Europe roadtrip

[Richy h]

Hi all my names richy I’m 51 from Liverpool Uk. I want to buy a bike and travel across Europe I’ve no bike licence but will be rectifying that, I’ve ridden quite a bit in my youth but been a driver most of my life. So I’ll be posting a few questions in various sections thanks 

[Steve_M]

Hi, and welcome. 
 

Have a read of the book ‘Uneasy Rider’ by Mike Carter. It’s an autobiographical account of a guy in his 40’s who, never having owned a bike, takes on a 20,000 mile ride.
 

A tour of Europe is nothing like as adventurous but it may prompt some thoughts about how you approach this new experience.

 

 

[Dry Biker]

At 51, I would politely suggest you purchase a bike that's comfortable to ride i.e. keep awsy from sports bike and lean towards and adventure bike. Go for a mid capacity engine so it's easier to handle and maneuvre around. Get on the eurotunnel and head down to the South of France through the French Pyranese.

Just do it.

[bonio]

OP's posted once and never come back

[onesea]

32 minutes ago, bonio said:

OP's posted once and never come back

Atleast he wasn’t trying to push his Vlog .  Maybe he will be back to do that when he’s got his licence.  

[husoi]

On 25/02/2023 at 17:42, Dry Biker said:

At 51, I would politely suggest you purchase a bike that's comfortable to ride i.e. keep awsy from sports bike and lean towards and adventure bike. Go for a mid capacity engine so it's easier to handle and maneuvre around. Get on the eurotunnel and head down to the South of France through the French Pyranese.

Just do it.

From Liverpool I would rather go across to Hull (3hrs ride), ferry to Rotterdam and when you wake up next day you're in the continent.

Better than 5 long hours at the start of the touring trip.

Much better roads, likely to find far less roadworks. Then the roads on the other side are a lot better  

[bonio]

... except you end up in Holland, which is one of Europe's least attractive biking areas. Too much traffic, too many towns, too many pedestrians and too many bike lanes. Nearly no bends and definitely no hills (actually that's not true - there's a hill in the very south east). At least it's small, easy to leave.

Sorry all you nice Dutch people reading this. I love you all, and you make great pancakes, but your country isn't a great place to ride a motorbike.

[Gerontious]

5 hours ago, bonio said:

... except you end up in Holland, which is one of Europe's least attractive biking areas. Too much traffic, too many towns, too many pedestrians and too many bike lanes. Nearly no bends and definitely no hills (actually that's not true - there's a hill in the very south east). At least it's small, easy to leave.

Sorry all you nice Dutch people reading this. I love you all, and you make great pancakes, but your country isn't a great place to ride a motorbike.

 

Fortunately they have the Eifel and Luxembourg on their doorstep.

 

My proposal for heading for Spain is twofold. if you can possibly afford it. use the direct ferry - both ways ideally or for at least the return.

 

Head for the tunnel, the day before your crossing and stay overnight at one of the local budget Hotels in Kent. There is a premier inn next door to the Tunnel, or you could stay at those in Ashford. There is a Travelodge and Premier inn, next to the M20 and that leaves you with an easy 12 mile ride to the tunnel next morning. So, a meal the night before and perhaps an all you can eat breakfast to start the day, then a ride to the tunnel - with the extras and fuel all added together this might still be cheaper than the overnight from Hull. maybe do the sums. But it will knock a fair wack off the distance you will need to navigate from holland into Belgium and then into France.

 

My preference, once across would be to head down the middle of France, avoiding Paris and approach the Pyrenees from the north east.  via Perpignan or Carcassone.

 

And then at the end of your holiday, rather than the slog across France back to the ports, use the direct ferry. from either Bilbao or Santander.

 

or.. indeed, do the whole trip the other way round. start with the direct ferry and return via the tunnel.

 

but, whichever way you do it.. its either very expensive. or a massive slog. And its because of this rather stark choice. its not a trip I would personally bother with.  Its just not that attractive to me. I would rather head for the southern Alps. mostly because once away from NE France, the journey is (or can easily be) very nice. similar distance. But much more pleasant. especially if you have the time to dawdle en route.

 

Edited February 28, 2023 by Gerontious

[Ian Frog]

2 hours ago, Gerontious said:

 

Fortunately they have the Eifel and Luxembourg on their doorstep.

 

My proposal for heading for Spain is twofold. if you can possibly afford it. use the direct ferry - both ways ideally or for at least the return.

 

Head for the tunnel, the day before your crossing and stay overnight at one of the local budget Hotels in Kent. There is a premier inn next door to the Tunnel, or you could stay at those in Ashford. There is a Travelodge and Premier inn, next to the M20 and that leaves you with an easy 12 mile ride to the tunnel next morning. So, a meal the night before and perhaps an all you can eat breakfast to start the day, then a ride to the tunnel - with the extras and fuel all added together this might still be cheaper than the overnight from Hull. maybe do the sums. But it will knock a fair wack off the distance you will need to navigate from holland into Belgium and then into France.

 

My preference, once across would be to head down the middle of France, avoiding Paris and approach the Pyrenees from the north east.  via Perpignan or Carcassone.

 

And then at the end of your holiday, rather than the slog across France back to the ports, use the direct ferry. from either Bilbao or Santander.

 

or.. indeed, do the whole trip the other way round. start with the direct ferry and return via the tunnel.

 

but, whichever way you do it.. its either very expensive. or a massive slog. And its because of this rather stark choice. its not a trip I would personally bother with.  Its just not that attractive to me. I would rather head for the southern Alps. mostly because once away from NE France, the journey is (or can easily be) very nice. similar distance. But much more pleasant. especially if you have the time to dawdle en route.

 

Totally agree with this suggestion and indeed its why our trip this year will be the reverse route as laid out.

We will arrive Santander then after an overnight stop near Bilbao take a relaxing trip over the Pyrenees via Andorra to Perpignan then onto our base for the next week in Minnevois and return via Calais with a stop off enroute.

Cheers

Ian