Riding in Europe ...

11-04-2006, 10:43 AM

I fancy going over to Europe for a couple of days just to have a ride around with a bit of scenery for my first ride abroad.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where is friendly to ride and a good biker B&B or hotel along the way?

Would also be interested in your opinions on ferry vs. eurtunnel for cost/comfort (not that I like long dark tunnels.... nor ships that make me go green either but I guess one of them is going to be necessary!)

Yorkie · 11-04-2006, 11:08 AM

On the ferry the bikes are strapped down by the crew most of the time i used to stand and watch them do it just to make sure they didnt damage it.

As for the train i think i just stood by the bike.

Comfort is on the boat, speed is by rail.

Get to FR**CE and head south, the weather is usually better, but watch your speed.

I used to go to Germany quite a lot, the long way. Yorkshire-Dover-Calais-Fatherland. A long time in the saddle, but i thought the journey was worth it.

Yorkie.

CK & AK · 11-04-2006, 12:01 PM

Bob, a good 1st trip is Portsmouth - Cherbourg.
A nice bimble off the ferry south to St Mere Eglise (still got a parachutist hanging from the chrch in the town square, must be a dummy!

) & pretty town to wander through.

Plenty of nice cheap accomodation in St Lo further down the road (only about 100k from the ferry in total) - with good roads to rideout to the Normandy beaches, see the huge memorials, also not far to Bayeux (of the tapestry fame). Great local eateries.

Where ever you go - have a good time

C

11-04-2006, 01:15 PM

I'm off there tomorrow morning for 4 days. I'll let you know how it fares as a good biker destination when I get back on Sunday evening. :-) ROute so far is Leicester to Holyhead, Ferry to Dublin, blag it for 4 nights and come home on Sunday. Perhaps more planning might be needed next trip?!

11-04-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

I fancy going over to Europe for a couple of days just to have a ride around with a bit of scenery for my first ride abroad.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where is friendly to ride and a good biker B&B or hotel along the way?

Would also be interested in your opinions on ferry vs. eurtunnel for cost/comfort (not that I like long dark tunnels.... nor ships that make me go green either but I guess one of them is going to be necessary!)

How about Holland? I know a great Glasgow girl, Linny. She runs a B&B for Bikers over there. She has a really good web site, with all sorts of help and advice on the best, and cheapest ways of getting over there, and really takes care of you when you're there...suggests all sorts of routes etc.

Here you go http://www.bikemotel.nl

CK & AK · 11-04-2006, 05:00 PM

or, for a short & economical trip, you could try getting on the ferry at Southampton.........

across to the Isle of Wight!

cant get lost there as the island isnt that big, deals for under Â£100 for at least 3 nights full board - including ferry too!! Going from Southampton takes longer too.....

they speak the same language, drive on the same side, and there are one or 2 nice roads thrown in...

Just an idea to throw your way, if you have 2 or 3 days to spare....

sorry, I'll get my coat...

C

bigredduke · 11-04-2006, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob

I fancy going over to Europe for a couple of days just to have a ride around with a bit of scenery for my first ride abroad.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where is friendly to ride and a good biker B&B or hotel along the way?

Would also be interested in your opinions on ferry vs. eurtunnel for cost/comfort (not that I like long dark tunnels.... nor ships that make me go green either but I guess one of them is going to be necessary!)

try www.speedferries.com, they are fantastic value and only 50 mins. crossing from Dover to Boulogne.

You won't get far in two days. A lot of northern France is extremely tedious, flat & boring. Try to head for Brittany, wonderful coastline and great seafood! The downside is the weather can be very much like the West of Ireland.
Good luck!

gary tompkins · 11-04-2006, 06:01 PM

The Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferries or Seacat are a bit of a rip off TBH @ Â£150 (ish) for bike + rider, and there isn't a very good choice of crossing time these days either.

Dover to Calais or Boulogne is usually the cheapest ferry crossing, with the Calais route at around Â£45 return at present. But this could leave you with a lot of riding (and petrol expense) to deal with on the other side depending on your final destination?

You find everybody is a lot more friendly towards bikes & bikers on the continent, even plod often gives you a nod or thumbs up as you ride past. Just watch the kph speed limits (especially the 20kph ones in town) and treat junctions & roundabouts with extra caution and you should be ok.

Also make sure you keep your lights on, carry spare bulbs, first aid kit etc... as this has been a legal requirement for some time now.

Most large towns have a good choice of hotels or B&B's, and the prices are very affordable compared to the UK. It is a good idea to book in advance though - especially at peak periods like school & bank holidays.

18-04-2006, 02:39 PM

These are all great suggestions and tips thanks guys. .Someone has mentioned a biker motel in Brugge?

Indoor parking for the bike by your room apparently... anyone heard of it or know what it's called?

18-04-2006, 07:54 PM

Best place for a couple of days is the Ardenne region of Belgium.

Not far to go, lots of bendy roads, chips, hills, chips, forest, chips, and lots of biker friendly B&B and pubs etc.

This might be the place you have heard of http://www.grd.be/motorhotel/default.htm

19-04-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dribbley

Best place for a couple of days is the Ardenne region of Belgium.

Not far to go, lots of bendy roads, chips, hills, chips, forest, chips, and lots of biker friendly B&B and pubs etc.

This might be the place you have heard of http://www.grd.be/motorhotel/default.htm

That looks a lot like it. The indoor parking is how I imagined it would be. Thanks

19-04-2006, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbodycote

I'm off there tomorrow morning for 4 days. I'll let you know how it fares as a good biker destination when I get back on Sunday evening. :-) ROute so far is Leicester to Holyhead, Ferry to Dublin, blag it for 4 nights and come home on Sunday. Perhaps more planning might be needed next trip?!

How did your trip go? I might be off there for a week or so at the end of August, so any info you've got will be very useful for me!

Cheers

Benjy

19-04-2006, 12:15 PM

Is Plum still about???

How long does it take by Ferry to get to jersey/Guernsey?? Is it expensive?

16-02-2007, 05:42 PM

As Charlotte says Portsmouth to Cherbourg and down to St Lo and St Mare Eglise is a great route but as Gary says Portsmouth to Cherbourg is an expensive ferry trip now.

Bruges is a great place and a few of us 18 months ago stayed at biker friendly B&B where we were able to keep up bikes locked up in a secure garage. Bruges is a beautiful city with great cuisine and mad beers BUT be aware that it's the world's worst one-way system getting in and out of Brugges so we left the bikes in the garage. One of our group wasn't confident on one-way cobbled streets.

As we left Brugges we worked out a much easier route to get in and out of the city.

Timewise, allow 45 mins for Dover to Calais crossing (£40-odd as Gary said), allow an hour to ride from France to Bruges. We went the direct route but I'm sure the scenic route would be much more fun.

hotel place we stayed was Hotel Fevery. Check out their reviews on www.tripadvisor.com, it averages about 4.5 stars out of 5 from loads of reviews.

Hotel is www.hotelfevery.be

I've always fancied Ghent, about 2 hours from Calais? Ghent's meant to be a well cool place, very medieval but not as touristy as Bruges.

Got me thinking, anyone from UKMOC (i.e. CK, Gary etc) up for a trip to Ghent?

Cheers!
Marky

slob · 16-02-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eonan

How about Holland? I know a great Glasgow girl, Linny. She runs a B&B for Bikers over there. She has a really good web site, with all sorts of help and advice on the best, and cheapest ways of getting over there, and really takes care of you when you're there...suggests all sorts of routes etc.

Here you go http://www.bikemotel.nl

just look at those twisting mountain roads
http://www.bikemotel.nl/cms_uk/image.../front_air.jpg

11-04-2006, 10:43 AM	#1
Lady-Bob Guest Posts: n/a	Riding in Europe ... I fancy going over to Europe for a couple of days just to have a ride around with a bit of scenery for my first ride abroad. Does anyone have any suggestions of where is friendly to ride and a good biker B&B or hotel along the way? Would also be interested in your opinions on ferry vs. eurtunnel for cost/comfort (not that I like long dark tunnels.... nor ships that make me go green either but I guess one of them is going to be necessary!)

11-04-2006, 01:15 PM	#4
Bodybag Guest Posts: n/a	Ireland I'm off there tomorrow morning for 4 days. I'll let you know how it fares as a good biker destination when I get back on Sunday evening. :-) ROute so far is Leicester to Holyhead, Ferry to Dublin, blag it for 4 nights and come home on Sunday. Perhaps more planning might be needed next trip?!

11-04-2006, 05:00 PM	#6
CK & AK flob-a-lob-a-lob Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NW Surrey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 3,306	or, for a short & economical trip, you could try getting on the ferry at Southampton......... across to the Isle of Wight! cant get lost there as the island isnt that big, deals for under Â£100 for at least 3 nights full board - including ferry too!! Going from Southampton takes longer too..... they speak the same language, drive on the same side, and there are one or 2 nice roads thrown in... Just an idea to throw your way, if you have 2 or 3 days to spare.... sorry, I'll get my coat... C Last edited by fatbloke; 16-02-2007 at 06:01 PM..

11-04-2006, 06:01 PM	#8
gary tompkins 1/2 man - 1/2 pogo-stick Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Dartford, Kent Bike: M900ie Posts: 7,241	The Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferries or Seacat are a bit of a rip off TBH @ Â£150 (ish) for bike + rider, and there isn't a very good choice of crossing time these days either. Dover to Calais or Boulogne is usually the cheapest ferry crossing, with the Calais route at around Â£45 return at present. But this could leave you with a lot of riding (and petrol expense) to deal with on the other side depending on your final destination? You find everybody is a lot more friendly towards bikes & bikers on the continent, even plod often gives you a nod or thumbs up as you ride past. Just watch the kph speed limits (especially the 20kph ones in town) and treat junctions & roundabouts with extra caution and you should be ok. Also make sure you keep your lights on, carry spare bulbs, first aid kit etc... as this has been a legal requirement for some time now. Most large towns have a good choice of hotels or B&B's, and the prices are very affordable compared to the UK. It is a good idea to book in advance though - especially at peak periods like school & bank holidays. __________________ GT Fully paid up member of the S.A.S. (Scottoiler Appreciation Society) 27,000 miles on original chain - and still going strong! Last edited by gary tompkins; 11-04-2006 at 06:06 PM..

18-04-2006, 07:54 PM	#10
Dribbley Guest Posts: n/a	Belgium, and not just for the chips Best place for a couple of days is the Ardenne region of Belgium. Not far to go, lots of bendy roads, chips, hills, chips, forest, chips, and lots of biker friendly B&B and pubs etc. This might be the place you have heard of http://www.grd.be/motorhotel/default.htm

11-04-2006, 11:08 AM	#2
Yorkie Anglo-Saxon Warrior Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: North Yorkshire Bike: M900 Posts: 2,485	On the ferry the bikes are strapped down by the crew most of the time i used to stand and watch them do it just to make sure they didnt damage it. As for the train i think i just stood by the bike. Comfort is on the boat, speed is by rail. Get to FR**CE and head south, the weather is usually better, but watch your speed. I used to go to Germany quite a lot, the long way. Yorkshire-Dover-Calais-Fatherland. A long time in the saddle, but i thought the journey was worth it. Yorkie.

11-04-2006, 12:01 PM	#3
CK & AK flob-a-lob-a-lob Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: NW Surrey Bike: Multiple Monsters Posts: 3,306	Bob, a good 1st trip is Portsmouth - Cherbourg. A nice bimble off the ferry south to St Mere Eglise (still got a parachutist hanging from the chrch in the town square, must be a dummy! ) & pretty town to wander through. Plenty of nice cheap accomodation in St Lo further down the road (only about 100k from the ferry in total) - with good roads to rideout to the Normandy beaches, see the huge memorials, also not far to Bayeux (of the tapestry fame). Great local eateries. Where ever you go - have a good time C

18-04-2006, 02:39 PM	#9
Lady-Bob Guest Posts: n/a	These are all great suggestions and tips thanks guys. .Someone has mentioned a biker motel in Brugge? Indoor parking for the bike by your room apparently... anyone heard of it or know what it's called?

19-04-2006, 12:15 PM	#13
Lady-Bob Guest Posts: n/a	Is Plum still about??? How long does it take by Ferry to get to jersey/Guernsey?? Is it expensive?

16-02-2007, 05:42 PM	#14
Marky Guest Posts: n/a	As Charlotte says Portsmouth to Cherbourg and down to St Lo and St Mare Eglise is a great route but as Gary says Portsmouth to Cherbourg is an expensive ferry trip now. Bruges is a great place and a few of us 18 months ago stayed at biker friendly B&B where we were able to keep up bikes locked up in a secure garage. Bruges is a beautiful city with great cuisine and mad beers BUT be aware that it's the world's worst one-way system getting in and out of Brugges so we left the bikes in the garage. One of our group wasn't confident on one-way cobbled streets. As we left Brugges we worked out a much easier route to get in and out of the city. Timewise, allow 45 mins for Dover to Calais crossing (£40-odd as Gary said), allow an hour to ride from France to Bruges. We went the direct route but I'm sure the scenic route would be much more fun. hotel place we stayed was Hotel Fevery. Check out their reviews on www.tripadvisor.com, it averages about 4.5 stars out of 5 from loads of reviews. Hotel is www.hotelfevery.be I've always fancied Ghent, about 2 hours from Calais? Ghent's meant to be a well cool place, very medieval but not as touristy as Bruges. Got me thinking, anyone from UKMOC (i.e. CK, Gary etc) up for a trip to Ghent? Cheers! Marky