How good is motorcycling on the continent?

[PapaHayd]

I've been riding motorcycles since 2015 and I've still never made it onto the European continent for a motorcycle trip. Most of my motorcycling, to be honest has been commuting. I've toured Scotland twice, Wales countless times and taken a decant round the South West of the UK. I was meant to head to the Picos and back to the UK via the Pyrenees and various french Battlefields, however Covid well and truly scuppered this trip and we've not managed to look at Europe since.

Feel free to post what I'm missing out on for some inspiration

 

[wessie]

There are a gazillion trip reports in this section by those offering inspiration from their experience. Some with pretty pictures. Have you looked at them?

 

[PapaHayd]

There are a gazillion trip reports in this section by those offering inspiration from their experience. Some with pretty pictures. Have you looked at them?

Plenty of times, but I've had a few beers and fancied some inspiration and one of those photo's that says 1000 words!

 

[harry the cat]

It’s good. It’s fun. But you need to set out with a clear idea of what you want from it, and where you want to go. Good company helps as well.

Start with a bit of research.

 

[mspenz]

There are a gazillion trip reports in this section by those offering inspiration from their experience. Some with pretty pictures. Have you looked at them?

Condescending....

 

[wessie]

Condescending....

judgemental

 

[wessie]

Plenty of times, but I've had a few beers and fancied some inspiration and one of those photo's that says 1000 words!

you might regret that in this place

 

[mspenz]

Many on here are so old ( and bitter ), that they forget what their first time was like...What about that, what if this happens, what do I do if, who do I contact if..and so on !
Decide on a location ( think Black Forest or similar, or Spain perhaps ? ), book the time of work, make either a ferry or tunnel reservation, and just go.
Within a couple of years you will then be planning Transfagarasan / Transalpina...Worth looking beyond the over crowded Alps

 

[mspenz]

judgemental

But true.

 

[er-minio]

Riding (or driving) in the UK* is a misery compared to riding/driving in most of Europe.

Just go.



*ok maybe mostly south of England

 

[mspenz]

But don't fret, I'm sure that Wapping will be along any minute , GPX and Deutsch directions overload coming your way

 

[PapaHayd]

But don't fret, I'm sure that Wapping be be along any minute , GPX and Deutsch directions overload coming your way

Bring it on

 

[Steve398]

Our first trips were in the late 80’s around France, and tbh not a bad place as a starter… not too far away to gain a bit of confidence, most of us can manage a bit of ‘plume de ma tante’ stuff, and most of them speak English too (if they want to or not is another matter!) and gives you a lesson for riding on the right in relatively empty roads.
Happy to chat over a coffee if you like, I’m about an hour from you..

 

[Sneldog]

To answer your question - it’s reyt good.

 

[mikeyboy]

A well planned trip to the alps,Pyrenees or picos will leave you wondering why you’d not done it sooner,
Northern Europe,also has much to offer.
Crack on and enjoy

 

[glenn2926]

To answer your question - it’s reyt good.

This. There are a few on here that like to think they are the oracle as regards travel across the channel. They’re not. Just go do it. It’s really easy once across the water. Go where you want, ride as far as you want, stay where you want. Eat where you want and see the places you want to see.
Just go and do it. You will enjoy it.

 

[wilbjr21]

The first time I left these shores in 1982 I arrived in Calais and did suffer from a bit of agoraphobia - I realised that I could ride to China or Capetown and was a bit in awe of the possibilities.

That is a wonderful feeling of total freedom - which is what motorcycle touring is all about.

Trying not to be boastful; since then I've ridden from Ushuaia to Prudhoe Bay, circumnavigated Argentina (including the full length of Ruta 40), covered every road in New Zealand; Russia to Tajikistan and all of Europe and Turkey. It's addictive.

Europe is the best continent and its on your doorstep - restrictions now apply of course.

Just do it and you will love it - there are no problems.

 

[Micky]

To the OP .... the more you think about it, the bigger the problems become.

You will take too much .... put the clothes you're taking on the bed, the money on the table, now half your clothes and double your money.

The problems you encounter will not be the problems you envisage, the problems you encounter will be .....nothing that can't get sorted

As said, research .... it's all here on UKGSer. e v e r y t h I n g

Mobile phones, GPS, full medical and breakdown cover, you've never had so good

Go ..... but take your dads Royal Enfield

 

[Barnoe]

To be honest i envy anyone living in mainland Europe.

We think of nothing travelling from England to Scotland to Wales.
different countries as you said have done many times, no borders just keep riding.

Well imagine Europe, crossing borders is the same as riding into Wales, but with better weather. (not guaranteed as i know only too well!)
its an experience everyone should enjoy.

Lifes for living, your bikes for riding, Europe's for exploring
A combination that puts a big grin on your face.

Get it done.

 

[ATT]

I live in the mountains of central Portugal and have ridden them for the last seven years....It is sublime, wonderful, the best roads of anywhere I have ridden in the whole world and no traffic, as in zero, nothing, nada, zilch.

But there will be some on this forum that tell me that I don`t know what it is I speak of, that I am wrong and that I know nothing.

Empty mountain roads are far more enjoyable than fuckwads on this forum, so just go and do it, ignore the majority of those who think they know, they don`t, they have dipped into it and never lived it....I am living it and it is fucking glorious.