Newbies in Europe

[caz1]

Hi

Me and my husband are planning a 2 week trip into Europe next June. Starting out with the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, we want to travel down to Southern Germany, taking in Austria and Switzerland, returning up through France to return via Calais - Dover. Has anyone done a similar trip? Being the net-nerd, I'm the one lumbered with finding routes and I'm struggling to join together the 'good bits' whilst avoiding miles and miles of motorway. Obviously, we want to do lots of scenic routes over the mountains but all I can find recommended on other sites is small stretches.

So far I've got a sort of vague route going down to Heidelburg, then Munich, Salzburg and somewhere in Switzerland!

[Redboots]

Originally Posted by caz1

So far I've got a sort of vague route going down to Heidelburg, then Munich, Salzburg and somewhere in Switzerland!

Once you get to Germany, pick up the B3 (Bundestrasse 3 - wikipedia it) at some point. Its one of Germany longest roads.
When you get to Heidleberg, hang a left and follow the Neckar river to Neckarsulm (NSU came from there and so does Audi). Then south to Munich

Buy a book with the long-winded title of Motorcycle Journeys Through the Alps and More by John Hermann. Its about 26 squids in the UK but if you like trips through the Alps, its a must.

On my web site I have a route that takes you from Pass Thurn just pass Achensee in Austria to Klausen Pass in Switzerland. Its about 650 miles and we did it in 4 days but that was a bit of a rush.
PM me if you want a link

John

[EMBEE]

I have no specific routes to recommend but my two penn'orth is, do not attempt to do too much, enjoy the trip. Build in flexibility; should you find a location you like and wish to spend some time there (maybe not even riding the 'bike, shock, horror!) you are able to do so.

[Caminando]

Originally Posted by caz1

Hi

Me and my husband are planning a 2 week trip into Europe next June. Starting out with the ferry from Hull to Rotterdam, we want to travel down to Southern Germany, taking in Austria and Switzerland, returning up through France to return via Calais - Dover. Has anyone done a similar trip? Being the net-nerd, I'm the one lumbered with finding routes and I'm struggling to join together the 'good bits' whilst avoiding miles and miles of motorway. Obviously, we want to do lots of scenic routes over the mountains but all I can find recommended on other sites is small stretches.

So far I've got a sort of vague route going down to Heidelburg, then Munich, Salzburg and somewhere in Switzerland!

Your "vague" route is fine. Dump the rest. You cant go wrong really, so enjoy!

[Gecko]

Hi Caz

You'll find some fine riding in Germany. The route from Rotterdam to Luxembourg is a bit boring but aim for south east Belgium and it will take you directly into the Ardennes , Luxembourg and on into the Eifel in Germany - all lovely areas for riding. Head south down the western edge of Germany towards and through the black forest. If you follow the Mosel river south you will pick up some great routes. Take a look at BestBikingRoads.com Motorcycle Travel, Motorcycle Touring, Motorcycle Routes, Motorcycle Roads, Motorcycle GPS, GPS Motorcycle Rides, Motorbike Roads for some biking inspired routes.
Never mind the comment about your comfort zone .... just get out there and enjoy yourselves

[Steve Pickford]

Nice route is through the Black Forest via Freiburg, detour to Basle & then head east past Lake Constance (Bodensee). You can drop down in to Switzerland & Austria from the east end of the lake or even cross the lake via ferry from Friedrichshafen.

I'd also think about heading south in to northern Italy, riding through the Alps eastwards & then heading back north again via Munich etc.

Look through the Ride Reports & Regional Forums at Adventure Rider Motorcycle Forum for inspiration, photos & more advice.

Check out my pics in the Travel & Motorcycle galleries at: Steve's photos- powered by SmugMug

[Joe C90]

We've done similar routes on similar timescales,
As everybody says, don't commit yourselves to too much riding per day, time off the bike is as important as time on it.
I would suggest you do the mosel, and accross and down the rhine, then down to Bodensee, the roads are superb, people welcoming, and tons of cheap B&B.

oh yes, you will ride past the nurburgring, well worth a gander

Enjoy!!!!!

[Walkabout]

You have some good advice already with the posts here; consider visiting Garmisch-Partenkirchen is my offering (South of Munich on the Austrian border)- you could even take a BMW there at certain times of year!!
Anyway, you won't get around everything in 2 weeks and will want to return in future trips.
Get a decent map of the Alps and surrounding areas and go where-ever takes your fancy.

[exrm193]

Best road in the world ever. France. N85 Grenoble - Cannes. or Cannes - Grenoble obviously. Swiss/Italian border - Stelvio pass. Well worth the effort.
France again. L'Alpe D'Huez road. Short but used in the Tour De France. Central Massif - N122/N128 anything around Aurilliac. Millau bridge - just to say you`ve been over it.
Spain - Local road between Tossa & Lloret De Mar. 20k of nothing but hairpins.

[oldbmw]

I would suggest you go to Viamichelin.com and set the road choice parameter to scenic/discovery That will certainly send you along some pretty roads. Just play around with it a bit.

[Als Dog]

Go for it.

I did a round Europe trip last year. Loved every minute of it. However I did find the Hull-Rotterdam ferry extortionately expensive. I paid about £370 return. If you are in no hurry it may be worth hitting Europe from from a southern port you could save yourselves up to £300. I had no real plan I just took each day as it came and just ensured that I would reach Rotterdam in time to come home.

I'm planning to head East this year. Poland / Ukraine. Any recommendations out there.

Al

[craig76]

Originally Posted by Als Dog

However I did find the Hull-Rotterdam ferry extortionately expensive. I paid about £370 return. If you are in no hurry it may be worth hitting Europe from from a southern port you could save yourselves up to £300.

Last year was my first time in Europe on the bike.

If you're going to book your ferry early, Newcastle to Amsterdam with DFDS will be a little under £200 return for a 2 person cabin and 1 bike. From northeast England, it works out roughly the same in time/cost once you take into account the fuel to Dover (and back) and a night each way in a B&B, probably in Belgium.

The two things that swung it for me were that I wouldn't need an extra day off work to travel down to Dover and the number of people who told me that travelling through Belgium was mind numbing. Spoke to a couple of lads from Newcastle (also first-timers) when I was in Germany who confirmed this and that the cost saving of going via Dover was no cheaper overall than what I'd paid.

There were a few people from Yorks and Humberside who had made the journey up to Newcastle when I went. There was also a couple from Edinburgh as the prices travelling from Rosyth really are extortionate and that's for a seat, not a cabin.

[Joe C90]

Booking the hull rotterdam/zeebruge ferry is expensive if you go direct to P&O north sea, best try a company called motorsport travel, based near york, they could do the tickets much cheaper, £200 ish for two people , bike and compulsory cabin.
This worked out cheaper for us, saving the awful ride down the m1/m25/down south, the tyre/fuel costs (1100cc kawasaki), and the ferry gets to the continent at a handy 8am, so I class it as an overnight hotel by my standards.

[Cowhoon]

Hi there.

I spent august touring europe and the alpine area's were definitley the highlights. Just buy a decent roadmap and look for the sqiggly roads with thick green lines along the side. They are scenic routes and were always worth riding. Throw in some mountains and it's happy days !. Most of all, try not to do too much as has already been said and enjoy it.

But be careful...it's addictive !.

Paul

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Joe C90

Booking the hull rotterdam/zeebruge ferry is expensive if you go direct to P&O north sea, best try a company called motorsport travel, based near york, they could do the tickets much cheaper, £200 ish for two people , bike and compulsory cabin.
This worked out cheaper for us, saving the awful ride down the m1/m25/down south, the tyre/fuel costs (1100cc kawasaki), and the ferry gets to the continent at a handy 8am, so I class it as an overnight hotel by my standards.

I've used Motorsport Travel for ferry bookings, quite a few times overall, and they can get you a discount on just about any ferry route except to the Isle of Man for the TT!
So, it may still be cheaper to travel by DFDS from North Shields than via P&O: best to contact Motorsport T and see what they can do for you.

Motorsport Travel