The route or the destination, whats more important?

Whosthedaddy · Super Spammer Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Karma :

When touring or even looking at touring, is it the route that is more exciting and considered in the planning or the actual destination?

Its all well and good going through some spectacular scenery but if you're blasting down roads with head down what's the point. Conversely stopping every few miles for a break and a few pictures doesn't really get you to the destination any time soon.

Or, is it get to the destination as fast as possible and enjoy the surrounding areas with bimbles and blasts?
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

sagalout · Nearly there... Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Karma :

Depends on the tour.

For me, Scotland is all about the journey, the roads and the scenery, so involved moments of just sitting back and taking it all in, followed by head down 'attack mode' for bits at a time. Whereas Normandy was all about the destination(s) as the roads there were fairly dull (compared to Scotland anyway)
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kitty kat · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Jun 2007 Karma :

For me it depends on many factors. The trip around Scotland was all about the route and the scenery taking my time reaching destination, a running away camping trip (which I have done frequently) is about getting to the destination, then having some enjoyable runs out from there. A Sunday run is about getting to the destination whilst enjoying a ride through the lanes and enjoying them, but still having chance to look around and every so often a quick blast, concentrating solely on the tarmac ahead.
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Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Depends what you do, if you have 4 days to get to Nice and back or something then it's going to be about the destination as you won't have time to take the scenic route and it'll just be a grind to get there and back.

When I tour on a bike though it's about the journey, I'll dedicate a couple of days to getting some proper mileage done to get to where the interesting parts start but the rest of the trip is about riding through nice places, taking photos and the end of each day is a destination with no real final goal to get to other than home again. My last trip the destination was Romania but I wasn't really that bothered whether I made it or not, everything good that I did and saw was on the way there and back.

If it's all about the desintation then IMO you may aswell fly there and rent a bike if you really want to ride when you get there.

RidersRest · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Karma :

For me it is the route, or the roads, the planning etc. The destination is simply the starting point for the next part of the ride.

I enjoy stopping a nd photographing along the route, simply relaxing over a good meal and a few wine's with good company at the end of the day before getting some shut eye in a comfy bed.
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suggs · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Karma :

for me also Scotland on a letjog trip it was the route, stunning especially the Highlands, also the 100 mile Hoons we had were great too..

Grayzo · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

you know as i have never been touring before the furtherst i have been is from anglesey to stratford (bulldog bash) lol

i LOVE the idea of touring and not knowing what to expect at the next corner.

the fact of having a heavy day of riding and enjoyment it just dousent seem to end in my eye. id love to have a meal have a few beers and have to do it all over agen the next day.

(got to go touring)
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Clanger · Stirrer Joined: 27 May 2004 Karma :

It depends entirely on what I decide the journey is all about...if for example I am off to visit my friends after a day at work, I will take the most direct route there. On the way home, it is more than likely I will opt for a lazy, more scenic route, and set off in plenty of time in order to enjoy this.

I usually do this, so that the homebound excursion outweighs the fact that I'm going home. Idea

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natv4 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Karma :

I think it was best said by the most famous bike travelling non-biker...

The journey IS the destination.
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c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

The most important thing is the adventure.

I like to my ride bike. When i stop riding, i like to look at my bike. When at my destination, i like to talk about my bike and have a few beers with friends. I then like to party, pick up girls and have them look at the bike. The next day i like to ride the bike again and so it goes...

Alexio · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Karma :

Definitely both. I haven't yet had an adventure where it didn't involve an amazing journey to an amazing place.
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The Shaggy D.A. · Super Spammer Joined: 12 Sep 2008 Karma :

The tea stops, and the quality of the egg and bacon rolls.
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Handsome · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Karma :

Depends, is it dark, hammering down and have I yet to put the tent up ?...
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c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

natv4 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Karma :

Alexio · World Chat Champion Joined: 27 Aug 2009 Karma :

Handsome · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Karma :

c-m · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 May 2006 Karma :

Phoenix · Twisted Firestarter Joined: 01 Aug 2002 Karma :

Vin · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Aug 2005 Karma :

It's the beer that is most important. Cool

John933 · Crazy Courier Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Karma :

It's six of one and half a dozen of the other ... Me I try and not plan more that 300 mile's in one day ... But my trip's are for longer than two week's ... Tent on the back ... First few day's have an idea where I'm going ... And then it start's to change ... I'm off to Spain this year allowing my self five day's to get there ... Which is only a three day journey ... So hell know's what I'm going to do with the other two day's ... Just get lost and see what happen's ...
John933