Road Trip - North

[jock mcsporran]

So, I found myself winning a Ducati 899 auction on Ebay last November. I hadn't really been on my bike for a couple of years (in storage as opposed to couldn't be bothered) so buying a second one was a fantastic idea. The deed was done though so thought I'd best put a plan in place to try and use it once the weather turned. Amazingly, my wife agreed to me disappearing for a few weeks in the summer to go do a little trip to Europe. Some time with my Michelin Road Map of Europe later and a plan is formed, ferries booked and hotels/airbnb for the major stop-offs.
Rough outline below and some things I fancy seeing, if there's any 'must see' things along the way let me know.

From Hook of Holland, head for
Norway - Geiranger, Trollstigen, Atlantic Highway, Nordkapp
Finland - Helsinki (New tyres for the bike as they'll be shagged by this point)
Russia - Train to St. Petersburg for a couple of days (loads to see)
Estonia - Tallin (Old Town/KGB Museum)
Latvia - passing through
Lithuania - Vilnius and around (Hill of Crosses?)
Belarus - a wander round Minsk
Ukraine - Chernobyl Tour
Home via Poland/Germany

Haven't really asked anybody if they fancied coming with me as I'm not a big fan of motorbike group rides and few of my mates have a) a bike, b) the time, c) the desire to spend 5500 miles on a bike around Europe. I figured I would probably just get chatting to other travelers on the road at various points.
There's a few long days in the saddle as a means to an end but should be fine and I can clip some bits if I need to make up time somewhere.

Rough route map



And the offending bike that led to this



As a warm up I've got a long weekend to Scotland sorted out

[SmilerFTM]

Always fancied doing something like this, especially since I did a big Alps and surrounding areas trip 3 years ago. How many miles are on that route?

[Nerdherder]

Awesome, awesome trip you have planned~! Please make sure to share experiences, I'd love to add recommendations to my next planned trip to Norway.

Not sure what parts of Norway are already 'in', the FV17 I was on a couple of weeks ago (heading south from Bodø) snaking along the coastline, was breathtaking. It's pretty green there is summertime by the way.

[llewop]

jock mcsporran said:

Ukraine - Chernobyl Tour

I think from how you've written that you know; but in case of doubt - you know you won't be able to ride into the Exclusion Zone? best bet for a tour/trip would be to aim for Kiev.

Also the roads (and drivers!) are woeful in Ukraine, so be careful & good luck!

[jock mcsporran]

llewop said:

I think from how you've written that you know; but in case of doubt - you know you won't be able to ride into the Exclusion Zone? best bet for a tour/trip would be to aim for Kiev.

Also the roads (and drivers!) are woeful in Ukraine, so be careful & good luck!

Yeah, it's already booked up. Not planning on heading into Kiev, got a room booked in a small village north of Kiev and the tour picks you up in the morning. Been wanting to do this for years so finally getting my finger out.
Main issue is deciding the best crossing point from Belarus to Ukraine without a major detour. Probably best to ask the Embassy when I go for my Visa.

[jock mcsporran]

SmilerFTM said:

Always fancied doing something like this, especially since I did a big Alps and surrounding areas trip 3 years ago. How many miles are on that route?

Give or take.. 5500miles

Nerdherder said:

Awesome, awesome trip you have planned~! Please make sure to share experiences, I'd love to add recommendations to my next planned trip to Norway.

Not sure what parts of Norway are already 'in', the FV17 I was on a couple of weeks ago (heading south from Bodø) snaking along the coastline, was breathtaking. It's pretty green there is summertime by the way.

I'll take some pictures. I'm amazed my wife agreed to it so easily so figured I'd catch as many of the places I wanted to see in one hit. I've done a few trips to the Alps, Italy and across the south of France so thought going North would be something different for me, not sure my choice of transport is perfect for it but it would be boring if it was another touring bike with big panniers.

I'm still deciding on what roads to take north of Trondheim, I suspect I'll probably head back at some point in the future and do Lofoten/Coast on a separate trip. Would be nice if there was still a ferry to Stavanger from the UK, would save on the 1000 miles or so just to get to the start point.

[Tonto]

Good on you Andy. It will be epic!
Just wish I was in a position to undertake such an adventure.

I went to Norway last year(sailing) and had a great time.

[jock mcsporran]

You still got the bike? If you're out for a ride give me a shout and I'll come over for a catch up.