Route to Ring: Eupen to Monschau improved?

[Longers]

Hi all

First time I went to the Ring in 2006 or 7 I used the route from Eupen to Monschau and then the 258 to Nurburg. The road surface leaving Eupen was one of the worst I have ever experienced in any car, in the TVR it was unbearable. The rest of the route was excellent though. For a change this year I fancy trying that route again but only if that road has been resurfaced - does anyone here know if it has been improved...?

Cheers,
L'rs

[dazren]

It was crap the first time I went in 2002 and was still crap in in Sept 2011. Doubt anything has been done.

[Mr MXT]

Its so bad that it's mildly amusing. My missus LOVED going down that road for some reason?

That isn't true

[ukkid35]

It's in a National Park, so probably different budget to other roads in the area. I have heard of people who never made it to the Ring because the surface on Monschauer Strasse got the better of them.

[Longers]

Thanks for the quick replies

[sniff diesel]

I last went that way 3 weeks ago and it's still crap for about 4 miles, although seems a little better than maybe 2-3 years ago - think they might have filled in some of the potholes.

[fergus]

From the Eupen side, the first bit (through the dense trees) is still the same as it was, however, once you're about half way through and the trees get smaller and further back from the road, the whole thing has been resurfaced. This is before you get over the border.

The initial bit immediately after coming up the hill out of Eupen, after the final mini roundabout has also been resurfaced, but only for about 1km.

Just take it easy. No point ruining the trip for the sake of a gentle 10 min stretch?

[enduroboy]

first time i went down that road I hit my head on the roof and couldn't stop laughing, then I drove it progressively faster - till my mates car fell apart.

I always go that way

Now I even stop and take in the view - getting old I guess

[matts4]

I was "told" the reason for the road being so poor is that the Germans once massed as load of tanks there.
I have no idea if it's true, but it was a good story none the less!

[_Neal_]

enduroboy said:

I always go that way

So do I - loved the hilarity first time round too, especially in convoy with low/stiff cars. Just drive it at a sensible speed and laugh at it whilst enjoying the picturesque surroundings

[Longers]

enduroboy said:

That brings back some bad memories

[Pip1968]

If this is the route that runs through woodland the whole way with a small guest house/hotel then I have travelled it on numerous occasions. It is a horrendous surface for track cars although it looks as if recently some small repairs have been made probably to prevent it being completely unusable.

One of the last times I used it we were in a Porsche and my wife complained that her boobs were hurting as they wobbled so much as we drove over the bumps and lumps. I do like the rural routes to and from the Nordschleife.

Pip
Ps I do not think that the picture does the road justice - it looks alright there.

[iguana]

Pip1968 said:

Ps I do not think that the picture does the road justice - it looks alright there.

Thats coz its the good bit!

Its concrete as per pic for first few miles as you climb into the woods out of Eupen, noisy to drive on & laid in sections so its like like bridge expansion joints, but is ok, but then it turns to the really bad potholed bit, the pot holes are mainly filled but is really bad, but is only 5 miles or so, pos less & then its all newly laid perfect tarmac.

[enduroboy]

Pip1968 said:

If this is the route that runs through woodland the whole way with a small guest house/hotel then I have travelled it on numerous occasions. It is a horrendous surface for track cars although it looks as if recently some small repairs have been made probably to prevent it being completely unusable.

One of the last times I used it we were in a Porsche and my wife complained that her boobs were hurting as they wobbled so much as we drove over the bumps and lumps. I do like the rural routes to and from the Nordschleife.

Pip
Ps I do not think that the picture does the road justice - it looks alright there.

pics of the wobbling boobs please pip

( over on cslreg if you have too :-) )



and yep that was one of the good sections, to be fair they do seem to be tipping a little tarmac into some of the holes - its just that they then don't seem to bother to roll it flat again!

[Pip1968]

enduroboy said:

pics of the wobbling boobs please pip

( over on cslreg if you have too :-) )

I wish I could help but two hands on the wheel at all times. You know how it is.

Pip

[neckarsulm]

BUMP
Got fed up with this road so in Sep 2012 went for the E42 from Liege to Prum only to find the bugger closed Southbound and an awful congested route through the sticks as an alternative.

So in June 2013 I thought I go Eupen to Monschau on the "unofficial suspension test facility" only to find this bugger shut too! Diversion was long winded through the Eifels with loads of time trial cyclists to dodge, then it started to rain.

Anyone know if it's reopened yet?

[eldavo]

It was open 2 weeks ago. I've got rock hard suspension and just drove it gently, it's only 5-10 mins until the resurfaced bit.

[terenceb]

E42/Prum best by far.Anyone tried the "Short" route,a314? It takes forever!

[neckarsulm]

Thanks for confirming it's open, so they still haven't fixed the bumpy bit then?
There are some bloody great roads on the Eupen/Monschau/Schleiden run especially Schleiden to Blankenheim and to a lesser degree the last bit to the 'ring too. A great warm up for the 'ring, just go slow though the towns.
Prum to 'ring isn't bad either but did that on a grim Eifel September evening so don't have too good a memory of it.
Glad to get off motorway by the time I get to Eupen.

[iguana]

Pal did it last wk & said its all resurfaced now, just the old concrete part left, I've not gone that way on the last couple of runs out in last few weeks, I'm out again this wk so I'll do it & report back.