Ship Your Bike to Geneva or Barcelona 2015

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Betty Swollocks

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I know Carlsberg don't do bike trips, but if they did...........

In 2011 a GSer put together a trip to the Italian Alps.... bikes (and riding gear and luggage) loaded into the rear of a truck in Belfast and driven to Geneva. Riders flew out from Dublin a few days later and met their bikes beside the airport and had 7 days maximising their time on some of the best tarmac in the world before dumping the bikes off again in Geneva and flying home again.

Well, I was the biggest sceptic.... thought my bike was gonna be flogged off to the Romanian Mafia. But all was above board. Andy Bolton is a keen biker who also happens to be a logistics manager for the world's largest generator manufacturer and what he does't know about transport and logistics isn't worth knowing.

Well, this summer he is offering the same again only on a grander scale. The Northern Ireland branch of the BMW club have arranged a whole 40' trailer full of bikes to Geneva where their members will collect bikes and ride off to Austria. Andy has also arranged 2 other trucks for a bespoke trip to Livigno in the Itlian Alps.

Livigno is a ski village in the winter and benefits from a tax free status. Fuel is tax free and cost of living is really cheap. Andy has sourced a hotel offering B n B with packed lunch each day for around 40 Euro per night. Each day he leads trips to all of the best biking roads in Eurpoe including the Stelvio and many other Alpine passes.

This was one of the best biking trips I've ever been on and last year Andy opened the doors for the 2014 trip. It was arranged by word of mouth to a select few bikers. The 2014 trip is for 1st or 2nd August until 9th (bike can be collected either day )

No expensive ferries and no need for 2 weeks off work. Simply load bike in Belfast the weekend before and fly Aer Lingus Dublin to Geneva to maximise one week of riding your bike, with only 2 hour travelling to get there.

I have already ridden the routes from Livigno, so am planning to avail of the bike transport only and want to squeeze in a week to Croatia and return.

Flights cost me 200 Euro return and the cost to ship your bike, luggage and riding gear is only £350 return.

I found out tonight that one rider has pulled out of this trip and Andy has agreed to let me post the free space up for grabs on here.

If you are interested in availing of the last space, let me know via pm and I will forward a word doc with the trip details and one lucky GSer will hopefully be joining us in August.

Just to clarify..... you can either avail of the guided tour and cheap pre-arranged accommodation on Livigno.... or just use the bike transport and do your own Alpine adventure.

BS


Here's a link to the last trip Andy organised .....................http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?260929-Belfast-to-the-Alps/page4
 
BS sounds like a cracking trip

I'm from your neck of the woods and have already planned my trip this year, heading to Italy from Belfast on the 05th July, the old fashioned way

But would be interested in any future trips, space permitting

All the best and have a Goodun!!

H
 
The space was provisionally taken first thing this morning. Will be looking later when I get a computer and will float a reserve list and a list for next year.




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By way of an update, yes, the last place was snapped up this morning at 9am.

There has been some interest via pm, text and email for that spot and indeed spots on future trips.

Andy has converted to the BMW RT world of late and rarely sticks his head in here, so has given me permission to float a few ideas on the GSer.

As previously mentioned, there are 3 articulated lorries full of 18 bikes each already heading to Geneva. 3 of the 54 riders have decided to stay on in Eurpoe and make their own way home, so if it is of interest to anyone, there are 3 spots for bikes to get shipped one way from Geneva to Belfast on 8th August 2014. (fly home next day, 9th August )

Lorries are parked just outside the airport and flights with Aer Lingus currently about 100 Euro single. I know it's not for everyone, but at about £175 it may maximise time on someone's 2014 Euro trip and I know I personally hate the last 2 or 3 days 'commute' back to Belfast..... End your trip on a high and save a few days off work.

Also, it is quite probable that some riders may pull out of this trip closer to the time, so a reserve list has already been drawn up. The riders are all paid up, but it may happen that someone may want to offload their spot (rates can be negotiated directly and bargains found last minute :cool::cool::cool: ) So, if there are any genuine interested parties, let me know.
We already, have at least one rider on the reserve list.

Lastly, for Hutch, myself and (after August) I'm sure several others...... I have badgered Andy and he has agreed, if there is enough interest there could be a 2015 trip to follow.
Although that will, at present, be transport only.
The logistics of booking hotels etc has been a mammoth task which has taken over a year to plan.
Geneva and the Alps are a gateway to many adventures and that's Andy's preferred option.
But I did also float Southern Spain past him ..... Cracking Roads.... close to Portugal and of course on the doorstep to Morocco ...
Transport costs will be a good bit more, but choice of cheaper flights would absorb that... hotter temperatures and for some the chance to venture into Africa (Morocco). I really really fancy that option.

So, back on track.

If you want to join the reserve list for a spot in the August 2014 trip, let me know.

If interested in one of 3 'lifts' home for your bike from Geneva on 8th / 9th August, again let me know.

Lastly, if you haven't already decided on your bike trip for Summer 2015 there's no excuse as we have now over a year to save and plan. Let me know your preferred option and I will Lobby Andy for either another Geneva run or Southern Spain if there's enough interest. (I'm sure MODs can make a sticky of enough people interested )
 
I'm sure MODs can make a sticky of enough people interested

Indeed they can Stevie. :nod

Is it really two years now since Jochen used this service on the way out then rode home? A great bunch of lads were knocking about in Belfast that morning.

Hope all is well with you and the family big lad. :thumb2
 
Indeed they can Stevie. :nod

Is it really two years now since Jochen used this service on the way out then rode home? A great bunch of lads were knocking about in Belfast that morning.

Hope all is well with you and the family big lad. :thumb2

Running round in circles looking for that photo of you helpin to pin Jocksers bike down in Belfast on the last trip. Note to self..... must buy external hard-drive.

The family are all good, kids gettin bigger by the day.

Long time no see..... recent photos suggest you were back in th Bon Jovi look of late?? Hope that doesn't mean you are back at the driving :-)

Give my best to Mandy!
 
2015 Trip! - I'm definitely interested!

Hi Stevie,
I'm very interested in a 2015 trip. Yep, could do the morocco thing or possibly Romania direction. If you need to contact me at any stage give me a shout but definitely stick me on a list for a trip next year.:aidan
 
Hi Stevie,
I'm very interested in a 2015 trip. Yep, could do the morocco thing or possibly Romania direction. If you need to contact me at any stage give me a shout but definitely stick me on a list for a trip next year.:aidan

Was considering Romania as an alternative to Croatia this August...... Top Gear and their talk of that Transfergassian Highway, or whatever it's called!

But I really fancy the chic of the Adriatic coast coupled with the Alps, Dolomotes and rural Slovenia this year.

Morocco is really like bouncing back in time 70 years. You ride straight into a black and white movie. Locals treated you like a time traveller if you care to venture off the beaten track.

And best of all, I was 4 years younger and 2 stone lighter back then, so it was all cool!

For what it's worth, me doing all that nostalgia stuff n all...... here's a wee link to my first and last trip to Morocco... It's worth reading to the end for some newer images!


http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?225633-Three-Amigos-in-Morocco&highlight=three+amigos
 
Ship Your Bike to Geneva!

Hi Stevie,
I'm very interested in a 2015 trip. Yep, could do the morocco thing or possibly Romania direction. If you need to contact me at any stage give me a shout but definitely stick me on a list for a trip next year.:aidan

Would be interested in 2015 trip too

H
 
Tell Andy that me, Boycie and Mal would be on for the Spain trip 2015 :D

FYI we're heading for Croatia this year too
 
Will compile a wee list of names.

I already have mobile numbers for Yosarian and DancerDave... If you've no objections Hutchy, drop me a pm with your number in case I need to speak to you about next years or the other matter.

Aberdeen Angus..... Will keep an eye out for ya in Geneva!

BS
 
Folks, I've had quite a bit of interest in this via telephone and PM.

It is still in it's infancy, but if it happens, then it seems Andy is looking me to organise and co-ordinate runners and riders.

Secondly, I am looking votes for Geneva or Malaga.

Without jumping too far forward, but this evening we discussed the chance of BOTH venues. Truck delivers half the bikes to Malaga, then drives to Geneva.

Week later, collects the Geneva bikes and drives back down to Malaga again

This means a 7 day trip for Geneva riders or a 14 day trip for Malaga, which is more feasible for those on a trip to Morocco. Fuel prices for the lorry are the biggest issue. Geneva is a lot closer than Malaga.

I need to convince him there are enough takers before he can work out costings.

Geneva = £ cheap
Malaga = £ not so cheap, but is offset by cheaper flights there and return.

I currently have 6 who prefer Malaga, but are happy with either. So, be honest and let me know your preferred option, 7 days Geneva or a longer trip to Malaga.

Also, just to make sure things are clear. I'm neither a travel agent nor a shipping company. Just a member of this forum who is trying to organise a third party biker to offer a delivery service for us to ship our bikes out to Europe and let us enjoy our own individual trips.

(Starting to wonder, what am I letting myself in for here?)

BS
 
Yep, Stevie after much consideration I would only be able to avail of seven days off ( with the new twins and all), so it has to be Geneva for me also. You already have my details and booking request. :D Ta.
R.
 
P.S. Stevie please stick my father on the list for Geneva. You met him on your previous trip. Redpadraig aka Patrick.
 
In fairness I think he was there more in a 'supervisory' capacity :D



Stevie, would you put me down on the 2015 provisional list if it's Geneva pls.


Jockser, I was being kind in my earlier post :D

I thought he was just some random bloke who was tagging along for the drive. (not allowed out that much) :D

Yosarian, I promised to look your Dad up again but haven't done so yet...... Let me know if you and he are doing an Ireland short trip before Geneva..... I really enjoyed his company! And I've got shot of the KTM and am now back on an old faithful GSA, so should be able to hold my own!

But you are both on the 2015 Geneva list. (first I heard of the twins :confused::confused:)

I've been up to my eyes all day dropping a car off in Fermanagh and trying to make it home via several buses.... So haven't had a chance to speak to Andy, but I'm starting to see that we may have enough for two separate trips in 2015.

Got a handful of takers for Southern Spain ( which I will now refer to as Malaga :D ) and it seems there are as many interested in Geneva.

I will float this past Andy tomorrow, and i know he plans to drive via England, so picking up stragglers across the pond may also help to fill any free spots.

Watch this space and I will keep you all updated.
 
I would have preferred Malaga, Stevie, but 7 days would be the max leave I'd be able to take so if that's the only option then it would have to be Geneva for me again in 2015.
 
I know what u mean Davy. I wouldn't be allowed a two week pass, but was thinking say 9 days. I could sell it to my wife as a week, with a days travelling either side.
 
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