Hello everyone. Been lurking for a while on here, getting ideas and inspiration...
I've been planning/dreaming of an epic adventure for a while now. My plan at the moment is to get it done before I probably start university in September.

My adventure consists of exploring the countries of Europe, not all but a good majority. I want to take in different sights and atmospheres that far off places provide. Although I've mostly always been a dirt rider (be it trails, trials and enduro), most of the trip will be on road but my adventure has been partly inspired by the Long Way Round and Down series so I still like the idea of carrying on when the tarmac stops. The bike for the trip is my restored 82 Honda XL500R, my own 'Adventure bike.' Hey, that's what I like to call it

No definite route or plan set yet. I would like a rough idea of what I'll be doing but nothing set in stone when it comes to time scales. It makes it more of an adventure. I'd like to include the French/Italian Alps, Spain, possibly down to Morocco as I'd be in the area :lol: Germany, Italy, Czech Republic possibly, then maybe head up north to see Norway. I plan on finishing my job end of June which gives me roughly 2 months to do it in. Not really planning on spending all that time away but more time should mean something less to worth about.

Anyone is welcome to come along for all or part of it. Welcome to any ideas/suggestions or requests if you want to come. This is my first real adventures on my bike so it is very much a learning curve.

Can't wait though, I want to explore and go on an adventure

Hello and welcome. Might help if you were to say where you're based or where you're planning on leaving from! Although we all like to pretend its not, the World is actually quite a big place.

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.................. get to Badonecchia, Italy by/just before the second Sunday in July; then go up the Col de Sommelier for the Stella Alpina meeting where there will be hundreds of bikes riding to the top, above the snow line.
Many of those attending camp up there also.

Search for the Stella A if you are not sure what to expect.
Such as:- http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/search?+alpina

Look out for the really old boys, usually on even older BMW GSs, who know, and ride, the high passes that used to be the military access roads when the Alps were disputed by countries; talk to them and you can spend a few more days there with a free guide!!

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Dave

Europe is a big "country". Your plan can be done but it's not fun. Whole europe + Marocco in 2 months is a lot of riding. "Make it smaller" and have fun.

Ah yeah... Good point. I'm from Suffolk, UK so will be taking the ferry/tunnel to France.

Thanks, you too! Hopefully I'll see you at some point

That definitely sounds like a great plan. I will make this part of my trip. Sounds great. Time to look into this some more...

Point taken and noted. I think I will make it a bit shorter. Especially now that I may make the Stella meet athe main highlight, I will probably focus on Italy as a goal. Spain and Morocco can wait until next year as I have another plan in store...

As already mentioned, make it smaller. Try Eastern Europe, it is cheaper and very interesting.

We have a few posts on our sight about Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro. Getting Lost Again | A small family's desire to explore which might give you some ideas.

The Maritime Alps is full of dirt tracks for some fun camping exploring. We went via some last summer. You can find tracks via wikiloc, etc

Have fun.

Danward79.
Military maps of the region are outdated (they are from 1972).
Plum brandy is called Rakija (Rijeka is a town on adriatic coast).
Nice report.

Hi, Thanks. Spelling was never my strong point!

As you've seen, Stella looks like great fun and there are lots of people there that do several different trails in the area at the same time. I'm on a tight schedule so heading down for just the Stella then straight back home, but if you want to meet up at Bardonneccia or stop of at Folkestone where I live before catching an early ferry then drop me a message.

either way good luck with the trip.

Dave

Hi Dave,

I'm sure I've seen your posts on the Adventure Bike Rider forum. Would definitely like to meet up at Bardonneccia, not sure about while I'm in Folkstone yet as not 100% about the tunnel timing yet. Will let you know on that one.

Good luck with your trip when you set off.

John

Here Here !

You could happily see off a month just toddling your XL down through France, into Spain and riding around the Pyrenees. You won't struggle to find great tarmac, superb trails and amazing views.

My advice would be not to set a fixed timetable or route, just note some of the places you might want to see and trundle off. That way you won't stress when/if you have a breakdown or puncture or just fancy a few days chilling.

Trying to crunch loads of miles on a trail-bike day after day just isn't fun.

Should be ideal for the job.

Dump your luggage and hit some trails

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you thought of going to the pamplona bull run? Seems something I might be doing. Just seems mad!

For Norway, here's how to visit the country - for which fjords Slartibartfast got a design prize, mind you - without going bankrupt:
Budget travel in Norway - Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict

edit: Oh, and for the sights, here's a taste of what's in store for you:

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

Hi John:

Like others have already mentioned (and as you have acknowledged), your original plan is a bit too ambitious - it would be more like an Iron Butt endurance run than an enjoyable tour.

The only 'new' suggestion that I can offer that has not been mentioned before is to consider seasonality when picking the area of Europe that you want to ride in.

For example, the Northern part of Europe (anywhere in Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, and Northern Germany / Netherlands) are really only enjoyable during June, July, and August. On the other hand, the Iberian peninsula, Morocco, and Italy are enjoyable over a greater number of months each year.

Given that you are (presumably) quite young, and will be riding in future years, you might want to consider doing the Northern countries (especially Norway) on this tour (this because you will be riding during the finest summer weather), and saving the Southern countries for another time when you might only be able to get vacation time in the spring or fall - both of which are seasons during which the Southern countries have a very pleasant climate for touring.

Not to mention that it is as hot as Hades south of the Pyrenees/Alps during the summer months.

Michael