European Trip

[RAYK47]

So, the Mrs is looking to go away with a friend during may half term. I am looking at a possible bike trip to cover the same period. It's early days but looked at a trip to a warmer country (ie Portugal) and hiring a bike for 5 or so days. However this is very expensive so I might look to use my own bike and start at Calais.

Does anyone have any ideas? Have you done it before? Any recommendations? Advise etc?

Looking at about 7 days in may. Would be good to do it relatively cheaply and catch some decent sights on the way

[A100man]

[stinkwheel]

There are companies who will ship your bike and luggage out to somewhere less boring in Europe. You fly out and meet your bike there. Have fun from day 1 then fly home. Means you do not have to see either Dover or Calais!

Saves riding through the shit boring bits to get to the interesting bits. £££ though but beats spending 3 days of your holiday bombing along motorways to land up at the interesting roads tired and with square tyres.

A few mates have used a company called bikeshuttle which will drop your bike at Geneva or Tolouse.
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“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.

[Freddyfruitba...]

Or maybe just forget going as far as Portugal for your first trip? We don't know where in the UK you are (which also impacts on the fly-hire or bikeshuttle idea (I think bikeshuttle goes from Manchester, which is a long ride from any channel ports - a day of your trip each way?)

If you're within striking distance of the channel though, maybe think about the Ardennes region - brilliant riding in NE France/Belgium? Or are you into touring battlefields and beaches in Northern France?
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[RAYK47]

Sorry I didnt make it clear. The intention is not to go to Portugal if I use my own bike. I was thinking of a Ross into the Netherlands then down into Germany and back through France.

[stinkwheel]

Don't necessarily rule out the hiring option. By the time you've ridden the bike there and put it on a ferry, a 5-day hire might not be so much.

Also remember you don't necessarily need the latest sports bike to have a hoot. It'll be hot, you will probably be riding in an open face and shades.

I used a company called soulful bikes in Portugal. Hired out a 500 enfield and had an absolute blast exploring on it. They were really friendly and helpful. Will even meet you at Faro airport with the bike (and you'll get cheap flights to Faro). A quick check shows you'll get one for under £400 for a 5-day rental.

I rode about all day dressed like this in May.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/anmt2tg5iLXqGZTJXN4KKdSYVEP7IIJPPxlAWcWDTDrlptJEIO05SBWU0b1v7K75lFk0iOew8smjUyneBgLaFnR0DW-Gfzl9cGhNsQ2hIcNyeaIoElE5HrQJgF_we-RZcL6ehyxjjw=w520-h693-no

I hired a hateful little Benelli 301 in Medeira in March last year but still had an awesome time on it, the roads were totally bonkers so it was plenty fast enough. Cost sweetie money to hire.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CDziX9n-PfcnUOFAnBCrwHPiTpPqa529tAwcjnKxXZ1MXMpdCn0pMpXTNZFmjToNbFr-d0DjQ0iEvJppH2e_jWmTFl98WFasMq18VLgyCUeF3TEGgOIxZtQqj6tjKzt65CaOw6825w=w1681-h534-no
____________________
“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.

[stinkwheel]

[RAYK47]

Cheers for the advice chaps.

I am open minded about all options currently.

[doggone]

Seven days is enough for a sweet little tour, why not keep it very flexible, in May accommodation or camping won't be booked up.
You could realistically drift down to the northern Alps and catch a few lower passes while there's still plenty of snow higher up but the sun is hot.
A nice way to do it is head for the Rhine valley and head south through the Black Forest to Lake Constance, if weather is OK decide from there if a few higher routes into Austria and Switzerland are a good idea, if not explore round the Bavarian towns
Back up through Luxembourg and Eastern France avoiding main roads if you have time, much more enjoyable than you might expect.

[Bhud]

If you're hiring a bike, go over it with a fine-toothed comb before riding away. Check the tyres, chain and brakes. If, for example, the chain needs tensioning or there's a binding brake, get them to fix it. It will probably look very clean, but check for any maintenance issues and assume nothing.

[RAYK47]

[ThunderGuts]

One other thing to consider if taking your own bike and crossing the channel; post Brexit turmoil? Might not affects bikes so much, but if the headlines are to be believed going anywhere near the ports in the months after Brexit probably isn't a good idea.
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TG.

[RAYK47]