Bilbao to Calias
 

Hello

My first entry on this site, and indeed my first European tour by motorcycle. To set the scene;

I am hoping to travel from Portsmouth to Bilbao and then take in this northern part of Spain, into France, maybe touch north/west of Italy, into Switzerland, maybe Austria, Germany (Black Forest), up to the Strasbourg, then through Germany to Belgium and finally Calais - Dover ...

Now the planning is in its infancy, and I have allowed 2.5 weeks, thing is I have not as yet reviewed road maps (so any good recommendations would be helpful), nor do I have an idea of how long its likely to take or indeed the miles/km that would need to be covered. Yes I am a novice :0)

Anyways … has anyone got some suggest routes to take, places of interest in terms of natural beauty, historic towns, places to stay that kind of thing. I am aiming to do this in June / July, and would like this to be leisurely and not be under too much pressure to get the miles/km in every day.

Has anyone done similar, any advise from the more seasoned bike traveller would be very helpful and appreciated.

Cheers

Mark

Europe
 

Sounds like a nice trip, i'd have a look at the millau bridge in france, stelvio pass when you hit italy and if you are going germany the nurburgring after the black forest. Maybe visit brugge on your way back to calais. If your using the motorway's in switzerland and austria you'll need a vignette (tax) available at or near the border, most shops etc. I know the swiss one is availabe online before you go if you are that organized. Try and keep of the m-ways and you'll have a great time, and try not to plan to much either accomodation is plentifull.:thumbup1:

Bilbao to Calias
 

Cheers for that, I did'nt know about the taxes so thats useful information. In terms of miles/km that would need covering per day what would you estimate. Like I said I wanted this to be relaxing and enjoy the countries visited, but unsure if 2.5 weeks would be sufficient. Anyways cheers for the information.

Regards

Mark

Opposite way round - that rings a bell!
 

Yor trip sounds good.
Im doing the same, only the opposite way round - mostly France down to Monaco then accross to Andorra via Millau bridge down to Malaga then back up through Bilbao. We go in September.

I've planned almost everyday but, who knows it could all change on day one. About 2500 miles all up. Im bringing my Trumpet back from australia just for that so it must be good.

Cant wait! (feel like kid at Christmas - Im 47)

All the best
Steven
Oh - I've posted an extract of one of the videos around Verdun gorges - see Kirk family website

Trip
 

Depends on what you want to do, do you want to have days off the bike to see the places you are visiting or just to stop for lunch, you could spend 2 weeks just riding around the french alps stopping for the odd day. I reckon to do the trip you suggest would need mileages of 230 a day on average sometimes more sometimes less. If you want to stop for a few days obviously the mileages go up. I dont like riding more than 250 in a day and ive done roughly what you are suggesting with a couple of days off. Try working out your route on via michelin that will give you a good idea of the distances you plan to cover.

Mark
There is a similar query and answers on the thread "Bilbao to Calais".

www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/europe/bilbao-to-calais-32842?highlight=bilbao

Andy is probably not planning as much as you but might be useful to look - or even contact him.

I thought I had read this somewhere else! Boy, have I been confused. :rolleyes2:

Seeing double Dave?

LOL
LOL

Traveling more than 300k/per day is too much, in my opinion. when I first began running through Europe, I was planning 400, 500 and even 600k days. And I realized all I was doing was riding to a destination, as opposed to enjoying the places I was in. Now I give myself seven hours to travel 250-300km in a day, with plenty of time to stop and look around, check out anything that interests me and the occasional picnic type lunch (I carry bread/cheese and salami everywhere I travel). It has more than doubled my enjoyment of traveling these beautiful areas. Then again , it's been winter and camping really hasn't been an option yet. Once the camping weather sets in, I suppose limitations on riding won't be necessary as I don't need to worry about making it to a 'destination'.

Good luck on your trip, perhaps I'll see you out on the road. Look for a black Beemer with NY tags!

Hi wile e,

You mention on another thread that you have been riding Europe in the winter; how about putting up another thread ( not :offtopic:!!) telling us what the deal is with this - weather, lack of daylight, accommodation available (a lot of hotels in some countries close out of season) etc etc.

Just a thought,

I used the Michelin Europe (Tourist and Motoring atlas) during a three month trip of Western Europe. It has a ring binder down its spine so it is very tough.

It was all I needed to navigate.

Bilbao
 

I am also planning a trip from Bilbao - Calais Mid june to early july. I am planning on about 20 days hopefully. The ferries booked i just need to plan the route. I have decided to just pick out several places i want to see then work the rest out when i get over there. I want to do about 250 - 300 miles per day but not every single day. I strongly agree that you need to see things and visit places rather than just be on the bike.

My rough route

Bilbao,madrid,Alicante,Barcelona,Paris,Calais

Originally i was supposed to be going with my girlfriend but we split so looks like it may be solo. Unless one of my mates can get the time off.

I'd make sure I didn't miss the Col de la Bonette in the French alps above Nice. If you use the Autoroutes/Autobahns you can knock off a 500 mile day in 12 hours if you put your mind to it and then rest on the ferry. This often gives you an extra day somewhere nice. As a daily mileage I usually plan on 250 miles. This is a nice day out from your campsite or a ride between campsites. If you want to go and explore a city for the day then about 100 miles round trip back to your tent is a nice day. You will find what suits you. A lot depends how long it takes you to get on the road. Some of my bike trips have turned into camping holidays when I find it hard to leave the site before midday. Don't rush, you're on holiday. Have two weeks in Spain and the south of France and enjoy the area you're in. If you're on your own you'll have to talk to the locals and I find this one of the most rewarding parts of travel. So if your a couple or a group of mates don't miss this aspect, make the effort to interact with some locals. It will make your trip. The rest of Europe isn't going anywhere. Leave some for another day.

Truer words haven't been written.

About 5 hours surely ? Maybe a bit extra for coffee and fuel :) You don't use autobahns for the scenery after all....

trip bilbou germany
 

Hi Must see would be Gorges Verdon, Grand Canyon of France,60 miles north of Nice, San Bernadino Pass, old road. and in Switzerland using Interlaken as a 3 day base all of the passes in Switzerland, Amazing and on the way to Black Forest.

Regards Ray

North of the Black Forest.
 

Hi Ray,
I was meant to do your trip in reverse this year but halfway through i was let down my mates who turned for home, alas i didnt complete the trip.
Anyhow, firstly 2 1/2 weeks is more than enough, even staying off the motorways, which i'd advise. That trip works out about 1100 miles if my memory serves me, so limit yourself to 200 miles a day, and enjoy. When you come up through the black forest, be sure to use the B500.... awesome road mate. If you feel like stopping in Baden Baden for a night ( or 2, you have the time ) look for Cafe Lohr, smack in the middle of the town opposite the big Cathedral and fountain. Theres a Serbian lady who runs it, cant remember her name, but mention me ( Lee ) i stayed there twice this year, and she'll look after you. Nice town, great people and fabulous beer!!
If you fancy some advice, from there go north, toward Kaiserslauten, and make your way towards the Eiffel region. This is where the Nurburgring is, and its one of those things you have to do once in your life. Dont beleive the hype either, the Ring kills no one, they kill themselves by not respecting it. Theres a real nice hotel in Auderath on the B259, called Hotel Wilhelmshoe ( think thats how you spell it ). Its run by an English woman, Jackie, and her German husband, Ulrich, who is also the chef. The place is real nice, secure garaging for your bike, the food is top notch and its not at all expensive. If you mention me to Jackie she'll know who your talking about ( I've stayed there about 8 times now ).
That whole area is beautiful, great riding, the Mosel Valley is spectacular, go to Cochem... real picture postcard town.
Good luck anyhow, if you need any more info, drop me a line.
Regards!!

im not sure how close to your route it is but Harmonie-Hotel Waldesruh - Bikers welcome is a good place to stay. its run by an English ex bike journo who moved out there as he liked the place so much.
only other thing i can think of as ive not travelled much yet is the road south from santander to burgos? is great. high empty plains & ends in a valley with what looked like hundreds of vultures circling overhead.

Avoid mediterranean coast towns in my country. They seem all the same and they are overcrowded of people and hotels for "guiris" (English and German tourists). Don't ride in Barcelona city unless if you are used to ride in big cities (there are lots of alternative ways to visit Barcelona).

Inner roads about 40 km far from the sea are much more interesting to ride a motorcycle. Maestrazgo country or Sierra Espadán in Valencia - Castellon is very nice to see Parque Cultural del Maestrazgo Parque Natural de la Sierra de Espadán , and way to Barcelona, don't forget Ports de Basseit Els Ports Parc Natural or Penedès country DO Penedès

Just some suggestions of my beautiful and sunny country!

do it
 

We did Bilbao on the ferry from Portmouth, cutting out the boring france bit, take the single night route not the 2 nighter (zzzzzzz). Monday night arrival though. Drop off to the Picos de Europa, its only a few hours west and worth a peek. The grand tour takes a good days ride and is great practise for the Pirenees and alps.
We did it on a fully loaded Goldwing with a total weight of about 500kgs, but still had fun. B&B s cheap and good roads.:thumbup1:

Hi Mark
 

Hello Mate,
Dont know if you already have one, but i cannot stress enough how good the tom tom rider is for this sort of trip. I used mine for Calais-Chamonix, through Germany, Switz, Italy, and although some die hards will say it takes some of the fun out of the trip, i can tell you now the time they save you is unreal. I did the trip last June, no motorways, planned the next days ride with a map picking out my route on the backroads, and never needed a map while on the road. If you need someone to help you with it, i'm in Romford and would be willing to show you how it all works. Also, if you bought one just for the trip, you can sell it on after and dont lose a great deal of money, I sold mine for £ 300.
Good luck, once youve ridden on the continent, you'll realise how crap it is here!!!!