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Cadbury |
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Cadbury Crazy Courier
Joined: 05 Oct 2011 Karma :
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Posted: 11:24 - 09 Apr 2018 Post subject: Daily mileage? |
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Hi all, looking to pick the brains of those with experience of longer bike trips.
Got a group of around 4/5, we are in the early stages of planning a trip around Europe at the end of August. Looking at 8 or 9 days total.
We've not done a trip of this nature, or distance before, so my question is - How much is too much? Or, worded differently, how far is too far? Is the stelvio pass feasible in my timeframe?
We'd rather do more scenic routes rather than motorway-destination-motorway-destination.
Does anybody have recommendations for great routes/areas to visit?
We are piecing together places or things we'd like to see. So far we have Stelvio pass, Nurburgring and my Dad wants to visit Bruges on the way back to Calais. I'm concerned that stelvio is a bit too far to add to the route.
Cheers in advance for the advice BCFers ____________________ NC700x. |
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raesewell |
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raesewell Traffic Copper
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fireyphoenix1... |
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fireyphoenix1... Brolly Dolly
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 13:05 - 09 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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I'd forget the Stelvio as a destination in its own right (what's the appeal of that one?) and just go for the Grimsel/Furka/Susten loop. Throw in the Nufenen for added fun and scenery. Not quite so far to go, and more than enough to keep you entertained for 2-3 days. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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doggone |
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doggone World Chat Champion
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Cadbury |
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Cadbury Crazy Courier
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 14:30 - 09 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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Cadbury wrote: |
I'd only really picked Stelvio as that's so well know, but the ones you have suggested are equally as good, but 'closer'. Perfect! |
I haven't actually done the Stelvio myself, but have read what others say about it, and studied photos of it. You'll get your share of hairpin bends on the ones I have suggested, but much more besides. Good riding roads, plenty of cafes, great scenery. I went in early July, and never any major traffic to worry about. The Nufenen Pass in particular, during the week, was virtually empty
I might choose the Stelvio if I was heading for the Italian Dolomites, but even then, I'd take time to look at alternative routes first.
*Shameless plug* have a look at the relevant link in my sig (Switzerland 2017) ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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barrkel |
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barrkel World Chat Champion
Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :
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Posted: 03:35 - 10 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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600+ miles is doable on a motorway (more wind protection, more easy), but it's super boring.
200 to 250 miles is very doable on fun roads with chunks of fast road connecting them, and a 1h30 stop for lunch. I'd typically head out at 10 or 11, stop for lunch somewhere around 2, and get where I want to be between 5 and 8. If I have to get up much before 9, it's not really a holiday.
If you like to stop and take photos, wander around a sight, etc., then the pace drops dramatically, especially with groups. I did a wander around Normandy with a bunch of chaps and we barely broke 140 miles a day, stopped 3 or 4 times.
The best roads usually either follow mountains (rather than cross them, or if they do cross them, do it obliquely) or rivers. Many of the Alpine passes aren't a lot of fun to ride; when you don't have camper vans and buses to overtake or dodge, it's just straight, hairpin, straight, hairpin ad infinitum - it's not flowing at all.
Re 8 or 9 days: the first day will most likely be crossing into France and the first night won't be very deep in. The second day will be a lot of motorway to get to somewhere semi-interesting in some foothills somewhere. Then you can wander around on days 3 to n - 1, and as long as you're within feasible distance of Calais, you can probably go all the way home on the last day. It's easier to cover longer distances on the last day than the first, because you're going towards more familiar roads, and as you get tired and the night falls, you can look forward to getting into your own bed. So subtract 3 days from whatever the distance is, and that's what you have to play with.
If you're coming from a long way away from Folkestone, or are taking a ferry instead of the tunnel, then subtract another day for the end bit. (A glance at the map dot on your profile, and I'd definitely include a day for that, possibly two.) ____________________ Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ |
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BTTD |
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BTTD World Chat Champion
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Enduro Numpty |
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Enduro Numpty Could Be A Chat Bot
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 11:46 - 10 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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barrkel wrote: |
The best roads usually either follow mountains (rather than cross them, or if they do cross them, do it obliquely) or rivers. Many of the Alpine passes aren't a lot of fun to ride; when you don't have camper vans and buses to overtake or dodge, it's just straight, hairpin, straight, hairpin ad infinitum - it's not flowing at all. |
Usually. The great thing about the loop I suggested is that you have the three passes with some hairpins, but you have the roads connecting them to enjoy in between. And as mentioned, in early July they were pretty quiet. I don't recall seeing a single caravan, and only one or two coaches, in the whole three days I spent riding them. Climb the high passes for views, have riding fun between them
I also remember the road getting from Ramsau to Grossglocknerstrasse being more fun than climbing the pass itself, which was quite busy. But same thing - had fun getting there, enjoyed the scenery on the way up.
The exception was getting between other places in Switzerland. Long, boring road on the valley floor, heavily speed-limited, and very hot when I did it (out to Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Tasch, from the east).
But some of those major passes heading south to Italy just look a chore. Stelvio? Kris mentioned the Tende pass to me; looked at photos: Just a means of getting south.
Some of the passes on the Route des Grandes Alpes were good for riding though, in between the hairpin bits; they weren't just hairpins all the way up and down. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 12:36 - 10 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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Regarding distances.
I just wanted to get Belgium out of the way quickly as possible, so motorway for that bit. The trip I mentioned the link to, I thought was ideal: Down to Luxembourg in one hit, which still left me time for an early evening leisure ride. This assumes you don't get lost along the way! But it's a fairly straightforward route. Then down to the top of the B500 for the next bit. Some of that was motorway the way I went, but left me with time for another leisure ride around the Black Forest in the late afternoon when I got there. B500 and then all the way down to Meiringen was quite a long day, starting with the fun bit, slow and boring through the north of Switzerland (I avoided the need for vignettes).
Three days to have fun around the Swiss Alps.
Coming back, a long day including the Route des Cretes back up to Metz. Tired after that one. A long, boring motorway ride back to Folkestone next day, but the tour is effectively done, just want to get home now. Got to the Chunnel terminal way too early, despite very leisurely breaks, and even a short nap at a service station, but got an earlier-than-booked train too. (Tip: I was told at the Chunnel check-in that they can usually fit a bike or two on earlier trains if you get there way in advance of your booked time - 4-5 of you would be worth checking in advance for though, perhaps).
I used a day each way between Carlisle and Folkestone/Dover. Still had an evening spin on the way down.
I didn't have any time constraints, but didn't feel the need to use any more days for any of this. 10 days total.
Groups will always slow you down, balanced in my case as a solo effort by stopping a lot for photos in interesting places.
My bike (Fazer (FZS)1000) is reasonably comfortable over long distances, good wind protection for motorways, but did get a bit saddle sore on occasion! ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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stinkwheel |
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stinkwheel Bovine Proctologist
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Posted: 13:04 - 10 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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Consider a service like bikeshuttle where you put the bike in a container and take it on ahead of you. You fly out and pick it up at, say, Tolouse then jump straight onto the good roads.
I haven't done them but a mate is a huge fan of the Italian Alps, he says the major hill passes/Cols are best done very early in the morning before they get busy. Ride out, hill pass then find somewhere for breakfast.
Leaving early in the morning gets you on the road and you find the distance goes much quicker. When I did the Round Britain Rally, I was averaging 150 miles a day and that included a certain amount of faffing to find checkpoints. It was almost entirely on A and B-roads on a bike with a top speed of 55mph and I was usually in a camp site by 3pm If I made sure I was packed and away by 9am.
If I want to do serious distance, it's get up, cuppa then jump on the bike early and stop for breakfast once I have a few miles under my belt. Amazing the difference it makes to the distance you can do. ____________________ “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. |
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chickenstrip |
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chickenstrip Super Spammer
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Posted: 13:30 - 10 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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stinkwheel wrote: | Consider a service like bikeshuttle where you put the bike in a container and take it on ahead of you. You fly out and pick it up at, say, Tolouse then jump straight onto the good roads. |
Having done most of the good routes down now, I'd definitely consider this if I was to head for Italy again. But if you haven't yet done them, B500 and Route des Cretes are worth doing at least once. The Black Forest has some very good roads if you want to spend an extra day there, though not much else to see. Luxembourg also has some good roads to enjoy en route. It was nice to sample a bit of the local scenery, cafes etc even on the less interesting parts. I enjoyed it all really, but would happily skip the Low Countries on future trips, unless I was interested in historic towns/cities, the best of which would require detours from the route anyway. ____________________ Chickenystripgeezer's Biking Life (Latest update 19/10/18) Belgium, France, Italy, Austria tour 2016 Picos de Europa, Pyrenees and French Alps tour 2017 Scotland Trip 1, now with BONUS FEATURE edit, 5/10/19, on page 2 Scotland Trip 2 Luxembourg, Black Forest, Switzerland, Vosges Trip 2017
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-Monty- |
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-Monty- World Chat Champion
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Ste |
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Ste Not Work Safe
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Posted: 19:07 - 10 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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Spain to Amsterdam in one go was fun. |
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arthurmo |
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arthurmo Borekit Bruiser
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Powderhead |
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Powderhead Trackday Trickster
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Posted: 10:03 - 11 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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Ste |
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Ste Not Work Safe
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Powderhead Trackday Trickster
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Ste |
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Ste Not Work Safe
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Posted: 16:37 - 11 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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The bikes were in the back of the 4x4. |
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Powderhead |
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Powderhead Trackday Trickster
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Ste |
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Ste Not Work Safe
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Posted: 20:37 - 11 Apr 2018 Post subject: |
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There was no cheating, dirt bike on the back of my pickup for a couple of weeks in the Pyrenees.
But plans change and after doing a lap of Spain we were running low on weed so decided the best thing to do was to drive to Amsterdam.
Then you get to Amsterdam and discover that there's no where to park a fark off great big 4x4 apart from at an expensive hotel that has a ground level carpark. Everywhere else has multi stories which we didn't stand a chance of getting into.
[/cool story] |
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MCN |
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MCN Super Spammer
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raesewell |
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raesewell Traffic Copper
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Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 6 years, 16 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
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