Biking to the Nurburgring, and general riding advice

[Pebbles167]

I started a topic asking a few questions in the travel section, but this is now a go, so bringing it here for some solid biking advice.

Edit: when I told my kid she'd likely have trouble charging her phone if we camped, nor could she wash her hair, she's unsurprisingly sacked that idea Hotel it is then.

My 12 year old daughter has asked me to take her to Download festival:
- Problem 1, it's sold out. Never mind, Rock am Ring festival which looks just as good isn't sold out.
- Problem 2, Said festival is at the Nurburgring, but that's cool, I've driven the Ring before...
- Problem 3, I don't currently have a car.

- Solution, I have a Kawasaki Z1000sx sat in the garage that could do with some use.

Needless to say, since this is for a festival, I won't be lapping the Ring. So warnings about ending up buried in either the Armco or Klaus's BMW M3 are not necessary

I'm a fairly decent driver, which translates to being a reasonable rider. Rain doesn't bother me, and I'm sensible and cautious on the road. Been riding 11 years, had 11 bikes, but rather embarrassingly, the furthest I've ever ridden is probably about 111 miles, since 90% of my riding has been done on track

So..., a weekend trip at the Nurburgring. Essentials? Routes? Nice to haves? Things to avoid? I've little experience riding long distances, but it's something I've wanted to do for a long time. I've read posts on here from Euro trips that sound awesome, and watched countless videos on YouTube about it.

After having a chat with my kid, letting her know it's going to be fairly hard going compared to our usual Sunday rides, she's adamant she likes the idea of talking the bike and I think we are both up to the challenge. Money isn't really too much of a problem, I've worked out it'll cost approx £1k with all tickets, tunnel, fuel and food included, and I'll need an extra few hundred for some kit before we go. Can add to this as much as reasonably necessary.

It's worth noting that if needs be, I can get hold of a car to use (girlfriend's Qashqai, yuck), but I'm trying to accommodate the wishes of my daughter, and I hate driving that car. But the main thing is hearing the music, so if we have to take this path we will.

I've always loved this PH section. It helped me get my licence in 2012, get my first bike, surive my first trackday and helped me eventually achieve a life goal of getting my self on the grid. Now im after some light touring, any advice, in whatever form would be most helpful

Thanks in advance.

Edited by Pebbles167 on Monday 13th March 12:31

[lazybike]

Depending where you are in the UK, from Calais to the ring isn't a bad trip, you can motorway it to Brussels and go via the ring road, or you can do a more x country route, I guess 6-8hrs depending on urgency/stops etc, no idea about camping or download though.

[Pebbles167]

lazybike said:

Depending where you are in the UK, from Calais to the ring isn't a bad trip, you can motorway it to Brussels and go via the ring road, or you can do a more x country route, I guess 6-8hrs depending on urgency/stops etc, no idea about camping or download though.

Wiltshire, about 3.5 hours west of Calais.

My aim is to take the Scenic route on the way back, we'll have a whole day to do it. Might even go to Normandy and get the ferry back from Cherbourg. But the way there, it'll be as direct as possible.

Just how bad is motorway riding? The screen I have is decent at sending everything over my head since I'm only about 5'8". I've ridden an hour or so along the M4 once and it wasn't that bad.

[Kickstart]

It will certainly be a memorable adventure and on that basis alone I would go for it
I assume it’s a summer festival so good chance of the weather being kind
Your daughter will need decent riding kit and my top tips would be
- intercom so you can communicate and listen to music
- puncture repair kit and know how to use it
- decent phone mount and charger so you have reliable sat nav
- if in doubt put new tyres on your bike
- check weight capacity of bike

Have fun

[Kawasicki]

Kickstart said:

It will certainly be a memorable adventure and on that basis alone I would go for it
I assume it’s a summer festival so good chance of the weather being kind
Your daughter will need decent riding kit and my top tips would be
- intercom so you can communicate and listen to music
- puncture repair kit and know how to use it
- decent phone mount and charger so you have reliable sat nav
- if in doubt put new tyres on your bike
- check weight capacity of bike

Have fun

this!

huge fun/adventure potential!

[Bodo]

Pebbles167 said:

...

I'm a fairly decent driver, which translates to being a reasonable rider. Rain doesn't bother me, and I'm sensible and cautious on the road.
...

The most dangerous part is driving through Belgium. The motorways are straight and the most boring drive known to mankind. Apart from that, drivers there hate driving. You'll be fine after you passed (in both directions).

[lazybike]

Pebbles167 said:

lazybike said:

Depending where you are in the UK, from Calais to the ring isn't a bad trip, you can motorway it to Brussels and go via the ring road, or you can do a more x country route, I guess 6-8hrs depending on urgency/stops etc, no idea about camping or download though.

Wiltshire, about 3.5 hours west of Calais.

My aim is to take the Scenic route on the way back, we'll have a whole day to do it. Might even go to Normandy and get the ferry back from Cherbourg. But the way there, it'll be as direct as possible.

Just how bad is motorway riding? The screen I have is decent at sending everything over my head since I'm only about 5'8". I've ridden an hour or so along the M4 once and it wasn't that bad.

I personally don't like Belgian motorways, I'd go scenic if time allows, they used to have a law that they could confiscate your vehicle if you were over a certain speed, I think it was 120mph..ish, not sure if it still applies..
My route would be
E40 Dunkirk
E42 Lille
E42 Mons
E42 Namur
E42 Liege
A3/E4 Aachen
J38 Eupen
N67 Monschau
258 Nurburg.

Edited by lazybike on Saturday 11th March 14:05

[simonh9]

Depending where in the UK you are, how about the overnight Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry? Breaks up the journey nicely with a night's kip and you've then got about 4hrs on the other side and will arrive about lunchtime.

[doyouwantonions]

If time and money are not a real issue, add a day on each end of the trip. I did the same trip with my son when he was 15, taking in the D Day landings, Spa, and the Porka musuem. We also did 2 laps of the ring as well.

Best part of trip was not having to meet tight deadlines and we were not camping. I bad nights weather or 2 can be exhausting and not great if you have loads of miles in front of you with no choice to take you time.

However far you think you will go in a day, take a good third off that, take plenty of breaks, autocoms are great and maybe throw in a few sights to see on the way to brake the journey up

[Axionknight]

Kickstart said:

It will certainly be a memorable adventure and on that basis alone I would go for it
I assume it’s a summer festival so good chance of the weather being kind
Your daughter will need decent riding kit and my top tips would be
- intercom so you can communicate and listen to music
- puncture repair kit and know how to use it
- decent phone mount and charger so you have reliable sat nav
- if in doubt put new tyres on your bike
- check weight capacity of bike

Have fun

Rock am Ring and Rock im Park have had some famously bad weather over the years

[spareparts]

lazybike said:

I personally don't like Belgian motorways, I'd go scenic if time allows, they used to have a law that they could confiscate your vehicle if you were over a certain speed, I think it was 120mph..ish, not sure if it still applies..
My route would be
E40 Dunkirk
E42 Lille
E42 Mons
E42 Namur
E42 Liege
A3/E4 Aachen
J38 Eupen
N67 Monschau
258 Nurburg.

Edited by lazybike on Saturday 11th March 14:05

The northern route via Aachen is fast, but the roads are better via the southern route via Prum.

[jjones]

If you choose camping then you need to take a lot of extra gear, not a problem in a car but a bit of a pain with a bike with a pillion already on it.

If it rains all day on the journey a hotel is a much nicer stop over than camping.

Have done euro camping tours on the bike and it was great, but it is a lot easier/less faff staying in air bnb or hotels.

[bolidemichael]

I went to the Nurburgring for a cycling event in 2019 and left 40°C whether in Belgium to two days of unrelenting rain!

Nevertheless, I bike trip is always an experience.

My guidance offered is to purchase a pair of moto-skiveez from Motolegends as they make long journeys so much more comfortable.

[NNH]

If you don't already have a top box, get one so your daughter can lean back on it. It's also good for a set of waterproofs, and you can lock one or both of the helmets in there when you stop.

[Birky_41]

Bodo said:

The most dangerous part is driving through Belgium. The motorways are straight and the most boring drive known to mankind. Apart from that, drivers there hate driving. You'll be fine after you passed (in both directions).

I've been a few times and going early April first time since COVID

I can 100% confirm with this. Do the motorway bit and get off as quick as possible to enjoy the scenic roads

It's about the only part of Europe I've ridden where I thought...yuk this sucks

[Pebbles167]

Hi all, and thanks for the info so far. Decided not to camp, so a hotel it is. Space for the additional camping luggage needed would probably necessitate panniers. If we enjoy it, I'll probably get some next time round.

I'm looking at a top box though. Never been much fond of the looks, but they are very practical.

Kickstart said:

It will certainly be a memorable adventure and on that basis alone I would go for it
I assume it’s a summer festival so good chance of the weather being kind
Your daughter will need decent riding kit and my top tips would be
- intercom so you can communicate and listen to music
- puncture repair kit and know how to use it
- decent phone mount and charger so you have reliable sat nav
- if in doubt put new tyres on your bike
- check weight capacity of bike

Have fun

Thanks

We've got most of that, and both have full sets of decent Richa stuff. Never used a puncture kit before, but a handy Fortnine vid on YouTube suggests rope plugs as the most practical so will be getting one.

I'm 67kg and my daughter probably about 42kg so we'll within the weight range. Have heard of a few subframes cracking, but you can't plan for that I guess.

simonh9 said:

Depending where in the UK you are, how about the overnight Harwich to Hook of Holland ferry? Breaks up the journey nicely with a night's kip and you've then got about 4hrs on the other side and will arrive about lunchtime.

This is a good option, much will depend on what time i finish work, but the idea of a break is appealing, good shout.

Bodo said:

The most dangerous part is driving through Belgium. The motorways are straight and the most boring drive known to mankind.

lazybike said:

I personally don't like Belgian motorways, I'd go scenic if time allows,
My route would be
E40 Dunkirk
E42 Lille
E42 Mons
E42 Namur
E42 Liege
A3/E4 Aachen
J38 Eupen
N67 Monschau
258 Nurburg.

spareparts said:

The northern route via Aachen is fast, but the roads are better via the southern route via Prum.

Yes I remember these being a bore fest. And thanks particularly for the route knowledge. Will be getting the map out and planning some stuff based on this.

Anywhere decent without being flashy you'd recommend staying near the ring?

Thanks again for the help.

[lazybike]

I stayed in a Hotel up near the castle a couple of times, it was OK, no idea if it's still there, there's a posh Hotel in Adenau, not sure if Sabines family place is still going, might be worth a look.

[bolidemichael]

The Dorint hotel is nice, but there are loads of biker friendly pensions in and around the area.

[Bodo]

The choice might be rather limited during Rock am Ring when booking now for this year. Have a look at those airbnb sites as well.

[bolidemichael]

Even staying in Köln isn't too onerous. Last year we stayed in Bad Honnef and the journey back wasn't too long, involved a nice rapid ride through the Eiffel and a river boat crossing.