[fenderbender]

My two buddies and me have "done" Ireland and Scotland, and this summer plan to go from from Hull to Zeebrugge, striking out across Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, returning through France to the UK.
We have only got about a week or so to play with, so the question is this: which are the best roads to take to see the countryside and enjoy the ride along the way? We're a mixed bunch - one '99 Tiger, an ancient BMW and a Honda CBR600 - and none of us are out to break any speed records. We just want a memorable ride, preferably with some twisties and mountain passes thrown in, and some nice hotel stopovers in pleasant villages along the way.
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

 

[bovefrankj]

You seem to have the first part sorted. For your return trip take the coast road via Liguria through Menton, Monaco, by-pass Nice and head for Grasse. Stay on the N85 towards Annecey. Great roads and plenty of places en route to keep you interested.
Enjoy - Frank.

 

[daveforty]

Theres nice riding through the Ardenne, from Bastogne towards Luxembourg. Location of the Battle of the Bulge towards the end of WW2. Bastogne town square has a Sherman tank as a memorial. Then into Germany and the Black Forest, to Switzerland and the 'Oberalp' route through the Swiss Alps, zig-zag up one side of a mountain, then zig-zag down the other side, then do it all again on the next mountain. The Furka pass and Fluella (?) passes are great riding.

 

[themaster]

If you're returning via Dunkerque, Calais or Boulogne, take the D940 coastal road. I've never ridden it, but it's the kind of road you describe and passes some WW2 historical sites (Cape Gris-Ned). Also through some quieter villages where you might get a nicer and cheaper meal.

See Google Maps for a route.

 

[RODST3]

themaster is right, the coast road from Calais down to boulogne is very nice with some pretty little towns/villages on the way. I take my bicycle/racebike over for a day trip now and then and often do a circular route taking in the coast road. Followed by a picnic of baguette,cheese and beer on the beach at Bleriot Plage...
There's loads of hotels in Calais, I use the Kyriad hotel Calais plage as its 5minutes from the ferry port and 30seconds from the beach...
I often go over to France and follow the side roads, they are usually very quiet and you can still make good time, plus you often come across some unexpected gem...
Just pick up a michelin map and follow the yellow roads in the general direction you want to go!!!
Rod

 

[neil1052]

My fave place is Southern Germany....
round some of the twisties,
in the shadow of the eifel mountains, like riding up the B258 B257 & some of the side roads.....etc etc.....they're ALL nice...

Then to TOP it off with several laps round the NURBURGRING !

See http://www.nurburgring.org.uk/

Neil.

[ This message was edited by: neil1052 on 2007-02-12 03:35 ]

 

[Pansmiker]

To cut down on the motorway miles you could sail to Santander in Northern Spain and ride the Picos mountains.
You will find that the Paradores hotels are very reasonable and in delightful settings.

Paul

PS I note that you have done Ireland. I take is that you have also included Northern Ireland and the A2 coast road

[ This message was edited by: Pansmiker on 2007-02-17 02:52 ]

 

[JohnRimmer]

You're doing a big trip for only 7 days. I've ridden to Switzerland,the Alps and Germany and personally I would plan your trip to avoid motorways (I was really disappointed with German autobahns - very busy with lots of HGVs,poor condition and too many contraflows). I would choose bendy A roads and enjoy the scenery. A decent Michelin map will give you all the options. Interlaken is a good base in Switzerland,and has quick access to the Alpine passes. If you are wanting a relaxed pace then I suggest about 250 miles per day. We rode from Amsterdam to Interlaken,got lost a bit and rode over 600 miles in one day which took 15 hours,and we were not hanging about. Mind you we had a group of 9 bikes and this is slower than 3 as everyone seems to need to stop at different intervals. I think it took us a couple of hours to get beyond the outskirts of Amsterdam !

 

[ipg]

Some scenes from Western Europe.
Click