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-   -   After Italy... Left, or Straight Up? (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/middle-east/after-italy-left-straight-up-19456)

Wez 4 Dec 2005 17:49

After Italy... Left, or Straight Up?
 
On your way from Italy to the UK, I have read that the best option is to choose France.

I've seen a number of posts that advise travel/bikers to avoid Switzerland & Germany if possible.

Switzerland - apparently - because of hefty road tolls and traffic, and Germany because of -- I can't recall.

A couple of people I've been in touch with said Germans were somewhat 'bike hostile'..

Whether there's any truth to the posts I have no idea, but there are a number of people out there who seem to regard Germany as not very easy to travel-bike through(?)

Responses please.

Stephano 4 Dec 2005 23:35

"A couple of people I've been in touch with said Germans were somewhat 'bike hostile'.."

Firstly, Germany has some of the best roads in the world. You might have heard the song... 'wir fahren, fahren, fahren auf der Autobahn...' They invented motorways.

Secondly, the world is filled with German bikers but I don't think they left because of hostility at home.

Lastly, I lived and drove in Germany for 5 years and I NEVER heard of any such hostility. Go there and enjoy it.
Stephan



JimOD 5 Dec 2005 04:24

Last time I was in Italy on the way home, I went through Austria, Germany France, Luxembourg and Belgium. I never experienced any hostility to bikes in any of the countries, Even when we stopped and dismounted in a bus bay in Germany, which prevented a bendy bus from entering. The driver simply stopped and blocked the road while we remounted and moved. He gave us a smile and wave as we moved.
Switzerland tolls are about 30 Euros which lasts you all year. You only need to pay that if you use a motorway. Switzerland has MANY roads and most of them are a pleasure so avoid the motorway.
If you're not in a hurry on the way back go through any or all of the countries http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif


Quote:

Originally posted by Wez:
On your way from Italy to the UK, I have read that the best option is to choose France.

I've seen a number of posts that advise travel/bikers to avoid Switzerland & Germany if possible.

Switzerland - apparently - because of hefty road tolls and traffic, and Germany because of -- I can't recall.

A couple of people I've been in touch with said Germans were somewhat 'bike hostile'..

Whether there's any truth to the posts I have no idea, but there are a number of people out there who seem to regard Germany as not very easy to travel-bike through(?)

Responses please.


beddhist 6 Dec 2005 18:14

Yep, there is some hostility towards bikers in Germany, but I wouldn't let that stop me from going there. There is also some hostility towards foreigners, but same in France. It's not common and you are just as likely to run into your average pig-headed so-and-so that is unfriendly for other reasons (or none at all...).

The real problem in these two countries is over-population (people and cars). The roads are often permanently clogged. Both can still be enjoyable on bikes, though: stick to the small roads and take your time. Avoid big cities and their surroundings and main roads leading to/from them.

France is less populated and so it's easier riding. Plus the climate is nicer, particularly in the South-East, where I have lived the last 7 years.

If I had to do this route and had the time I'd go via France: Alpes-Maritimes, Haute Provence, Vercors, Jura, Vosges, then perhaps through the SW corner of Germany and Belgium to the ferry.


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