Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Route Planning
The western front The western front
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Route Planning Where to go, when, what are the interesting places to see
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 17 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 20
The western front
Following this topic: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-belgium-36953. I started thinking about riding the whole western front.

I have this interest in everything WO I related since i was little. I have been to Yper, Verdun and Somme before (by car as a little boy with my dad). Its been a few years ago and as there is so much to see I want to do it again but on a motorcycle this time. My plan is to ride past the entire front ranging from Oostende to pfefferhouse (850KM). And while doing that visit the museums, graveyards and land marks that still remind to this awful event.


Western front - Google Maps
(its open to add adjustments, comments)

Anyone has some ideas for the route or places I should go to? I have seen quite allot already but there is so much to see I'm sure there must be some places I haven't seen yet. Tips for books etc are also welcome.

Btw im also interested in the Italian-Austrian front in the Alps since I dont know much about this front yet. But wonder if there is anything to be seen in this region?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 17 Sep 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
Re: Western front, if you're going to ride the line of the front I suppose the first thing you'll have to do is decide which front as it moved about quite a bit over the years.

I've also been doing something similar - last year it was driving the route of the retreat from Mons to the Marne, the year before the extended 1916 Somme area. I'm in the area again in about 3-4 weeks and working out which bit for this year.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 17 Sep 2010
stephen.stallebrass's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 318
Great idea...
I'm more into WW2 myself. I'd like to do something similar and ride the Allied advance through NW Europe taking in the sites, museums and cemeteries etc at some point.

Done a few battlefield tours for mates myself including Normandy, Ardennes & Hurtgen. Not on bikes though, they don't ride - suckers! Good luck and if you ever decide to do a WW2 ride count me in.

My advice would be to check out the itineraries of various battlefield tour company's for inspiration. Or just buy Holts' Battlefield Guide books, with the maps, and fill ya boots!

Ypres Salient, Somme & Western Front - South: The First Battle of the Marne, the Aisne 1914, Verdun, the Somme 1916

With whats in these three books alone you'd be kept busy and out of trouble... heck its making my feet itchy to do it myself. There's nothing like walking the battlefields, with some understanding of the events that unfolded, to get a true idea of what happened.

xXx
__________________
www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Sep 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 20
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
Re: Western front, if you're going to ride the line of the front I suppose the first thing you'll have to do is decide which front as it moved about quite a bit over the years.

I've also been doing something similar - last year it was driving the route of the retreat from Mons to the Marne, the year before the extended 1916 Somme area. I'm in the area again in about 3-4 weeks and working out which bit for this year.
The Other front was indeed from Mons to Compiegne but that front was lost pretty quick in 1914. The route i marked is the western front as it was for most of the war. The front didnt move that much over the years sometimes it went few miles forward or backword but they where always fighting for the same city's and hills.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 30 Sep 2010
Gecko's Avatar
Slippery when wet
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Spain
Posts: 311
If you have access to a Garmin GPS, send me a PM with your email address as I have 2 GPS files , one for Ypres and the other for the Somme. Both contain hundreds of points of interest , markers, war graves, battlefield sites, significant positions, memorials and more. No charge for the files but I do ask that it not be used for commercial purposes and if you want to make a donation to the Royal British Legion Brussels branch I can let you know how to do that.
__________________
...on the road to nowhere...

Biking roads by bikers for bikers www.bestbikingroads.com
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 6 Oct 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 20
great ive send you a PM
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
Western Explorer TAS Bonnie Australia / New Zealand 14 18 Dec 2008 21:29
Western Sahara ozhanu North Africa 2 8 Aug 2007 06:51
western route uk to sa jeff_watts Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 30 Jul 2005 02:45
when to western Africa? globalkoster North Africa 1 7 Oct 2003 20:02

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

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 travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

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!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



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 08:42.

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