Black forrest and biking in Switzerland

[dyzio]

Starting to think about the next years trip.
The idea is to do the Newcastle Amsterdam crossing and head south through Germany and the Black Forest is possible to be the first stop.

I've read people on here like the area, Pictures online look great, but unfortunately google maps don't cover Germany. Perhaps someone could recommend a route for 1-2 days riding?

Secondly, the aim is to get to Italy, the easiest option looks to be continue south through Switzerland, unfortunately I think I've read too many horror stories about the Swiss police and can't stop thinking some uniformed nazi will fine me a millions of euros for doing 0.1mph over the limit.

Of course we could head towards Austria, but the pictures of the Swiss Alps look tempting

Anyone on here done any riding in the above areas?

Cheers
dyz

Originally Posted by dyzio

unfortunately google maps don't cover Germany.

Yes it does!!

Never ridden in Germany so can't help but yes the Swiss Alps are fantastic. The Col Grand St Bernard from Switzerland into Italy is awesome.

The road up to the pass. We were waiting for some waifs and strays.



At the top, remember this is July, but it's 2469m:



I took this pic in Sitzerland but the buildings are in Italy:





The last of the waifs and strays finally came over the top:



and then a cracking run down to Aosta.

Where in Italy are you headed?

[dyzio]

Great pics, remind me of my France trip!

Originally Posted by Ed

Yes it does!!

Argh :/ meant street-view

Originally Posted by Ed

Where in Italy are you headed?

A few days in the Alps, then maybe Mugello for the weekend and motogp, and back up through the Alps again

But it's just an idea at the moment, not sure what/if will go ahead.

Fantastic scenery in Switzerland, avoid motorways for that leg of the trip and take the scenic routes, then you won't be that bothered about sticking to the speed limits anyway. In fact if you don't go as slow as you need to take it in, your probably wasting the trip.

Fantastic pics, I really want to go over there sometime within the next 2 years.

What are the costs involved like?

[dyzio]

Ralph,
Motorways are a no no by default, excluding getting on/off the ferry and bigger distances (400 miles).
We've ended up in Switz 2 years ago, beautiful place indeed (if only for 100 miles), just not sure what to make of everything I've read.


Scythe,
Ferry tickets are about 300-400 pounds (departing from Newcastle or Hull), you could do Dover, but that's a bit far for me up here.

Apart from that:
- petrol, according to my mpg's it was around 14p a mile (bikes were a Falco and a 600rr).
- tyres and servicing, might need changing before/after the trip.
- food/alcohol, slightly cheaper than here,
- EU brakedown insurance (50 quid or so).
- camping, 20-50 euros (for 2 guys/bikes/tents), you can look for rooms, or cheap motels (f1, etap) but these are often in industrial estates with noting to do.
- extras nearby campsites: paragliding, rafting, f1, motogp, speeding tickets etc...

Scythe, it's about £45 return on the train Folkestone - Calais. Then as dyz says... generally a bit cheaper in France than here. And warmer

[STRAMASHER]

From Ijmuiden we made it down to our first night in Frankenstein (well ya gotta, plus excellent cheap accom and beer and middle of nowhere) no bother. Near Kaiserslautern and the Pfalzerwald. Great and famous biking road (4through forests, all beautifully surfaced and sweepy on way to Black Forest.
I'm afraid to say the B500 just blended into the other roads in the Black Forest. Spoilt for choice.


I have tried twice to get up to the Pia Gloria in Interlaken, Switzerland (The James Bond OHMSS place.) Unfortunately been rained/fogged off both times. Maybe 3rd time lucky.
The point being its a beautiful part of the world and you are near one of its highlights. The Susten,Grimsel and Furka passes. They are awesome roads. I would go as far as saying unmissable.

Furkapass


South of here, Zermatt is worth a trip, park and coached up (only leccy vehicles in Zermatt) and a few cable car trips up to a proper looking mountain, The Matterhorn.

Eastern Switzerland is quiet bit more green but still top twisty passes and roads.... and takes you within spitting distance of the Stelvio.

Fluelapass, near Davos.

[STRAMASHER]

Originally Posted by Scythe92

Fantastic pics, I really want to go over there sometime within the next 2 years.

What are the costs involved like?

If your always skint (hello ) the trick is to get the costly stuff done early. Like the ferry. I usually try and get it booked november for the following year. Then you have also set in stone that you are heading off and will make the sacrifices that are maybe necessary.

Go for a week instead of two, a few days if your Darn Sarf. Avoid toll roads (Swiss/Austria, Germany all free). Accomodation is plentiful and much cheaper if you are out in the sticks as oppossed to famous touristy places. In the mountains summer is generally regarded as low season so prices can be very good. Gasthoffs/Gasthaus/Pension are like B&B's and sometimes easily missed in towns. Tenting it much cheaper again.

May and June are the cheapest times to go, but weather in the mountains can still be bad. Passes closed etc. Some higher passes in The Alps were closed last week in June due to snow.

[dyzio]

Looks like you've done all of the trips I'm planning to do