Inbound Aussie Strommer

[mcguyver]

Hi all
I 'm coming to the UK in June. My K8 DL1000 is currently on a ship somewhere between Australia and the UK. I am looking for some local info if anyone can help.
I'll fire of a few questions and if anyone can help it would be very much appreciated.

1/ My bike lands at Felixstowe, I land at Heathrow. what's the best way to get to my bike. Would prefer to stay above ground as much as possible.
2/ Need to buy some riding gear. I have found Heine Gerick at Braintree. Any other reccomendations close to Felixstowe or Ipswich.
3/ As above for camping gear
4/ I am heading over for the TT races on the IOM. Any recomendations on a scenic route to get there? Have 3 days to get to liverpool from felixstowe. What about must sees camping grounds etc etc
5/ After the TT I am going to the British moto GP at Silverston. Any recomendations on a scenic route from Heysham? What about accomadation options
6/ what's best to cross the channell? Ferry or tunnel. I think I woudd preder thr ferry, but what do you reckon?

I've got a heap more questions, but this will do for now. Hope you blokes don't mind. Oh 1 more any of you going to the TT? Would be great to hook up with  fellow strommers.
Cheers
bloke

[ukiboy]

Hi mate,
that's a trip and a half you're doing, hats off to you! Getting from Heathrow airport to Felixstowe is probably quickest by using the London Underground from heathrow (Picadilly Line), changing to the Central Line at Holborn, then onto Liverpool Street Station from where you can get an overground train to Felixtsowe. You're probably looking at 3-ish hours.
Heine Gerick is good for kit - I've found them reasonably priced and quite good quality. There are a few dotted about the place, alternatively, if you're going through central London you could stop and have a browse at other shops - near to Holborn Underground Station there is a shop called Infinity which is pretty well stocked.
Can't help you with the other questions I'm afraid but feel free to message me if there is any more London specific stuff you need help or advice with.
Good Luck & Bon Voyage!

[stromonoff]

Top tip for the rail journey to Felixstowe is to book it in advance.  Trainline.com is one option, and travel off peak if you can.  Fares can vary from a few pounds to hundreds depending on when / where you travel and if you fix your train time.

Plenty of scenic routes no doubt will be along in a minute, but it depends how long a ride you want.  Over the pennines is good, Buxton to Congleton is a good route, or the Cat & Fiddle and Snake roads North of there are good.  If you have time, I would go via Congleton then into North Wales and do the triangle around Betws-y-Coed and up to Snowdonia, then to Chester and Liverpool from there.   Not a direct route.... but if you have a few days very nice roads.
 

[Lonely Nodder]

If you want to Know good roads it might be worth getting one of these motorcycleroadsonline.com all the good roads are highlighted and have been submitted by people that have ridden them. Good maps that are clear and not over cluttered. Enjoy your trip it sounds like heaven.

[Sparx]

Hi , only question I can answer is #6
Boat (P&O) Dover- Calais. Takes about 45 Mins more but you can eat/drink/doze in reasonable confort as long as you note deck number/colour to find bike again!
Trains a bummer IMO, have to hold onto bike for entire time, as no seats and if you leave it the shake/roll may tip it over as not tied down unlike on boat.
I cross several times a year as live very near Folkestone/Dover,
Sounds like a nice trip your planning good luck,
Mac.

[theshed]

sorry I can answer none of your questions But
as a general thing all of us are different so in order to get the best of your visit I would suggest you post a few details
about yourself age interests and such likes
cause I know that one man might suggest a fabulous route for himself but for me whatever architect built that building its still a brick box (we're talking metaphors here now you understand)
but think a bit of background info is essential in order for you to get the best out of your stay

[mcguyver]

sorry I can answer none of your questions But
as a general thing all of us are different so in order to get the best of your visit I would suggest you post a few details
about yourself age interests and such likes
cause I know that one man might suggest a fabulous route for himself but for me whatever architect built that building its still a brick box (we're talking metaphors here now you understand)
but think a bit of background info is essential in order for you to get the best out of your stay

Geez shed I'm not looking for a date, just some general info.  

Thanks for the info blokes. keep it coming. I am getting very excited about this trip. After the British moto gp, we (being my wife and I) are heading down to the sth of France to see some friends near Nice, then up the french alp, across switzerland, Into Sth Germany to see some more friends then across to Austria for the KTM factory and Erzberg Rodeo. ( I have some dirt bikes as well) then down to Mugello for the Italian moto gp. All up we will be on the bike for 6 weeks.

Will gladly accept any tips, advice, recomendations....anything you got really.
And as I said earlier if anyone want to hook up fro a ride or a beer yell. (the beer has to be cold though)

Cheers
Bloke    

[Sven]

Geez shed I'm not looking for a date, just some general info.  

     

[choppsie]

Another great website for planning scenic trips is http://www.bestbikingroads.com

Maintained by riding enthusiasts. I have tried a couple of routes, very good.

Have a great trip and stay in the U.K.

[Gassoon]

Just been looking at your website thing, bloke! Got a stitch from laughing mate!
The naked german backpackers  

The scuba-diving, the bungy-jumping, the 100ft houseboats you rent - bloody hell, you live life to the max, you lucky sod!

There's so much on there, it's too seductive - I've got my own life to live!    )

You'll have a great time, just avoid the upper classes! At least you'll miss the f**kin royal wedding!

[mcguyver]

Thanks Gassoon. Glad you enjoyed it. As you may have noticed its a bit rough as I put it together live at the end of the days riding and I am usually quite pissed by then.
I am really looking forward to coming to europe  taking the piss outta .... I mean writing a bit about you blokes and the riding over there.  

[mcguyver]

You'll have a great time, just avoid the upper classes! At least you'll miss the f**kin royal wedding!

As it happens we just had young William over here for a BarBee. Seemed like quite a nice chap. I did yell out to him if I could couchsurf at his place for a couple of days, but he said he would be busy getting to know the new bride.

Anyway, I am quite keen to dart across to Wales then up to Liverpool to catch the ferry. Do you blokes think this is possible in 3 days?

[stromonoff]

Anyway, I am quite keen to dart across to Wales then up to Liverpool to catch the ferry. Do you blokes think this is possible in 3 days?

Depends entirely on route, but assuming mainly A and B roads and avoiding motorways, I would guess maybe Felixstowe / Pennines / North Wales Liverpool would be 6 - 8 hours in the saddle.  So in 3 days, yes no problem and should leave plenty of time for beer and sight seeing.

[Gassoon]

I know I'm talking to a seasoned traveller, but it's easy to get mixed-up with the scales of various countries - especially islands - remember that Oz is 32 times larger in area than the UK - get into your NZ mode of thought !  However, the population density does make it different : approx 260 people per sq k, compared to australias, what, 2 ?!  (I'm remembering this from daughters homework! I might have wiped out thousands of aussies!) Which means road traffic density a bloody sight worse (lets face it, especially in south) than NZ or Oz. Nevertheless, on a bike, you can get anywhere on mainland Britain from anywhere on the island, in a day. Depends on How sore an arse you want (could have phrased that better); and How much sightseeing!

In terms of where to camp, look in 'Biker friendly Accommodation' on this forum...for starters how about this place in Wales...belongs to our beloved General Fat Rat, leader and father of our glorious nation... well, head cheese of this forum (AKA Andy) http://www.welshcampsite.com/

You probably want to go to Wales for the sheep, right? But think about a detour up from Liverpool to the Lake District, Cumbria  

I got most of my camping kit from a place called Go Outdoors, has branches all over the uk (except Wales!?) with a couple near (ish) where you pick up the bike, see their store locator :
 http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/store-finder

They have tents set up, you can wander around, tiny stoves (this is mine:
 http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/inferno-folding-gas-stove-p158211), mats, sleeping bags - the lot under one roof. They even sell Ortlieb dry bags, as do Hein Gericke (you will be rained upon!)

Buy one of their store cards when you walk in, (it's not a credit or debit card, just membership) for 5 quid, and you get their cheaper price rate.

PS I have no connection to this company!!
dave

[mcguyver]

Thanks Gassoon
Great info. And FYI its the Kiwis and sheep, Aussies are more into goats.

How can I resist staying at a place called panties & Melons. I'm in.

Thanks for the tip on the camping shop. I see there is one in Ipswich, so will check it out.
Great tip on the card too.
Thanks mate.

[Gassoon]

Er, think you mean 'Norwich' mate, but anyway I was a bit hazy on the geography myself (I've never been to Norfolk or Suffolk). Maybe if your heading west, the Bedford store?? Anyway, you've plenty time to work it out.
Sorry about the sheep...my bro-in-law is a Kiwi - the taciturn sort - I think I miss ribbing him!

Will you be using sat-nav, mcgyver?

[mcguyver]

Will you be using sat-nav, mcgyver?

Dave
Norwich,Suffolk what's the difference. The whole place is an island right? How lost can I get.  
Yes I have a Zumo 550  and a friend has very kindly lent me a sd card loaded with mapsource europe. (hope he doesn't find out I borrowed it. he doesn't know I pinched it out of his gps)

I have heard that the weather will be perfect in June. Guaranteed sunny days 28 degrees. that's right isn't it?
don't think I'll bother with wet weather gear.  

[coopmick]

I have heard that the weather will be perfect in June. Guaranteed sunny days 28 degrees. that's right isn't it?
don't think I'll bother with wet weather gear.  

     What a sence of humor you have

[Lonely Nodder]

You might be lucky I'm not sure what DAY summer is this year it might in June who knows.