I Dont FLY so QE2 Southampton to New York then ride to Costa Rica back to NewYork Jul

[Mick Tabs]

Because i dont fly we are planning a trip round the USA end of July 2009 for about 10 weeks, we will arrive in NewYork on the QE2 and fly the bike out of london a week before then do the trip 'the long way round' so New York then north to Canada then over to the west cost of the US then down to, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, spend two weeks their then back up to El Salvador, Belize, Mexico, USA round to florida and the keys and back up to New York.

My Wife and I are having a work sabbatical for a 6 months or so and plan to camp the above ride 3-4 days a week and use cheap hotels on the other nights. We are looking to see if their is anyone out their who is planning this sort of trip next year? OR if anyone reads this and thinks its the kinda trip they would like to do with us? It would be nice to find 2 or 3 or MORE couples who would like to do this and we can certainly pool resources and have some safety in numbers. Shipping from the UK could also be cheaper with more bikes. Sam and i have put £10k by for the trip but will work out more depending on how much you camp and how much you use B&B!

Its looking like the trip should be fantastic but with the pound dropping by 25c from its $2 doller per pound its made it more expensive. We hope the pound will improve. The QE2 will need to be booked soon, as the cheap cabins will start to go!!! we are looking at about £1,700 per person return based on two sharing. Its a 6 day crossing all food etc included. If anyones done this round trip before please let me have your comments? If anyone wants to do this but needs help then all they have to do is ask and i can provide all the information you could possibly need.

About 14,500 plus miles is on the cards depending on routes and conditions.

Regards

Mick

[Mick Tabs]

Forgot to ask can anyone in the USA can recommend some nice camp sites maybe with GPS co-ords? Thanks Mick

[garrydymond]

That seems like a lot of riding in 10 weeks but also sounds like a great trip. If you want to come to Mex City send me a PM. We love getting travellers and my wife can make a good cuppa

[Flyingdoctor]

Does the boat not have a garage? You used to be able to take a vehicle with you on the boat. They probably think there is a security risk though but worth asking.

[Mick Tabs]

Hi Garry, thanks for the invite, we may just take you up on your very kind offer.

Hi Doctor, good point about the boat, ill ask the question but you could be right about a security threat!

Thanks Guys!!!

[Gecko]

Don't take this the wrong way but the opening thread talks about £ 1700 each tickets on the QE2 and then asks about cheap campsites .... I found that somehow amusing :confused1:

[acash8668]

One of the first problems is that Qe2 is not in service anymore! You will need to use the Qm2 however. The old Qe did indeed have a garage but it was removed in the 1987 refit( I used to work on board) What you could do is crate your bike to travel with you. Cruise ships have no luggage restrictions, but I am not sure if that would stretch to a crate.
I live in San Diego, born in London so can help at this end if needed.

[Mick Tabs]

Hi Acash, thanks for the info, thats very interesting. I wonder if i can blag a bike on the ship? Its going to be crowded in the cabin lol. What did you do the the QE2?

Thanks for the offer of help very kind!

Regards

Mick

[mcgiggle]

How did this work out in the end? I'm in the early planning stages.

Cheers
Pete