Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Euro Trip: March/April 2010 Euro Trip: March/April 2010
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Jan 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Britain
Posts: 17
Euro Trip: March/April 2010
Hey there, I've been browsing this site for hours, found loads of useful info already, and thought I'd post the details of my first bike trip.

In a nutshell, I'm planning on taking my 1997 Suzuki GSF 600 from Calais, to Dubrovnik, Croatia and back, in 26 days, between mid March and mid April.



That's a rough route I've come up with, although I don't like to set anything in stone.. Would rather head south to the warmer weather asap though!

Quick question, I'm pretty sure the roads will all be fine, but can anyone confirm that my road tyres will handle the roads further East, I know it's not exactly deepest darkest peru out there, but should I be preparing for crumbling, gravelly roads, or are they pretty much mainly tarmac?

If anyone has any suggestions for places to visit along the way I'm open to suggestions, like I said, nothing is set in stone - or if anyone will be in the area at the same kind of time and fancies meeting up, let us know!

Cheers,

Andy
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Jan 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Den Hoorn Zuid-Holland
Posts: 6
Hi there,

Been to the countries you are planing to go. Did that trip on a yamaha FJ1200 ABS with road tires. It was no problem. Only the roads in Croatia are no to good when it rains. They become slippery.

Greet Dimitri
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Jan 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 58
Looks a good trip mate. Have done some of the places a couple times, roads won't be a problem. As somebody mentioned, they can get very slippery when wet in places like croatia. I'd never thought my front brakes were touchy till riding around there a few days

Budva in Montenegro was good fun when I stayed there, and I liked Dubrovnik (albeit very touristy). There are loads of little pensions all the way up that coast. A little detour up to Mostar (bosnia) could be good, liked that.

Slovenia stayed in Bled once and Llubjana once. Bled was nice, heaps of nice roads through there. Can't help you much beyond there as didn't go up north like your trip.

Anyway, good luck.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 19 Jan 2010
holodragon's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Back in Blighty
Posts: 171
Road tyres are fine,though I have not been as far south in Italy as you plan to go. Some roads in Croatia & Slovenia can be a bit greasy when wet but we rode through the Julian Alps in Slovenia with no problems despite the cobbled hairpins! Its an old 1st world war supply route originally & very scenic,did it on a 600 Fazer.
Allow yourself plenty of time getting through the Czech Republic & North Slovenia,the roads are fine but not that wide & you can find yourself overtaking a lot of trucks.
Have a great trip
Andy
__________________
Andy L

From the midnight sun to the silk & rhubarb roads, 2014
I am not an adventure rider, just a biker that has adventures.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 19 Jan 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Wales
Posts: 32
Guessing 2nd / 2nd last stop is the Nurburgring - good shout.
Last summer I did Berlin, stayed with friends in S Poland, including visiting Auschwitz, then the Ring in a week
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...g-2009-a-45866
You'll also be passing Brno, a few Italian race circiuts and Bologna - home of Ducati - if that's your thing
Other points of interest - Stelvio Pass
good luck - and tell us about it when you've done
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20 Jan 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Britain
Posts: 17
Hi there, thanks for all the replies, much appreciated! That's good to hear about the roads, put my mind at rest, as long it stays relatively dry

I've looked into some of your suggestions, Mostar looks incredible, will add it to my list of places to visit, and the WWI supply route through the Julian Alps looks well worth riding too.
I'd love to ride the Stelvio pass as well, my only concern is whether the mountain roads are likely to be covered in ice and snow in march/april?

@zygoat4

I hadn't heard of Nurburgring until you mentioned it, but it's near that point, which is actually just the twin town to where I live, thought it'd be worth seeing..
Did a bit of research though and it looks pretty good, can you really just turn up, buy a ticket and do a lap?! Never ridden on a race track before, and this one is sposed to be the most dangerous, will I been viewed as brave or stupid? Might never get the chance again though, so it's gotta be done!

Thanks again for all the info, this is why I love this place, within a day of posting I've already added to my list of things to do!

Cheers,

Andy
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Sahara March / April 2008 eyewire North Africa 6 29 Nov 2007 19:04
1 st timers euro trip johnlahiffe Travellers Seeking Travellers 15 14 Jul 2007 08:30
Mexico March/ April garyp138 Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 19 Dec 2006 22:50
Euro trip dilema the-bushman Trip Transport 2 16 Feb 2006 17:11
round NZ in Feb, March and April DaveSmith Travellers Seeking Travellers 2 14 Mar 2005 07:38

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 21:10.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top