The German Motorcycle Route - 2026

[EVskiy]

Of course I could just pack my bike and set off to ride the lot in 25 days (or less) and come home. But, I think that would be a waste. Yes, I’d see all of Germany, but would I really ‘see it’?

That is exactly how I often feel having come back from a trip, having been places, but haven’t actually seen them, not least with a much lighter wallet.
It is very easy to do, pack way more into a trip than it is possible to achieve in a given time. Then 3-4 days into the trip start to get stressed about it, then start chopping routes up, because suddenly you find yourself a day behind, consequently, when this business does start, you no longer enjoying the trip.
Plan well, allow plenty of time for each day/leg of the trip. Be realistic about timing you likely to be off the bike through out the day.

On my recent trip to France, we on average spent 3-3.5 hours of the bikes each and every day, stopping for a coffee, something to see, lunch, etc.
Constant clock watching on holiday, doesn’t make for a relaxing event.

 

[Wapping]

Indeed so, EV.

I enjoyed the two Moroccan Dashes and the Turkey Trot, as they were all; Go…. Do a bit….. Turn around and come back. Likewise, I have enjoyed lots of Wanders (some fairly high pace) too.

I’ve sort of done with rushing from A to B to C. That said, I’m going to the west coast of Ireland later today, via the most direct routes possible. Why? Because the aim is to get to the hotel and get on with the craic. I will go back to Ireland one day (I keep saying that) and take the slow roads….

 

[EVskiy]

Indeed so, EV.

I enjoyed the two Moroccan Dashes and the Turkey Trot, as they were all; Go…. Do a bit….. Turn around and come back. Likewise, I have enjoyed lots of Wanders (some fairly high pace) too.

Nothing wrong with that type of trip. If everybody is of same mindset, it can be fun and very eventful indeed.

I’ve sort of done with rushing from A to B to C. That said, I’m going to the west coast of Ireland later today, via the most direct routes possible. Why? Because the aim is to get to the hotel and get on with the craic. I will go back to Ireland one day (I keep saying that) and take the slow roads….

Something does tell me that you will need your waterproofs Richard, if you are going by motorcycle.

Assuming you’ll be picking up A4 then M4 all the way into deepest southern Wales and onto Fishguard ferry docks? Decent run that, 4 and a bit hours from memory when we used to go and see wife’s Gran (RIP), who had a holiday cottage just outside Fishguard.

I digress now, but you’ll have a good time nonetheless. Enjoy Ireland! I sense that Guineas will flow freely

 

[Wapping]

That’s the trouble with reading a book; you always find something to see, which you had’t expected.

I am currently reading ‘Beyond the Wall’, an excellent history of post war ‘East Germany’ thro’ to 1990.



I have read (which surprised me) that Stalin was all but ambivalent to a ‘Soviet’ style East Germany, preferring to see a ‘united’ but strictly neutral Germany, presumably as a buffer state against the West. I have also read (I am about at 1950) that East Germany was naturally devoid of industry of any scale (that lay all in the West portion) and particularly short of iron and energy, all but entirely dependent on lignite, a very inefficient fuel whose massive mining scars are still visible today. But, Stalin wanted (needed) reparations, including steel. What they did though have is a huge workforce, all happy to be at least alive and prepared to work.

The solution was to build an entire town (a city, in all but name) which hadn’t existed before: Eisenhüttenstadt.

Eisenhüttenstadt - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

It’s close by my planned visit to the east of Berlin and the Halbe Pocket, so I’ll give it a look.

 

[Posh Pete]

Dont forget to visit the old
DKW/ MZ factory at Zschopau while you're there.

 

[Wapping]

Dont forget to visit the old
DKW/ MZ factory at Zschopau while you're there.

Thank you.

The eastern leg passes through the town, straight past the MZ museum. I can add it in, without too much difficulty. Time is the only factor, but it would be a miss not to visit, as I’ll not be that way again for a while.



The ‘Enduro museum’ is close by, too.

 

[Wapping]

I have submitted my first enquiry to the German embassy in London, asking for an extended stay visa.

I don’t fit exactly into any of the categories they list. However, you are granted 2,000 individual letters / spaces, to explain (in an automated email) why you are making the request. I composed a fairly neat and definitely truthful account, using roughly 1,700.

Let’s see what they say.

 

[Redboots]

Another little option on your "Red" section is NeckarSUlm.
Home to Audi-NSU and the Deutsches Zweirad-und NSU-Museum.
Lovely road from Neckarsulm to Heidelberg, or it used to be.

 

[Wapping]

That’s not started well.

I wasn’t asking for advice, I was asking if an extended visa might be possible. Hey ho, on to stage two.

Bloody Brexit. It fucks up bods in more ways than one.

Dear Sir



Thank you for your enquiry asking for advice.



This is a generic reply to your inquiry as the German Missions in the UK are unable to provide individual advice or counselling.



Please note that British nationals will need to adhere to the 90 in 180 day rule for tourist, visit, business stays.

https://uk.diplo.de/uk-en/02/visa/travel-after-brexit/2441830



Please refer to the Schengen calculator to determine whether your travel plans need to be updated.

https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/p...border-crossing/short-stay-visa-calculator_en



Please note that the German Missions in the UK are not authorised to provide legal advice on individual cases. If in doubt, you should take legal advice from an immigration lawyer or specialist at your own expense.



Kind regards

Visa Services

 

[EVskiy]

Having a blue passport and being a neighbour to a huge area of land that you are restricted to mere rolling 180 days, is damn right frustrating. Fair enough you off ti far east Asia once every god know how many times, but being in a doorstep of Europe, tough. I know that (tough) feeling, I personally had to endure such a restriction since 2000-2004.
I am glad that I am not allowed to have a dual citizenship. Seeings as my LT passport has far more value (in my eyes) than a British passport would. Not least as I not restricted to remain or work over here nor in Europe.
To be honest, I do not know what benefits I’d have, even if I did have British citizenship. I guess had I had one, 2016, I would have cast my vote in favour to remain.

 

[Wapping]

I am now embarking on plan B, submitting an official application.

There’s a fair degree of paperwork, but hey-ho, it is Germany!

 

[Mzokk]

I am now embarking on plan B, submitting an official application.

There’s a fair degree of paperwork, but hey-ho, it is Germany!

Want to borrow an Irish passport

 

[Wapping]

Want to borrow an Irish passport

You an go off people!

I’ve drunk enough Guinness to be given a free one!

 

[Redboots]

You an go off people!

I’ve drunk enough Guinness to be given a free one!

Apparently, you can get a one year tourist Schengen visa. Apply to the country you intend to stay in the longest.
I think part of the application is you must have a one year travel insurance.

Visa's

 

[Wapping]

Apparently, you can get a one year tourist Schengen visa. Apply to the country you intend to stay in the longest.
I think part of the application is you must have a one year travel insurance.

Visa's

Yes. I have been looking at that, my gentle question to the German embassy having been dealt with via an AI automated response.

As far as I can make out, it’s a D visa or summat like that. I might just go and knock on the embassy door.

 

[EVskiy]

I am now embarking on plan B, submitting an official application.

There’s a fair degree of paperwork, but hey-ho, it is Germany!

They do love a bit of paperwork.

 

[Wapping]

They do love a bit of paperwork.

Brexit was designed to remove red tape. That was clearly bollox.

 

[Redboots]

Yes. I have been looking at that, my gentle question to the German embassy having been dealt with via an AI automated response.

As far as I can make out, it’s a D visa or summat like that. I might just go and knock on the embassy door.

All farmed out to TLSContact like the UK passport (from abroad) I think.

TLSContact

 

[wessie]

Here's a list of Schengen countries with the lowest rejection rate

What is the easiest Schengen visa from the UK?

Discover which country has the easiest Schengen visa from the UK and learn how to save on your application fees with Wise Business.

wise.com

Iceland lowest, then Bulgaria

 

[Wapping]

Oh well, it will pass a day or two, gathering up the bits and pieces.

Whoever said Brexit wasn't the gift that kept giving? It's every day, something new and always fun.