Europe 2017
 

Hi folks

Just thought I'd let you all know about my planned trip for next year (early July) in case anyone may be interested. I will be taking my trusted BMW R1150RT for the journey and I am planning to spend around 4 weeks in total. The route is approximately 4200 miles. It may have some mild variations as I go but it will mostly follow this path.

I will be doing some camping along the way and some B&B or cheap hotels, probably 50:50. I've never done 'wild camping' so I would love to include a few nights of that just for the challenge.

About me......I'm a 50 year old male with the outlook of a 21 year old. I am very easy going and I like beer. I'm not an alcoholic though and I don't drink to oblivion but I do like to sample a few pints of what's on offer. I ride sensibly and I'm not a 2 wheel mentalist. My trip will involve as few motorways as possible and I would like to think there'll be plenty of time to make it at a very leisurely pace. I'm the kind of person who arrives somewhere for the night and if I like it I may stay for a day or two. I don't see the attraction of being on the road all day every day or being everywhere but not actually seeing anything if you know what I mean.

So if anyone thinks this could interest them then please let me know. I'm happy to go alone, I don't mind that. Just thought it may appeal to someone else.

Chris

Hi Chris, great trip from the look of it, we did a similar route around France last year, from Calais through the Alps, along the Med coast and up the West coat back to Calais, squeezed it into a couple of weeks but was hard going towards the end. Going back again the end of August to do a similar route down to the Med and back up the Route Napoleon at a bit more of a leisurely pace. Would be interested in your trip next year.

Mark

Hi Mark
Isn't France the most fabulous biking country! I've been there on the bike a few times. The small towns and villages are a joy to ride through and the scenery is stunning in places. I know what you mean by hard going too. Rushing a trip like that takes part of the fun out of it, that's why I want to do it with lots of time to spare.
I'm particularly keen on going to different countries as well. I'm not a culture freak, I just want to see what they're like. Keep an eye on the thread and we'll see where it goes.

Chris

My thoughts on what you want to achieve
 

Chris, from another 50yrs (21yr outlook :thumbup1:)

The trip you have planned looks easily achievable in the time you have allotted, but I think you may struggle to achieve your desires as detailed in your post. Don't underestimate how long you can spend enjoying a small area of that map. (and beers) I would easily spend a week playing in the Alps in France, Austria & Italy. If you are going to hit Croatia too it's very easy to spend 1 or 2 weeks exploring both the coastal region and inland, two very different areas. Your route down through Western France to Northern Spain and the Pyrenees 2 weeks easily or more could be enjoyed there. If you plan to travel the French Riviera all the way into Italy you really won't want to spend less than a week in my opinion, it's fab all the way ( can be slow going too)

From what you say in your 1# post it matches my way of travel pretty closely. I do pretty much what you describe. I would not include your entire route. I would probably be inclined to split it into two trips. That way you are more likely to achieve your desire for a more relaxed experience of the countries you pass through. More able to spend more time off the bike exploring or sampling local brew / food or what ever.....

I can thoroughly recommend Croatia, all of it. Also time spent in the Alps on route makes a great trip

Of course none of this will mean anything to you if it is all about the 4200mile ride, but I get the idea it may not be. Just my thoughts.

Hi Tim
Thanks for your thoughts. I suppose my thinking is that I would like to see all of these countries AND do it in a fairly relaxed way. It's a matter of finding an acceptable balance. I know France, in it's various regions, could be a 4 week trip on it's own and I'm sure that could be said about the other countries too. My simple thought process is that if I have 28-30 days I can doss around for 15 of them if desired and make reasonable progress on the other 15 without having to do 500 miles in a day.

Chris

Love riding through Europe, except the north France/Belgium/Holland bit. Every time I have been in those parts it was only to pass through so stuck to the main routes so found it flat, wind swept and inevitably wet. Oh and in the case of France, shut!



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If you come to the Netherlands I have a free room available and can guide you through the part called "Zeeland". That's the part of the Netherlands we fight back water since ever.

After a temporary blip this plan is now back on! :D