Europe Trip
 

Howdy campers,

I've been lurking awhile and figured now that I've worked out some of my planned trip, it was probably time to start seeking some advice from those that know.

I'm arriving in London on 26 may. I'll buy an old BMW something ( hopefully sorted out before I arrive). Spend two weeks riding around The north and west of Scotland, over to the Isle of Man for a couple of days at the TT,then over to Belfast. I'll do a week making my way down to the ferry port at Rosslare, back to Pembroke and through Cardiff, Bath,Salisbury(and the Henge) and along the south coast to Dover.

From Calais I'll head down to Bilbao, Zaragozer and Barcelona (big fan of Gaudi). The south of France and Italy. Including the Amalfi coast and Venice.If I have time I'll also take one of the routes to Switzerland over the Alps.

On the way back to London I'll spend a few days in Paris and some more in London before flying home.

I have 12 weeks all up.

I plan to camp and stay in hostels with the occasional night in a Hotel. Don't mind a bit of wild camping. I'm 54 and never been to Europe before. Though I did travel around GB 10 yers ago. LOVED!!!! Scotland.

Any advice, must do's, places to stay, etc most apreciated.


Thanks Ed

advice? yeah, enjoy yourself...

I'm 2 hours south of Paris if you want a beer on your way home.

If you get a problem in france, Shout.

Thanks MooN,

I'd like your number ( can't PM you, not enough posts yet) And yes, if it can be arranged I'd like to meet up for a beer or a glass of red.

Ed

The Amalfi coast is magic, one of the highlights of Italy - and that country isnt short on sights!! But if I´d go that far south, then I´d consider visiting Sicily. I also liked Calabria (the ´tip´ of the shoe). And while I usually do not like big cities so much, Rome was enchanting. So was Naples in its own way.

In case you´ve never been to mainland Europe, then North Italy->Switzerland is definitely something NOT to be missed, and do take your time. The best roads (riding-wise) are very, very curvy & slow... and hope you´ll get good weather, because the views are just magnificent. If you´ve got time, maybe even skip buying the Swiss motorway ´vignette´ and pass through the country on smaller roads. It takes time, but Switzerland isn´t so big.

Personally I´m 100% in love with the Lago Maggiore-Lago di Como pre-alpine region (northwest from Milan), and I could easily spend days or even weeks in that area. It´s so full of things to do & see. These days it´s a little expensive, though.

In northern Italy, Tuscany (incl. Florence, Siena, Assisi, San Cimignano) and the Ligurian coast (especially Cinque Terre) are also something to consider.

I can PM you though...:cool4:

Thanks MooN for the number.

pecha 12,
I plan on riding through Liguria, Cinque Terre looks great in the photo's, to Rome, Naples etc and go as far south as time allows, then back up through Tuscany etc. I'll be taking secondary roads wherever possible. I hate freeways. Hate hate hate tollways.:censored: So much to see, so little time.

Thanks for the sugestion about the Lake Como region, isn't that where the Guzzi factory is? Also on the list.

Ed

Europe
 

Hi Ed,

Just spent six weeks in September and October of '09 riding through France, Suisse, Italy and Spain, with the bulk of the trip in Spain.

Left England with a buddy of mine for two weeks then went solo for the balance. As noted in an early thread the area around Lake Maggoria (sp) is beautiful, but as noted also, a bit pricey.

If you are pressed for time, or need to get back up to England maximizing your time down South for some reason, or wish to save your tyres a bit one way, there are ferries that run from Plymouth, Portsmouth etc. that go to Santander or Bilboa in Spain. Cost full up with a bike and sleeping berth (I was solo for the return trip to England) was about 160 pounds and took 18 hours. Brittany Ferris are what I used to get back to the UK.

After riding through France, Suisse, and Italy I spent two solid weeks just riding the Pyrennes, most of the time spent between Jaca and Sort, with a day out to the Mediterranean just to dip my toes in the water, and a few days out on the Costa Verde area.

The riding in the Basque area all the way over to past sort is unbelievable if you like twisty mountain passes, breathtaking scenery and quiet quiet roads.

I think I crossed from Spain into France every third or fourth day going over some great passes.

The standard Michelin maps at 1 to 1 million are good for an overview, but if you can pick up more detailed maps (AA) at 1:400,000 they give a lot more detail of the side and smaller roads not shown at all on the 1 to 1 million maps. I don't use GPS at all, and found using maps I did take the wrong turn a few times, but found some great roads that way.

As you will find out, Europe is very well signposted, all -- well, if not most, rural intersections are posted, and even going through small villages and towns they have direction signs to get you were you are going. Much better by about a 1000% than here in N. America.

As the other post stated, Suisse has some amazing roads, and the I picked up a 1:275,000 scale map at a bookstore in Winterthur (although they are sold everywhere) upon entering Suisse, and just planned my day by looking for the squiggliest lines I could find.

Usually I camp as well, but did not for this trip. If you are looking for a break for a night or two from the thermarest, I can highly recomend one exceptional place in the really great town of Jaca. The lady that runs it is just fantastic, her daughter teaches English, and Jaca itself is very nice with great rides all around it. Very similar to the quality of riding outside of Sort.

Sorry to go on so much about Spain and the Pyrennes. France was great too, especially the area along the Napolean Road, and the Napolean Road itself.

The West side of France is also nice, more sweeper type roads, but that could be perhaps becuase I did not take as much time as I could through that part, but still all secondary roads.

If you would like any specific information at all please feel free to PM me anytime.

You will love it, it is great riding, great scenery, great food, and the people all along the way I met were just fantastic!

Have a great trip.

Zarks

Thanks for the info Zarks. I had a look at some stuff on the Napolean rd and it looks like a good way to go.
Ed

Hello, Bungawalbyn!

Pecha72 gave you a complete and precise overview of my Country (Itay).

I only add two things:

The Dolomites on the Alps, see some images here:
dolomiti - Cerca con Google
A German friend of mine says that Dolomites have plenty of roads that seems as if they were projected and made by motorcyclists!


My hometown, Mantua, in the north, close to Garda Lake
mantova - Cerca con Google.


Greetings from Italy

F1 Hotels in France are cheap, clean and have loads of hot water.
Also check out Hostelworld.com...you can find some great accomodation for cheap prices.

If you go to Lake Como go and visit the Moto Guzzi Factory and museum at Mandello del Lario. Moto Guzzis have been made there since 1921.

Venice....totally WOW place...take your gear off as it gets hot. Try and find a place to park before you go. The multi storey car park costs €24 for a 24 hour period BUT if you stay for 1 hour you pay €24. That is with a car and I do not know the bike price and there are not many places to park.

Verona is not far from Venice and is another great place to visit.

Every little helps.

Steve

hi Ed
if you have any plan to visite the castle of the loire valley on your way to spain you can have a stop in our place (we have a big space to put up your tent) We will be in Barcelona as well for the GP begin of july.

LEt me know if you're passing around
take care
Laurent

Hi Ed

I agree with Zarks - if you are crossing to Barcelona from Bilbao you should def pop up to the mountains. The direct route through Zaragoza is a bit dull (great little city though). I'd suggest Bilbao, Vitoria, Pamplona, Jaca, Huesca - then to Zaragoza if you want - or Barbastro to Lleida. You might also want to go up Montserrat when passing just outside of Barcelona. A great ride, and well worth the visit.
Have fun

Pat
:mchappy:

Thank you everyone for your hints and offers of help/drinks etc.

Laurent, I'd love to take you up on the offer to pitch my tent at your place. I've PM'ed you for details.

Pat, Thanks for the route to Zaragoza. Sounds like the way to go.

All this is getting me quite excited. Half the fun of a trip is the planning and anticipation

ED

Hello everybody.

Just an update.

I've bought a K100rs from a guy who will do a buyback deal and is therefore allowing me to use his address for rego and insurance. I've been stressing out about it abit as the time of departure is fast approaching, so I'm greatly relieved.
I feel very lucky to have found such a convenient arrangement, and the seller apears to be very helpful and easy to deal with.What's more, because of all the info etc I have recieved from him, I feel very confident that it will be a good experience.:clap:

I've been standing on the bathroom scales holding various combinations of gear and clothing to try and get the weight of my bags correct. Cheap flight, so probably real anal about excess baggage charges:nono:

Suddenly, with the bike and paper work happening,I've gone from anxiety to excitement.
Bring it on!!:scooter:

Ed

Mate if are you coming anywhere near Colchester, Essex, (East Anglia), your welcome to either doss in a tent in my back garden or on the Sofa, & can show you some nice places to see over here also look @ this site quite helpfull BestBikingRoads Motorcycle Touring Motorcycle Routes Motorcycle

PM me if your coming this way

good luck

Colchester
 

Hi, I have only just been put onto Hubb by a good friend and spotted your post for Eu travel. Fancy a pint sometime after Easter?

Hi Ed,
We're ready too,
not to hit the road but to welcome you. let me know when you will have a precise idea or your dates..
cheers
Laurent

Selous, Thanks for the link. I had found them already. Got some good stuff. I don't think I'll get to your area as I pick up the bike in Bradford and head north. Thanks for the offer though and if by some twist of fate I end up there I will definately get in contact.



Laurent, I do the ferry to Calais on 23 June so I guess I'll be some where near your place a couple of days after that. I don't realy have a definate plan as to times and places. I'll let you know when I get near to you. I look forward to it. Ed

Hi all

25 days to departure.

I have a bike.Payed for and in my name( thanks Sam) Insured TP with Footman James BP 92.85 and accepted international licence issued in Australia and no difficult residencey questions. Phew!

I became somewhat:scared: concerned with the airport closures so close, but am now somewhat more relaxed as things appear to be returning to normal.

Just a few minor bits and pieces to organise and I'm ready. Ed

If you manage to make your way up the west coast of Scotland, give me a call. Maybe grab a beer or two.:thumbup1:

Rory

South of France & My Trip
 

You probably read 1000 and 1 stories all ready but I have linked our trip last year.

So you don't have to read all my waffle the one place I was really impressed with in the south east of France was the Verdon Gorge. You can find heaps of beautiful photos if you google it. Well worth a look if you are going that way.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tst...els/003951.php

Thans for the info Rob, I may get there, I'm not really planning that part of the trip that much. I was planning on just tootleing around the back roads. So any info like that is great.

Rory I plan on spending about a week over on the west coast. I'm in Tobermoray 3+4 June. How do I contact you?

Ed

Hi Ed
Enjoy your trip. I would be very interested to talk to you when you get back as I am planning a very similar trip in 2011.
Could you please contact me when you get home and perhaps we could catch up for a beer. (I am in Brisbane)
Cheers
Guy

Hi Guy,

Not a problem. I'd be happy to help with any thing I can.

I fly out tomorrow about 1 from Brisbane, and I'm back on the 10th August.

Seeya Ed

I'm nearly 3 weeks into the trip now and tonight I'm in Clifden on the Connemara peninsula in Ireland, having a ball. I met uip with Hubbers at Cannich in Scotland at the start, great people, and travelled all over Scotland for about 10 days. Blew the clutch in Mull on the old BMW K100 I bought and got shipped back to Bradford to get it fixed, thanks to my insurance.
It was fixed in time for me to make the ferry to Isle of Man for a couple of days of the TT and then over to Belfast etc and here I am.
Mostly the weather has been crap, but today was warm and sunny and all is forgiven.
Tomorrow I'll head on down the coast past Galway till I find somewhere that takes my fancy.

Ed

pic1 is Morning mist on the harbour at Tobermoray Mull
pic2 is pool at Glen Affric near Cannich
pic3 is Somewhere near Lochinver
pic4 is Connemara Ireland
pic5 is Duart Castle on Mull

Enjoy your trip, Bungawalbyn!

Hi Ed,

Great to hear that your still having a great time and that you enjoyed the HUBB meet at Cannich... keep us posted on your travels!

Ride safe,

Beej n Chris

Great pics! Was in Clifden myself on the bike only a few weeks ago,if your heading south then the Dingle Peninsular is very nice,go through the Connor Pass & head west to the Slea Head road,can recommend the Black Cat Hostel in Ballyferriter (Baile an Fheirtearaigh in Gaelic)
Have a great trip,
Andy

Getting Blind at the Blind Piper
 

I've been riding the Ring of Kerry today. What a fabulous place. Found a nice little pub that was recomended to me by some buskers at one of the photo stops. The Blind Piper Inn at Caherdaniel. The real deal Little Irish pub. Great food at reasonable prices. Frequented by locals and tourists yet retaining a funky charm and old decor. And it's in a fantastic location. The ring of Kerry and Connemara are the best.

Ed

Nice Pics Ed
 

Ed

Great stuff ! I had been wondering how you were getting on - delighted you made it into Affric - it seems that the days riding we spent in the pi**ing rain was to be the first of many - no excuse for not going out in the rain when you get back to OZ - enjoy the rest of your time in Europe - we will keep watching this thread - ride safe Bruce and Stel (Chizz)

Hi Ed
I hope France will deserve you a better weather...
Let me know when you will approach Tours as we will be away for the Catalunya GP begin of july

ride safe
laurent

Hi all,
Today I'm in Souillac, after riding around through picturesque little villages and forested hills and valleys in what I guess is the Perigord and Dordogne.
I think I'm putting on weight despite long hours riding and or walking around up and down hills. The food is fabulous and cheap.
A recent highlight was last night at Eymoutiers where I stayed at Le Moullin de L'enfant, an old mill that has rooms and a retaurant run by a sweet old couple. The restaurant is actually built partway across the mill weir so it's like you sitting in the middle of the river. The food was really very good and 3 courses for 16e00. See pic.

I'd like to thank Laurent and Carol for thier wonderful hospitality and for showing me around some of the chateau of the Loire valley.

I'll probably make it to the Spanish border day after tommorrow. Till then,
Seeya

Ed

It's very nice round there isn't it!

This is a copy of my notes

The Gates of hell are in Durango
Rode to Bayonne. Hectic traffic. By the time I figured out where I was going I was in Spain. Even more hectic traffic and the signs made no sense and I didn't have a map, and the place looked like crap. I managed to head for the beach and found an OK place after much riding around in circles. Got some lunch, a raw hamburger and chips urgh!! , and a map. The signs still didn't make any sense, lots of x's and strange spellings that seemed to be pronounced somewhat differently than one would expect.
I followed the often stunning coast road. Much of it is built out on pilons or carved into cliffs. The buildings however are ugly. The occasional resonable one but most look like they were built by the Victorian Houseing Commission circa 1960. And lots of them. A real shock after beautiful spacious France. And the people are surly and if your lucky you get an unemotive Ola.
Gernika was on the way so I planned on stopping there. More few old buildings and a lot of giant toilet blocks. The places to stay were either expensive or not open till late. I got hassled by a beggar who thought I was on the De capostela ( or whatever) jaunt. And I didn't like the place so I headed off in search of somewhere to stay.
Several hours and one thunderstorm later I found myself on the outskirts of Bilbao. Lots of Heavy industry and junk and general decay . No sign of a hotel or anything. I couldn't ever find a McDonalds to get on the net to look. Before I knew it I was in the centre and there was the Guggenhiem. That and a couple of other buildings were of some interest, but of course it was closed and there was nowhere to park. So I parked on a footpath and got some photos. It took me ages and another storm to find my way back out.
I thought I would head for Pamplona, hoping that in a different area it would be better. There was a turn off at Durango, and being a sucker for an interesting place name, I past through the gates of hell. At Durango any pretence of style was abandoned on the housing blocks. The air was foul with the emissions of heavy industry. And the roads went round in circles. I eventually found the way out to what looked like a road through the hills. Me thinks pleasant scenery. There was some, but only as a teaser to contrast the hellish aspect of the place. Valley after valley that went on for hours, I would ride through a picturesque little place, turn a corner and come into the midst of a steelworks or huge electrical substation or other noisy smelly monstrosity, hemmed in by grim tennement blocks. Fantastical road works flew overhead tempting me back to Bibao or the other horrors I had left.
Darkness decended and still no refuge could be found. Another soaking in a storm and off up a winding mountain road to another hellish valley. By this time I'd been riding for a LONG time, kept going with chocolate and Red Bull. Someway up a particulaly steep and twisty bit of road that had quite a lot of traffic, I had to pull off for a rest.
The ground was slopping and uneven gravel, so I put the bike on the center stand. After a while I recovered enough to set off again. I had given up all hope of a room so I was just looking for somewhere I could roll out the sleeping bag. Of course I couldn't get it off the stand. I tried a number of times and after one particularly vigorous attempt it came off and promptly fell over. This is one heavy bike. So I unloaded everything, and still couldn't budge it. I remember the Long Way Round training on such things and dragged the bike around to use the slope to my advantage. Miracle. It worked. This is after quite a while of inefective trying to flag down a car to help. Scratched up the fairing a bit but there you go. It turned out that the hill ended just around the corner and it was a fairly gentle decent from there.
Several hours later, some time after midnight, after many more ups and downs, after another thunderstorm on a section of motorway with cars zipping past at high speed, I found the road to Pamplona, and a place to pull off. I could barely stand I was that tired. I layed out the tent as a ground sheet and layed down in my clothes.
I just started to drift off and it started to rain. So in the moonlight I had to erect a wet tent . It took a while. Finally sleep.
I hate Spain.


Spain, or at least this part of Spain is like something one would expect of Soviet Russia. Heavy industries and bleak workers paradise cities under the toxic plume. And situated in picturesque but now desecrated mountain valley's. I guess they did have a dictatorship for a long time, and this is the Basque region where there has been a lot of tension. Anyway I didn't like it at all




Fri 2nd god knows where on the Road to Pamplona
I didn't sleep to bad considering I was in my clothes, boots and all, and damp. I guess exhaustion does that too you. I packed up and headed off through the hills. The scenery was at times quite spectacular, though as usual the best places had nowhere to stop to get the shot. That was one thing the Scotts were much better at. After coming out of the mountains near Pamplona, it was a whole different Spain to look at. Rolling hills and the fields were gold with wheat or oats or something. However the towns and cities were no better and the place was untidy and run down. I somehow found my way through the centre of Pamplona to the road that runs up over the Pyrenees back to France. The scenery is very beautiful and the hills are steep and the road is hard going on the heavy old BMW.

I've now recouperated after a day off in Oloron Sainte Marie. But it's raining right now so who knows what will happen tomorrow.

Ed

Well, the bike trip is over. I rode on for a few more days, the highlight being the Tarn gorge area near Millau. Fabulous scenery and little mountain villages, though hard going on the narrow rough and twisty roads.
I had to face the fact though that I was stuffed, and the body wasn't handling it anymore, which was taking all the fun out of it.
I made the big push back to Bradford to return the bike, and now I'm in London for a couple of days before heading to Paris on the Eurostar for a couple of weeks.
I realy wanted to go home but the airline I flew with is booked solid, so I can't change my flight.
But I had a great time. Scotland was wonderful and the get together at Cannich was one of the best parts of the trip. And I loved France.

Ed

Hi Ed,
Glad to hear you had a good one
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_7_3.gif
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/28/28_2_8v.gif


Keep intouch http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_8_211.gif
Rory
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/26/26_17_4.gif

Nice one Ed !
 

Glad you had a great trip and that we managed to provide you with one of the highlights despite the weather! Sounds like you were pretty knackered by the end - safe flight home Ed

bruce

Hey there! I'm brand new here :)
I'll be in Ireland in August, I'll check that pub out for sure :P
I'm still in love with the scottish cask ales, and I don't want to miss the irish counterpart.
Thanks for the advice!

Cheers, Max!

Glad to read you also here, my friend!!!

Thanks mate! hope you enjoyed your beers ;)

Well guys, I'm still here, though without bike.
I'm in Florence after a week in Paris. Just doing the tourist thing.
It's fun, but I must be recovered as The last few days I keep looking at the bikes and having a little pang of regret.
Then I get a pain in my wrist(from lifting another beer) and feel how hot it is and how it would be not that much fun in all the gear, and I get over it.

Home sweet home
 

Well it's all over. After Florence I went to Siena. What a great place that is. Then to Rome for 5 days. Interesting but really crowded. And back to London.

It was a great trip and I enjoyed meeting the Hubbers along the way.

I took the SV 650 for a spin in the hills yesterday, and after the loaded K100, it felt like a rocket powered bicycle. Heaps of fun.

Bloody hell, I'm Home.

Hi Ed
Throughly enjoyed following oyur travels. I am off across the Simpson to Perth next month, but when I get back I wouldnt mind catching up for a beer and picking your brains for tips for my own euro trip next year.

What would I do next time?
 

Now that I've been home for three weeks (man that went fast), I've had some time to think about how I went about the trip.

1st off, the bike was both a good choice and a bad choice. Good because of the great arrangement I had with the guy I bought it off, and the reliability of the bike(except for the clutch breaking). I didn't even have to put air in the tyres in 6000miles. And it did the miles easily.
Bad, because it was a bit heavy to manhandle at low speeds and parking, and was hard work on rough and winding roads.

Camping gear. Saved money on a couple of occasions and was needed for Cannich and TT, but a lot of weight to lug around. Next time, I'll spend the money and stick to hotels and B&B's, and save the weight. I'd also choose a lighter bike, something like a 650 V strom or even an SV 650 or something similar.

Riding gear. I'd leave the leather pants and racing boots at home and get something like Draggin jeans and some suitable boots that are OK for walking around in. Also I'd take a waterproof coverall, as my "waterproof" jacket wasn't.

I think my idea of doing it without a guide book or GPS was a mistake. There is just so much stuff packed into Europe, and with the inability to read alot of the signs, I guess I probably missed alot on the route I took, and a GPS would have been real handy in the large towns and cities. Mind you, I actually enjoy just riding through the landscape and discovering whatever turns up.

I really needed to slow down the pace. There was just so much to see and so little time. And going on my own meant that there was no one to slow that down for me. This was especially pronounced in France because of the language barrier. I found that I put in more hours on the bike because I was a bit lonely. This worked out to be counter productive as I had to cut the bike leg short because the body couldn't take it anymore.

Don't take all this as meaning I didn't have a great time. It was a blast. And having to deal with the weight has made my bike at home seem so light that it's now a lot more fun to ride.

I'm going to put some of these thoughts to the test in October when I ride down to Melbourne to go to the GP and visit my Mum.

I hope these observations help in the planning of others trips.

Any questions? Feel free to ask.

Ed