Europe bike trip (1st Sept)

[macvisual]

Hi all,

Seems there's a few people showing us their bikes in a ready state to go for some riding through Europe here at the moment, well it's my turn, we are off this Sat (1st Sept) for a two week stint of riding abroad ourselves. Never done it before!! Riding to boat at Newcastle on Saturday 1st Sept for the 5pm sailing to arrive in Amsterdam about 9am on the Sunday. Return home Saturday 15th September.
This trip was meant to happen last September but was cancelled due to sciatica health problems, I couldn't walk for a few days just before the planned trip last year, had to abort and re-book for this year, so far so good.

Going to ride through Belgium, through Luxembourg and stay our first night in Metz, about 42 miles below Luxembourg in France, then onwards towards Switzerland direction. It's not going to be a 400/500 ride each and every day, probably no more than 300 miles (max) per day and if we find a place we love we're going to stay a few days etc, it's a holiday after all. Only myself and my female partner going on this trip. We will have a Garmin Zumo 550 sat-nav and real maps etc...

My V-Strom sitting ready to go:
fresh oil & filter change - new EBC (double H sintered brake pads) fitted front and rear - new H4 Osram brighter/whiter bulbs fitted - new l.e.d. front side light bulbs fitted - tyres good, a full nut/bolt/allen key check-over tighten - Scotoiler topped up (and bringing spare oil) - a clean/polish of bike - a recent 65 mile test ride with full luggage riding two up around local tight twisty countryside for practice etc.

Here's my wheels;



Green for go =  )

[Coval]

Sounds like a good plan, hope you two enjoy the trip!
From memory - fuel in Luxembourg is a few pence cheaper thank anywhere else.
Also, South East of Nancy on the way to Colmar or Mulhouse there is a Vosges National Park, hilly and wooded area full of lovely twisties just to prepare you for Switzerland :-)
Ride safely!

[Oldie]

You may have problems buying fuel in Lux on a Sunday, so fill up beforehand. One third of the petrol stations have to close on Sundays by law and that can often mean two or three in the same area (as I found out).

[stibbs]

enjoy the trip and ride safe

[macvisual]

Thanks all...

Coval;
We have planned to ride to Colmar and Mulhouse etc, so I'll look out for that area you kindly mentioned, appreciated.

Good tip re fuel, thanks.

[JtheBs]

Also, South East of Nancy on the way to Colmar or Mulhouse there is a Vosges National Park, hilly and wooded area full of lovely twisties just to prepare you for Switzerland :-)

Which is, by pure coincedence, where I'll be going through tomorrow...

...on the way to Switzerland  

[Keith Cross]

Wish I could travel as light as you, to many years travelling Europe on a Goldwing I suppose.  Just thinking about what to pack for my 4 day trip to Assen and I need to put an additional rack, bolted to the tow bar which I will use for the tent and air bed.

Keith C

[PHIL FAT]

have a good one and ride safe  

[neltek]

Sounds fun
French drivers are great to bikes
Watch out for Belgians - I find they are a bit mad and discourteous

You'll have a blast
I'm off just as you return

[2112]

Enjoy the trip, just got back from a spin around Europe myself. Top tip - if you can afford it upgrade to Commodore class on the ferrry, worth every penny for the sapce you get !

[macvisual]

Hi all;

Just got back today (Sat 15th Sept) from a FABULOUS 2 week European bike trip on the magnificent V-Strom DL1000.

I'll post pic's and do a write-up within next week or so.

[Abercol]

Glad to see you made it back OK. Look forward to the writeup....