location.
Here's my ride over the bridge.
YouTube - Riding over the Millau Bridge
I was travelling away from Millau and the visitor centre entrance is on the right just before the bridge.
|
7 Nov 2007
|
 |
Moderated Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: DogZone Country
Posts: 1,218
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor
Wile e, without trying to sound trite it's exactly where the D41 goes under the bridge !
|
Tee!Hee!!!............................
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Sunshine Coast, Australia
Posts: 49
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor
|
I see you too slowed down crossing it - everyone seems to but unfortunately a very restricted view from the bridge itself. And the viewing points either side require a bit of a walk. We were there at start of European main holidays, so traffic was thick to say the least and thoe carparks chockers!
The main visitor centre is on the D992 which passes under the viaduc (not D41). The viaduc is on the A75. To get over the top and underneath, we were travelling south over the top then exited the A75 about 4 miles south, after a mile or so turned west on the D999 for 5.3 miles, then north 7 miles to get underneath to the visitor's centre. We didn't pay to sit through the doco movie on its design and construction. I actually saw that in-flight on our Qantas flight home a few months later! Very interesting. Continuing east on the N9 (we avoided Millau traffic) you can get a great view of Millau and the viaduc in the distance from the hillside on the N9/Route de la Caval.
Cheers
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
|
|
|
Yes a boring video, not much to see. A lovely bridge to view from afar. Millau is a large town, I got lost in there for an hour before making my escape.
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flyingdoctor
Yes a boring video, not much to see. A lovely bridge to view from afar. Millau is a large town, I got lost in there for an hour before making my escape.
|
It's not easy to make a good video from a bike camera!! Look at all the ones on Youtube et al.
I tried to get B&B in Millau a few years ago, with no notice and in the height of August hols - no chance! It is a very popular town and that was when the bridge was being built - could be more so, with all of the publicity about that bridge.
__________________
Dave
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: NOTTINGHAM U K
Posts: 38
|
|
|
Gorge De Tarn
if your going to the milau viaduct can i recomend you get off the next junction on the way up and go through the gorge de tarn its europes answer to the grand canyon up to 500 meters deep and goes on for about 70 k with vultures and eagles flying above stunning place
|
7 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by BORN2BMILD
if your going to the milau viaduct can i recomend you get off the next junction on the way up and go through the gorge de tarn its europes answer to the grand canyon up to 500 meters deep and goes on for about 70 k with vultures and eagles flying above stunning place
|
I'll second that - got to watch the road there, rubber necking by everyone!!
__________________
Dave
|
7 Nov 2007
|
 |
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: U.K.
Posts: 121
|
|
Thanks everyone for your input, John downunder i think you may have a point in using the motorways between the main points of interest, those are some lovely photos you posted! is that a red camping sign i see behind the pan?, if it is i reckon that must one nice campsite!
Walkabout you are a wealth of info, do you have an emergency hotline number for stranded european travellers? 
Flyingdoctor is that a tiger 1050 your riding? how do you like it?, im head mechanic in a Triumph shop and i reckon the tiger 1050 is the best bike Triumph has ever made.
Looks like im also going to have to visit gorge de tarn aswell, sounds nice.
P.S. I will be riding solo and camping every night.
|
8 Nov 2007
|
 |
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Galway, Ireland
Posts: 74
|
|
adrian74, I did a similar trip in the August just been, in 16 days:
That included a couple of days in Munich, Salzburg, Venice and Groningen just being a tourist.
But, I had to do some serious hours on the motorways to spend decent time anywhere. I did Dunquerke to Munich in one day, and then Freiburg to Groningen in one day. I also spent one very wet afternoon riding across Wales to catch a ferry at Holyhead.
I found some good riding in the Black Forest, and the Alps are amazing ( I did the Grossglockner and Albula passes). Wish I'd made it down to Millau, it was on my original plan but I headed up to Groningen to visit a mate instead.
Good Luck!
Matt
|
8 Nov 2007
|
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Posts: 35
|
|
|
If you don't mind riding everyday full on then perhaps 10 days is enough. However, if you would like to enjoy yourself and your ride, I agree that you may want to save some for another time. I had taken a trip through Europe on an R80GS over last spring and summer. At first I had planned to see a few more countries but decided to change it up to just a few only so I could really enjoy what I was doing taking my time and save the others for another adventure. I suppose it all depends on whats important to you. If you are trying to stay off the motorways and stick with the "Road Less Traveled", I don't recommend doing it in 10 days.
Nathan
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|
helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
Cotton or synth sweat-wicking t-shirts with the cool Horizons Unlimited graphic on the front and a snappy slogan (changing every year) on the back.
Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
More about French roads
Linear Mode
