First Trip: Circle of Europe

[Fowlersrs]

For my first big ride abroad im planning to do a circle of europe, im not gonna go crazy as its my first ride but its going to be a big challenging ride as id like to take in countries I have never been too before.

Its going to be a 2 or 3 part ride, I cant decide yet, with a few short breaks in between to help me on my way, as this is my first ride I thought id treat it that way, also gives me time to take in some sights.

The countries id like to visit are;

France, Spain, Portugal - thatl be the first leg of the Journey, I have family down in Faro on the southern tip of portugal so I plan to ride to them as my first goal and spend some time there soaking up the sun.

After that comes the serious planning, some of the other countries id like to see are; Italy Switzerland or Austria (Depending which is less challenging, im thinking snow) and then Germany the Netherlands and Belgium.

Any got any suggested routes or things to see in these specific countries?! Kind of exciting all this planning isnt it!

[doggone]

How long do you have for this?
It's a long ride to Portugal alone, you could easily spend a month dawdling around France without trying to flash through 10 other places.

If Portugal is the main objective, on the way back you could see some of The Alps through Northern Italy and then drift north through Switzerland or Austria, then through the Black forest and perhaps follow the Rhine north.

If time is at all limited maybe explore the Pyrenees and southern France and just brush the western Alps Maritime and maybe Chamonix area.
The Verdun/Ardeche/Tarn area is a biking paradise.

[Duke46]

I'm not long back from a tour of Europe. I started in Santander, over to San Sebastian, down to Ainsa. Over through Andorra into France for a couple of days before heading off over the Alps via Montgenevre, through Italy up to Lake Garda.

I then had to unfortunately blast through Austria (my colleague decided he didn't fancy riding hairpins - in the Alps!!! ) up to the Alpenstrasse. Followed this up to Lake Constance then up to Baden Baden via the B500. Cut via Hagenau, then Bastogne before heading back to the UK via Zeebrugge.

This was done easily in 2 weeks without overly stressing and (apart from the Italian and Austrian ( ) ) phase, was done on mainly scenic routes without resorting to blasting along.

Just beware that if you try and cover too much you'll end up with a wonderful view of the country's motorways, which is a complete waste. 200 miles a day gives you time to chill and tour. Any more and you'll be goosed and see nothing.
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In the garage '05 FZS1000S, '10 KTM990SMT, '13 Tiger 800 ABS
Sold or scrapped '87 CZ125, '88 AR125, '86 GPZ500, '91 FJ1200, '05 XT600, '99&'05 CBR1100XX, '06 Pegaso 660

[Fowlersrs]

Yes you do have a good point here guys, I think maybe im biting off more than I can chew by trying to see italy switz austria germany etc..

my time would be to do most of it in 2-3 weeks so with sensible stops I think its best left to be done in two seperate trips!

I think what il do is head to portgual trying to stay on the western side of france, spain and portugal and then circle back on the eastern side in reverse order, then maybe make another trip of italy and the rest using the return leg on the east of france as the first trip so in effect id be riding it backwards...

So in effect, what are the must ride routes in France, Spain and Portugal?

Things I think that would work are;

Plymouth to Ruscoff ferry wise as plymouth is only an hour from me, on the way back id like to see the northern part of frances coastline, so dunkirk etc and take in the d-day landing sites.

Is lake Geneva worth a visit, I see thats on Frances eastern most point.. Its just deciding on the best routes through france and spain really.. dont wanna be sat on toll roads!

[doggone]

[Peirre oBollox]