Bike Trips on your own
 

Anyone done it?

Fancy getting away by myself for a few days, tent, me, stove, food, beer and the bike.

Any real issues with riding into Europe by yourself? Probably just france due to timescales, but anyone do it?

Risks ?

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

+1 i'd be interested how everyone sorts the logistics and everything of it as i want to do something similar on the sv good post daimo.:D

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

Not personally done it but a good friend here at work has. He went camping (the tent kind ;) ) all round Europe on a Honda Hairnet completely on his own for about 7 days - he even dropped it on a hairpin in the Alps and had to wait three days while it was repaired. He said the riding bit was great but sometimes the chill-out in the evenings was a bit boring - but given another chance he would do it again.

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

think this would be the nearest you could get to total freedom-if i was single with no ties i'd be off on my travels on my tod-go for it

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

are camp sites easy to find in europe (france)? do you need special maps?

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

I've done it round Ireland using B+B's and had a great time allways someone to talk to in an Irish pub,

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

Im off myself in June without the missus so I might have a go at this too. Been looking at some very small 2 man tents which are quickly pitched. Just have to think about where I want to go.

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

i did New Zealand, north island & south Island back in 1990 for 6 month on a gs550es.
Loved it.
logistics, stow as you go, pack small & tight, ride lite.
YHA's are your friends, dear I say it, topbox, panniers & a tank bag + rucksack are your friend. (small rucksack)
always have a full E111 (if they still have them)
anda cash card that works abroad,keep your ticket & passport safe... (also keep a copy/note of the passport / ticket number).

plan ahead so you know where your headed and seek out fuel stops in advance.

most of all

enjoy it !

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

Yes done it a few times (billy no mates) and it is not really that hard. I tend to plot a route for the following day, ride it or wander off if something looks interesting. I stop at the next decent sized town when tired or hungry.

One risk, wild camping at the side of the road is illegal in France and Austria (I think). Avoid Switzerland as they have speed Nazis and loud can Nazis that make ours look tame.

Book ferry, get insurance (travel and breakdown), get money, load bike, go

Camp sites in general are easy to find if you just have a tent. In France, the municipal campsites tend to be very good and cheap. Arrive somewhere before 5 then go looking for the Office du Turisme who will advise you where to find camp sites. They usually speak really good English, but you should try your French out first!

A map of the country you are in is very helpful :D. I have the Michelin A4 Spiral bound road atlases, very clear, fold in half without breaking and fit in the map bit of my tank bag - so I can consult. while sat on the bike

Re: Bike Trips on your own
 

I did France in summer, heading down to Bordeaux, across to Montpellier, Marseille, Geneve, Reims, and Calais home again, for about 8 or 9 days. Campsites are dead easy to find, there's tonnes everywhere, especially around the west coast and south. Spent most of the days in and around Grenoble, Annecy and Geneva and the boarders. No real risks I think, just have decent insurance/breakdown cover, and a credit card ;) Ferries are cheap even if you don't book, so don't worry about logistics too much. A bit of French goes a long way....