Solo European jaunt - Switzerland - Seven days

[EVskiy]

If I can do circa 520 in a day twice over and just 5 days apart, then 250-310 miles a day is certainly doable with decent bit of discipline and regular timekeeping.
My jaunt have involved UK side motorway ride ~100 miles each way then ~120 miles on French Dual Carriageways and non tolled Motorways. The rest of it was done in the single carriageway. Be in the road by 08:00-08:30 and you can easily be done by 17:00-17:30 if not a bit sooner.

 

[glenn2926]

Have you considered using the North Sea ferry between Hull and Rotterdam. Leave your mates around Westmorland and straight to Hull. Overnight ferry and off around 09.00. This gives you a full day to get towards the Alps. It is a much, much better ride than going down to the tunnel. Less traffic, fewer people, much better scenery and a shorter day riding.

 

[Wapping]

…..It (North Sea ferry) is a much, much better ride than going down to the tunnel. Less traffic, fewer people,…..

Whilst the North Sea ferries make good sense for those from the north, I can’t say that the ride / drive through the south of Holland and into north Belgium / that bit of Germany, is crammed full of fun and empty of vehicles.

Me? I let my end destination, dictate where I cross from / to. For example, Portsmouth to cross to the west side of France / Spain. Harwich for much of Holland / NW Germany. The east of France/ Belgium Ardennes / Luxembourg, I’d use the Chunnel. But I live in London, geographically spoilt for choice.

 

[glenn2926]

Whilst the North Sea ferries make good sense for those from the north, I can’t say that the ride / drive through the south of Holland and into north Belgium / that bit of Germany, is crammed full of fun and empty of vehicles.

Me? I let my end destination, dictate where I cross from / to. For example, Portsmouth to cross to the west side of France / Spain. Harwich for much of Holland / NW Germany. The east of France/ Belgium Ardennes / Luxembourg, I’d use the Chunnel. But I live in London, geographically spoilt for choice.

I think the Highlands and Islands is in the North. I’m sure I read that the OP is coming from there.
The South Netherlands and Belgium are a much nicer ride than Southern England in my opinion. I got off the ferry in Hull yesterday morning and I was in my house an hour and a half later. The OP would also avoid having to ride over 200 miles of terrible traffic clogged roads each way.
It’s just another option for him.

 

[Khulu]

I live in the highlands of Scotland and have used various ferries but still prefer the Chunnel (although the M20 is Hell) as it's a breeze to get on and, once you're off, it's straight onto the French roads having done all the passport hassle in England. I've waited in a passport queue, post ferry, for over an hour to get out and onto mainland European roads. Not my idea of fun.
The only negative to the train is they try to enforce you parking the bike the wrong way round!
Plus, the ferries are very expensive.

 

[er-minio]

3 days for Switzerland in more than enough IMHO.
Keep in mind you do the rollercoaster (Susten, etc) in one day.
I used to do Milan > Swiss Rollercoaster (part) > Nancy in one day on my way back to London by bike, years ago. But it's a very long day.

Summer 2019 I did travel to Corsica and then went to Switzerland on the way back for a few days, then back to London:

I found the tracks on Basecamp.
I can try and dissect them in a meaningful way and publish it on MRA later tonight.

The western part of the "loop" is the way back to London.

 

[Flintlock]

You mentioned about getting a wee taste of Europe.
With the time you are talking about, have you considered Nothern Spain
Cross to Ireland & get the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao? - choice of Pico's or Pyrenees from there.
Switzerland could possibility wait, until you have more time to play with?

 

[mpgscott]

OK, thanks.

As I read it, you want to be over the Channel by late afternoon or early evening on Sunday 22 June, staying in (for example only) St Omer. This means:

Monday 23 June, leave St Omer, to ride to Switzerland, returning to Calais, seven days later, to arrive in the late afternoon or early evening of Sunday 29 June. Over this seven day period you want to include the Stelvio pass at some point. You want to avoid motorways, if possible.

As a very basic starter, the Stelvio pass is at the very eastern lower edge of Switzerland. From St Omer to the Stelvio pass, reasonably direct but avoiding motorways, is about 1,000 kilometres / 620 miles. Over two days, that is 310 miles a day.

View attachment 412008

Is that doable? Yes, I guess so, if you crack on. Two days out of seven gone, five left.

If we assume that it’s two days to return to Calais, that leaves three days to ‘do Switzerland’, which (very roughly) is the area bordered by the red hand drawn line:

View attachment 412009

Doable? In theory yes.

As Calais and the Chunnel is your return destination, I’d suggest that you’d need to find yourself somewhere around Basel on the evening of Friday, 27 June. Then, over the next two days, you’d take non-motorway roads to ride (roughly) in the direction of this yellow line:

View attachment 412010

That is, very roughly, 800 kilometres / 500 miles, over two days ie. 250 miles a day. Doable? Yes, I guess so.

Comment:

1. You could of course reverse it.

2. Does this look doable to you?

3. If the answer to comment 2, is yes. Then fill in your chosen routes in the red bordered area, allowing yourself three days.

Your turn now…..



PS I have all the routes of the linked site in post #2 available.in GPX files.

Brilliant, Thankyou so much for taking the time to show and step through this greatly appreciated.

Yes all doable for sure, I really don’t mind long days, the GS makes it so easy and enjoyable..

Great now to start planning.

 

[mpgscott]

Ironically, I’ve toured most, if not all of Europe, over the years, but spent last week in Scotland on my bike, the weather was glorious, scenery and roads as good as anywhere and no language issues.

Yes indeed, when it’s nice it’s hard to beat for sure. Glad you enjoyed, don’t tell too many

 

[mpgscott]

3 days for Switzerland in more than enough IMHO.
Keep in mind you do the rollercoaster (Susten, etc) in one day.
I used to do Milan > Swiss Rollercoaster (part) > Nancy in one day on my way back to London by bike, years ago. But it's a very long day.

Summer 2019 I did travel to Corsica and then went to Switzerland on the way back for a few days, then back to London:

I found the tracks on Basecamp.
I can try and dissect them in a meaningful way and publish it on MRA later tonight.

The western part of the "loop" is the way back to London.

Brilliant, that would be great thanks.

If it’s easier my email is [email protected]

 

[mpgscott]

Good one Wappers.
I would add, if you want to do Stelvio pass, (and it’s a big If as it’s really busy nowadays) head straight there and spend night 2 at this hotel then do it at the start of day 3.

Motorbike hotel in Kaunertal, Tyrol: Hotel Weisseespitze | Kurven & Knödel Motorradhotels

Motorbike hotel in Kaunertal, Tyrol: Hotel Weisseespitze. This is a hotel that was built for motorcyclists - attention to the small details and a deliberate focus on comfort with people who are there for you. A friendly smile, a hearty hello - you'll feel right at home here.

www.motorrad-hotel.com

It’s one of the let’s bike together group and is very nice. It’s only about fifty miles from the top of the pass.
My personal preference would be go in via Maria val Müstair, up the umbral pass then down the Stelvio.

Nice one, thanks sounds a good plan..

 

[mpgscott]

You mentioned about getting a wee taste of Europe.
With the time you are talking about, have you considered Nothern Spain
Cross to Ireland & get the ferry from Rosslare to Bilbao? - choice of Pico's or Pyrenees from there.
Switzerland could possibility wait, until you have more time to play with?

Thats sounds decent as well, did a run around Ireland quickly last year over only 4 days.. good idea though for ferry route into Europe so might look at that..

 

[mpgscott]

Have you considered using the North Sea ferry between Hull and Rotterdam. Leave your mates around Westmorland and straight to Hull. Overnight ferry and off around 09.00. This gives you a full day to get towards the Alps. It is a much, much better ride than going down to the tunnel. Less traffic, fewer people, much better scenery and a shorter day riding.

Went over on that ferry many moons ago but worth a look.

 

[Wapping]

Went over on that ferry many moons ago but worth a look.

Hull to Rotterdam ferry.

For this trip or for the future?

 

[mpgscott]

Hull to Rotterdam ferry.

For this trip or for the future?

Went over this way back in 2011 on a trip to the MotoGP in Germany, lovely roads.

Now I’m thinking of Spain and maybe other routes as opposed to Switzerland given time. I really don’t mind I’m just wanting to make best use of time.

I’m planning on it being last minute as want to make sure weather is playing ball..

 

[Wapping]

Assuming you are still going to Switzerland. Here you are, instant routes:

Motorradtouren und Hotels in der Schweiz - Kurvenkönig Motorrad

Die Schweiz ist ein aufregendes Ziel für Motorradfahrer, mit den wohl schönsten Alpenpässen gepaart mit faszinierenden Motorradtouren und mediterranen Seengebieten.

kurvenkoenig.de

Tap on the region.

Tap on the route.

Tap on the Kurviger version, to download the GPX file.

Tap on the PDF for a conventional map.

 

[Wapping]

Now I’m thinking of Spain and maybe other routes as opposed to Switzerland given time. I really don’t mind I’m just wanting to make best use of time.

Assuming you are still going in late June, you might like to look at:

A. Availability.

B. Prices.

C. Outward and return crossing dates / times.

Me?

I still think Switzerland is doable, with two days to get there, two days back and three days in country. That said, I might well drop the Stelvio idea, saving that for a jaunt to the Dolomites.

Alternatively, given that you are targeting a full
week (seven days) between arrival on the continent to departure from the continent and having in mind you favour the Chunnel (or now, the North Sea ferry) I’d consider a two centre holiday in the Belgian Ardennes / Luxembourg / that bit of Germany. You could be in the area, easily within a day of landing on the coast, without taking any (or very much) motorway. Likewise, your return.

Of course if you can extend to more than seven days, arrival to departure, then things change. You’d have more time wherever you go to and / or more time to get there and back.

 

[glenn2926]

Went over on that ferry many moons ago but worth a look.

It is certainly a much nice start and end to the trip. I will avoid Antwerp and Brussels next time by going further inland before heading south. Perhaps via the Ardennes area. The difference in ferry price over the tunnel is not much when one considers not driving 270 miles south and 270 miles back. Overnight stay, meals etc.

 

[Wapping]

….. I will avoid Antwerp and Brussels next time….

Antwerp, is a mess of roads and roadworks. An interesting enough city to visit for a day though.

Brussels, depending on the time of day can be very busy, too. That said, a nice city to visit.

 

[HGS]

Good one Wappers.
I would add, if you want to do Stelvio pass, (and it’s a big If as it’s really busy nowadays) head straight there and spend night 2 at this hotel then do it at the start of day 3.

Motorbike hotel in Kaunertal, Tyrol: Hotel Weisseespitze | Kurven & Knödel Motorradhotels

Motorbike hotel in Kaunertal, Tyrol: Hotel Weisseespitze. This is a hotel that was built for motorcyclists - attention to the small details and a deliberate focus on comfort with people who are there for you. A friendly smile, a hearty hello - you'll feel right at home here.

www.motorrad-hotel.com

It’s one of the let’s bike together group and is very nice. It’s only about fifty miles from the top of the pass.
My personal preference would be go in via Maria val Müstair, up the umbral pass then down the Stelvio.

Just had a look through the group of hotels
Really good