This year's Eurotrip

ali-b · Trackday Trickster Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Hi,

Me and a couple of mates are going to Europe for a couple of weeks at the end of August. This will be a motorbike tour, using YHA and campsites as stopovers.

My question really is, are there any special places that people have visited in France, Spain, Holland, Germany or Italy that are really worth going. I've looked on loads of web sites etc etc, but I was hoping for a bit more of a personal recommendation...even if its just a particular stretch of road you rode...

We're all pretty flexible when it comes to route planning, so much so that we don't, at the moment, have a route Laughing

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Alex.

Jamie_C · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 Oct 2004 Karma :

Hello ali-b,
Well my brother went to the french Alps on his bike and said that was excellent. I have been to Bavaria and the roads and sights their are excellent too. For some info on German tourist routes you can go to the german tourism website. I believe it is www.germany-tourism.de or something along those lines. I should imagine other countries will have scenic routes mapped out on their tourism websites. Hope this helps.

ali-b · Trackday Trickster Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Nice, I've put a big highlight on a few roads on my giant map of Europe, some of the scenic routes seem pretty cool on that site, and the Alps at one point or another is a must Very Happy

natv4 · Brolly Dolly Joined: 31 Dec 2004 Karma :

Sounds cool. I am hoping to be that way around the same time, so may bump into you.

There are loads of places, and where ever you go, you're sure to find something interesting.

France/Italy
I would recommend the coastal roads between Saint Tropez and Genoa. Going through Monaco. Its absolute magic (just be careful with all those tight corners I frequently found oncoming traffic crossing the centre line.

Also worth a mention the D141 between Cassis and La Ciotat.

Spain
One of my favourite roads, which also has some amazing views, is the N-260 between Sort and Montferrer (near Andorra). Be prepared to loose your hero blobs on this one.

There are many many more. Basically, if you want nice windy roads, simply look on a map near mountains for small roads that zig zag a lot. These also tend to have breath taking views.

Alps
These are magnificent. Simply pick a route across and it will be memorable. I would stay away from long tunnels as they are rather dull (but a lot quicker if you need to catch a ferry). I always try and see how high I can go.

I enjoyed a beaut of a sweeping A road in Northern France between Le Mans and Santes. But I have no idea which one it was. I guess if you are covering that sort of distance you will see lots of beautiful roads.

Don't forget to write and tell us about it when you get back (For those of us who can't get there).

Good Luck and have fun.
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mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

Dunno but i think this might be worth a visit Razz

Take a good camera Very Happy

Hope you all have a good time, driveing me nuts not being able to do anything similar quite yet, next year... next year...
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ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

Nobody ever learnt from the Romans did they? Razz

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Fallen Angel · Franny the Nanny Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Karma :

ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

I'd definitely recommend the French Alps, like natv4 said you can't go wrong there. The N85, also known as the route Napoleon, from Grenoble to the South coast is a good one Smile

At a guess, is that photo somewhere in Austria?

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

I haven't been there but I've always wanted to try the Stelvio pass. It's the highest in Italy and near Switzerland.
Some cribbed images...
https://www.ski-epic.com/europemcycle2004/p148s_stelvio_pass.jpg

https://www.cimt.it/images/stelvio.jpg

https://www.bosenberg.com/jpg/img0026k.jpg https://www.my-mc.com/messages/31335/53015.jpg

Thumbs Up

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ProXimaCore · Dougal Joined: 01 May 2003 Karma :

Shit I was near there a few months ago too!
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Chriss · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 May 2005 Karma :

*adjusts knee sliders*
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EuropeanNC30R... · Gay Hairdresser Joined: 20 Jun 2002 Karma :

Fuck

! That'd be a bad time for the brakes to fail.

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

Grossglockner pass (put it in autoroute)

Also where Stelvio map says!

It might be a bit interesting on a lardy tourer loaded up! Shocked

But its what sports bikes were designed for...
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mchaggis · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

ali-b · Trackday Trickster Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Wow - awesome suggestions all. I've been out and about today (nothing bike related) so apologies for the late reply.

My giant map of Europe is looking better and better, with loads of suggested routes and destinations!

All of us will be taking cameras, so hopefully we'll get a few good stills for you all when we get back, I'm also toying with the idea of a bike mounted video camera too (if I can get a camera mount that doesn't replace my tank bag space)...kinda depends on luggage space I guess...

I'm currently wiring up a couple of lighter sockets to the bike to charge kit like cameras, as well as providing USB power to devices like phones etc etc

Cheers all Very Happy

Alex.

map · Mr Calendar Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Karma :

ali-b · Trackday Trickster Joined: 19 May 2005 Karma :

Ok guys, RAM mounting device has been purchased...hopefully I won't be posting a video of me sliding rapidly away from the bike/camera and towards a large French bus Smile

Found a highly recommended place near Chamonix on the alps...I forgot my friend's mum is French - DOH!

Not sure if we'll be going huge speeds all the time as there are 2 recent passers coming with, but I'm sure there will be a few views to peek at Smile

Special requests for photos/videos currently include :-

Alex with his knee on the floor
Alex with his elbow on the floor (hmmmm)
Alex with his ear on the floor (I think someone may be taking the mick)
Pictures of girls in bikinis
Pictures of guys in bikinis (thanks to my sister for that!!!)
Nice scenery (parent's suggestion)
Any 'by the roadside' fixes we perform
Any cool bikes we find
The entire male contingent at my work all replied at about the same time with an e-mail with the subject line 'GIRLS!' - lol!

As you can tell, there is a definate theme to the requests...more suggestions welcome - we'll see what random rubbish we can engineer for the amusement of the viewing public Wink

Alex.

Yeti · Trackday Trickster Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Karma :

I have just got back from europe on the bikes and we did one of the top ten biking roads in the world! its a must! If you go to the nurburg ring in germany which is great fun in itself! then take the 258 from nurburg town to auchen you will not be dissapointed 75 miles of smooth wide roads sweeping corners that you can see the exit from the entry ultimately one of the best biking roads in the world! it has to be done!
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stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Go for it! It will be a wicked experience. Ive been to France twice now on my zx6r, and the last time i went with my mate, was one of the best holidays ever!

My Uncle has sold up and moved to Spain this year, and once they get their new place fully sorted im hoping to ride over in sept or october to see them for a few days, and try out a few Spanish roads, though what i really want to do is a trackday in the sun!

mistergixer · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Karma :

Brittany, Corley to Guingamp.
Not as bonkers as those alpine passes, but such a good blast that we turned round and rode it again. Then we had to turn round and ride it again, just to get back to where we wanted to go.
The only downer was having a wasp fly down the neck of my leathers, stung me 3 times on the chest before crawling into my armpit and stinging me a further 4 times.
My mate (who was riding behind me) rounded a bend to be greeted by the sight of me, stripped down to my pants, at the side of the road, thrashing myself with a glove.
Embarassed

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