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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 15 Apr 2002
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Off-Road Europe
Hi,
I may have asked this in a roundabout way somewhere else on this board, but I thought it would be good to get off-road info on Europe all in one place.

We will be taking a 6-month tour through much of Europe, including the east, Turkey, and Morocco. There is plenty of info on road riding and off-road in Africa, but we're interested in the legality and specific riding areas in Europe. (How about some local racing organizations too? Might be nice to enter a low-key Enduro. Do you have Hare Scrambles in Europe?)

Freek, thanks for your useful postings. Don't ever let anyone tell you the Adventure is a road bike. I love mine off-road!

fun fun
Charlie
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  #2  
Old 15 Apr 2002
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Thank,

I won't turn your off-road enthousiasme down, but in western Europe the (legal) off-road possibillities are poor. Especialy in the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switserland and Belgium.
I can guide you in the east off the Netherlands for some dirt roads, but don't expect to much.

If you 'do' the Netherlands, you can stay in my log-cabin for free.

Freek
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  #3  
Old 15 Apr 2002
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I've also 101 roadbooks through Spain.
And I have detailed maps from Piemonte (Italy). I've been there last september. You can go 3000m alt. there by motorcycle.

Freek
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  #4  
Old 15 Apr 2002
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Hi,

Best place to go for (legal) off road in Western europe is France, Spain and Italy.
Like Freek said, the rest is not worth while for serious off road. To much rules and regulations.
But the three I mentioned make up for this.

Maarten

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  #5  
Old 15 Apr 2002
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Off-road Europe. What about the east? It would be interesting to hear from someone with information on Romania, Hungary, Chezk and Slovak-republic plus other eastern-europe countries. I know that enduro is big in Sweeden, and Norway is great for mountain-climbing endurofans.

I have heard about competions in Romania called Enduromania (www.enduromania.net). So off-roading there must be good.

Next year I will myself drive down Eastern-Europe on my way to Africa, so all information is appreciated.

Jakob
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  #6  
Old 21 Apr 2002
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I have met several people who have gone to Western Romania for dirt riding . There is some private land for recreational use .

Perhaps a little digging will yield more info.

El P.
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  #7  
Old 21 Apr 2002
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Hi Charlie
Good topic starter, I hope a lot of info comes your way.
You dont mention the UK but these are the people to get in touch with. The Trail Riders Fellowship. Just pick an area you want to ride in and phone them up. They will probably take you out with them on their Sunday rides or make sure you have the correct maps and routes to keep you legal. ( as you will see they usually meet in pubs which is the sign of a good group in my eyes)
www.trf.org.uk
Another good site is www.brianeland.com/ with a bit of info on the events in the UK and on the continent.
Have a good old dirty trip
andy
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  #8  
Old 22 Apr 2002
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Since I am only 2 hours away from France I would like to know what is allowed concerning off roading in France and what not. Who can be contacted, where to find maps? All info is welcom.
I live in Belgium, and as said before... legally they are really cracking down on enduro riding and off roading. ..
France would be great to go and have some practice from time to time.
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  #9  
Old 22 Apr 2002
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Here are some sites of organisations that do offroad tours in Europe (mostly Eastern)

http://www.endurofunten.de/
(i hope you speak German)

http://www.enduromania.net/
In Romania

http://www.roadbooktouren.de/

http://schalber-events.de/
The AltaTuria (Spanisch Pyrinees) has allready started but the Transdanubiaride (Germany to Romania) is in august.

Succes
Jeroen

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  #10  
Old 19 Aug 2002
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Germany is almost a nogo for offroad...

As far as I know there are a few not-paved tracks in every area, but the best bet would be to absolutely avoid the overpopulated areas such as Berlin, Hamburg, the Ruhr Valley and Munich and the greater outskirts (some few 50ks out) - if you are happy with some gravel road you might be lucky to find a sign telling you, that there's a city or village in that direction - go there and there's a good chance no one will stop you - if there's no sign - there's a good chance it's illegal!
However - where there's no one to get you caught - nothing will happen.
There might me some tracks in the alps!
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  #11  
Old 20 Aug 2002
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Hi,
Chris from Romania may be a useful contact. Just set up his own tour buisness

http://tmtours.freeservers.com/

I am off to eastern europe on sept8th for 6 weeks - will post info on my return

Gavin
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  #12  
Old 25 Sep 2002
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As said before,in Spain , France and Italy is still possible (not everywhere) to make offroad (better : dirt roads & not paved) routes , bad thing is that are in general short (eg. 5 to 50 kms) good thing is that in general are in the most scenic places :-)
better to ask to the "locals" (even in english..)
for france try the fr.rec.moto newsgroup , but long the alpine border to Italy there is a network of ex-military dirt roads still free to ride (tunnel et col du parpaillon, between Guillestre & Barcelonette, Briançon and its surroundings) balanced on the Italian part of a similar one..(Jafferau, Sestrieres-Assietta-Colle Finestre)

For Spain try es.charla.moteros newsgroup , for Italy ...feel free to ask me :-) Alps & Dolomites are a real must , with southern Italy, Sicily & Sardinia still "free ride" countries
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  #13  
Old 3 Feb 2003
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Hi, in Spain I could recomend you the "Transpirenaica".

I did it last summer and was very good experience.
It is a Off-Road trip from Cadaques(Mediterranean) to Hondarribia (Atlantic).

I think that were around 800 kilometres off-road following a bycicle guide. Some areas are difficult to pass some are paved.
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