Resend my activation email : Register : Log in 
BCF: Bike Chat Forums


Oh no, another 'trip adivce' thread!

Reply to topic
Bike Chat Forums Index -> Touring & Exploration
View previous topic : View next topic  
Author Message

Quickly
Crazy Courier



Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 00:23 - 04 May 2010    Post subject: Oh no, another 'trip adivce' thread! Reply with quote

Let's assume I get the bike sorted out, I've put together a bit of an itinerary for what I'd like to get up to. I'm definitely starting in Pamplona for the bull run. I've put in bold the essential parts of the trip, in italics the desirable parts and the rest is just filling in between.

Any comments, advice, tips etc welcome...

Day 1) Arrive in Pamplona from Portsmouth-Bilbao ferry
2) Pamplona
3) Pamplona to Andorra

4) Up early, first 'big' day, a blast along the south of France to somewhere an hour or so from Monaco
5) Early to Monaco, a day there, early evening on to Italy
6) To Pisa
7) Day in Pisa
8) Early start, another big day to Swiss alps
9) Early start, to Liechtenstein
10) To Eagle's Nest, staying in Bertchesgarden
11) Early start, big day down through Austria to Llubljana
12) Morning and early lunch in Llub, then down to Sarajevo (cutting across Croatia, south of Zagreb)
13) Day in Sarajevo, then evening on to Serb border area
14) To Belgrade morning, afternoon and night there
15) Up to Budapest, night there
16) Day in Budapest, evening to Slovakia (just over border)
17) Big day, across Slovakia into Poland - Auschwitz area
18) Day at Auschwitz, doing an hour or so west in evening
19) Early start, over border into Czech and as far west as can go
20) Into Germany (short day, doing WWII sights)
21) Big day through Germany
22) Through Germany, into Holland for a night ferry Zeebrugge - Rossyth

This may seem very exact, talking about 'early lunches' and stuff, but really it's just what I have written down to show to myself it's do-able. I'm actually giving myself 24 days, so there's two days lee way.

As well as seeking general advice, I do have a few specific questions:

Will two days extra in case of breakdowns/unscheduled stop overs be enough?
I haven't been able to get mileages up on my computer, but looking at a map the daily distances all look fairly do-able. Are they?
What's the Visa situation (I will look into this)?
Do I need any other documentation for entering countries?
I'm probably going to go across Italy to reach Alps/Eagle's Nest anyway, but I'm doing Pisa to qualify as an 'ancient sight', something I've resolved to see before I go back to education. Can you think of any other ancient sights on the route?
I've given myself three days to get across Germany because I'm fascinated with the Nazis and WWII (aren't most people?!). Any must-see sights along the way?
Finally, this is just a draft outline. Apart from possibly the Swiss Alps section (how many routes are there from Italy to Lietchenstein?) then it's not certain what roads I'll take at any point. Any reccomendations?

And I'll put down everything I've jotted down on paper for clarity. So, I have nights in: Pamplona x2, Andorra, Pisa x2, Lietchenstein, Bertchesgarten, Lubljana, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Budapest. And days in: Pamplona x3, Andorra, Monaco, Pisa, Lietchenstein, Eagle's Nest, Llubjana, Sarajevo, Belgrade, Budapest, Auschwitz.
____________________
...
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Grazoid
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:12 - 04 May 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lot of riding - all motorways ?

To me sound far too ambitious and you will likely need a couple more rest days.

But if screaming along so fast you can't see the scenery floats your boat - go ahead... after all it's your holiday.

Also Google Earth and viamichelin.com should be good guides for planning and expected timings.
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts

Quickly
Crazy Courier



Joined: 29 Apr 2008
Karma :

PostPosted: 11:48 - 04 May 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Grazoid wrote:
Lot of riding - all motorways ?

To me sound far too ambitious and you will likely need a couple more rest days.

But if screaming along so fast you can't see the scenery floats your boat - go ahead... after all it's your holiday.

Also Google Earth and viamichelin.com should be good guides for planning and expected timings.

That's not what I was going for at all. I tried to give myself about 200 miles a day. That would mean heading off about 8 ish and finishing 5/6 ish, with time to stop at one big sight or a few little'uns in between. Then a few big days of 300 - 350 dotted throughout the trip, usually just after a rest day.

As I say I haven't looked at mileages yet, will do later, but I'm guessing it doesn't fit those^ parameters?
____________________
...
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

Clanger
Stirrer



Joined: 27 May 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:00 - 04 May 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

My advice would be to read through all the other advice given on touring across Europe...yes there is plenty...most of which answers your questions. Then just go and do it.

Stop over analysing everything, or it will become far too structured and less of an adventure. Think of all the other adventurers who didn't have all these modern technologies and the like, the ones who entered into such things with the spirit of adventure.

Go away, have a good time, come back and write a blog about what you did, what you saw, what good times you had etc. and highlight anythings you might do differently next time. Thumbs Up
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message You must be logged in to rate posts

c-m
World Chat Champion



Joined: 12 May 2006
Karma :

PostPosted: 12:23 - 04 May 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

No chance. At least not of being fun. Thats a huge distance and other than a day here or there you'll always be on the move.

Best just pick on region and stick to it. In 20 days about 3500miles is ok and that would still inolved some massive rides, but you'd get 3 nights or so in your favourite spots.

The day at Auschwitz is a whole day. You won't have time to do much else.

You also stand little change of getting from Austria to Sarajevo in a day still feeling like you want to see anything.. it'd be late by the time you got there anyway
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website You must be logged in to rate posts

Grazoid
Scooby Slapper



Joined: 09 Jun 2004
Karma :

PostPosted: 13:54 - 04 May 2010    Post subject: Reply with quote

Also riding the Pyrenees sections and the Alps - If you are riding the scenic roads you have to realistically allow an average of 30MPH.

In general in France , if not using Peage, expect to average 45 to 50 MPH depending on if it is a big tourist area, and similar in the rest of Europe. In the Balkan areas I have been told it can drop down to an average of 40 , even using main roads.

Also a good time to stop is around 4 ish as a lot of non chain places to stay will have no-one around after about 5 ish as they will be eating/preparing their evening meals. That includes campsites!
 Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail You must be logged in to rate posts
Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 15 years, 245 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
  Display posts from previous:   
This page may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. By clicking on an affiliate link, you accept that third-party cookies will be set.

Post new topic   Reply to topic    Bike Chat Forums Index -> Touring & Exploration All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum

Read the Terms of Use! - Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group
 

Debug Mode: ON - Server: birks (www) - Page Generation Time: 0.06 Sec - Server Load: 0.44 - MySQL Queries: 13 - Page Size: 52.24 Kb