First time taking my bike to Europe..Help!!

If you went this way, you would save loads on the ferry costs:

https://www.google.fr/maps/dir/Dunf...2m2!1d12.9534504!2d50.8186236!3e0?hl=en&hl=en

I did the route from Dunfirmline as I didn't know exactly where you are based. Going through the tunnel or a Dover Calais ferry should be about £150 return.

 

I've been alternating between the New - Ams ferry and the Chunnel for the last 13 years, I can't make up my mind which I detest the most.

The ferry is an easier option with regard to being able to have a late morning start and a easy ride down to North Shields for the early evening departure. But, as you know it's costly, I keep an eye on the DFDS offer codes which pop up from time to time, tends to knock around £30 (10%) off the total which buys you a pizza and a couple of pints on board while you take in the evening entertainment in the caberet lounge.

http://www.promotionalcodes.org.uk/dfds-seaways/

Riding your bike down to Folkstone is a real ball-breaker.... every time I do it I say never again. It saves you the ferry cost but you now need two overnight stops in a B&B or hotel which will cost you around £50 a night AND fuel for the extra 700 miles you'll put on your bike. Still a saving as thebiglad says but when arse-ache kicks in (which it will at some point) you'll wish you had spent a bit more and taken the ferry.

All said and done it's all part of the fun though and the hardships we have to endure living up here in the frozen North. You could also book the ferry one way and ride home the Long Way Up and see which you prefer for your next trip.

 

Shame. Well don't put your maiden trip to Europe off for too long as once you've done it there's no going back.

Two of the best trips i've done have been on my own when my normal touring mate wasn't free. You go where you want, stop where you want, photograph what you want. You can practice speaking French to the locals without your mate taking the piss if you say it wrong. Yes, my two solo trips down to the South of France were as good as anything i've done with others.

 

From where you are Id do the ferry no end! Dover and back, cameras, more cameras plenty B&B costs plenty of crap filtering m25 and very square tyres!

 

Just a thought if it is Stenna Line ferry to Holland...do you shop at Tesco?

Exchange your vouchers for 3 times face value, can be used on Stenna Line, also Eurotunnel going in September in the car for nothing!!

Teejay

 

If you go for the long ride welcome in Staffordshire for a stop over

Teejay

 

Hi Dougie, if you want to avoid autoroutes (motorways) whilst on the Continent, you should allow yourself double the travelling time. Yes, DOUBLE

 

There used to be a ferry from Rosyth a year or three back. Superferry or summat. I take it that it is no more.

 

The 'Superfast' Rosyth to ZeeBrugge ferry.... yes it's gone now, we used that once back in 2005. I think it stopped running shortly afterwards. Was really convenient for us Scottish lads.

 

Shame, as ever..........

All good things.........

 

Hi Dougie D, I have been riding in Europe now every yr from 1999 except the last three due to an illnes which led to major surgery last March. Now back on my bike, I rode to Weymouth last week to see my mates who have allways travelled on my trips. We finalised the details of this yrs trip (one week in the black forest and one in normandy) . I live in East Ayrshire so it is 450 miles for me to Dover for the ferry. I know its not much fun but it is worth it because riding in Europe far surpasses anything in the uk. The Route Napolean in the Alps, the Rhonda in Spain, the Harz Mountains in Germany, the Austrian Tyrol, Italys high alpine passes, the Dolomites, etc all which I have experienced over the last thirty yrs on motorcycles. What I am trying to say here is that once you do it you cant stop,and it is an experience not to be missed. I am allways encouraging motorcyclist that I meet to give it a try. Not that im biased?

 

He's not wrong.
Once you start it can get addictive.
Will be through the tunnel in just over 3 weeks.
I've been to Scotland a couple of times and it's just a case of knuckling down and getting the mileage done.

 

Dougie D all I have to say is you lucky sod, happy days ahead