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Summer 2009 around Europe for July. Summer 2009 around Europe for July.
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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

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 26 Jan 2009
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Summer 2009 around Europe for July.
First post, lovely site, plenty of good information here I see, of which I'll be reading plenty.

In the initial planning stages of a European tour with two mates where we'll rendezvous in London then head off around Europe.

This is the provisional route I've mapped out:

Google Maps

We're probably looking at about 28 days in July for this trip, to cover 4,500 miles / 7,200 km's. Which may be a bit ambitious... Does this look a doable distance?

More then likely planning on staying in a mixture of B&B's, Hostels, Formula 1's, camping, friends places, whatever works I guess.

Any tips for a first major trip around Europe would be welcome. Main concern is the time/distance ratio. The 28 days is pretty much set based on work commitments.

The route is quite flexible apart from the London to Barcelona leg, and having to end up back in the UK. But our preference is more based on the Balkans/Eastern Europe, so may even look at going Praha - Calais and skipping stopping in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.
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  #2  
Old 26 Jan 2009
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Hi Rusty,

I did 3500km in 8 days with a LOT of time off the bike having a proper holiday. We were 2 up with all our gear on an Yamaha FZ6.

So to answer your question...you have loads of time, that is the last of your problems.

I use hostelworld when I am travelling...Hostels & Youth Hostels Worldwide - Online Bookings

Read the reviews of other people, it really helps to decide where to stay. I have never been to a hostel where you cannot find places out of the way for bikes.

Steve
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  #3  
Old 27 Jan 2009
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Location: aachen/germany and valence/france
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travelling around europe...
[quote=Rusty O'Hara;225345]
Any tips for a first major trip around Europe would be welcome. Main concern is the time/distance ratio. The 28 days is pretty much set based on work commitments.

8000km in 4 weeks is possible, if you ride 285km per day...
seriously...i would focus on certain parts of europe and come back next year.
if you are in france in july, i would recommend the "stella alpina" meeting 2nd weekend.
Picasa-Webalben - airhead - stella alpina...

why would you ride along the french côte d´azur in july? you will get from one traffic jam into the next.
i suggest to ride the cevennes and the sea-alps instead.
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Last edited by airhead; 27 Jan 2009 at 15:18.
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  #4  
Old 7 Feb 2009
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I did about 6000km in 2,5 weeks last sept/oct and that was on a 1972 Suzuki T350 2stroke.
I found germany to be very nice and there is plenty of cheap accomodation along the B roads
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  #5  
Old 8 Feb 2009
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Location: bulgaria
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Hello Rusty,
I've just looked at your planned route, and would advise you to check if your vehicle insurance covers you for Serbia, as a lot of UK ones don't. If you have to buy a Green Card at the border, you will find it is quite expensive.( 120 euros for a car) Plus the motorway through Serbia is a toll road. Also, be very careful not to use any credit / debit cards to pay for things in Serbia, and only show a small amount of cash to anyone you have to pay, like toll roads, or filling stations.
Have agreat time.
Regards,
Martin T Jeffes,
Sakar Hills Touring Park,
Harmanli,
South Bulgaria.
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  #6  
Old 12 Feb 2009
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Hey Rusty, what dates are you looking at doing this trip, i am going over there and doing something like that, we arrive on the 12th june for for a month. Locky.
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  #7  
Old 24 Feb 2009
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A Great tour
Hey Rusty,

It is doable, absolutely. I did during the fall of 2006 10,000 km around the Balkan countries in 40 days, same daily average. I do not believe that you can do much more then this mileage per day over a month length tour. Remember you have to refuel, to have some coffee/soft drink breaks, have a light lunch, visit a museum, taking photos etc. It all take time and Of course it depends on your self discipline of waking up in the morning and getting a good night sleep.
BTW, I will be on the same roads on your eastern part at the same time, coming from Norway to Greece.
Have fun
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  #8  
Old 13 Jun 2009
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Time sure flies when your having fun, no?

Five months later, both mates are have dropped out, so I'm on my own.

Where to start from.....
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  #9  
Old 14 Jun 2009
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Eastern Europe Tour 2009
Hi,
I'm doing a tour with a friend in eastern europe. We start in Brussels on 4th of July and come home between the 5th and 9th of August.
This is our route!
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