Four days free...where to go?

[CaptainSlow]

So, I have the opportunity of four days to myself, 5-8 April. Wife and kids away elsewhere.

I fancy a road trip but the weather won't be great. Have though Wales but looks a bit chilly so maybe over to the continent.

Need some inspiration...any ideas???

[MotorsportTom]

On a decent sized bike and depending where you are starting/finishing in the UK you can get pretty far.

If it was me, first day get to South Germany after a big day in the saddle. Second day around Austria and then back towards Germany.
Third day into France and start doing some sightseeing with history like war memorials and fourth day heading home.

[moto_traxport]

Belgium Ardennes area. Better food & beer than the Frenchies.

Dinant, Bouillon, La Roche-en-Ardennes, Spa etc then a quick blap into Ze Germany for a few (legal) top speed runs.

Keep an eye on the weather though and make everything cancellable and flexible enough to head further South - no place more miserable in rubbish weather.

[anonymous-user]

Relaxed little jaunt along the Normandy coast doing the D-day bit would fill four days nicely.

[kurt535]

Route des Anglais; old money it was the way the English drove to the south of France. As a guide, you can hard-arse it from mid England to Zurich in 19 hours if you must (via Dover ferry to Calais)

Route also follows the general line of the WW1 front line. You could reach Verdun and also enjoy various Michelin starred restaurants along the way for very reasonable cash.

[308mate]

Check this thread out:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Might yield something useful.

[CaptainSlow]

Thanks, keep the suggestions coming. I have a mountain bike and Thailand is too far for four days, the cost per we would be uneconomical.

[cmaguire]

Some sad bd appears to have had my suggestion deleted anyway

[Wombat3]

Minor detail, where are you starting from?

If its within reach then the Plymouth-Roscoff ferry goes at around 10pm so you could spend the night on the boat & start your first day in Northern France.

If the weather is good then head up the coast, if its crap then head south.

[CaptainSlow]

Wombat3 said:

Minor detail, where are you starting from?

If its within reach then the Plymouth-Roscoff ferry goes at around 10pm so you could spend the night on the boat & start your first day in Northern France.

If the weather is good then head up the coast, if its crap then head south.

Starting in Great Missenden, South Bucks, so getting down to Plymouth is another four hours. Good idea though but I'll probably cross at Calais for ease.

[Shamu]

Im in Oxon and have a few long weekends lined up over the Summer, interested to see how you get on!

[BobSaunders]

https://www.ride.co.uk/routes/

I am also looking at doing five days in France.

[CaptainSlow]

So, it's looking like a tour of the low countries. Plan is to tour some WW2 history sites and museums with Dunkirk included on route.

Just need to sort the crossing and book some hotels.

I'm planning on doing another trip late May to include some Alps actions and then a day at the Spa Classic on the way back.

[crofty1984]

CaptainSlow said:

Thanks, keep the suggestions coming. I have a mountain bike and Thailand is too far for four days, the cost per we would be uneconomical.

Then you're not whoring hard enough. Throw in a couple of tugs on the plane and job's good.

[CaptainSlow]

Heading off on Thursday, the only dry day in the UK next week, but dry and sunny on the other side of the channel for all four days hitting 17 degrees.

[CaptainSlow]

Are you going by tunnel?

[CaptainSlow]

Similar times to me Ill keep an eye out...I'm on a red Sprint

[CaptainSlow]

A bit early for me but Ill keep an eye out. Weather now showing 21 degrees in Belgium next Sat.

[CaptainSlow]

Just to close this out. Did a few days in the Netherlands and Belgium. Highlight was the N57 and N287 that are the coastal roads on the islands south of Rotterdam.


Next trip hopefully next month, plan to get to Luxembourg and follow the 10 to Trier in Germany and then head north following the Moselle river and see what happens.

[sjtscott]

moto_traxport said:

Belgium Ardennes area. Better food & beer than the Frenchies.

Dinant, Bouillon, La Roche-en-Ardennes, Spa etc then a quick blap into Ze Germany for a few (legal) top speed runs.

Keep an eye on the weather though and make everything cancellable and flexible enough to head further South - no place more miserable in rubbish weather.

I'd echo the Belgium suggestion - personally I think people vastly underate Belgium - the beer is infinitely better than neighbouring countries.
When I was doing euro touring via France since we always had to come back to the tunnel/ferry in calais we always ensured a bit of belgium was included or we diverted to it for a night or two on the great food/beers.

Agreed on the german unrestricted autobahn thing.. if you've never done it you have to legally try to max your bike out at least once in your life
I had my blackbird with hard givi luggage top box and panniers (acting as airbrakes) flat on the tank (as I could get) pinned to the stop in 6th fully legally with 170mph and climbing slowly at that stage showing on the speedo.. ran out of space due to traffic so never ever topped that one