Great Rides

[JulesW]

Moved this to a new thread to try and garner interest :)

As the winter milieu sets in I find myself sitting at the computer dreaming more and more of the perfect road. It's spurred me into looking to Europe for a 7-9 day exploration of some of the finest roads Western Europe has to offer.

Thoughts so far involve heading off in the spring, probably during the month of May and heading to a region of W. Europe. I'd prefer to travel light and head for a really nice region where I can make a base and explore for 5 days or so before heading home.

Bavaria and Austria look wonderful as do sections of the Southern French Alps, I love Spain for many reasons and it would be grand to do some biking there. The Swiss Alpine passes look fabulous. In fact I'm spoilt for choice and thats were you guys come in. ;)

I've not done much in the way of touring and find myself in need of advice from the community. General touring advice would be great but I'd really love to know of the regions you have explored by bike and the amazing tarmac (or not) that you have found there.

I don't have any luggage gear either, so it would be really helpful to get suggestions on SV650 luggage set-ups and equipment. :)

[garynortheast]

Oxford Sports Lifetime panniers, tail pack and tank bag have served me well for several years and a number of European and British jaunts. Work well on the SV.


Try looking at the Massif Centrale region of France. Hugely under explored and a great riding area from the Maritime North to the Mediterranean South. Loads of fantastic roads especially around the area of, and including, the Gorge du Tarn.

[JulesW]

Gary, many thanks for the response, I checked out the Oxford stuff online and it looks great. I've got time on my side so let the ebay hunt commence.

I also need to make a list of 'must have' maintenance and emergency kit to take with me. Advice on that very welcome also :)

[Littlepeahead]

If you ever fancy a longer trip further afield then the people who I do my Thailand trips with are fantastic. The Mae Hong Son loop is known as one of the best bikes rides you can do.

[chris SVK3]

Me and my mates go ever other year to Europe and in the past have always camped and travelled to new place every day. We usually cover about 3000 miles in week it's great fun but my advice would be find a central location to an area you want be in and do day trips from there.

Next year we are going to the aoasta valley in Italy in an apartment. It costs about £300 for the week and you can travel into switzland, Italy and franchise alps with easy, the bonus of this you don't have to pack up your camping gear every night and you will save money on panniers and tank bags as you will only need a tail pack.

[JulesW]

Anybody got any recommendations for a decent place to stay the night not too far from Calais, Fr.? I keep thinking about heading towards the Black Forest, Germany and since I live in NW England I reckon the run over to Calais on day 1 will be enough riding for one day.

[garynortheast]

I've used the Youth Hostel at Dunkerque before. Can be a little noisy if there's a school party in but it's cheap, clean, and they have lockable underground storage for your bike.

[JulesW]

I've used the Youth Hostel at Dunkerque before. Can be a little noisy if there's a school party in but it's cheap, clean, and they have lockable underground storage for your bike.

Gary, cheers for that :D I wonder whether you or anybody else can suggest a basic tool and spares kit for a 3500 mile ride to Europe and back?

Btw, got an Oxford Lifetime Sports tail pack and panniers today, brand new for £58 off ebay. Okay, they're in red and I would've preferred blue to match the bike but £58 seemed too good to walk away from. Anyway, the contrasting colours might look alright, haven't tried them on yet. Just need a tank bag now and that should complete the luggage set.

Oh, and my very cool brother just bought me a powerbronze double bubble dark tint screen for crimbo :cool:

[Doinitmyway]

Living in Essex we don't normally stop near Calais.


I can heartily recommend Mike's place, Rivervalley guesthouse, as a stepping stone on the way down. Basic but the great price reflects it and Mike is mad on bikes so you will be well looked after. Secure bike parking etc. http://www.river-valley-guest-house.co.uk/ I always make sure to nip through Luxembourg on the way there to make the ride interesting - as the ride is the Holiday!


I can recommend the A99 road in Austria - simply stunning and lasts for ages! Start at the southern end (Lieserhofen?).


Chris

[JulesW]

Chris, that's great, many thanks for the info. Just taken a look at Mike's place, looks great.

[embee]

As for spares/tools, the best approach is always "prevention is better than cure". A database of your make dealers on your satnav is very reassuring.

Always fully service the bike at least a couple of weeks before you go, then you have chance to find and fix anything which might have been missed, (leaking drain plug etc). Engine oil+filter, air filter if it needs one, fork oil, plugs, brake fluid if it needs it, coolant, anything which needs doing. It's a lot easier to do it here at home than trying to get something fixed abroad, plus you don't really want to spend time and money while you ought to be enjoying holiday.

Tyres and brake pads need to be capable of at least the mileage you're planning, preferably a decent bit in hand. If in doubt, renew before you go. Check the clutch cable is OK, renew if in doubt. You can ride reasonably easily without a clutch in emergency just to get to a garage, so I never carry a spare (though some do).

Fit a chain oiler, Scottoiler, Tutoro, Lubeman or P.D.Oiler etc.

Check the charging circuit is working properly, and is the battery getting old?

Take some sort of puncture kit. While you hope you won't need it, being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat is not much fun, and it does happen. The sticky string ("gorilla snot") type plugs are reckoned to be the easiest to use when in tricky circumstances (wet/dark etc). If you use the CO2 canisters you'll ideally need 3 available for a complete flat, though 2 will usually get it rideable.

Cable ties are your friend, a small roll of insulation tape, a short length of electrical cable is a nice touch (I've fixed someone's Moto Guzzi on holiday once with this), I also carry one each M6 & M8 nut+setscrew of a reasonable length to do things like pannier mounts etc.
These things can be tucked into nooks and crannies under the seat. I've only needed to use any of these on other people's bikes, but it shows how useful they can be.

A spare hadlamp/stop+tail/indicator bulb is a good idea, some countries require them anyway.

Tools, you need to asses what sockets/spanners you need for any jobs you might need to do to keep you mobile. Anything bigger than that will probably mean a visit to a garage. You can usually pare down the tools to a pretty small pack. Don't try to cover all eventualities, it's just a question of routine maintenance, and getting mobile enough to reach somewhere bigger problems can be sorted properly.

The worst problem I've ever had was an HT lead go down on a BMW in the rain. I limped to the next village in France and a kind chap pulled one off a 2CV for me. Folks can be very friendly!

[JulesW]

Embee, that's brilliant mate and just what I was looking for, many thanks!

Would you take the tools needed for adjusting the chain? I was thinking that it would be essential but then I thought hang on, I only have a side stand and I'm not going to carry a paddock stand. How would I do that, is it a garage job?

[NTECUK]

You can check best bikeing roads Web site.
It's got lots of info.
Plan away

[JulesW]

Thanks Ntecuk ! :)

[NTECUK]

Oh get a chain oiler.
Then no messing with the chain.