Trip abroad

[pesty]

High guys,

I'm trying to talk my mates into going to Jerez and or the nurburg ring soon. Never been abroad before on the bike. any tips?

Is it worth just getting a ferry and going for it or an organised trip with some sort of company that does that sort of thing.
If its the latter could you recogmend any company's ?

Cheers in advance

[s2ooz]

both have advantages, the choice depends on your own situation

I think the organized trips are expensive, but you do get everything done for you, and often a support vehicle to carry your kit round, so no journeys involving saddlebags, or breaking down and sitting around for days wondering how to get the bike home..

If you trust the bike, and can do basic repairs, do it yourself. You make your own way, at your own pace, but it does need an adventurous nature to find hotels, maps/directions petrol stations (spains are few and far between) and a knowledge of basic bike repair helps.

If your interested though, Im getting involved with a team, that do the hard work organizing, and everything else is up to you.
ie, you pay, and get ;
1)ferry tickets sorted
2)hotels booked (pay on arrival)
3)tank bag sized colour maps, with highlighted routes/petrol stations/places of interest
4) list of nearby garages on route
5) useful phrase book
6) tickets for event if reqd (racetrack entry)
7) AA 5 star breakdown cover inc.

if you want to do the leg work yourself, the AA 5 star gets you and bike home etc.

1) You chance missing the best roads
2) you plan a journey that doesnt cater for petrol/food/accomm.
3) you dont find the nice hotels.

Apart form the planning, the actual trip is great fun.

spanish roads are deserted, and perfect tarmac.
the weather is reliable, and speed cameras seem non existant. petrol is cheap, and so is food and digs.

the ferry has a bar, casino and entertainment, what more do you need!

Im going to the pyranees myself in 21st May, and will producing a guide website with photos/videos on my return.

[pesty]

Thanks s2ooZ,

Money is an issue which is why I was planning on just getting the tickets and setting off with a map and some euro's. However my m8's are a bit more sensible which is why I asked the question.
You made some good points about booking and missing the best roads etc.

The team your talking about sounds like a great idea( i like the sound of everything being planned for me not very good at that sort of thing.

Thanks for the info Ive got a bit more to think about now
Cheers

[s2ooz]

pesty said:
Thanks s2ooZ,

Money is an issue which is why I was planning on just getting the tickets and setting off with a map and some euro's. However my m8's are a bit more sensible which is why I asked the question.
You made some good points about booking and missing the best roads etc.

The team your talking about sounds like a great idea( i like the sound of everything being planned for me not very good at that sort of thing.

Thanks for the info Ive got a bit more to think about now
Cheers

for a small commission I can knock together something for you

but as a comparison, last year I went from bilbao spain, to cherbourg in 10 days, the only thing we planned was the ferry OUT. the rest was made up ; hotels etc. But I bet we missed some good roads.

[pesty]

I'll print this off and show it too my mates.

thanks again.

[954 Girlie]

Hello Pesty

If you are interested I have been doing track days in Europe with a regular crowd for the last 2 years - They organise everything for you, Ferry, Hotel, Track day, Support van for luggage, optional different routes & extra days etc. (MAX 40 ppl on the trip) which makes for more track time than you can throw a set of 207's at!
Let me know if you want some more info - best fing wot I EVER done - 5th one next weekend... yeeehaaaa!!