I fancy a ride to Modena some time next year from Bonnie Scotland. Any hints or tips on route; what to look out for; whether to avoid France; Ferries to use/not use. Anything really. Cheers guys. Jim
Trip from Scotland to Modena, Italy
- Thread starter jaca2865
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From Scotland you have either New castle to Amsterdam or Hull to Europort or Zeebrugge. For me I would take the Europort ferry as it leaves later and arrives earlier and on board prices are reasonable too (unlike dfds from New castle).
Regarding a route you need to use the motor ways to clear Holland and Belgium whichever route you choose. For me Germany has so much to offer and no tolls if you need to use motor ways to make up time but I do like France as well. Generally accom easy and very good in Germany and harder to find and not to good inn France although I have used the Ibis hotels which are good value and very clean.
Either route will need a crossing of the Alps and try any as they are all spectacular.
Oh and take a camera and let's us know how it went
AndyT
Regarding a route you need to use the motor ways to clear Holland and Belgium whichever route you choose. For me Germany has so much to offer and no tolls if you need to use motor ways to make up time but I do like France as well. Generally accom easy and very good in Germany and harder to find and not to good inn France although I have used the Ibis hotels which are good value and very clean.
Either route will need a crossing of the Alps and try any as they are all spectacular.
Oh and take a camera and let's us know how it went
AndyT
ghiribizzo
Registered user
Unlike AndyT, I always go from Newcastle. Well, since they stopped the Rosyth Ferry. On it, we could throw bottles at Schtum's place on the way past...
Here's my reasoning - and since AndyT mentioned it, I tried a comparison between the two again.
I've heard moans about the treatment of bikes re. tying down on the Hull Ferry. DFDS at Newcastle aways have an excess of ratchet straps to use.
Prices - I made a bogus trip going out on 1st April back on 15th. Two people, one M/C and dinner and breakfast needed. DFDS do various options - I picked all you can eat buffet. Hull, I presume is the same.
Picked a two bed cabin with window in both cases.
Newcastle - IJmuiden £409.92 return.
Hull - Europoort £394.80 return.
So - £15.12 cheaper from Hull.
Given that all three of us would be travelling the same way to get to Newcastle or Hull, bear in mind the return Hull route involves an additional 300miles riding in Engerlund over Newcastle.
I can't do 300 miles on £15.00 of petrol and it could be argued that because you're actually on the Ferry longer, the Newcastle route has more than £15 of extra value in it.
The bars are dear though. A Pernod+Orange plus a black coffee was Eur 11.70
But I dont see how the Hull route would help me or jaca2865. Usually do that plus a one or two stop plan to Italy.
See you at Royal Quays!
Here's my reasoning - and since AndyT mentioned it, I tried a comparison between the two again.
I've heard moans about the treatment of bikes re. tying down on the Hull Ferry. DFDS at Newcastle aways have an excess of ratchet straps to use.
Prices - I made a bogus trip going out on 1st April back on 15th. Two people, one M/C and dinner and breakfast needed. DFDS do various options - I picked all you can eat buffet. Hull, I presume is the same.
Picked a two bed cabin with window in both cases.
Newcastle - IJmuiden £409.92 return.
Hull - Europoort £394.80 return.
So - £15.12 cheaper from Hull.
Given that all three of us would be travelling the same way to get to Newcastle or Hull, bear in mind the return Hull route involves an additional 300miles riding in Engerlund over Newcastle.
I can't do 300 miles on £15.00 of petrol and it could be argued that because you're actually on the Ferry longer, the Newcastle route has more than £15 of extra value in it.
The bars are dear though. A Pernod+Orange plus a black coffee was Eur 11.70
But I dont see how the Hull route would help me or jaca2865. Usually do that plus a one or two stop plan to Italy.
See you at Royal Quays!
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I agree with the Newcastle having loads of decent tie down equipment.Irritating getting off a both ends due to insufficient border / customs people though.
Need to allow an hour from docking time to being on the road actual time if this years experience is anything to go by
So getting to Lyon / Frankfurt areas are easy (if you take the motorways) then the "A" roads etc can get your attention.
On costs, have a look at fuel prices in the Netherlands
only put in as much as you need to get to either Belgium / Germany if heading south. Fuel in Austria is relatively cheap, just look at the petrol stations near to the borders with Germany
A lot will depend on how much time you have / want to spend getting to Modena.
Need to allow an hour from docking time to being on the road actual time if this years experience is anything to go by
So getting to Lyon / Frankfurt areas are easy (if you take the motorways) then the "A" roads etc can get your attention.On costs, have a look at fuel prices in the Netherlands
only put in as much as you need to get to either Belgium / Germany if heading south. Fuel in Austria is relatively cheap, just look at the petrol stations near to the borders with Germany A lot will depend on how much time you have / want to spend getting to Modena.
Pip_UK
Registered user
Once you're in Italy, a look at the map would suggest cutting down the middle from Milan to Modena - I would recommend NOT taking this route: the Milan area is a traffic nightmare, and the bit between Milan & Parma is a dull, flat plain.
My suggestion would be to cross the Alps to the far South (which is also a very nice part of France) and take the NW Italian coast route from Genoa to La Spezia, taking you through the picturesque Liguria region, then ride East over the Appenine mountains to Modena.
If you're taking the German route, (and have the time!) you could hook round to the North and take in the Dolomites on your way South, via Bolzano, Lake Garda & Verona.
Have a great trip
My suggestion would be to cross the Alps to the far South (which is also a very nice part of France) and take the NW Italian coast route from Genoa to La Spezia, taking you through the picturesque Liguria region, then ride East over the Appenine mountains to Modena.
If you're taking the German route, (and have the time!) you could hook round to the North and take in the Dolomites on your way South, via Bolzano, Lake Garda & Verona.
Have a great trip
each and every one of you many many thanks.
never done this before so its not just trip of life time but will be time of my life trip!!i just need to get the details sorted now. again, many thanks indeed
The usual questions:
How long have you got to make the journey, from the moment you touch mainland Europe to arriving in Modena?
What sort of rider are you? It's not a leading question, just that lots of bods are very different.
Is the holiday the ride to Modena and back.... or does your holiday (assuming it's a holiday, of course) start when you are there?
As much as I hate Googlemaps for plotting anything.... here is what Bulb Land to Modena looks like, avoiding tolls and motorways. I haven't zoomed it in or out, but on a quick glance it may not be too bad with a bit of tidying up.
The logical alternative is to shift the route a bit eastwards, to come down thro' the Black Forest etc. etc. At some point you'll probably have to cross the Alps.... Sometime next year...... Are you going in January? If so, take your thermals
How long have you got to make the journey, from the moment you touch mainland Europe to arriving in Modena?
What sort of rider are you? It's not a leading question, just that lots of bods are very different.
Is the holiday the ride to Modena and back.... or does your holiday (assuming it's a holiday, of course) start when you are there?
As much as I hate Googlemaps for plotting anything.... here is what Bulb Land to Modena looks like, avoiding tolls and motorways. I haven't zoomed it in or out, but on a quick glance it may not be too bad with a bit of tidying up.
The logical alternative is to shift the route a bit eastwards, to come down thro' the Black Forest etc. etc. At some point you'll probably have to cross the Alps.... Sometime next year...... Are you going in January? If so, take your thermals
many thanks for your interest
itll probably be mid spring 2012 and we want to visit the ferrari factory so the desire is to get there and spend a couple of days and then had back norf (sic) via different route.
the prospect of going over the swiss hills is exciting and a big venture. not sure if to camp or B&B or hotel or guesthouse or hostel or or or........
im starting to collect maps so will use them then programme the gps accordingly. did you send me a link re the googlemaps page?
itll probably be mid spring 2012 and we want to visit the ferrari factory so the desire is to get there and spend a couple of days and then had back norf (sic) via different route.
the prospect of going over the swiss hills is exciting and a big venture. not sure if to camp or B&B or hotel or guesthouse or hostel or or or........
im starting to collect maps so will use them then programme the gps accordingly. did you send me a link re the googlemaps page?
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