myself and partner are traveling july 26 th from ireland to england holland germany italy spain morocco portugal and back through france ( in time for rugby world cup) we expect to be on the road for 2 months and hope to meet any fellow travellers on route we will be riding a 650 yamaha dragstar and we are both 49 yrs going on 20 any advice welcome

hi you two...

if you go to netherlan right away from the UK, the cheapest and fastest would be the ferry from Harwich to Hock van Holland.... the ferry takes about 4 hours only goes twice the day with cinemas and the lot a bike fee would be around £70 to £80 quit don't know exact but will save you a lot of mileage and fuell.
I used to go that way twice a year.... on my two bikes and Land Rover as well....

GPS way-points route (any Garmin)
W A14A45 N52 23.5030 W000 31.3001 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 11-MAR-01 14-41
W A14M11 N52 14.3856 E000 03.6339 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 23-OCT-99 12-51
W A11A14 N52 16.3721 E000 26.8918 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 23-OCT-99 13-11
W A12A14 N52 02.4476 E001 05.7377 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 17-OCT-00 07-53
W HARWIC N51 56.7081 E001 15.0454 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 18-DEC-99 08:11
W HOEKVH N51 58.5109 E004 07.6150 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 01-JAN-00 13:42
W HVH-1 N51 58.2112 E004 12.2640 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JAN-01 12:40
W ROTERD N51 54.9523 E004 26.9208 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 27-APR-96 19:52
W A12A20 N52 01.6230 E004 40.3310 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 01-JAN-00 12-55
W ARNHEM N51 59.0046 E005 58.3990 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 18-DEC-99 17:59
W A3-A12 N51 53.9298 E006 09.9385 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 01-JAN-00 11-30
W OB-K-W N51 29.2456 E006 48.9096 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 10-JUL-99 06-47
W ME-A3 N51 15.3462 E006 54.8577 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 27-APR-96 15:15
W K-LEV N51 02.5295 E007 00.4926 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 27-APR-96 14-56

if you can use GPS I can give you some more routes, the one abowe routes you around north London and especial out of the ports of Rotterdam.
well thats mainly motor way.

W ME-A3 N51 15.3462 E006 54.8577 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 27-APR-96 15:15
W D-NORD N51 16.6465 E006 48.0966 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 27-MAY-96 11-47
W MG-N N51 12.7352 E006 23.2274 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 10-11
W VENLO N51 20.6254 E006 11.5755 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 10:32
W EINDHO N51 24.3072 E005 30.2596 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 24-MAY-96 15:50
W ANTWER N51 12.9113 E004 27.4972 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 13:14
W GENT N51 01.8961 E003 44.9235 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 14:02
W GENT-W N51 02.2134 E003 37.8257 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 14:10
W E40-18 N51 11.5353 E003 05.1297 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 15:03
W OSTEND N51 13.7105 E002 55.5298 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 24-MAY-96 19:07
W EU-T-F N50 56.1910 E001 48.9137 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 01-APR-02 13:22
W DOVER N51 07.5616 E001 19.8319 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 19:20
W EU-T-E N51 05.5670 E001 05.6022 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 20-MAR-02 05:21
W M20M26 N51 18.4129 E000 21.5234 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 02-12
W M25-TF N51 16.3446 E000 02.3100 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 02:32
W SLOUGH N51 29.4448 W000 29.7210 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 03:37
W M25M40 N51 33.3323 W000 31.8083 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 03-44
W M40J8 N51 43.8975 W001 04.4763 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 18-JAN-97 02:13

this one will takes the route down the Dover way....

W K-LEV N51 02.5295 E007 00.4926 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 27-APR-96 14-56
W K-NORD N51 02.0522 E006 57.5726 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 27-APR-96 14-53
W K-WEST N50 55.7333 E006 50.8115 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 19-MAY-99 01-34
W AACHEN N50 48.2635 E006 09.9492 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 18-MAY-96 21:06
W B-MOD N51 07.6237 E004 56.8719 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 19-MAY-99 03:22
W ANTWER N51 12.9113 E004 27.4972 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 13:14
W GENT N51 01.8961 E003 44.9235 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 14:02
W GENT-W N51 02.2134 E003 37.8257 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 14:10
W E40-18 N51 11.5353 E003 05.1297 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 15:03
W NIWPOR N51 07.9945 E002 45.0823 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 15:36
W VEURNE N51 04.1720 E002 39.4030 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 15:51
W CALAIS N50 56.1730 E001 54.7620 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 16-40
W HOVER N50 58.3031 E001 52.7915 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 19-MAY-99 06:21
W CARFAR N50 58.0228 E001 52.0445 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 16:44
W EU-T-F N50 56.1910 E001 48.9137 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 01-APR-02 13:22
W DOVER N51 07.5616 E001 19.8319 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 15-MAY-96 19:20
W EU-T-E N51 05.5670 E001 05.6022 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 20-MAR-02 05:21
W M20M26 N51 18.4129 E000 21.5234 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 02-12
W M25-TF N51 16.3446 E000 02.3100 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 02:32
W SLOUGH N51 29.4448 W000 29.7210 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 03:37
W M25M40 N51 33.3323 W000 31.8083 31-DEC-89 00:00:00 02-JUL-96 03-44

if you go Dover/Calais... there is one tricky part after you arrived in the Ports of Calais riding east.... there is a sharp turn ! not to go on the main Motorway to Paris that part to Paris is a toll road Motorway and no way turning around for 50Km or so and you have to pay, so watch out if you go that way.

have a nice trip
spooky

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The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.

hi spooky we will be visiting berlin for 2/3 days around mid august maybe see you for a was a landy owner years ago still love them

OK... you are welcome, but lets have some Ale not ... ;o)
the in Berlin is thin like pi** ... ;o)
well we can find Gines as well...

I live right in the center not far away from the "Brandenburg Tor" and "Reichstags" buildings....

I gone to send you my contact details bey mail if that works....
you can ask me any time if you get stuck around Germany, try to help out if needed... ;o)

see you

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The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.

take it easy coming through france the police are everywhere hiding with radar guns. they are on form here during the holiday period (july/august) due to the amount of accidents with the tourist's. if you come down the south nice,monaco area give me a shout and we can meet up for some wine! there's a nice irish pub hidden away in monaco! i know some lovely roads here especially around the gorges of verdon where sometimes you get to see eagles and vultures maybe we can have a ride. only available weekends though. if not have a nice one.

Just no point. Try around here.....

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Is that Carcassonne?

Nope, it's Euro Disneyland!

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

If it's your 1st European trip - take it easy - don't over do it and be careful. I was just reading a thread over on UKGSER about someone on their 1st European trip who has been killed in France on his V-strom. I don't know the full details but dead is dead . It's all too easy to pull out of a car park and be riding on the wrong side of the road.
When I go to the UK I have a sticker on the bike screen which I can't avoid seeing which reminds me to keep left .... it works.

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...on the road to nowhere...

Biking roads by bikers for bikers www.bestbikingroads.com

I do like your roundabouts though.....something we could really use in the US.

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Not necessary to find a solution Mollydog because there is no problem:-the process of crossing the channel is all part of changing over the mindset from riding on the left to riding on the right hand side of the road (which is actually the wrong side of the road to be riding anyway, but when in Rome..........!).

Seriously though, I agree with your point, pulling out from re-fueling etc (basically after any stop) can be a problem - I guess we have all done it. Certainly tourists to the UK get killed or they kill others in these circumstances, even while driving hire vehicles which are right hand drive.

What I try to do is "to do whatever the local traffic is doing". In other words, copy them; while pulling out, try to do this by following on behind some other vehicle, which, hopefully, will be a local who is travelling on the correct side of the road! It acts as a reminder; when I have got it wrong it has usually been because I have pulled out onto an empty road, which is fortunate in itself until someone comes out of a side turning.

John etc are starting from Ireland on the LHS of the road so they don't have to adjust until arriving in continental Europe; could consider stopping in the UK anyway and solve the issue!!

Dave

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Dave

Oh yea, meant to say: quite right about the French traffic police with their radar equipment. Need to have some awareness of that - it is quite long range so you may not see it!! If there is a long straight road then best to take it somewhat easy until you have some "good feeling" about it (the police seem to like those) - a judgement of risk basically. One way to make that judgement is via the local car drivers and how they are driving - oncoming traffic has flashed their lights to me numerous times and it has often turned out to mean that the police are up ahead.

Also, they seem to like to be out and about in the vicinity of tourist hotspots, Calais and suchlike, and maybe at weekends (not sure about that - anecdotal stuff from some locals).

Fixed, automatic, radar controlled cameras are not a problem:-
1. they are forward facing.
2. they could not identify/link to a foreign registration plate anyway.(although "Europe" wants to change that and connect up all the national computers blah blah).

Dave

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Dave

Well I don't agree for car driver in Germany.....

keep an aye on Merc's and Beamer... they are F***ing Bastards, German Motorways are a Battle ground, they cut you unexpected sharp, chasing you and keep there throttle on the floor panels.... NO JOKE.
Germans that type mid-age with a Star or white/blue batch use there cars as a extension of there dig... remember there is no speed limit over here... well there are restrictions but 180 and 200Km even more on the clock is no problem over here.... specially if you want to overtake a slow truck... watch out.... suddenly there is a Beamer right behind you flashing, waving with his arms, at you as mad coming that close to your rear wheel that you would not believe it.... well don't panic keep cool, just keep riding at "your speed" and let this idiots run mad behind you... the law is on your side, but be aware that they may try to push you really hard... the tale about that "red faced nerves German" is come true.

personally I try to avoid motorways at all even if it takes much longer going the smaller roads...
they are boring and highly risky to ride.... the traffic is very crowded, lots of traffic jams, and road work over the sumer month....

any way good luck....

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The trouble is that he was talking in philosophy, but they were listening in gibberish.

hello, if you came to Portugal drop me a line to meet you on the road and drink a .
Rui

Spooky,
Yes, I recognise your graphic description of the Autobahns (and certain types of cars with associated driving standards) but the minor roads are not so bad in, for example, Bavaria or the Harz mountains.
There is still more room to move on the roads in Germany than there is in the UK as a general statement - lots of exceptions of course: you can still ride around parts of the UK with hardly any other traffic, especially when it is not a weekend!

Cheers,

Dave

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Dave