Germany trip

[Chain driven]

Hi people looking at going newcastle to ijmuirden ferry then head for cochem,boppard area 2up on a heavy cruiser sightseeing and the culture big twisty road are sadly out only way I see is hitting the big road to do the distance to get there? Any good info. Advice would be appreciated trip total 7days

[Oldie]

I would avoid Cochem - far too touristy with shitty postcard shops. Just continue down the road to somewhere like Zell, or right down to Trier. The entire Mosel valley is great for bikes (as are the roads up on the plateau)

Normally I just put up with the motorway miles until I hit the Eifel region although try and avoid Maastricht as they are still digging up the city centre (which the "motorway" runs straight through).

Alternatively, head through Luxembourg on your way down, via Bastogne. There are some great twisty roads on your way to Witz, Colmar-Berg or Vianden. Try it.

Another route is turn left at Liege and stop at Monschau on the way down.

Edit - ok, avoid lux - just noticed your comments about the twisties

[spnorm]

I've taken the ferry from Newcastle to Ijmuiden a couple of times, both for trips to the Mosel. It's a PITA getting to decent roads to be honest. It's easiest just to head to Aachen as quickly as possible on the motorway and then you're straight onto the sublime B258 out to the Nurburgring and down to Cochem

The best ferry port for the Mosel is Zeebrugge and even if you're heading down from Scotland, it's a lot more fun heading cross country through Yorkshire to Hull than it is riding through Holland.

[spnorm]

I actually like Cochem as there's a good selection of restaurants and a nice castle. Just stop on the other side of the river.

I've stopped in Klotten just up the road a few times at the Hotel Zur Post. Great food and indoor parking (not that you really need it in Germany). The only downside is that it's next to the railway line (as are a lot of hotels in the Mosel and Rhine valleys), but ask for a room at the back.

https://www.motor-bike-hotels.co.uk/motorcycle-hotels-europe/motorbikehotel-germany/germany-hotels-motorcycle-hotel-zur-post-mosel.html

[Oldie]

[Chain driven]

Well that's not only a quick reply but some really good info. As well thanks oldie and spnorm will take a close look would like to base in the one place and tour round about thanks again

[spnorm]

Another option is to stop on the Rhine. We stopped in Boppard in May which is not as busy as Cochem, but still has a decent selection of restaurants. The Hotel Ohm Patt has nice rooms, a good breakfast and is very good value for money. It's owned by a Brit and is biker friendly too

https://www.booking.com/hotel/de/ohm-patt.en-gb.html?sid=c35aeda19137bdc806f71df6c242ace0;dcid=2

One place which is a must in the area (well about 100 miles from Boppard) is the museum at Auto und Technik Museum, Sinsheim. It has a huge and stunning collection of planes, cars, bikes, tanks and trains

https://sinsheim.technik-museum.de/en

[doggone]

Yes I'd recommend The Rhine, I made the river just south of Koblenz easy enough in a day from Amsterdam, but agree there's no obvious direct route.

It's touristy but a good intro to Germany where most seem to speak English.
You can just drift south into The Black Forest and Lake Constance if you can be relaxed about accommodation.

[J biker]

[quote="spnorm"]I've taken the ferry from Newcastle to Ijmuiden a couple of times, both for trips to the Mosel. It's a PITA getting to decent roads to be honest. It's easiest just to head to Aachen as quickly as possible on the motorway and then you're straight onto the sublime B258 out to the Nurburgring and down to Cochem

quote]

Plus 1.

We had a few hours to look around the Nurburgring area on our way down last year. I was too hung over to attempt the ring while the GF watched the luggage!
Cochem, whilst touristy is rather nice IMO.
We had a night in Ravensburg out to the East of the Black Forest, also nice for a walk around and a few beers.

Germany is superb its just a shame it always seems to rain when I get any where near Baden Baden and the B500

Got a lads trip again this year and we are doing the Newcastle to Ijmuiden crossing outbound and back via Calais Dover. This way we can do a nice big loop down through the Alps without having to travel the same roads twice.

BTW, last July the West side of Germany was a gridlocked nightmare with road works on the motorways..might be worth checking.

[Oldie]

[stinkwheel]

Get off the ferry and take the minor road straight ahead across from the ferry port exit. Keep going for a mile.

After about half a mile, you'll see Joe Cools Coffee House on your left. Park your heavy cruiser round the corner rather than directly in front of the Big Red Machine shop. Inhale then back on the road. Get on the E40 and stay on it until it's dark.

Welcome to East Germany.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Casper]

[spnorm]

[Casper]

Ijmuiden - A9 - A2 - South. Job don't. You must have got lost as there is no need to go into Amsterdam. A lot to what ferry port to use depends on what part of Scotland you are coming from.

[spnorm]

I meant getting past Amsterdam on the A9 too - still hate the place

Academic for me really as I live in Haworth (too near Bradford), so Hull's much easier for me. I just used DFDS when the Hull ferry was too dear about 10 years ago, but it now seems as cheap or cheaper (and I'm not as skint as I was then).

[Chain driven]

Hey thanks again people for your valued input as I,l be coming from south of Glasgow Newcastle is my best one as prices just now (bloody hell nearly 300 Quid )are the same. Planning for the end of May looking at boppard 2day head south some 2days then 1day closer to ferry return (who said it rains when he gets close to b500 I,v never see a pic. Of a rainy Germany )

[spnorm]

[spnorm]

Although it was scorching in Sinsheim the day before

[Tiff]

I always just ride late on from Fife down to Dover, grab an hour's sleep on the ferry then get into Germany by early morning and get my head down there for a day somewhere. Last year on the ZZR we left Fife at lunchtime, and had our tea the next day in the Black Forest. I just head towards Saarbrucken, turn right and autobahn down to the good bits.Heading back again in June.

https://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y73/tiffx19/23072012078.jpg
____________________
1996 Kawasaki GPZ1100s,1996 VFR750,1980 BMW R80,1982 Kwak Z250B,1992 ZZR1100C,1996 BMW K1100LT,1994 Kwak ZZR600E,1993 BMW R1100RS,1992 ZZR 600D,1988 BMW K100LT,1998 Aprilia Pegaso 650,1994 Suzuki RF900,1991 Yamaha XJ600, 1988 Honda Dominator,1992 Kwak KMX125,1987 Yamaha RD50MX,1984 Honda MBX50.1984 Honda Superdream 125

[Casper]

[Chain driven]

L.o.l gpz750 I,m scots don,t know what posh is the one of a girl group the newcastle is about 20 quid cheaper than hull and the cabin is the one up from the sleep by the hairy truck driver!! Was told the base cabin is very cramped any tips I.e do they supply tie downs ok any odd driving habits should watch for and heard the food is crap on ferry I recon. Even with traffic and 2up on a knees to the breeze ride should Coast it in 6hr. thank again for the load of info. People soaking it all in

[Casper]

DFDS supply ratchet straps for the bike. As many as you need. Yeah food is basic but its help yourself buffet so stuff yer face. Beer on the boat is expensive €4.40 a pint of shitty Heineken. When you get off the boat in Holland you will see a garage at a roundabout. Fill up. Its slightly cheaper than the ones on the motorway. Don't worry about running out as the road south has many a motorway and you should be down at the border before you need food. Don't flash your lights to let someone through and don't think they are letting you through. Watch in smaller streets. Traffic coming on your road from the right tend to have right of way. You will be fine just look out for the turnoff to get the motorway south when you leave the garage as its easy to miss if you are not taking a sat nav.

[Casper]

Forgot to say. I don't book evening meals. Take snacks and eat just before you get on the boat.

Newcastle. Food served all day here and its a stones throw from the terminal. You will see the gate at the roundabout if you swing the picture left

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=54.995107,-1.460519&spn=0.000006,0.005284&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=54.995107,-1.460519&panoid=ibsvY5ArrrTOOEEqRCeiIg&cbp=12,249.11,,0,1.37

On the way home. This place at the port serves food all day

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ll=52.458745,4.596332&spn=0.000003,0.002642&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=52.458745,4.596332&panoid=qlPRMVKdi925qp4E_01xrQ&cbp=12,331.85,,0,-7.31

Down that road is the ferry and swing round behind. You will see the garage I was on about.

[Chain driven]

Can't thank you enough gpz750 the info you have taken the trouble to give has been of great help this is my first European trip . Mate can,t make it so just us , recon. Last week in May will be booking ferry soon should not be too crowded at that time and hopeful weather is kind many thanks again

[Casper]