Globe Rider Adventure Bike Tours http://www.adventurebiketours.co.uk
Touring CHECK LIST
Bike documents; V5 registration certificate, Insurance,
Driving license - Full UK license, EU photo license + an international license if you wish, but not essential.
Passport
Personal medical insurance - with policy details & international contact details / tel numbers
Motorcycle breakdown cover - with contact details from abroad.
Credit card/s - with tel no's to report loss from abroad
EU - mains adapter /s
Spare bulbs & fuses
1 litre oil - of correct type as used on last service. (1 litre is plenty - you can get more in Europe if needed)
Bikes tool kit
European dealer contact details for your bike
Maps / route notes / pen / note book for making your own route summaries
Currency for each Country (generally £30 minimum for each Country)
We won't see you starve though, so don't worry if you don't get round to it - just bring some Euro's and a couple of credit cards!
Wet weather riding gear (luxury item could be a spare pair of waterproof gloves!)
Mobile phone + charger & make sure your service provider has enabled 'international calling'
Most importantly - an open mind
Swim wear & light towel (towel is a luxury item you don't really need!) Just bring a light weight - quick dry one.
All hotels have showers & towels (except night 2 in Germany - which is a little more basic with shared bathroom facilities + one night towel-less in Czech)
That's all though, so shower on night one! Skip night two & you're sorted! Just the last night in Czech - in the forest, which also doesn't have towels -
but you'll soon be in the luxury of Budapest :_)
Small bathroom bag - mainly a toothbrush! as most hotels will provide some washing items
Sun glasses - or tinted visor (low sun when heading back west!)
Notes on luggage
You really do need less than you think to travel across Europe, honest!
Pack light weight clothing, with a couple of layers for the hilly bits (alps). Don't worry about what you might forget. As long as you bring your passport & credit card, you can do virtually anything and get anywhere. Everything you could possibly need is available either within Europe or your friendly touring group of fellow riders who will have brought with them double what they really needed to!
Sat Nav abroad
Firstly - please always double check any co ordinates against a map to make sure you're heading to the correct country!
There is a possibility that an odd error could have crept in - & we don't want any phone calls from someone in Moscow who's just followed a stray route co ordinate! Basically, just check that the co ordinate roughly matches the expected riding distance and town location.
Always have a quick scan through the road numbers and check it's a route you're happy with. If not, try changing one of the way points, or change the routing instructions to avoid motorways.
I'm using a very basic tomtom rider with European mapping, generally set to either 'fastest route' (using specific way points) or avoid motorway.
Generally 'shortest route' will take you on a few too many back streets & industrial estates! - but can be useful, once we're assured of the roads we want to take.
Each morning I will suggest a set of way points for the ride, as well as noting key map points & town references. Basically, we'll have a ten minute coffee briefing each morning, for anyone wanting to make sure that they're using the suggested route guides.
We can also look at any variations and alternative suggestions for routes and or stop off points, if anyone's made a discovery they'd like to visit along the way.
Timing wise, most days riding should start between 9 - 9.30 am in order to give you the best opportunity to cover the mileage and have time for plenty of stops.
Usually, there will be a suggested longer rest or sight seeing suggestion, i.e. maybe an hour in the town of departure, something on route or at the destination.
Currency
EUROS - as many as you can carry, are always useful!
Czech Koruna - we've 4 days traveling in Czech, so £50 minimum - to get you going.
Slovakian Koruna - Just one day riding here, so £20 - £30 would be plenty.
Polish Zloty - option for a brief visit, so again £20 should do.
Slovenia = Euros
Austria = Euros
Luxembourg = Euros
France = Euros, (we don't plan to stop in France.)
Hungarian Forint - 4 days within Hungary, so I'd get at least £50 worth in advance (but check the rate, because it's a fluctuating currency with lots of Forints! In Budapest during 2007 it's been around 360 to the British pound. Even so, if you only get £50 worth at 345 / £1 - you are only £2 worse off . . . which is better than arriving in Hungary forintless & unable to buy everyone a beer!!? Once we're in Budapest, it's easy to top up your forints, either swoping cash or with your credit card at ATM's.
To summarize; if you want to keep currency simple, just take EURO'S / CZECH KORUNA + HUNGARIAN FORINTS
If you want to avoid getting currency, just at least take EURO's.
last two tips; 1. some ENGLISH CASH is also always useful for changing into local currency, which can save you exchanging cash twice,
ie, pounds to Euros / Euros to whatever. 2. And finally, no need to worry about what currency you've got / haven't got, so long as you've got some form of cash and a credit card! From past experiences paying for fuel and even obtaining cash from ATM's on the street can work out far cheaper than exchanging cash at banks, especially if you use a card with no foreign loading charges.
Europe - ten Countries Tour summary;
For more: information & advice on motorcycle touring in Europe
France / Belgium - initially we aim to cover the mileage to give us the the opportunity to get into eastern Europe in good time.
Belgium & Luxembourg - gets it's opportunity for rural riding / a bit of cheap shopping! And nice lunch stop on the homeward section.
Germany - outward is again more ride distance focused. Enjoy the great riding, countryside and some 'top biking routes'
Day two - gives an hour or so to get a taste for a nice German town in the morning, and at the lunch time stop, you'll see the Rhine in action, very much a working river. Plus chance to absorb a few rural villages on route to Germersheim.
Germersheim has a unique aura, almost a "hidden fort town" as the German war effort literally dug parts of this town into the ground. You'll get a feel for this both from the house we stay in & a suggested short stroll in the morning before departure.
Day 3 - we need to cover some mileage to reach Czech, but still some nice riding (with some motorway sections) which will then enable us to quickly experience the change of culture (& roads!) as we cross into the Czech Republic.
We stay in a really nice local pension (although fairly basic - is nice, clean with on suit & shower, but most importantly in a great location and with a real 'locals saloon style bar / restaurant' - oh & a FREE Globerider genuine Czech beer . . . or two!
Day 4 / 5 - You'll awake to find yourself in a strange mystic place! In the real heart of eastern Europe, just how it's been for centuries. No huge crowds of tourists, no Prague style overpricing. The real eastern Europe. A lovely colourful town.
Here, you should be able to change some pounds for Czech Koruna; about 41 to the English pound. Lots of shops and everything's available, quite cheap!
An easy 101 mile ride enables you to absorb your new surroundings, stop for cheap food & coffee, have plenty of time to take photographs and still arrive at our next stop nice and early for a few surprises! This one's even nicer, so much so that we've penciled in an extra day here. A free day to either relax and explore this lovely place, visit a castle or even have a ride out to the Czech Bones church and return for some early evening exploring! Masses of really nice cheap bars and restaurants here - and the hotels pretty good too! . . . in fact 'it's the best in town'
. . . I've visited most of them!
Day 6 - Switch on your 'adventure head' we'll cross Czech taking us almost to the Slovakian border where we'll be nicely positioned for our approach into Hungary (+ with an early start time to explore either Poland, a taste of the Tatra's or the Danube bend. Or all three if you can't sleep!)
Our overnight stop is high in the forest, a little more basic, but full of character, atmosphere and fresh air!
Day 7 - You choose. An early start gives us lots of options. If the group wishes to explore in different directions, there's a suggested way point for meeting in the afternoon for our approach to Budapest. Any riders who've not experienced riding in a large eastern European city / without sat nav, will probably want to follow me into Budapest . Our hotel is located on the edge of the city centre, in order to save us having to ride in the very centre of Budapest, but still just a ten minute walk or quick bus ride into the main districts; V, Vl, vll. Budapest's public transport is fantastic, cheap and frequent with single journey tickets costing HU 230 (60p)
Secure underground motorcycle parking, all pre paid for Globe riders. A nice modern 4 star hotel, with clean modern apartment style rooms & good breakfasts!
Day 8 / 9 - Adventures in Budapest
Day 10 - Hungary to Slovenia, A few options; visit lake Balaton, explore more inland rural Hungary, or ride more directly to Slovenia and have a few hours exploring Croatia . Our base in Slovenia is high in the hills, Ski territory! With lovely views out over the countryside, which really gives you a sense of the region through which we are traveling.
Day 11 - A fantastic twisty day riding across the Austrian Alps , where we make base close to the foot of a mountain pass in a modern hotel with swimming pool.
(route variations may apply on this day, but always a great location)
Day 12 - Austria to Germany (via Switzerland option) We start the day with stunning riding, have a section in the middle which is fabulous mid speed, quiet twisty roads and end the day with an option to ride along some of Germanys very best black forest routes! Evening hotel, is a nice traditional German one with a good chef, . . . if he turns up! If not, no worries - it's a lovely town with lots of nice places to eat and drink.
Day 13 - Sorry more great riding, including one or two of the best motorcycle routes I've found anywhere in the World! On a summers weekend, you'll be amongst hundreds of German bikers who have come here especially for the great roads. On our chosen day, most of the 1000 cc sports bikes and touring caravans should be at home in their garage :_) leaving you space to cruise.
Also opportunity to explore off road forests that just go on and on, further and higher than you'll probably dare to venture (I've tried!) Evening 13, nice and rural, good relaxed country hotel with bar and restaurant. Positions us perfectly for the mornings ride into Luxembourg and back across rural Belgium (where there's a nice suggestion for a huge choice of lunch time eating places) Then an easy ride back to port, either directly motorway, or across country.
The route
There is no right or wrong way to get to each nights location. Whichever way you get there is the right way for you! I have personally visited most of the locations several times, each time discovering new routes and diversions! Generally, the supplied route guides will give you a good balanced days riding, but it's not essential that you stick rigidly to the route. The overnight stops are all chosen, partly because they include a variety of good riding routes.
Group riding
It's not essential that we ride as a group, but recommended on a few of the sections. As we approach Brussels, I'd recommend sticking tight together and keeping a sharp eye out for the 'Brussels Ring' If we can approach the overnight stop offs as a group, it will save you time. Eastern European borders, the approach to Budapest and our entry onto Austrian soil are also suggested 'group riding' points which will all make the crossing smoother for you.
Anyone using sat nav along with the supplied East / north co-ordinates should have no problems finding anywhere at all (providing you double check the co-ordinates against a map) Since this is a long distance adventure tour, riders will almost certainly wish to ride at their own pace, maybe with similar paced riders
or just taking your own time and diversions and arriving at the group destination whenever it suits you.
If we are riding as a group, always keep a few bikes length from each other and allow room for other vehicles errors / lane changes etc. On motorways I will generally cruise at aprox 80 mph. Usually speed limits +- 10% (remember - your bikes Speedo is not always 100% accurate!) As we approach key junctions, I will slow to enable the group to gather. In town and rural locations, always stick to the main route that we're following. If I split from the next rider, I will stop at the first safe available place, on that route, usually pulling over to the right side. If we turn off the main route, everyone should make sure that the bike behind them is close enough to see the turn. If the bike behind is not in sight, if safe to do so, you should stop close to the junction to mark the turn for the other riders. Let them pass you and then join back into the group. This way the riding order will always rotate whilst every turn is marked for the group. It is not always possible to do this and you shouldn't stop directly on a junction where it is not legal or safe to do so. If the group does get split up (and it will!) just relax, pull over and look at your maps and route guides. They'll be a suggested way point or the evening co ordinate to aim for.
If the group has become separated, I will make a special effort to ensure that we are waiting at the next noted way point for you.
If you're really lost - or suffer breakdown or emergency, my mobile is always switched on. Ideally text me first, I'll pull over as soon as possible and phone you back. From abroad my no. is; Tel +44 7788 101144
There is of course always the possibility that I will Secom to the law of averages and experience a motorcycle fault as well. (I do ride a BMW after all!) If so, I will advise the group as soon as possible. Everyone's accommodation for the whole tour is pre-booked and you are able to continue riding to the next way points or evening stop. I would endeavor to re join the group as soon as possible. Whenever touring in Europe, you should always carry everything that you need to individually get yourself around the tour and if necessary make any of your own additional payments for fuel or accommodation. Anything which has been pre paid for you as part of the tour, i.e. fuel, food or accommodation can then be reclaimed on your return home. (basic ten Country includes accommodation with breakfasts only) In case of your own emergencies, you should ensure that you are happy with the level of risk and insurance cover that you have. As a group, we will always assist as much as possible, without causing to much disruption to the touring group as a whole. If anything does go wrong, as long as you stay calm and open minded, anything can be resolved. Things do happen on adventures, after all, that's partly why we travel. But rest assured, it won't be anything that hasn't happened to someone else before and they'll always be a way to keep you moving.
Globe rider Adventure bike Touring
You've probably chosen the 'ten country' because you're looking for an element of adventure, to experience more of the day to day reality of riding in Europe and maybe just push yourself a little beyond your comfort zone.
Just what kind of journey the tour evolves into will be different for everyone. My touring style is to point you in the right direction and give you an opportunity to explore places that you possibly wouldn't go to alone. I'm always close by to assist and offer advice, but do not want to dictate what you do or where you explore. These tours are for the more independent rider, who wants to explore a little further into Europe than a usual sight seeing tour, whilst still benefiting from the support and friendship of travelling with a small group of like minded riders.
|
Adventure bike will always take you home Globerider Adventure bike tours
Motorcycle touring adventures for free spirited riders . . . who just want to ride & explore
. . . . just get on your bike & come (oh' don't forget to post us a little Globerider cheque first :)
motorcycle touring holidays, motorbike holiday, motorcycle from UK to eastern Europe, moto tours, motorbike adventures, motorbike travel, adventures, Eastern Europe, Slovakia, Budapest, European, countries, expeditions, travel tips,
Supported motorbike touring holidays & vacations throughout the whole of eastern Europe. Motorcycle riding in Europe |
|
|
Globerider
