How good is motorcycling on the continent?

[harry the cat]

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

And no trip is complete without Micky’s advice on packing

 

[wessie]

Long weekend - leave early Friday AM return Sunday PM/Monday AM. Likely chunnel for speed into France!

your alternative from Southampton is to get an overnight sailing on the Thursday from Portsmouth. Ferries leave around 8pm or 11pm depending on the route. You are then in France all day Friday rather than spending half of it riding to Kent. Take off the cost of riding to Kent and the tunnel cost and you are not paying a huge sum for that extra day in France. The value of not having to ride up the M3, across the M25, M26 and down the M20 is immeasurable.
The Caen ferry gets in at 0645 so by tea time you can be in the Volcanes mountains SW of Clermont Ferrand. One of the nicest regions in France for riding. Spend all day Saturday and a bit of Sunday in the mountains. Mid afternoon head north to stay on the Loire between Orleans and Tours. Monday, ride a non motorway route across the Perche Natural Park, visit Pegasus bridge to catch the 1630 ferry at Caen. Dock at 2130, home for bedtime.

 

[Wapping]

Likely chunnel for speed into France!

Southampton (if that is where you are) to Folkestone, is I guess two and a half to three hours? Lose an hour crossing to France, due to the time difference. Lose a minimum of 30 minutes checking in and boarding. Lose 40 minutes crossing time and maybe 10 minutes getting off the train. Total? Call it five hours for cash, lost before you turn a wheel at Calais. The same coming back…. Except you save an hour.

That speed crossing to Cherbourg is looking attractive, perhaps?

That said, if you want a possible decent ‘weekend’ (ie two days) in north east France, I might recommend:

Day 1 - 173 miles

Day 2 - 167 miles

I use it to run bikes in. If though you have three or even four full days available, the choices expand.

PS Beaten to it by Wessie, whilst I tapped around on my iPad and tidied up the two suggestions to possibly suit you better.

 

[team duvet]

Hidden gem for you, Luxembourg. Small but amazing smooth roads. Always nip into Germany from there too?

TD.

 

[Wapping]

Hidden gem for you, Luxembourg. Small but amazing smooth roads. Always nip into Germany from there too?

TD.

Indeed, it all hinges on the time available and where the OP lands / returns from.

Belgium Ardennes, is another.

The Morvan, if he got his skates on.

 

[MrC99]

your alternative from Southampton is to get an overnight sailing on the Thursday from Portsmouth. Ferries leave around 8pm or 11pm depending on the route. You are then in France all day Friday rather than spending half of it riding to Kent. Take off the cost of riding to Kent and the tunnel cost and you are not paying a huge sum for that extra day in France. The value of not having to ride up the M3, across the M25, M26 and down the M20 is immeasurable.
The Caen ferry gets in at 0645 so by tea time you can be in the Volcanes mountains SW of Clermont Ferrand. One of the nicest regions in France for riding. Spend all day Saturday and a bit of Sunday in the mountains. Mid afternoon head north to stay on the Loire between Orleans and Tours. Monday, ride a non motorway route across the Perche Natural Park, visit Pegasus bridge to catch the 1630 ferry at Caen. Dock at 2130, home for bedtime.

+1 on this - why waste time riding on utterly shit roads in the UK when the alternative is more time on great roads in France?

Another thought - take the (OK more expensive) overnighter to St Malo and then meander towards the Pink Granite Coast of Brittany (eg West of Vannes towards Concarneau) which is beautiful. So many options so little time

 

[PapaHayd]

Southampton (if that is where you are) to Folkestone, is I guess two and a half to three hours? Lose an hour crossing to France, due to the time difference. Lose a minimum of 30 minutes checking in and boarding. Lose 40 minutes crossing time and maybe 10 minutes getting off the train. Total? Call it five hours for cash, lost before you turn a wheel at Calais. The same coming back…. Except you save an hour.

That speed crossing to Cherbourg is looking attractive, perhaps?

That said, if you want a possible decent ‘weekend’ (ie two days) in north east France, I might recommend:

Day 1 - 173 miles

View attachment 385899

Day 2 - 167 miles

View attachment 385900

I use it to run bikes in. If though you have three or even four full days available, the choices expand.

PS Beaten to it by Wessie, whilst I tapped around on my iPad and tidied up the two suggestions to possibly suit you better.

Poole to Cherbourg - 4hr45 min sailing is doing it for me as well! And only 15 mins difference.

Thanks for the recommendation. Some bed time reading and research for me.

 

[Wapping]

4hr45 min sailing is doing it for me as well! And only 15 mins difference

That’s better than flogging to Folkestone, only to catch a fast train. More often than not, it all boils down to time available and that’s what many people forget.

You’ll get the hang of this travelling thing.

 

[Pukmeister]

I appreciate you might want something simple to pop your Euro touring cherry, battlefield tours are a good start.

The ride to the Eurotunnel from here is a chore, as is the long ride south from Calais on boring French autoroutes if you are heading for the Alps, the South of France or other countries further afield. All the really good stuff is about a two day ride away, so a long slog in the saddle.

The alternative as Wessie states is to get a ferry locally from the South coast and then arrive amongst the good stuff ready to ride. I’ve done the Picos twice from Portsmouth with mates plus many other places around Europe via the Tunnel, I was considering going again this year but ended up visiting Thailand instead with family (only so much free time available).

One thing not mentioned is bike security. Always try to find secure parking, ideally in a gated hotel compound/underground car park out of view. I carry a stout chain and padlock plus I have a Roadlok disk lock on my 1250GSA and I always use them……It’s a long walk home !

I’m in Fareham and happy to meet up for a coffee and chat if it’s any help.

 

[PapaHayd]

I appreciate you might want something simple to pop your Euro touring cherry, battlefield tours are a good start.

The ride to the Eurotunnel from here is a chore, as is the long ride south from Calais on boring French autoroutes if you are heading for the Alps, the South of France or other countries further afield. All the really good stuff is about a two day ride away, so a long slog in the saddle.

The alternative as Wessie states is to get a ferry locally from the South coast and then arrive amongst the good stuff ready to ride. I’ve done the picos twice from Portsmouth with mates plus many other places around Europe via the Tunnel, I was considering going again this year but ended up visiting Thailand instead with family (only so much free time available).

One thing not mentioned is bike security. Always try to find secure parking, ideally in a gated hotel compound/underground car park out of view. I carry a stout chain and padlock plus I have a Roadlok disk lock on my 1250GSA and I always use them……It’s a long walk home !

I’m in Fareham and happy to meet up for a coffee and chat if it’s any help.

Really appreciate the insights - especially security! That’s one thing I’ve not considered.

Coffee and a ride sounds good (as long as it’s not Starbucks ) , I’ll be in touch

 

[Wapping]

especially security! That’s one thing I’ve not considered.

There’s possibly a few other things you need to (or could) consider, too. But, let’s not make it too complicated at the moment. Not least, as most of it is little different to going to going touring and riding a motorcycle in Scotland or indeed, Norfolk.

Start with the simplest things:

A. Do you have a valid passport and does its validity extend six months beyond your anticipated return date?

B. When (time and date) do you plan to leave your front door and when do you anticipate returning to the same front door, time and date.

C. Where and when (location, time, date) do you antiparticle arriving on the Continent? Likewise your departure from the mainland on your return.

If the answer to A is yes, go straight to B and C. If it’s no, go straight to the passport application / renewal website.

The answers to B and C, will (by and large) dictate where it’s possible for you to get to on your jaunt and (maybe) ‘stuff’ to see and do along the way. The answers might even give you a clue as to the likely weather. The latter will become much clearer as you approach the departure date and clearer still each day thereafter.


PS Battlefields are all fine and dandy, depending on the answers to B and C, too. However, despite their size, they are not littered around everywhere. For example, it is 270 miles (direct) from Cherbourg to say, Peronne, in the centre of the Somme battlefields of WW1. That’ll maybe take you most of the day. It’s the same coming back. That is, near enough the same distance as Southampton to York.

Likewise, it Is 340 miles from Cherbourg to the ‘Must do’ Menin Gate at Ypres, on the Belgium / France border. That is the same distance as Southampton to Carlisle.

Told you, France and mainland Europe is a big place.

 

[PapaHayd]

Southampton (if that is where you are) to Folkestone, is I guess two and a half to three hours? Lose an hour crossing to France, due to the time difference. Lose a minimum of 30 minutes checking in and boarding. Lose 40 minutes crossing time and maybe 10 minutes getting off the train. Total? Call it five hours for cash, lost before you turn a wheel at Calais. The same coming back…. Except you save an hour.

That speed crossing to Cherbourg is looking attractive, perhaps?

That said, if you want a possible decent ‘weekend’ (ie two days) in north east France, I might recommend:

Day 1 - 173 miles

View attachment 385899

Day 2 - 167 miles

View attachment 385900

I use it to run bikes in. If though you have three or even four full days available, the choices expand.

PS Beaten to it by Wessie, whilst I tapped around on my iPad and tidied up the two suggestions to possibly suit you better.

Good thing about the XT2 and the Treads app is this GPX is now ready to go I'm 5% there

 

[Wapping]

Good thing about the XT2 and the Treads app is this GPX is now ready to go I'm 5% there

You’ve got further than most, trust me.

 

[adventuredon]

Closest is France so take this as guide based on that:
smooth tarmac
plenty opportunity to make progress
easy to tour on your own. In fact now that I think about in the last 15 years, I've only ever done 1 group trip abroad, otherwise I am on my own. And love it
no potholes
empty roads
drivers adhering to keep motorway rules (mostly) keeping out of middle lane
great scenery
villages that take pride in the village and approach
flowers on bridges
friendly
easy parking
cheap camping
police that do their job
space to look over hedges
great tarmac
I only tour in the UK to go to an event and see people, the traffic and shit road surface here puts me off, as does being ripped off for basic services.
Better weather or surface drainage in France. Find a car in front and follow it, you won't get the drive on right or left side wrong on roads or roundabouts as you'll be following a French driver more than likely. Loads of places to just stop and have a think/brew/break/lunch. No one looks down on you having a baguette and cheese and pate at a scenic point...its La Vie
Just book and go...

 

[karlp]

your alternative from Southampton is to get an overnight sailing on the Thursday from Portsmouth. Ferries leave around 8pm or 11pm depending on the route. You are then in France all day Friday rather than spending half of it riding to Kent. Take off the cost of riding to Kent and the tunnel cost and you are not paying a huge sum for that extra day in France. The value of not having to ride up the M3, across the M25, M26 and down the M20 is immeasurable.
The Caen ferry gets in at 0645 so by tea time you can be in the Volcanes mountains SW of Clermont Ferrand. One of the nicest regions in France for riding. Spend all day Saturday and a bit of Sunday in the mountains. Mid afternoon head north to stay on the Loire between Orleans and Tours. Monday, ride a non motorway route across the Perche Natural Park, visit Pegasus bridge to catch the 1630 ferry at Caen. Dock at 2130, home for bedtime.

Yes the trip from Southampton to Folkestone is a nightmare

 

[glenn2926]

Yes the trip from Southampton to Folkestone is a nightmare

, try the trip from Yorkshire. Now that is a shit journey. Hence us now using the North Sea ferry from Hull to Rotterdam.

 

[karlp]

, try the trip from Yorkshire. Now that is a shit journey. Hence us now using the North Sea ferry from Hull to Rotterdam.

Yes even worse

The joy of getting off the train in Calais - the just about 30mins , get off the motorway and nice roads

I used to do Southampton to Trier in one day then spend a slower pace around the area enjoying the quiet roads

 

[Boxerboy55]

In 2015 I enjoyed my first bike trip abroad. North Sea ferry for me.
There are lots of fantastic roads to enjoy. There are also lots of interesting things to see.

There’s bound to be things that would be of interest to you. Build these into your ride.

I’ve enjoyed historical military sites. Museums with lots of war junk, planes, cars, etc.

Mercedes museum, Speyer x2. Spa circuit. Nurburgring taxi ride.

In June I’ve got Porsche and Audi museums in my plan.

If it’s got wheels or an engine I’m probably interested.

Oh, don’t forget the roads and scenery.

Grossglockner here I come. Jolly number 9. I was a late starter.

 

[SBD]

, try the trip from Yorkshire. Now that is a shit journey. Hence us now using the North Sea ferry from Hull to Rotterdam.

Just be sorry for those of us who are based near Folkestone.

It’s brilliant for getting to the continent, and a total fucking pain to get anywhere in the UK. Were cut off on three sides by the sea, and on the fourth, by the M-fucking-25.

 

[SBD]

Closest is France so take this as guide based on that:
smooth tarmac
plenty opportunity to make progress
easy to tour on your own. In fact now that I think about in the last 15 years, I've only ever done 1 group trip abroad, otherwise I am on my own. And love it
no potholes
empty roads
drivers adhering to keep motorway rules (mostly) keeping out of middle lane
great scenery
villages that take pride in the village and approach
flowers on bridges
friendly
easy parking
cheap camping
police that do their job
space to look over hedges
great tarmac
I only tour in the UK to go to an event and see people, the traffic and shit road surface here puts me off, as does being ripped off for basic services.
Better weather or surface drainage in France. Find a car in front and follow it, you won't get the drive on right or left side wrong on roads or roundabouts as you'll be following a French driver more than likely. Loads of places to just stop and have a think/brew/break/lunch. No one looks down on you having a baguette and cheese and pate at a scenic point...its La Vie
Just book and go...

Perhaps this could be a basis for a manifesto for the future of the post Brexit UK.