Roadtrip to Verona Italy
Discussion
Oh what have I done. Manchester to Verona.
I've ridden a maximum of 1 hour on the motorway previously.
Help
and tips.
I've got panniers, I'll get the bike checked over before, plan rest stops and split over a few days each way.
Any advice? What is the best route? I've got form for mad ideas.
I've ridden a maximum of 1 hour on the motorway previously.
Help
and tips. I've got panniers, I'll get the bike checked over before, plan rest stops and split over a few days each way.
Any advice? What is the best route? I've got form for mad ideas.
Nothing mad about this idea. What's mad is owning a bike in the UK and not planning a Euro trip. 
There will be a whole list of responses to this thread recommending differnet approaches, routes etc. All are valid but some are likely to be more applicable than others.
The first question is how long is the trip, and, as a sub question, how long do you want to take getting there and getting back? From Manchester, I'd suggest the quickest realistic timetable is 3 days each way. Start on day one and arrive by the end of day 3. Beyond that, you can add in as many extra days as you want.
The first option is the Motorail.
Ride to Hull, ferry to Rotterdam then ride to Dusseldorf. If you're a motorcyclist who doesn't like riding your bike, then this is definitely the way to do it.
No interesting roads and the joy of squeezing into a train sleeping carriage with a load of strangers who will undoubtedly snore all night and have a flatulence issue. 
(As you may have gathered, I wouldn't choose this way but I know of an Old Git who has done it and found it to be OK.)
It’s probably better to ride to Kent, then get the tunnel to Calais, but the ferry options are also an option.
The next option is to meander through France and/or Germany, using non-motorway routes and stopping for things along the way. Add a minimum of 1 extra day if you take this option, 2 if you actually want some time to stop and visit anything during the journey. 250 to 300 mile days are long days in the saddle if you’re avoiding motorways and dual carriageways. With 800 miles from Calais to Verona it’s going to be three long days.
Whichever route you decide on, France, Belgium, Germany, then getting to the Alps involves at least a days’ worth of boring roads.
Which leads me to the third option. Accept that getting to the Alps involves a load of boring roads so put aside a day for the motorway and kill as many miles as possible, giving you the maximum time on the great roads around the Alps. 500 mile days on French AutoRoute’s are pretty easy (as easy as 250 mile days on French N roads). Dial in 90mph, set the cruise and listen to some music until the light starts flashing to tell you that you need fuel. Fill up, repeat.
Whether you go all the way through France to the Alps then cross, or go through Germany towards the Dolomites is up to you. Either way, I’d recommend spending as little time as possible in Switzerland and especially avoid going any distance east/west in Switzerland as it’s flat, boring, expensive and crap.
Personally, I’d do something like the following on the assumption you want to get there in 3 days:
Day 1 – Manchester to tunnel, the AutoRoute to somewhere around Saint Quentin.
Day 2 – AutoRoute/Autobahn to Germany near Stuttgard then main roads south to near Seeg
Day 3 – Across the Alps/Dolomites (Stelvio Pass?) to Verona
If there was an extra day option then I’d do day one and 2 the same but do a less direct route across/through the mountains.
For the return, again assuming it’s 3 days, then I’d go for something like:
Day 1 – Verona, around Lake Como then across to Aosta.
Day 2 – Across into France via Gd St. Bernard Pass, then cross country to Bourg-en-Bresse before getting onto the AutoRoute heading to Reims.
Day 3 – Up early, Autoroute to tunnel then home.
As for what to take, check out our touring check list here: http://www.old-gits.org/checklist.htm
Whatever you deceid to do, have a great trip, and tell us all how you get on.
There will be a whole list of responses to this thread recommending differnet approaches, routes etc. All are valid but some are likely to be more applicable than others.
The first question is how long is the trip, and, as a sub question, how long do you want to take getting there and getting back? From Manchester, I'd suggest the quickest realistic timetable is 3 days each way. Start on day one and arrive by the end of day 3. Beyond that, you can add in as many extra days as you want.
The first option is the Motorail.
Ride to Hull, ferry to Rotterdam then ride to Dusseldorf. If you're a motorcyclist who doesn't like riding your bike, then this is definitely the way to do it.
No interesting roads and the joy of squeezing into a train sleeping carriage with a load of strangers who will undoubtedly snore all night and have a flatulence issue. (As you may have gathered, I wouldn't choose this way but I know of an Old Git who has done it and found it to be OK.)It’s probably better to ride to Kent, then get the tunnel to Calais, but the ferry options are also an option.
The next option is to meander through France and/or Germany, using non-motorway routes and stopping for things along the way. Add a minimum of 1 extra day if you take this option, 2 if you actually want some time to stop and visit anything during the journey. 250 to 300 mile days are long days in the saddle if you’re avoiding motorways and dual carriageways. With 800 miles from Calais to Verona it’s going to be three long days.
Whichever route you decide on, France, Belgium, Germany, then getting to the Alps involves at least a days’ worth of boring roads.
Which leads me to the third option. Accept that getting to the Alps involves a load of boring roads so put aside a day for the motorway and kill as many miles as possible, giving you the maximum time on the great roads around the Alps. 500 mile days on French AutoRoute’s are pretty easy (as easy as 250 mile days on French N roads). Dial in 90mph, set the cruise and listen to some music until the light starts flashing to tell you that you need fuel. Fill up, repeat.
Whether you go all the way through France to the Alps then cross, or go through Germany towards the Dolomites is up to you. Either way, I’d recommend spending as little time as possible in Switzerland and especially avoid going any distance east/west in Switzerland as it’s flat, boring, expensive and crap.
Personally, I’d do something like the following on the assumption you want to get there in 3 days:
Day 1 – Manchester to tunnel, the AutoRoute to somewhere around Saint Quentin.
Day 2 – AutoRoute/Autobahn to Germany near Stuttgard then main roads south to near Seeg
Day 3 – Across the Alps/Dolomites (Stelvio Pass?) to Verona
If there was an extra day option then I’d do day one and 2 the same but do a less direct route across/through the mountains.
For the return, again assuming it’s 3 days, then I’d go for something like:
Day 1 – Verona, around Lake Como then across to Aosta.
Day 2 – Across into France via Gd St. Bernard Pass, then cross country to Bourg-en-Bresse before getting onto the AutoRoute heading to Reims.
Day 3 – Up early, Autoroute to tunnel then home.
As for what to take, check out our touring check list here: http://www.old-gits.org/checklist.htm
Whatever you deceid to do, have a great trip, and tell us all how you get on.
Edited by black-k1 on Friday 15th July 07:41
That's something to digest, as a basis. Thank you four time on this.
I'm being, in part careful as I know I'll be tired and making mistakes if I ride a challenging road on the way out (aka Alps). Either that or after the Alps section I'll be exhausted and make a simple mistake on a simple straight A road changing lanes without checking...
I took the ferry from Hull once- that's an interesting idea.
I'm being, in part careful as I know I'll be tired and making mistakes if I ride a challenging road on the way out (aka Alps). Either that or after the Alps section I'll be exhausted and make a simple mistake on a simple straight A road changing lanes without checking...
I took the ferry from Hull once- that's an interesting idea.
I did Zeebrugge to Hungary in a day (850 miles). It was mostly only stopping for fuel and position checks (no sat nav).
I had a sore backside at the end of the day, despite the seat being comfortable on the 4 long days of riding around Scotland immediately before, but it soon wore off.
Having a map in a tank bag is great as it allows for a quick glance check at where you are in relation to the places on the road signs that you've never heard of... This doesn't work at night though!
Music is good for long motorway sections, a. Cruciferousgain a phone in a tank bag connected to something in your ears that also blocks wind noise. A separate music player may be better as you can jab at buttons with gloves on more easily!
Unless you have 12v supply, take a power pack.
Drink plenty of water and refresh every time you fill up with fuel.
Watch for filtering laws in different countries.
Enjoy the trip and the memories (hammering down the autobahn with the right song in my ears at 140mph still remains a favourite)!
I had a sore backside at the end of the day, despite the seat being comfortable on the 4 long days of riding around Scotland immediately before, but it soon wore off.
Having a map in a tank bag is great as it allows for a quick glance check at where you are in relation to the places on the road signs that you've never heard of... This doesn't work at night though!
Music is good for long motorway sections, a. Cruciferousgain a phone in a tank bag connected to something in your ears that also blocks wind noise. A separate music player may be better as you can jab at buttons with gloves on more easily!
Unless you have 12v supply, take a power pack.
Drink plenty of water and refresh every time you fill up with fuel.
Watch for filtering laws in different countries.
Enjoy the trip and the memories (hammering down the autobahn with the right song in my ears at 140mph still remains a favourite)!
One of the advantages of using the AutoRoute’s for the start of the journey is that it gives you time to adjust to riding on the other side of the road and getting used to slightly different signage etc.
I've never had an issue with riding in Europe. My first ever experience was at the age of 19 when I packed then girlfriend on the back of my CX500 and rode to Malta. 1700 miles in 3 days. While we're all different and each of us can only speak from personal experience, I'd suggest that the adrenalin and excitement of being on a trip will keep you more alert than you’d be having done the same time/distance in the UK.
While you mustn’t push yourself beyond what is safe, most people I know who have ridden in Europe find it much easier to do more miles and longer days than in the UK.
I've never had an issue with riding in Europe. My first ever experience was at the age of 19 when I packed then girlfriend on the back of my CX500 and rode to Malta. 1700 miles in 3 days. While we're all different and each of us can only speak from personal experience, I'd suggest that the adrenalin and excitement of being on a trip will keep you more alert than you’d be having done the same time/distance in the UK.
While you mustn’t push yourself beyond what is safe, most people I know who have ridden in Europe find it much easier to do more miles and longer days than in the UK.
Really depends how fast you want to get there... 
Ferry from Newcastle into Ijmuiden is a good start.
I ride from there to Baden-Baden in one day, then from there down to Rimini the next.. long days, but doable.
When in Verona, I can recommend a place called Hotel Relais 900.
A short walk out of town, great views of the city and nice and quiet.. plus they have a garage for the bike..
Ferry from Newcastle into Ijmuiden is a good start.
I ride from there to Baden-Baden in one day, then from there down to Rimini the next.. long days, but doable.
When in Verona, I can recommend a place called Hotel Relais 900.
A short walk out of town, great views of the city and nice and quiet.. plus they have a garage for the bike..
black-k1 said:
One of the advantages of using the AutoRoute’s for the start of the journey is that it gives you time to adjust to riding on the other side of the road and getting used to slightly different signage etc.
I've never had an issue with riding in Europe. My first ever experience was at the age of 19 when I packed then girlfriend on the back of my CX500 and rode to Malta. 1700 miles in 3 days. While we're all different and each of us can only speak from personal experience, I'd suggest that the adrenalin and excitement of being on a trip will keep you more alert than you’d be having done the same time/distance in the UK.
While you mustn’t push yourself beyond what is safe, most people I know who have ridden in Europe find it much easier to do more miles and longer days than in the UK.
The first time I rode down to Italy as a stupid youngster on a 600 Ninja.. my route "plan" on the tank was:I've never had an issue with riding in Europe. My first ever experience was at the age of 19 when I packed then girlfriend on the back of my CX500 and rode to Malta. 1700 miles in 3 days. While we're all different and each of us can only speak from personal experience, I'd suggest that the adrenalin and excitement of being on a trip will keep you more alert than you’d be having done the same time/distance in the UK.
While you mustn’t push yourself beyond what is safe, most people I know who have ridden in Europe find it much easier to do more miles and longer days than in the UK.
Off ferry, head to Germany.
Turn right somewhere, head to Italy.
I had a change of clothes & toiletries and that was it......Ahh.. those were the days....
I had probably my best ever meal in Verona at https://g.page/BottegaVini?share
Add in a visit to the opera at the coliseum and easy access to Venice and bunch of other places and it's a really good base to explore from.
Add in a visit to the opera at the coliseum and easy access to Venice and bunch of other places and it's a really good base to explore from.
Marquezs Stabilisers said:
How long do you have for each leg of the journey? One option might be to ride down and then motorail it back (or vice versa). Dusseldorf is a decent place to visit - I had my stag do there.
To ride there and back purely on the motorway seems like a waste of time to me.
I'm thinking I could do 4/5 days+ eitherside as I'm off the week before so I could set off, Black Forest etc and take my time like a lonely Spinster To ride there and back purely on the motorway seems like a waste of time to me.
Iminquarantine said:
You don’t say if you want to go to Verona, or go to Verona via nice roads rather than the motorway.
The problem is that getting from the North Sea/English Channel coast to Verona on "nice roads" is pretty much an impossibility. While there are parts of the journey that can be done on "nice roads", whichever way you go you will end up crossing miles of flat countryside with pretty straight roads and lots of sleepy little towns with nothing more than a mile of 50kph limit and a few houses. Especially in France, any main road is also likely to be occupied by lots of local delivery traffic. To me, those roads are the worst of all. There's nothing interesting to see, no fun and/or challanging bends, hills etc. AND you are making slow progress compared to the overall journey. There is no way motorways can be called interesting but at least you're clicking off the miles through the boring parts of the journey at the fastest and safest possible rate.
^ It would need to be a bit of a detour via Germany.
Personally, if I just wanted to get there, I’d leave work slightly early, eg 2pm, get as far as, say, ahotel near the autoroute near Arras in northern France that same day and blast the rest the following day. OTOH I don’t mind a 1100km day or 600km after work. If distance needs to be covered, no point flaffing around.
Personally, if I just wanted to get there, I’d leave work slightly early, eg 2pm, get as far as, say, ahotel near the autoroute near Arras in northern France that same day and blast the rest the following day. OTOH I don’t mind a 1100km day or 600km after work. If distance needs to be covered, no point flaffing around.
Edited by Iminquarantine on Thursday 14th July 15:50
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Oh what have I done. Manchester to Verona.
I've ridden a maximum of 1 hour on the motorway previously.
Help and tips.
I've got panniers, I'll get the bike checked over before, plan rest stops and split over a few days each way.
Any advice? What is the best route? I've got form for mad ideas.
Loads of good advise will be given here. I did my first big tour 2018 all round Europe on a Tuono and few bits I learnt wasI've ridden a maximum of 1 hour on the motorway previously.
Help
and tips. I've got panniers, I'll get the bike checked over before, plan rest stops and split over a few days each way.
Any advice? What is the best route? I've got form for mad ideas.
Stop every 100 miles for fuel and have a good stretch, have lunch etc and drink. If I did a 7+ day stint again I'd have 1 day in the middle to just relax and none or very minimal riding
Lastly try keep off motorways which just gives you aches and pains which isn't nice. Where possible keep to flowing roads that have you moving about on the bike
Birky_41 said:
have lunch etc and drink
By all means have a salad or the equivalent but don't eat anything heavy at lunchtime. You will feel drowsy. Plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks which will give you a short term energy surge followed by a let down.As Black K1 said don´t seek to avoid motorways just for the sake if it. There are times when munching off the miles is a lot better than dawdling through small village after small village.
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