UK to France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Alps, August 17th - OMG!

[Az]

Hi all,

Am new to the forums here!

I have been inspired by many a ride tail from your fine selves, and feel it's about time I stopped procrastinating and just did something myself too!

I've just bought a G650GS and was hoping to give it it's first real adventure by heading out into Europe along some scenic routes . The last time I attempted this, my bike was stolen the day before we were about to go. In the end, I took an awkward position behind my friend on his bike and we travelled to Turkey and back anyway, meeting an endless horde of lovely strangers along the way!

This time, I'm going to be on my own, and to be honest with you travelling alone across Europe on a bike with all my stuff on the back is a bit daunting. It's one thing doing it with your mates, or planning it and buying gear and preparing - it's a whole other ball game actually doing it alone and going off into the horizon! sounds cliched and obvious, but this is my mindset at the moment!

Yet this is what I've been dreaming about for ages, and it'll be great experience for a much bigger solo adventure in the future. Thus I'm still going to take the plunge into the unknown...!

It would be great to have people come along! I was hoping to camp, primarily, trying out various routes through the Alps, and spend 2 weeks doing it. Let me know if anyone's interested!

Az

[Toyark]

Welcome to Horizons Az

Try not to worry and just enjoy yourself.
And as for being 'alone,' in summer in Europe there are thousands and thousands of bikes on the road mostly riding the usual places like the Alps etc.
You'll have a very hard time avoiding them so you should get some help if something was to go wrong.
Go explore - it's a beautiful world out there (mostly!)

[yaapi]

Hi Az l have a simular trip planned for a slightly later date have .e mailed details to you

[Az]

Originally Posted by Bertrand

Welcome to Horizons Az

Try not to worry and just enjoy yourself.
And as for being 'alone,' in summer in Europe there are thousands and thousands of bikes on the road mostly riding the usual places like the Alps etc.
You'll have a very hard time avoiding them so you should get some help if something was to go wrong.
Go explore - it's a beautiful world out there (mostly!)

Thanks Bertrand! That's very encouraging and helpful to know!

[Az]

Originally Posted by yaapi

Hi Az l have a simular trip planned for a slightly later date have .e mailed details to you

Hi yappi, thanks for the message! The thing is I'm on holidays at the moment and go back to work on the 1st September, which would only give me a few days if I left later! Big shame as I'd have liked to ride with you!

I can let you know where I am when you decide to leave and perhaps we can meet up later somewhere in the continent? Thanks for getting back to me!

[g6snl]

Az, Welcome the hubb.

I will be a few hours in front of you I think. Will be setting off Friday 16th at 19.30hrs from Folkstone on chunnel. Night in Calais then early start sat. Heading down through France to Lake Geneva (worth a visit and camping right on the banks of the lake) then across Alps into Italy making our way down to Rome . Bit further down and then across to Croatia from Bari. You are welcome to meet up somewhere if you catch up. Camping pretty much all the way. Usually have a big first day down to Geneva then slow down and enjoy all we can find.

When do you land in Calais? Could possibly meet up at geneva and head over the alps on grande st benard pass into italy for as far as you fancy

[g6snl]

I guess the OP didn't go.....

sent with tapatalk.

[Az]

Hi!
I did manage to go. In the end I went on my own and didn't have time to check the forum, so apologies for that! I was so busy getting ready, setting the bike up, planning the journey, never realised how much work goes into it, and this was just for a two week journey!
I learned a lot about myself as a biker and a person - finally confident around mountain hairpins and in my own company.
Would recommend everyone to just go for it! Anyone got any plans for the future?
Az
P.S. how do you add pics?

[g6snl]

Glad to hear you went. Now you're probably hooked for life!
For pic uploads use the tool bar above the "reply to thread" box, hover over the icons to see what it does ( 14th icon on mine) best make your post in "trip reports" rather than here. Plans for future inc. Turkey Aug 2014 see thread. > UK to Turkey and back August 2014 <