Around Europe

[Cush]

Can I get some advice on a trip please? Do's and don'ts.

UK
Stavanger
Nordkapp
Murmansk
St Petersburg
Moscow
Odessa
Istambul
Corinth Canal
Brindesi
Monaco
Barcelona
Almeria
Melilla
Cueta
Algeciras
Lisbon
Paris
UK

Is this route do-able? I'm thinking of taking about 3 months.

[Walkabout]

A circumnavigation of Europe, more or less - why not indeed.

A road bike on sealed surface roads fits the bill.

Take a read into here for anything specific about individual countries and I believe you will need a visa for Russia.

Timing: well that is very much up to you and what you want to do along the way - Nick Sanders would be around that route in a few days!

is due also!

[John-DownUnder]

Some initial thoughts....

Do include the Norwegian fjords and mountains above them (can suggest a route from Bergen to north of Molde).
Do include the Amalfi Coast and the Tuscan hills around Sienna when in Italy.
Don't visit the French Riviera in August (unless you like traffic and crowds).
Do include the Millau Viaduc in southern France.

Just IMHO

Will you have a GPS?

John

[Martynbiker]

when in Spain and in the Almeria area you must try to see Cabo de Gata especially the beaches of Monsul......at night the Milky Way and more stars than you knew existed can be seen as there is NO light pollution.
To get to Monsul you have to go through SanJose, the Italian Restaurant on the Main street does a great Menu del Dia.

There is also a Biker bar (no up to Much but OK) and David the Bookman ( above the morrocan shop) does secondhand English, German, Dutch and Spanish Books, say Hi from Martyn if you go, watch your shoulder on the wall as you go up th stairs though!)

Las Negras is just 15km up the Coast and is the 'Hippy' resort if you need a chill out.

Enjoy!

PS there is NO camping allowed at Monsul. except for he 50 or so people that camp there every weekend. but be prepared to be moved on at 8am by the Park patrol Guys. Just dont speak ANY Spanish and you will be OK.
There is a great little Campsite on San Jose though with a Bar but is quite a walk into town.

Martyn

[Mike]

Hello Cush

It's taken me 18 months to get from Murmansk to Tarifa -- 20km short of Algerciras -- so the first thing I'd say is, make sure you're comfortable riding long distances every day! I'm riding in an anticlockwise direction, following the coast the whole way, so although our trips are quite similar I have first four and last four places on yr list.

As everyone here will say, the most important 'Do' is simple: just do it.

Don't try to stick too closely to plans that make sense before you set off. Yr perspective will change and so will some of the things you want to do.

More specific questions tend to get more specific answers!

--Mike

[Ruioliveira]

Originally Posted by Cush

Can I get some advice on a trip please? Do's and don'ts.

UK
Stavanger
Nordkapp
Murmansk
St Petersburg
Moscow
Odessa
Istambul
Corinth Canal
Brindesi
Monaco
Barcelona
Almeria
Melilla
Cueta
Algeciras
Lisbon
Paris
UK

Is this route do-able? I'm thinking of taking about 3 months.

hello Cush
if you came to Portugal say something,and a pay you a .
Rui

[jonnymac]

Hi Cush,

It sounds like an interesting trip.. what sort of bike are you riding ?

When are you planning this trip for ? Are you travelling Solo or with some friends ?

Regards

Jonny

[royzx7r]

Hi Cush,

Sounds a nice adventure, All the very best to you. Do you have the bike to use for this or are you getting one specific for this trip.


Martyn,

Your right man, The night sky there just blew me away.



Roy

[Cush]

Hi all,
Thanks for the replies, here's the answers so far.

John, GPS......no. Just the odd couple of maps. I intend to buy the local ones en-route and ditch them when done........ No... I'll post them home.

Martyn, thanks for the info.

Mike, 18 months! I had hoped to do it all in 3. I'm looking at around 200 miles a day. I'm thinking it will be around 10,000 miles in total? How was Russia? Did you cross the Ukraine? So many questions....I don't know where to start.

Rui, the first is on me.

Jonny, it'll be in the summer. My '98 DR800S, I've had her from new and tweaked her a bit, she's an old friend. I've a few mates lined up, but it depends on whether they can get the time off.

Roy, thanks for the support.

Suddenly I find I have rather cold feet..............

Think I'd better get some pressonitiss.

[Martynbiker]

Originally Posted by royzx7r

Martyn,

Your right man, The night sky there just blew me away.
Roy

1st time ,Grand Canyon............WOW!

2nd time, Monsul beach on a moonless night ..........OH WOW!

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Martynbiker

1st time ,Grand Canyon............WOW!

2nd time, Monsul beach on a moonless night ..........OH WOW!

Is that the Monsul beach Martyn, just below the town/village? (the white bit).

Live Local Search

ps I agree with the "don't" given above - the French Riviera in the high season is a pain with traffic and tourists - bad enough to get in the way of bikes as well as cars etc.

[MarkE]

Cush

Looking forward to reading your blog for this trip as I'm planning something similar myself and may learn something. After a few false starts I've finally admitted I can't leave until my younger daughter is a bit more settled (not a complaint - there is no point having children if you are not going to raise them, although living with one wife and two teenage girls, I have been tempted to just get on my bike and run away).

I was working on 6 to 8 months for the round trip, and I was afraid that was a bit rushed, but we all travel at our own pace, and mine is s l o w .

Good luck.

[usl]

Instead of south coast of Spain, i would recommend north coast.

South coast was very very crowded ...

After Malaga, how hard i tried, i couldnt avoid getting into traffic. Although the settlements were small in scale, they were so close to each other, sometimes it was bumper to bumper.

Didnt enjoy the ride up to Barcelona.

[Martynbiker]

[quote=Walkabout;164636]Is that the Monsul beach Martyn, just below the town/village? (the white bit).

No, go through San Jose, then on to a dirt track ( well gravel road) and it is a 5 km drive to Monsul beach....
here is a Pic you should be able to see the co-ordinates ckear enough

[Walkabout]

Thanks Martyn; I wasn't too far away and the whole area looks good to visit.