Mosel Valley (and the Nurbrgring), best kept secret?

jjdugen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Hi all.
I've had a quick scan and search through the touring topics. I've found little or no mention of this area when people ask for interesting rides and destinations.
The Mosel river stretches from France, through Germany to the Rhine. Its a wide river used as much for commerce as tourist river cruises, cutting through a deep, high sided valley for most of its length, the almost sheer sides in places covered in vin yards. This is the first clue as to why its such a good destination, it has a warm micro-climate.
Each town and village is chocolate box pretty, little or no industrialisation until Koblenz at the junction with the Rhine river. Camp sites a plenty run with typical German efficiency and cleanliness, in fact, the Germans seem to regard the Mosel as their equivalent of the Lake district, but, surprisingly cheap, the German economy means no artificial hikes in their Euro prices (as France has had to do). But its not just the flat valley roads that make this area so good. As said, the valley sides are steep and high, the roads out are twisting and 'interesting' leading to the flatter tops of the Eiffels. And... and..... You are never more than thirty to forty miles from the Nurburgring. Always worth a visit just to look at the tasty cars and bikes on tourist weekend or evenings when it is open. (Or try your luck, skills and sphincter strength by doing a lap or two).
Easy to get to from all channel, Belgian and Dutch ports, takes us three hours on the well serviced motorways.
Its almost an ideal destination, especially for motorcycle touring so I thought I'd wave the flag a bit. (I'm just back from another 'ring visit, it just gets better every time!).
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
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spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

It's not a secret with British bikers in my experience - there are always plenty of them around whenever I've been in the area. There's some great riding in the Ardennes/Eifel/Mosel/Huhnsruck/Luxembourg area and the prices are pretty cheap too Thumbs Up

Chain driven · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 Jan 2014 Karma :

Come on jjdugen lets keep this one low profile Laughing

I was there ( cochem ) last year and we are going back in three weeks time what a great area and very biker friendly Very Happy

Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

Me to, Cochem, Trier and a wee place called Halsenbach. It was so fabby i also am going back this year.

jjdugen · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Jun 2011 Karma :

Cochem, Alf or Zell are the better central towns, Traban-Trabach nearer the Trier / Luxembourg end, all delightful. Oh, I forgot to mention the great bars with...... smoking allowed in some of them.
As for Brits, I only spotted one BMW on the road. German's in massive camper vans seem to be the main 'hazard'.
My brother is buying up some holiday let property in the area, his reason for going, I tag along and clear off to the 'ring in the evenings.
BTW, would you believe a perfectly sound, well built house on the Mosel bankside for..... 50,000 Euros, (That's circa £40,000!!!)
The only downsides I've found are that, 1, very few people actually speak English, and 2, they can't make a good steak to save their lives. Eat the wiener schnitzels, sausages, or go Italian!
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

image riot · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 21 Oct 2010 Karma :

Been there 3 times, going back in September. It's a fantastic area and my favourite. I even prefer it over the Black Forest.
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GSXR750 > GSXR1100 > ZX9R > CBR900RRP >CBR929RR>K1200S

Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

image riot · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 21 Oct 2010 Karma :

Snod Blatter · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 Nov 2014 Karma :

Shush everyone, it won't be a secret for long if you all carry on like this!

Going for a third time in September Cool

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1994 CB250, 1984 CBX250RS-E, 1989 K100RS, 1995 TRX850, 2016 Z250SL

image riot · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 21 Oct 2010 Karma :

Snod Blatter · Crazy Courier Joined: 21 Nov 2014 Karma :

Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

Casper · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2010 Karma :

BTW boys and girls. My hotel in Cochem last year was €77 a night for the wife and me.

https://www.moselbad.de/willkommen.html

That camp site ^^ is only a 20 minute walk to the center of Cochem. It is open until the end of October and i got a quote for this year for two nights and two people. €40 for the tent, add 7.50 if you want electricity. €90 for a caravan. I am sure the loner you stay the price will come down. I booked a caravan and if anyone is interested ill get longer stay prices when i am over in September as its a nice central area for a base camp.