Baph's Euro-Tripe

[Baph]

Anyone that's seen it will know the reference. :)

I'm hoping to get a trip around a small section of Europe done this year, and figured that a thread on the .Org would be a good place to plan it all, as you guys could provide input as/when you see fit. :)

NB, I'll be editing this post throughout to keep the information here updated. I've yet to go through the links sticky thread in this section, so I don't feel that this thread should be referenced there, yet.

Date: (unconfirmed), I'm hoping to leave the AR (which means early August), then head off to Europe, as I'd already be most of the way there, so it makes sense to leave from the AR.

Route: This is pretty much confirmed, although I could end up doing a much reduced version of it. Fuel stops (suggested ones anyway) will be added to the maps as/when I have the chance. I'm planning to cover approx 200 miles per day, starting from Calais going anti-clockwise around the French coast, taking in some twisties. Then through Italy to the Alps, into Germany then back through France to Calais. Calais - Calais I'm hoping to achieve in 17 days.

Accomodation: I'm unsure at this point. Possibly camping, possible B&Bs. Maybe even a mixture. I also need to look into availability etc. I know many people just ride & find somewhere, so that's an option too.

NOTE: I have changed the routes, half the original distance per day, and more distance overall to take in some more twisties.

Day 1: Depart from the AR, down to Dover. Once off the boat, follow the coast pretty much into Le-Harve. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.00045eceddeae56c23928&z=8). Should I end up doing the reduced version, Day 2 will consist of heading back to Calais from this point, then it'll be converted to a Normandy Beach attack. :)

Day 2: Le Harve to Marcey-les-Greves. Again, coastline work. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.00046196bb19dcb55c7ac&ll=49.196064,-0.807495&spn=2.006567,3.977051&z=8).

Thanks to G for camera avoidance advice. :thumbsup:

Day 3: Marcey-Les-Greves to Morlaix. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.00046197815ffd5a58c6e&ll=48.629278,-2.58728&spn=2.029457,3.977051&z=8).
Day 4: Morlaix to Lorient. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.0004619873bbc4ec600a7&z=9).
Day 5: Lorient to La-Rochelle-sur-Yon. I'm hoping to get out on to Noirmoutier-en-I'lle if possible, purely for novelty. But that can be chopped out if needed. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000461989045cce4e88c2&ll=46.980955,-2.215977&spn=0.065467,0.124283&z=13).
Day 6: La-Rochelle-sur-Yon to Bordeaux. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.00046198b1361b1c265f3&ll=45.143305,-0.406494&spn=2.165788,3.977051&z=8).
Day 7: Bordeaux to Carcassonne. Autoroute mile muncher. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.00046198c104b59509f1e&ll=44.00862,0.856934&spn=2.208458,3.977051&z=8).
Day 8: Carcassonne to Montpellier. Nice & twisty to recover from the boredom of Day 7. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.00046198e4e0669bc9131&ll=43.658318,3.077545&spn=1.110758,1.988525&z=9).
Day 9: Montpellier to Orange. More twisties. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=44.488668,3.691406&spn=2.19051,3.955078&z=8&msid=109887618499785034139.000462e3f5f2ff4c0a370).
Day 10: Orange to Lac de Ste Crox. More twisties. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000461a906e3f237b7661&ll=44.0718,5.712891&spn=1.103074,1.988525&z=9).
Day 11: Lac de Ste Crox to Formeaux. Finishing within spitting distance of the Italy border. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000461a98c6b3f6cc8872&ll=44.502011,6.456184&spn=2.190069,3.977051&z=8).
Day 12: Formeaux to Portirone. Mile muncher again. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000461aaa02346e28dc97&ll=45.386877,8.366089&spn=2.156517,3.977051&z=8).
Day 13: Portirone to Chur. Stelvio. :cheers: Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000461aabe9a932032c1b&ll=46.21025,10.272217&spn=1.062459,1.988525&z=9).
Day 14: Chur to Zurich, the long way. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000462bcf8ae8051f58a7&ll=46.946512,9.085693&spn=2.096237,3.977051&z=8).
Day 15: Zurich to Strasburg. Twisties. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&ll=48.54116,8.025513&spn=0.508256,0.98877&z=10&msid=109887618499785034139.000462e4069d9ab88265c).
Day 16: Strasburg to Sedan. Avoiding the major roads. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000462bd49a2bc033dceb&ll=49.124219,6.377563&spn=2.009479,3.977051&z=8).
Day 17: Sedan to Calais. Map here (http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109887618499785034139.000462bd603515c55f72e&ll=50.3139,3.433228&spn=1.960848,3.977051&z=8).

Cost: Ferry is around £36 at the moment (compared against the tunnel at £110!!). Fuel per day, I'm working on an average of 1.5 tanks a day, which at current prices means £23. Total fuel for the journey (Calais - Calais) being £391. Accommodation, unknown. Food, call it £30/day - making £510 to live like a king on the trip. Total cost estimated (without accomodation): £901.

If you then assume £30 for accomodation, the trip cost works out at £1411. But realistically, it wouldn't be this as I'm rounding everything up.

The whole thing, from my house & back, including the AR, I'm hoping to do in 20 days.

Any comments welcome, as is anyone that wants to join me on the trip. Though at the moment I'm not sure if I'll get to do it, if I don't plan it, it'll never happen!

Now for the thinking out loud:

Things I still need to know/sort:
Ferry times/prices.
Accomodation - ad-hoc or pre-booked? Tentage or B&B?
Does my phone work abroad? Roaming costs?
Location of fixed camera sites enroute.
Am I taking GPS (NavMan)? Or just relying on the old "point & squirt" method of route finding? If taking GPS, can I mark out known camera sites?
In order to take the GPS, wiring on the bike needs sorting to accomodate charging/running GPS.
The NavMan needs a water-tight case before it can be used, and will need a bike mount.

Things still needed:
E111/EHIC (or equivalent EU medical cover) - apply in advance.
Maps of France/Italy/Alps/Germany.
Breakdown cover. I think I may have this, but needs checking on.
Luggage options for the bike. High level soft panniers?
Small can of lube.
New gas canisters for puncture repair kit.
Could do with some better waterproofs, esp trousers.
Spare bulbs for everywhere. Better safe than sorry.
Warning triangle for use in France.

Things that I have in my possession that need packing:
Puncture repair kit.
Spare gloves (already have a winter pair & summer pair).
Multiple thin layers including thermals.

Things to do before setting off:
Ensure tyres have a good few thousand miles left.
Service the bike (oil/filter change, air filter change, chain tension, brake pads?). The bike will need its first MOT just before then anyhow.
Pack bank card/credit card somewhere easily accessible.
Pack V5/insurance documents somewhere accessible.
Tape headlights for Euro conversion.
Draw up tank maps before heading out, and test them using GPS. Take these anyway, even if using GPS!
Ensure phone has credit, and pack charger.
If taking the tent, put the tent up & check it out properly. Ensure all pegs/poles still present & accounted for.
Get some currency changed into Euros.

[DarrenSV650S]

Looks a bit rushed to me but that's just me. I'm thinking of heading down to the south of France too, but for 2 or 3 weeks, depending on money at the time. Hope you have a great time:)

[Baph]

Looks a bit rushed to me but that's just me.

The point of it to me is the roads/scenery. I'm not that interested in sight seeing etc. Although I have a plan in the back of my mind for if I'm aching too much, or if I fancy stopping somewhere pretty for photo's. Or just a random day in a city (it's been a while since I've been to Cannes for example).

So I don't really have a problem with riding for 8 hours, sleeping, riding for 8 hours, etc etc. :)

[G]

LAst year I caught the Ferry from Portsmouth to StMalo and spent a week along the brittany coast.

The N12 is the most boring camera infested road you can ride, I can firmly recommend the coast road from StMalo to StBrieuc, then the highlight of my trip and if you miss it out and go the N12 it would be sacrilidge.

Follow the coast road from Pordic to Perros Guirec then take in the beaches from Perros-Guirec to Tregastel to Trebeurden.

Below are some of the photos of that little areas, its really not to be missed, silky smooth twisty roads and perfect beaches.

I cant remember which beach is which but this is what you are missing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/graemepaterson/France/Holiday068.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/graemepaterson/France/Holiday083.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/graemepaterson/France/Holiday130.jpg

The Roads on that you will miss.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v634/graemepaterson/France/Holiday232.jpg

I would love to go again, alas this year I doubt I could afford it with other plans.

[Baph]

most boring camera infested road you can ride

Day 2 ammended to suit. Muchos-grassios. :)

[Tim in Belgium]

Personally I'd spend more time in the Alps and do more passes. And for Day 6 after Basel I'd try a route through the Vosges mountains.

[Tim in Belgium]

Also the run across Northern Italy may be a little dull until you get to the lakes.

[Baph]

Personally I'd spend more time in the Alps and do more passes. And for Day 6 after Basel I'd try a route through the Vosges mountains.

Day 6 suitably modified, and shortened to account for fatigue. :)

I'd love to spend more time in the Alps, but I'm limited for time as it is, which is why I may end up doing two days in France then home, instead of the whole 7 day trip. Time will tell I suppose. :)

EDIT: As for Northern Italy, it'll give me some time to chill after hairpins & before the Apls. It'll also serve as a mile muncher should I be behind schedule. :)

Cheers Tim. :thumbsup:

[John 675]

is this one open to anyone baph? or is this just you?

[DarrenSV650S]

is this one open to anyone baph? or is this just you?
Any comments welcome, as is anyone that wants to join me on the trip..

[Baph]

is this one open to anyone baph? or is this just you?

As Darren said, anyone welcome. .Org or not. :)

If anyone wants to steal the plans & use them independently, that's fine too. Like I said in the OP, the trip isn't by any means definite, but if I don't plan it, it definitely won't happen.

If you (with or without the missus) wants to tag along if/when I do the trip, you'd be welcome. There's a few other .Orgers that expressed interest too.

[DMC]

I agree with Tim. If its the riding and good roads your going for I would head straight for the Alps.

If you do go for 7 days I would spend the first day on the motorways and head for Annecy or Grenoble. It would be a long first day, but well worth the effort as you will then be spoilt for choice roadwise and also only be a days ride from Cannes and the south coast.

[Lissa]

Pete and I never book anywhere, we just go on spec and have never had a problem............but, and it's a big BUT...............you are planning to go in the height of the holiday season. You may struggle to find places on spec.

[arcdef]

sounds exactly like i want to do :) if you end up doing a shorter version (just around France) may (if welcome) be interested in joining you as don't fancy doing it all lonesome will keep an eye on this!

[Baph]

Pete and I never book anywhere, we just go on spec and have never had a problem............but, and it's a big BUT...............you are planning to go in the height of the holiday season. You may struggle to find places on spec.
That was partly my concern, and if I take a tent, and it gets late whilst up a mountain side, well, there's nothing to stop me pulling over & pitching camp (then getting shot by the farmer the next morning. :D ).

sounds exactly like i want to do :) if you end up doing a shorter version (just around France) may (if welcome) be interested in joining you as don't fancy doing it all lonesome will keep an eye on this!

I appear to be repeating myself, so this time, in bold. :)

Should anyone wish to accompany me on the planned ride, they'd be most welcome. 33bhp? Not on the .Org? Not on an SV? Want to come in a car (and confident you can keep up)? Want a pillion ride (subject to space)? No problem. :)

If I end up doing the Normandy Attack (2 days in France), I have no problem with some company, then others continue on the Tripe as I planned it, or even vice versa. Or if folks want to tag along part of the route, then split & do their own thing. Feel Free.

NOTE: This trip is planned, and hoped for, nothing is definite about me going.

I've also had a couple of chats with people in the past by means other than the .Org, and a couple of PMs since posting this thread. If everyone that's expressed an interest came on the ride, it'd be a pretty damn good rideout I reckon. Possibly 8 bikes including me? :D No, I'm not naming names at this stage. :p

[MR UKI (1)]

Sounds great Baph, get it done if you can, lifes too short. I too shall keep an eye on this thread as could very easily be tempted to join in.

[dizzyblonde]

hmmmmm interesting, I could accompany you for the first day and peel off from la rochelle over to Les Nouillers. Haven't quite twisted the arm of Im Indoors yet though. Hes still reluctant :-(

[fizzwheel]

You dont need a warning triangle for France, but you'll need a Hi-Viz vest in case you breakdown, as you don that instead of putting the triangle out.

Theres a thread somewhere in th euro tour section that says what you do and dont need to take. Or at least some better advice than I'm giving you :-D

[plowsie]

As said to you mate, I should be over in Switzerland from 31st July to 14th August, theres a possible place to kip up in a chalet with us and I may even be able to do a days riding with ya :)

DISCLAIMER: This by no means is definite and may totally feck up your plans completely :lol: So maybe a coffee and a chat somewhere en route may be better :)

[dizzyblonde]

You dont need a warning triangle for France, but you'll need a Hi-Viz vest in case you breakdown, as you don that instead of putting the triangle out.

Theres a thread somewhere in th euro tour section that says what you do and dont need to take. Or at least some better advice than I'm giving you :-D

+1 and you also need your bag of spare bulbs etc, as the gendarmes like to see your backup kit if you get pulled over.

[Messie]

Oh this sounds sooooo tempting. I havn't planned holiday rides for this year yet and this sounds great.

And I'll need the chill out after it all goes wonderfully well or horribly wrong at AR09!!

Please, please Mr Baph, go for it!!

[falc]

Cool Baph, looking good.

June is probably the best time, warm enough and sunny enough yet the tourists won't be around as much as July/August.

Pre-book your stuff I reckon, when I did mine we thought of ad-hoc but we had someone back here organising the hotels the night before. That was the best idea because the alps take a while to munch through it would be pretty late when we rolled into town and it made it nice to have a destination and fall into bed, oh and don't go for hostels or the like, B&B all the way :D

Phone should work fine, costs are higher but I would recommend getting a pre-paid Europe/French Sim, save alot on calls/texts and takes the hassle out.

I used tankbag and Tailpack and that worked fine for everything with room over.

Erm learn a little French if you don't know it already just to be polite if anything saying thankyou etc.

Would like to do another French trip this year, will see how it goes! Good luck anyway and take lots of pics.

[Stu]

Sorry but I couldn't read past 400 miles a day. Sounds like madness to me

[Tilt]

Hi Baph you seem to be packing in major mileage each day even when large chunks of your journey seem to be based upon Motorway travel.

Have you costed the Toll charges for your journey?

I tend to think that my routings are some times ambitious at times but this exceeds what I would consider enjoyable by some margin.

For me its about the journey not just some destinations. Some of your days when plugged into Google way points come out to well over 400 miles a day. This will force you down motor way or multiple carriage trunk roads to get the mileage in.

Motorways (in my experience) are just not fun. France has so much to offer in terms of variety of country side, villages, mountains, valleys, challenging near deserted roads and nearly all of these such roads are D roads few are N roads and none of the Peages and or A roads meet such criteria IMO.

I have made this mistake driving a route that demanded 450 to 500 km/day and I ended up driving to the clock and not taking time to enjoy the journey. It pressures you to meet dead lines and then dumb stuff starts to happen.

You also face a dilemna re advance booking. With such an ambitious schedule you dont always get time to both make your destination and then hunt down a bed. So the tendency is to book ahead. Forcing you to meet dead lines

A more relaxed schedule buys you this time to hunt down a bed, or it gives you time to dally somewhat and still make the reservation unstressed.

Plan in some semi loops into your route. These are bits you can cut out if you start to fall behind. e.g you have a loop in to see the Mileu bridge. if you fall behind that day this is the bit you'll most likely miss or else not make your planned destination.

But then on that same day you may have factored the bridge as a major objective?

Some times you can take an ambitious day and route by but not on a hiway. Again if you fall behind you can take to a hiway to catch up. But if you plan ambitiously whilst depending upon motorways then there is no back up plan.


Here is an example

I did this day route

http://tinyurl.com/7pl5ge

4 years ago its a beautiful journey along the Tarn to the Ardeche. Its only 350km long but the roads are challenging. Yet we left Cordes at 6.00 am and arrived at Aigeuze at 7.00pm. We had stopped 4 times enroute once was for a quick lunch. I reckon we were at least 10 hours in the saddle.

My fellow rider collapsed at the end of this journey. Refusing to even unpack. The day had been spoilt for him at that moment and it was only after several beers and Pizzas that we began to realise how much we had seen and done in one day.

It was a long day there was no back up plan. We could have taken it a bit easier and enjoyed it more. Fortunately the next day was a rest day and we took it very easy.

Yet your days are just as long yet without the rewards en route and without the rest bite.

OK I have had a bad case of verbal diarrhoea above but I really think your mileage is very ambitious and the resultant routes less than fun even though you are passing within a few miles of some amazing routes if you allow more time (days) or plan a less ambitious total journey.

Of course its doable and we may just put that sort of mileage in on the odd Sunday ride out but not day after day for 7 days non stop.

Hope this helps..........

[gettin2dizzy]

Lots of sense
Well done that man!

I agree. 400 miles a day is over ambitious. I plan to do a similar trip doing 200 a day, and a rest day in ever 4.

Would be good to draw up a list of places and roads worth visiting though :thumbsup:

[Tim in Belgium]

On my two big euro trips I managed the following:

Trip 1, 3500 kms in 6 days, 1/2 day out on the motorway and 2/3s of a day on the way back on a motorway, the rest on normal roads and passes, very intense but great at the same time, but I was flexible, my plans got altered every evening to reflect progress, plus I had the advantage of starting on mainland europe.

Trip 2 was 4000 miles in two weeks starting in the UK, 1 day out on motorways to the Ring, 2 days at the Ring and the rest heading round the alps and Slovenia on passes, back roads and normal roads 1 day and a half back on motorways, so it can be done, even when hitting a lot of passes.

However if there was more than one person I don't think it is quite so easy to match people's riding rhythm (oo err missses), so you're likely to cut down on that. It also depends what you enjoy, do you want the intensity of 10 hrs in the saddle concentrating on countless hairpins, or do you want to stop for the odd coffee?

Whatever you do as long as you're flexible you can adjust to suit yourself. I'd set one point as an objective somewhere (about half way) and one of the important bits of the trip to you. On one of my trips it was Monte Carlo and Lake Como, with an interesting route there and back.

Again this is all advice, everyone's an individual and there is no right or wrong to go about this :)

[dizzyblonde]

. I reckon we were at least 10 hours in the saddle.

My fellow rider collapsed at the end of this journey. Refusing to even unpack. The day had been spoilt for him at that moment and it was only after several beers and Pizzas that we began to realise how much we had seen and done in one day.

...

AHHH yes the 10 hrs in a saddle:twisted:.
Funny I almost thought you were describing me after that length if time on the bike....but then realised you'd missed out the constant driving rain:(
Tilt your post is one of much sense, have done that amount of mileage on the peages over there in a day and you really do feel absolutely crucified, wasn't so bad on the way down, but on the way back after you've been riding around villages taking in some gorgeous roads, it just paggers you.

I will never again listen to someone who says
''ahh yes I've done it to Bordeaux in 'X amount of hours' ''
I thought that the peages were like motorways, they are...until you realise that junction numbers over there aren't as close together like they are over here, they can miles and miles apart in a lot of places, in fact it gets so lonely in places that you almost start believing you've missed it!

Still, end of the day a trip over there is absolutely well worth it...no matter how far it is :-)

[falc]

Ah mileage, yer less mileage is best on the nice roads. Did from here to Nice in one day before and then worked our way back up along the twisties. It was just over 900 miles in the saddle and 15hours odd bed was very welcome, we did get lost a few times too!

Wouldn't do it again but it was an experience i'll never forget, for good reasons I should add :D

Time to look at some alpine roads I think... :D

[DarrenSV650S]

Ah mileage, yer less mileage is best on the nice roads. Did from here to Nice in one day before and then worked our way back up along the twisties. It was just over 900 miles in the saddle and 15hours odd bed was very welcome, we did get lost a few times too!

Wouldn't do it again but it was an experience i'll never forget, for good reasons I should add :D

Time to look at some alpine roads I think... :D
That's nuts. Impressive. But nuts

[Stu]

That's nuts. Impressive. But nuts
Actually I can understand that approach much better than planning to do 400 miles every single day of your trip.

60mph, what kept you? ;)

[DarrenSV650S]

For my trip this year (if it happens) I'm planning to get the French Motorail (http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=493) down through France to save time and mileage

[Luckypants]

For my trip this year (if it happens) I'm planning to get the French Motorail (http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=493) down through France to save time and mileage

Have you priced that?

[DarrenSV650S]

Have you priced that?
:eek:.................... like I said, I'm going down the motorway

[Luckypants]

For my trip this year (if it happens) I'm planning to get the French Motorail (http://www.raileurope.co.uk/Default.aspx?tabid=493) down through France to save time and mileage

:eek:.................... like I said, I'm going down the motorway

?? :confused:

[DarrenSV650S]

?? :confused:
I hadn't looked at the prices until you pointed it out. Turns out its very expensive. Therefore I'll be taking the motorway

[falc]

Actually I can understand that approach much better than planning to do 400 miles every single day of your trip.

60mph, what kept you? ;)

Heh, spending too long at the pit stops cause our arses were sore...from riding...the bikes (phew)

Oh and forgot the crossing across the channel, that slowed us down ;)

I hadn't looked at the prices until you pointed it out. Turns out its very expensive. Therefore I'll be taking the motorway

Yup, thats what made us do the long haul. It had some very cool points, I wrote up my trip actually and have some pics, ill dig it out and try and put it online.

[arcdef]

has the planning got any further yet?? defiantly up for this :D

[Baph]

has the planning got any further yet?? defiantly up for this :D

Patience young grasshopper. :)

(I'm actually doing it as we speak).

[Baph]

Tilt, firstly, many thanks for very clear constructive feedback. :) It shall be taken into account (I'm reorganising things at the moment & will edit the OP suitably later).


Have you costed the Toll charges for your journey?

Most of the route doesn't rely on toll roads, but no, I haven't costed these yet - it's something I'm aware that I need to plan for though. :)


For me its about the journey not just some destinations. Some of your days when plugged into Google way points come out to well over 400 miles a day. This will force you down motor way or multiple carriage trunk roads to get the mileage in.


You're right about the mileage. To be honest, I was working to rough calculations, and this was always going to be amended as time passes. The day in the Alps in particular I'm not happy about due to the distances involved.

you have a loop in to see the Mileu bridge.
You're over thinking this. I have that road because it looks like a good twisty road on Google maps. I haven't even begun to consider places I want to stop off at, or pass through (again, routes will be amended for this part of the planning as & when). I do take your point about loops though.

Hope this helps..........

It has. Thanks. :)

For all reading this, at the moment, I think I'm only going to be able to do the quick sortee into France this year, and maybe look at the longer EU trip another time. Unless I win the lottery. :D

Planning will still continue for the full tripe though, for now. :)

[Tim in Belgium]

If you're only planning a short trip into France I'd think about aiming for the Vosges as a midway point (do-able on a long weekend), you'd then get some real mountain roads in too.

[Baph]

Right, routes have been amended.

Originally I was planning on 400 miles a day. I've halved that, and then extended the journey as a whole.

It's looking more & more like the fact that I'm not going to be able to do the whole Tripe. :( Time will tell.

[arcdef]

You still planning this or is it a no go now?

[Baph]

You still planning this or is it a no go now?

The whole EU trip is probably going to have to wait. I might get over to France for a couple of days though, but I think it's probably best to start a new thread about that if I'm doing it.

The main reason is that it's difficult getting time to spend 3 weeks away from the family.

[arcdef]

oh ok, well ill keep an eye out for a new thread, tbh a couple of days would be my limit too!

[DarrenSV650S]

Provided I still have a job I'm going to be going for 2/3 weeks at some point.

[Tim in Belgium]

Provided I still have a job I'm going to be going for 2/3 weeks at some point.

Have lots of fun!

[Baph]

Right....

All concerned,

I feel that I've left my Europe trips too late to finish the planning. The main problem is financial planning on my side - I've looked at a couple of days in France, and for what I want to do, it comes back around the £500 mark - money that I just can't spare at the moment. Well, I could, but it'd make things so tight it's not worth doing.

So, with that in mind, the trips are offically postponed. But don't be down heartened, start saving now, as I intend to go next year. :D

The plan remains the same, AR (wherever that may be), then off around France (well, the northern coastline anyway). Unless the AR is in Fife or something silly.

Apologies to all who got their hopes up with the talk of this & the France trip I have been talking about - you're more than welcome to use any of the stuff I've planned thus far (including costings etc). Drop me a PM if there's anything you want to know for your own trips. :)