Hi all First post, please be gentle Heading over to Germany with a mate in early August. We've done a fair bit of touring over the years - Pyrenees, Alps, south coast of France, Northern France, central/south America - so we're comfortable with long days. Apart from one dash to the Nurburgring we haven't spent any time in Germany so - having read through some of the awesome touring threads on here - was after some advice. Obviously want to take in the B500, B48, and a trip to the ring on the way back... would the seasoned Euro Trippers here recommend a different hotel every night, or finding a central base for a few nights and doing some big circular routes each day? We did the latter in the Pyrenees and it worked pretty well - if that sounds sensible, any recommendations for a good base? Not overly fussy on hotels (would prefer no cockroaches) or food...although decent beer and schnitzel is essential Thanks in advance ! MattB
We tend to have a stay in different hotels every night, we like visiting different places...until we get to the final destination, then 4 days of same Hotel... We stay in decent places with good food and wine, only because after loads of miles thrashing the bikes, its nice to stay in lovely surroundings, so we splash out. Well worth it imo.
Good food and wine sounds...ideal. Do you pre-book or just style it out each evening? Going first week Aug so thought places might be a bit rammed.
Pre book, only because we get great deals and we go at the time of kids holidays, so the decent places are full... i know a few guys who just turn up and never have problems usually. . For instance, the hotel in Verona only had 4 rooms left when we booked a few mths ago, same in Como etc... so we needed to book early to get the places we want. After being on the bikes, we park up, have a shower and hit the town for food and fine ales, so need somewhere close for the nightlife. We did one place last year, where we turned up, but it was in the middle of nowhere and didn't want to stay in the place all night, but we had to as the local village was miles away. Horses for courses mate, it depends what you want...it's all fab!
If you book everything via booking.com and install the app on your phone it reminds you where you are staying that night in the morning, also gives you exact co-ordinates of the hotel as sometimes putting the address in the satnav isn't very accurate. I did the B500 on my 929 a few years ago, it's a beautiful road. Very fast though so you probably wont have time to enjoy the scenery
I'm in agreement with Si on this one although it does seem that the better hotels are getting more expensive nowadays. Booking everything in advance has advantages and disadvantages; advantages are that you're not worrying over whether you'll find a reasonable hotel or not at the end of your day, I've known groups riding around till 9 or 10 at night from town to town just to get a hotel, not much fun at the end of a 7-8 hour day of riding,0 pre-booking means you'll be well fed and relaxed by that time. It is certainly better to pre-book if you have a larger group or specific requirements. The downside is the weather, if it's crap where your headed..tough! We went to Kitzbuhel for 2 days late June last year and it was 5-8degreesC and rained the whole time, the bikes were parked up and we enjoyed the excellent beer and food which was nice but a bit of bummer for riding the Grossglockner which was covered in snow and closed. Not booking in advance means you can go wherever you like, head for the good weather, downside is you may get stuck and struggle to find anywhere to stay, European travellers seem to like to stop early, around 4-5 pm, so turning up at 6 or 7pm may be a problem especially in the busy holiday periods July/August.
Thanks for the advice guys - much appreciated. Managed to mis-use company time today; crossings and all accommodation booked Total cost - £170pp between 4. Result! Route takes in b48, b500 and drops us just south of Lake Konstanz for three nights, so might be able to get over the Stelvio on a day ride.
Where are you staying and who did you book with ? Be going through there on the way to Mugello for Motogp end Of May.
Booked the places separately through booking.com (most of them are late cancellation, no cash up front - nice). When we head out to Europe we normally go for an epic day's ride at the start and end of the trip - first day out (Saturday) & last day back (Saturday) will be https://goo.gl/maps/l8FcI We have sun/mon/tue/wed/thu/fri - we're staying at these places, in Lingenau for three nights/two days so we can do long circular rides down into Italy - https://goo.gl/maps/XQM2e Hotel locations were covered by room availability - if you believe what booking.com says, the accommodation gets booked up pretty fast - the guys who replied to this thread said pretty much the same ^^^
All looks ace - one thing I learnt last year - going through Belgium into Germany to hit the Autobahn South = no tolls Just one to consider for your trip on the way down / back
Quick question for those who've spent time in Germany...what are the police like with noisy exhausts? I've heard from a few people that the Swiss cops can be pretty tough on bikers, but was talking to a dealer at the weekend who said that the German police can be strict. He reckoned he'd heard of people getting their bikes confiscated until the standard exhaust had been sent out & fitted?!!
Matt, there's so many things that supposedly "happens on tour" Switzerland hate everyone, fact. Unless you walk round hugging trees all day. And for the what you've heard? if we acted on something some one told us that once happened to a mate of a mate of a mate in some country or other, we wouldn't even take the bike out the garage. Unless your told direct from the bloke it actually happened to and wears the T shirt it's just hear say. Like with anything mate, I understand there's always a little truth behind rumours? But just take into account what you think is acceptable, and regardless of the country your visiting "excluding Switerland" and what you hear on the grapevine, it most probably will be. Just enjoy, and don't forget the camera isclaimer: Personally I have never actually been to Switzerland, but I know peeps that have, and they reckon the polize are cunts
Having lived in Germany for 12 years all I can say is "Be polite" If your a cockey brit abroad they will mess your day up big time. Carry your log book, insurance and AA (or similar cover) with you and you will be fine. Its only if your tanking it around country lanes do they get arsey. Never heard of anyone getting their bike taken off them! Ever. Most of the German police will check your not a squadie, give you a lecture and tell you to keep i stead then let you go. Here's to a fantastic trip. If you do get stuck I can can give you my mobile I'm happy to translate LOL "Ich verstehe nicht, Offizier" Usually works teat LOL (Google Translate is your friend!) Just learn - Ich möchte eine Bit Burger Bitter! I would like a Bit Burger Beer Please Jobs a gooden!
Im heading down to the B500 this thursday sating at hotel for two days, can let you know how we get on. 8 day trip in total!
Had a great time riding in Germany last year, no issues what so ever with police and have the racefit black edition on my bike with no baffle. Didn't get stopped in Switzerland but was obvious the locals hate bikers and hate speed- will never ride there again. Have a great time.
Thanks all - very useful I have done a fair bit of riding abroad in France/Germany but haven't been for a while...can't wait to go back.
I had to ride back through Switzerland after I got banned from riding in France a couple of years ago. It has the most beautiful scenery but we saw quite a few speed traps. I wouldn't like to get caught there. We stopped at a McDonalds and it was about £20 each! They don't do filtering there and will drive at you to teach you a lesson. I found it quite busy on the roads. I wouldn't bother going again unless I had to. The French Alps and the Spanish Pyrenees are pretty much deserted, much cheaper and you can ride your bike how it was intended to be ridden, most of the time.
