1 week trip to Europe. Where?

[rufusgti]

I'm looking at heading off for one week next April. I like the sound of the Alps but it's a long haul to get there. I like the idea of the Black forest in Germany also. Has anyone done a similar trip. I've done the Santander ferry before and fancy something different.

So, Is it worth heading to the Alps if I only have a week. If so what areas, and where do I start to hit good riding roads. I hate motorway but can do a day each way if needs be to get me into riding territory.

Any tips appreciated.

[Chipchap]

FWIW The distance to get to the Alps is big and once there the road quality is not great, its very busy and lots of very slow hairpins. Not much fun in reality.

The Pyrenees are close to either of the Spanish ports or you could mix it up by doing the outbound leg on the Santander or Bilbao ferry and ride the Pyrenees and then cross over at Irun and run up the French Atlantic coast to one of the ferry ports there for a return crossing ?

[EvoBarry]

Chipchap said:

The Pyrenees are close to either of the Spanish ports or you could mix it up by doing the outbound leg on the Santander or Bilbao ferry and ride the Pyrenees and then cross over at Irun and run up the French Atlantic coast to one of the ferry ports there for a return crossing ?

This is a nice idea, and you're heading nearer to home each day so you don't get that slog home at the end either. My only comment would be that in April the weather in most of France isn't much better than the UK, albeit a couple degrees warmer perhaps? Even in July we always seem to get wet in northern France

[TimmyWimmyWoo]

Definitely the Black Forest. I usually only take a week off work (5 days) but go first thing Saturday/last thing Friday, and come back late on Sunday. That's long enough to do the route Napoleon, across Italy to Austria, some time in Austria for the Black Forest via Munich, then home via the Nurburgring.

Doing exactly that in four weeks Only a week off work and we'll do 2500-3000 miles and see a lot of amazing things!

[black-k1]

The Blacl Forest is not much closer than the Alps around Mont Blanc. Check www.old-gits.org for details of our trips to each of the places suggest. If it were me, I'd go for Gap and the N85. The roads around there are superb and not too high to be affected by bad weather possible at that time of year.

[vonhosen]

Take a couple of days to get down to Colmar avoiding motorways. 3 days playing in the Vosges mountains & the Black forest. Couple of days for the return.

[Hooli]

As far south as poss, the weather in mountains won't be great in april.

[CoolHands]

black-k1 said:

The Blacl Forest is not much closer than the Alps around Mont Blanc. Check www.old-gits.org for details of our trips to each of the places suggest. If it were me, I'd go for Gap and the N85. The roads around there are superb and not too high to be affected by bad weather possible at that time of year.

long way though, would you do that in one day or take a break overnight to get there? And then same on way back?

[Greenslade]

I would consider doing around 2000 miles in a week, I'd head for the Pyrenee's then head back.

[black-k1]

CoolHands said:

black-k1 said:

The Blacl Forest is not much closer than the Alps around Mont Blanc. Check www.old-gits.org for details of our trips to each of the places suggest. If it were me, I'd go for Gap and the N85. The roads around there are superb and not too high to be affected by bad weather possible at that time of year.

long way though, would you do that in one day or take a break overnight to get there? And then same on way back?

Depends on you, what roads you're happy riding on and how much of a hurry you're in to get there. Oh, and the weather on the day. (Back roads aren't so much fun when it's pissing down with rain.)

I don't mind motorway runs if they're to/from a good destination so I'd probably go for 1 day there and 1 day back but there are lots of great non-motorway options for 2 day journeys. Either way I'd get to Reims by motorway from Calais then decide.

Once at Gap you have loads of great roads to choose from but a visit to the Gorges du Verdon is a must as is a ride on the D955. Possibly the best motorcycling road in the world.

[rufusgti]

Thanks for the many great replies.

Another question. Is it possible to turn up in April and be able to get accommodation easily in towns around Black forest, Alps, Pyrenees.
The problem with pre booking is you then have a set route no matter the weather, or any setbacks detours you may run into. I'd like to have a few routes planned with a list of recommended hotels and accommodation by the time I go. Probably have something booked on the first night but then keep my options open. Maybe with the intention of ringing ahead to a hotel the day before. Can anyone see any issues with this. I've never done it before as I'm usually wild camping on trips like this but I've done all that now and fancy a change.

[black-k1]

rufusgti said:

Thanks for the many great replies.

Another question. Is it possible to turn up in April and be able to get accommodation easily in towns around Black forest, Alps, Pyrenees.
The problem with pre booking is you then have a set route no matter the weather, or any setbacks detours you may run into. I'd like to have a few routes planned with a list of recommended hotels and accommodation by the time I go. Probably have something booked on the first night but then keep my options open. Maybe with the intention of ringing ahead to a hotel the day before. Can anyone see any issues with this. I've never done it before as I'm usually wild camping on trips like this but I've done all that now and fancy a change.

No problem for 1 or 2 rooms. If you want 6 or more then you may be better off booking ahead.

[cava]

I would recommend the black forest and vosges areas. Better biking roads than the alps and you can take your time getting there. The scenery in the alps is better, but the roads are slow going and not much fun to ride IMHO. Not good when you've got deadlines to meet on a short trip. I recently did a trip to the Italian lakes in 8 days and it was absolutely knackering. Wouldn't do it again unless I had an armchair of a bike.

[mcrdave]

I did the black forest a few weeks back, stayed at a brilliant little B&B called pension williams (. de) Ace place, brilliant views, food and drink, plus the B500 road on your doorstep. Definitely reccomend it. We did it in 5 days from Manchester, bit of a trek on the motorway but I'd do it again.

[willis1337]

black-k1 said:

rufusgti said:

Thanks for the many great replies.

Another question. Is it possible to turn up in April and be able to get accommodation easily in towns around Black forest, Alps, Pyrenees.
The problem with pre booking is you then have a set route no matter the weather, or any setbacks detours you may run into. I'd like to have a few routes planned with a list of recommended hotels and accommodation by the time I go. Probably have something booked on the first night but then keep my options open. Maybe with the intention of ringing ahead to a hotel the day before. Can anyone see any issues with this. I've never done it before as I'm usually wild camping on trips like this but I've done all that now and fancy a change.

No problem for 1 or 2 rooms. If you want 6 or more then you may be better off booking ahead.

Get booking.com on your smartphone and use that. I have regularly used booking, the room for that night at lunchtime, and always found somewhere decent and reasonably priced. Also look at Halifax clarity mastercard for spending (see money saving expert site for details - best card for use abroad).

[podman]

Recently returned from a trip to Normandy..lovely roads around almost any part of the area and lots to see/explore whilst your there, only a few hours from Calais as well.

[mrmaggit]

mcrdave said:

I did the black forest a few weeks back, stayed at a brilliant little B&B called pension williams (. de) Ace place, brilliant views, food and drink, plus the B500 road on your doorstep. Definitely reccomend it. We did it in 5 days from Manchester, bit of a trek on the motorway but I'd do it again.

B500 (was that the old U500, Baden-Baden to Titisee via Triberg?), do the Vosges and the Ardennes on the way back.

If you can, Boullion in the Ardennes on Sundays is like Matlock Bath, but with a TUNNEL and a genuine Castle. No kidding, when I first went I thought I'd taken a wrong turning, river on the east side of the road in the town, loads of bikes, cafes, even got hire boats on the river.