What are the best bits of the B500?
Discussion
I'm going to pop over to the B500 in the Black Forest, Germany tomorrow. What sections do you highly recommend not to miss for a day trip there?
I will be entering and leaving via the South so I would prefer to do a lot of great roads in the South if possible rather than go all the way North, unless the road to the North are stellar and the loops at the destination are worth it over the South.
I will be entering and leaving via the South so I would prefer to do a lot of great roads in the South if possible rather than go all the way North, unless the road to the North are stellar and the loops at the destination are worth it over the South.
Edited by JustAnotherNobody on Saturday 4th August 12:58
I was there for 4 days last month. In a day from the south ride up towards Lake Titsee, have a break there and continue North on B500 for as long as you have time for before heading off. Many of the other roads are very nice too , just not as well known.
We did a number of loops around the area over 4 days, but to be honest could have covered all the real nice riding roads in a couple of days. All depends how much leisurely sight seeing you want to do. Its a beautiful area and very popular with bikes from many countries
Early morning mid week it was very light traffic and nice riding the roads. The weekend was more busy around tourist spots obviously. No where near as busy as somewhere like the Lake District though.......
enjoy
We did a number of loops around the area over 4 days, but to be honest could have covered all the real nice riding roads in a couple of days. All depends how much leisurely sight seeing you want to do. Its a beautiful area and very popular with bikes from many countries
Early morning mid week it was very light traffic and nice riding the roads. The weekend was more busy around tourist spots obviously. No where near as busy as somewhere like the Lake District though.......
enjoy
I was there end June as part of a big tour
As already said ALL the roads out there are good, the B500 part I rode was just an extension of that
If I did it again I'd have done a few loops of the same section but I rode through and then went nurburgring
You'll love it though. I bung a video on YouTube but tbh it doesn't do it justice
As already said ALL the roads out there are good, the B500 part I rode was just an extension of that
If I did it again I'd have done a few loops of the same section but I rode through and then went nurburgring
You'll love it though. I bung a video on YouTube but tbh it doesn't do it justice
Thanks for the advice.
My current line of thinking is to do around 6 of the North-South runs from East to West in the South avoiding all the major tourist routes (B500 and scenic areas) to minimise traffic and get the best riding in. I will come back and explore the tourist areas over a long weekend later in the year.
Here's the plan so far:
My current line of thinking is to do around 6 of the North-South runs from East to West in the South avoiding all the major tourist routes (B500 and scenic areas) to minimise traffic and get the best riding in. I will come back and explore the tourist areas over a long weekend later in the year.
Here's the plan so far:
Edited by JustAnotherNobody on Saturday 4th August 15:23
TimmyWimmyWoo said:
The best bits are in the north before you drop into Baden Baden. The bottom is okay, but it sort of loses its way and becomes a little disjointed in the middle.
Unfortunately that's a bit too far for a day trip from where I live. I'll be exploring the North over a long weekend at some point.Benni said:
Looks like a nice route, have a good and safe trip.
Just remember that there are stationary (mostly rolling in to towns) and mobile speed checks around,
and make sure your bikes have no completely open end cans,
this area is not only known to bikers but also to biker-checking coppers.
Cheers. The regulations are equally strict in Switzerland so my bike should conform to the local rules too.Just remember that there are stationary (mostly rolling in to towns) and mobile speed checks around,
and make sure your bikes have no completely open end cans,
this area is not only known to bikers but also to biker-checking coppers.
I was told by a local that parts of the B500 can be closed for bikers on the weekend.
I went through midweek a few weeks ago, so I don’t know how accurate that is.
I didn’t see any police but the bit I went on, south bound from Baden Baden is only about 37 miles long though.
I had my camping stuff on the bike so not the best setup to enjoy the twists, but I found it a bit of a let down after reading so much about it. Beautiful scenery for sure if you can take your eyes off the road.
Imo there are many more enjoyable roads in that area and beyond.
For a day trip it will be a fantastic area to explore and apart from the heat I wish I was there again.
Have fun OP!
I went through midweek a few weeks ago, so I don’t know how accurate that is.
I didn’t see any police but the bit I went on, south bound from Baden Baden is only about 37 miles long though.
I had my camping stuff on the bike so not the best setup to enjoy the twists, but I found it a bit of a let down after reading so much about it. Beautiful scenery for sure if you can take your eyes off the road.
Imo there are many more enjoyable roads in that area and beyond.
For a day trip it will be a fantastic area to explore and apart from the heat I wish I was there again.
Have fun OP!
Overall the route was great. It's not anywhere near as nice as my local routes in Switzerland, but I am aware of how spoiled I am here and the variety was nice.
There were probably 4 very good sections amongst the route shown above, but the sections of the B500 were easily the worst parts of it. You have to go so much above the speed limit to enjoy the sweepers, and the thousands of switchbacks that you find along the rivers on the less beaten paths were far better. Best of all they had nearly no traffic and could be enjoyed without breaking the speed limits *cough much cough*
There were probably 4 very good sections amongst the route shown above, but the sections of the B500 were easily the worst parts of it. You have to go so much above the speed limit to enjoy the sweepers, and the thousands of switchbacks that you find along the rivers on the less beaten paths were far better. Best of all they had nearly no traffic and could be enjoyed without breaking the speed limits *cough much cough*
I was out there a few weeks ago. The best bit of the B500 is the 30 odd miles south of Baden Baden. As had been said to enjoy it you need to be going some. The bends and the tarmac are fabulous.
Over the years though it has become more and more heavily policed. I was nicked a couple of years back escorted to the local cop shop and relieved of 90E.
To be honest on the recent trip is was all a bit too stressful. Too really enjoy it you do need to be quite in excess of the speed limit whilst all the time looking out for the law where as sticking to the limits is so frustrating.
Over the years though it has become more and more heavily policed. I was nicked a couple of years back escorted to the local cop shop and relieved of 90E.
To be honest on the recent trip is was all a bit too stressful. Too really enjoy it you do need to be quite in excess of the speed limit whilst all the time looking out for the law where as sticking to the limits is so frustrating.
I definitely recommend avoiding the B500 itself and doing the great side roads and minor passes around the area. They were empty and far more technical, and on a bike the occasional narrow road is no issue.
Negotiating the many kilometres of constant 60-120 degree bends was a lot more fun for me than just gunning it on the slight bends of the B500.
Negotiating the many kilometres of constant 60-120 degree bends was a lot more fun for me than just gunning it on the slight bends of the B500.
Harry H said:
I was out there a few weeks ago. The best bit of the B500 is the 30 odd miles south of Baden Baden. As had been said to enjoy it you need to be going some. The bends and the tarmac are fabulous.
Too really enjoy it you do need to be quite in excess of the speed limit whilst all the time looking out for the law where as sticking to the limits is so frustrating.
That was my thoughts. I was well over the limit literally everywhere and that's the only way I could get the corners to be fun and the straight bits in between. Too really enjoy it you do need to be quite in excess of the speed limit whilst all the time looking out for the law where as sticking to the limits is so frustrating.
I found the B500 to be pretty boring. speed cameras and police everywhere so was just a slow ride on long sweeping roads, no fun.
BUT, the little twisty roads leading off it were awesome fun.
I rode it in the area south of Buhlertal through mumlesee (where there is the best black forest gateaux ever).
BUT, the little twisty roads leading off it were awesome fun.
I rode it in the area south of Buhlertal through mumlesee (where there is the best black forest gateaux ever).
Best bit of road in the Sudschwarzwald is 'Schauinslandstrasse', which used to be a competetive hillclimb by all accounts. There are still faded bits of red and white barrier about. There is even a Bergstation at the top with a decent cafe.
It is unfortunately one of those Samstag/Sonntag (SaSo) routes, i.e. no bikers on weekends.
Its worth a go on a midweek evening or early am though! (Also absolutely great in a car).
This link may be of interest
http://www.mintelonline.de/Streckensperrungen/
It is unfortunately one of those Samstag/Sonntag (SaSo) routes, i.e. no bikers on weekends.
Its worth a go on a midweek evening or early am though! (Also absolutely great in a car).
This link may be of interest
http://www.mintelonline.de/Streckensperrungen/
JustAnotherNobody said:
Thanks for the advice.
My current line of thinking is to do around 6 of the North-South runs from East to West in the South avoiding all the major tourist routes (B500 and scenic areas) to minimise traffic and get the best riding in. I will come back and explore the tourist areas over a long weekend later in the year.
Here's the plan so far:
Jumping on this as planning another Germany trip. Did you end up doing this route? If so, can you share the map?My current line of thinking is to do around 6 of the North-South runs from East to West in the South avoiding all the major tourist routes (B500 and scenic areas) to minimise traffic and get the best riding in. I will come back and explore the tourist areas over a long weekend later in the year.
Here's the plan so far:
Edited by JustAnotherNobody on Saturday 4th August 15:23
hiccy18 said:
I thought the B500 has been nerfed with stupid low speed limits and the best bet is to use other roads nearby?
There are speed cameras as you drive up from (or down into) Baden Baden (just past the rather nice cafe/restaurant/gift shop before you're in the countryside) but other than that I believe the road is pretty clear, or at least it was this summer. I ran over it one afternoon in July and my pal and I were pretty much the only people on it. It was epic shwoosh shwooshing fun. It's only a 30min ride though and as others have said there are some epic roads in Germany more generally so good to do this as part of a longer ride. What really makes the B500 is the elevation/views and lovely banked curves that rise and fall through the terrain. It can be very busy though.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff