Touring Planning next years euro trip anyone ?

For your free days at Interlaken this'll help Andy -

http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/...rbike-tours-route-descriptions.html?iPadCover

I'd be doing the 'figure of eight' which takes in the main passes (Grimsel, Susten, Furka, Nufenen etc), amazing part of the world for biking.

 

I've been scouring the internet for some routes/ideas for next years trips,loads of info etc.
Something that keeps cropping up is from guy's North of the border and the distance to ports.
One solution seems to be to take a ferry to Ireland ride to Cork and get a ferry to France from there.I don't know how it works out cost wise but it might save some boring motorway miles.It might not suit everyone but I know what I'd rather do.
Just a thought.

 

yes i'd looked into that before,the distance would be slightly shorter for me, but the price would be more and it would add a few days extra on to the journey as the ferries are overnight,but i agree it would be much more enjoyable than motorway all the way down to the south

 

yep that's what i did last year,bloody expensive though if you don't book 6 months in advance

 

I think a lot of the ferry prices have gone up this time.Bloody Brexit
The Santander price is more than last year and some of them are fully booked for September.
Though the Newhaven/Dieppe boat is still pretty reasonable

 

I booked on the Portsmouth - St. Malo ferry and they had some sailings fully booked as well.

BTW, if you join the Brittany Ferries Voyager club, they give you a good discount on sailings.
It's a one of fee of £70 to register and then £70 per year so it's only worth it on the longer crossings.
Also the cabin costs aren't discounted on overnight sailings.

I'm taking my Jeep and the two bikes on the trailer this September, it knocked the price down from £650 to £500.
That's going Portsmouth St Malo and Caen to Portsmouth with 4 berth cabins.
So only a £10 saving this year but we get a free breakfast per person and 10% off any other meals.

You can also get a free cabin on any day sailing, discount for guests as well, or add a friend as an associate member for only about £30 (I think) and they get the discounts as well as cheap brekkies etc, all of which cuts the cost down.

 

So do you have to book the channel tunnel?

 

You don't have to, but it'll be a lot more expensive if you don't book it in advance.

 

If anyone decides to go to Finland this year here's 3 suggestions - You can pay your respects to the late, great Jarno Säärinen who's laid to rest in Turku. Visit the Ace Cafe in Lahti. Be entertained at the Imatra Road Races which started up again last year after a 30yr break.(I tried to upload a short video of a practice race but only got as far as Youtube, so it's on there). Oh & if you go via Estonia don't forget "Yer Maun" had his last, fateful race there. R.I.P. Jarno, Joey & all our other heroes. Never Forgotten.

 

Taking my own advice from the "new years resolution" thread, I've went and booked up a self guided tour of the Canadian Rockies for me and the missus,been wanting to do this for years and i don't see the point in putting it off any longer! Can't wait

 

How about going as a group ( small one ) a more experienced rider showing noobs to Europe the ropes.
I certainly would be up for that as a European noob.
Just not into fast riding i.e. Must get to Athens fast type riding in one go

 

That's a great idea Gary if you can get a group who can go on holiday at the same time, & want to go to the same places & see the same things. However don't, whatever you do, be put off going solo. All my life I've just packed me bags & set off on me own. There's nothing to be bothered about. Things just happen whatever road you take. Also the main advantage (I've found) is you meet more people. When I've been away with others on a non-bike holiday you tend not to meet as many cos you stick with the same group. Spares? Triumphs are so reliable you don't need them. Don't speak the lingo? Just point to that flat tyre. I see you even have your bags ready to pack - what yer waitin for mate? (don't let this put you off going with a group...)

 

I have always fancied doing the Alamafi Coast personally or maybe the North of Italy.
Just the long trek down puts me off
Think I will do it this year as it wont be a problem time wise or money wise.
Just need options to cut out the boring journey down, which is why I thought a group if people would be interested but only a couple of people as you are right about too many and you stick to your own rather than mixing with the locals

 

If you can live with the cost don't forget there's a company who takes bikes & all your gear to Geneva,I think, then you get a cheap easyjet flight & meet there....

 

By the way if you take the cost of ferry,fuel,maybe hotel 1 night,wear & tear etc., into account is it really expensive? Also you're fresh & ready to roll....

 

Is that bike shuttle (Train) £435 for a return?
If so that looks good

 

Yes it's called Bikeshuttle but it's not a train but a truck. I read somewhere they have a regular service summertime only. You drop bike off at their depot & make your own way to Geneva, I think.

 

you have to get your own way there though,works out expensive

 

Link for the train please

 

Motorail. Looks like you can get on at either Paris, or for Italy, Dusseldorf...