Hi.Im planning on shipping my 99 blackbird from australia to UK to spend around 3 months touring through europe starting early may.bike gets delivered to Basildon.if anyone can recommend a decent bike shop near there where i can buy decent riding clobber at a reasonable price it would be appreciated.Thanks for the info so far Andybird.also any places in europe i should try and see as well.I have no idea what the weather is like in europe in may so im thinking at this stage i might head down france to portugal and spain (chasing the sun)to begin with then work my around to italy,slovenia,croatia then back up towards germany etc.will probably do a mixture of camping, b&b's,cheap hotels.cheers
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touring europe starting in may 2011
- Thread starter ken oath
- Start date
F
fivetide
Guest
Germany is a good one. The run through from France to Spain is great because of the mountains. Likewise the trip into Italy. Get yourself up the Stelvio Pass!
5t.
5t.
MAG man
Registered User
Try to incorporate the "Route Napoleon." Some info here:
http://www.imototuristi.it/SitoInglese/viaggi/pasqua2007.htm
and here
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234763&highlight=napoleon
I travelled some of this a few years ago and it's truly spectacular.
Milau viaduct is well worth a look too. There's a viewing area rest area at one end. Pull in and have a good look. Come off the motorway and take the road through the valley it spans.
Enjoy.
http://www.imototuristi.it/SitoInglese/viaggi/pasqua2007.htm
and here
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=234763&highlight=napoleon
I travelled some of this a few years ago and it's truly spectacular.
Milau viaduct is well worth a look too. There's a viewing area rest area at one end. Pull in and have a good look. Come off the motorway and take the road through the valley it spans.
Enjoy.
bmwdumptruck
Come on you Hatters
Verdon Gorge, Frances own grand canyon. Stunning. North of Monaco area. And while you're there ride down the Col de Turini into Monaco.
And if you head for the Stelvio pass, aim for three passes in Switzerland on the way there or back. Furka, Sustain and Grimsal. Some say better than the Stelvio.
All I would add is allow plenty of time. The distances that can be travelled on these passes/routes can be a lot less than what you might normally expect. Some days you may only do 200miles. The average speed can be very low because of the nature of the roads, and also you'll want time to stop and take in the views and scenery.
And if you head for the Stelvio pass, aim for three passes in Switzerland on the way there or back. Furka, Sustain and Grimsal. Some say better than the Stelvio.
All I would add is allow plenty of time. The distances that can be travelled on these passes/routes can be a lot less than what you might normally expect. Some days you may only do 200miles. The average speed can be very low because of the nature of the roads, and also you'll want time to stop and take in the views and scenery.
Thanks for the replies so far @tu*.after watching a documentary on the building of the Milau viaduct,it is something i do plan on seeing.The stelvio is on the cards and the Route Napoleon looks interesting too. i hadnt heard of the Verdon Gorge but now that ive googled it its on the must see list.I intend to take my time as i want it to be a holiday and not a mad dash through europe.
whippetbreeder
Registered User
Ken,if your still after some bike gear near Basildon try www.harpersraceshop.co.uk
Their shop in Leigh on Sea(about 6 miles from Basildon) has everything you'll need and it's all quality gear also there's Alpha Motorcycles about 100yards further up the same road who also stock good stuff.www.alphamotorcycles.co.uk
Hope you have a good trip.
Their shop in Leigh on Sea(about 6 miles from Basildon) has everything you'll need and it's all quality gear also there's Alpha Motorcycles about 100yards further up the same road who also stock good stuff.www.alphamotorcycles.co.uk
Hope you have a good trip.
wellllllll
I know you are leaving early May so Thetford at end of may is a no no
-(
But how about this if you back at end July
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=53449&highlight=july+andover+rugby+club
:-0)
I know you are leaving early May so Thetford at end of may is a no no
-(But how about this if you back at end July
http://www.bikersoracle.com/blackbird/forum/showthread.php?t=53449&highlight=july+andover+rugby+club
:-0)
Thanks for that whippet.the shipper im using told me i have to remove the battery from my bike for shipping so if i cant sneak it past them and leave it disconnected in the bike i will be needing to pick one up close by.
Dont suppose anyone knows of a reasonably priced hotel or b&b near Quatro park Paycocke road Basildon Essex SS143GH where i will be collecting my bike.Im looking at flying into heathrow on sun 8th may,pick my bike up mon 9th and depart for hopefully warmer weather towards spain portugal tues 10th before heading north. I see there will be a few blackbirders tearing around the alps and such so may catch up with some of you on our travels. If im back in the UK in late july will definately try to attend that meet.
Dont suppose anyone knows of a reasonably priced hotel or b&b near Quatro park Paycocke road Basildon Essex SS143GH where i will be collecting my bike.Im looking at flying into heathrow on sun 8th may,pick my bike up mon 9th and depart for hopefully warmer weather towards spain portugal tues 10th before heading north. I see there will be a few blackbirders tearing around the alps and such so may catch up with some of you on our travels. If im back in the UK in late july will definately try to attend that meet.
Punchy
Registered User
Ken. Gorg de Verdon is awesome but you need to spend at least one day riding it and that will only give you a taster. The Route Napolean from the south will take you past Verdon. If you continue up the route you can then turn west for Mont Ventoux, Gorg de Tarn (try to spend another day at least here) and on to Millau. The Central Masiff region in France is excellent for bikes.
If your heading into Germany the Harz Mountains are a bikers paradise and requires 3 or 4 days to explore, all roads are terrific. Then of course the Eiffel region with a visit to Nurburgring has got to be on the cards.
Roy
.
If your heading into Germany the Harz Mountains are a bikers paradise and requires 3 or 4 days to explore, all roads are terrific. Then of course the Eiffel region with a visit to Nurburgring has got to be on the cards.
Roy
.
whippetbreeder
Registered User
Hi Ken,
I wouldn't even think of using a black cab from Heathrow to Basildon, unless you want to pay out about ?100,unless you don't mind paying that amount of course,22 hours flying certainly is a long time! The cheapest way would be to take the tube from Heathrow to Tower Hill then a 2 minute walk around the corner to the Fenchurch Street Main line Station,from there you can get train to Basildon(takes about 40mins from Fenchurch St) and taxis should be outside the station,shouldn't cost anymore than about ?30 all in.The only problem you might have is with it being a Sunday when you arrive,good old Transport For London(TFL) tend to have engineering works most weekends which badly disrupts the tube and particularly the lines you'd need to take(Circle or District). If you check the TFL website they'll be able to tell you in advance if there's any engineering work planned. As for it being crowded,Sundays aren't too bad and if everythings running on time you'd get to Basildon by train just as fast as by cab.Hope this helps.
I wouldn't even think of using a black cab from Heathrow to Basildon, unless you want to pay out about ?100,unless you don't mind paying that amount of course,22 hours flying certainly is a long time! The cheapest way would be to take the tube from Heathrow to Tower Hill then a 2 minute walk around the corner to the Fenchurch Street Main line Station,from there you can get train to Basildon(takes about 40mins from Fenchurch St) and taxis should be outside the station,shouldn't cost anymore than about ?30 all in.The only problem you might have is with it being a Sunday when you arrive,good old Transport For London(TFL) tend to have engineering works most weekends which badly disrupts the tube and particularly the lines you'd need to take(Circle or District). If you check the TFL website they'll be able to tell you in advance if there's any engineering work planned. As for it being crowded,Sundays aren't too bad and if everythings running on time you'd get to Basildon by train just as fast as by cab.Hope this helps.
whippetbreeder
Registered User
Accomodation in Basildon
Hi Ken,
there's a Travellodge www.travelodge.co.uk a mile and a half away from where you pick up your bike and the rooms are only ?19 a night,can't be bad! It's in an area where there are plenty of restaurants and a Macdonalds if your not fussy!uke:
Hi Ken,
there's a Travellodge www.travelodge.co.uk a mile and a half away from where you pick up your bike and the rooms are only ?19 a night,can't be bad! It's in an area where there are plenty of restaurants and a Macdonalds if your not fussy!
uke:cheers whippetbreeder.yeah cabs are around 86 pounds and i looked at the transport site and there are rail works going on.wasnt sure how busy it would be taking the train as i didnt have an idea how populated london was compared to here in perth till some workmates pointed it out.population of london over 7 million compared to perth 1.5 million hahaha.i guess i will see how i feel when i land as to which option i take.one thing with taking the train is i get to see a bit of life in the uk.
Don't even try it .. the shipper would get into all sorts of trouble as batteries are extremely hazardous for carriage by air.
Stick carefully to what they've told you to do to it...... they did mention letting air out of the tyres didn't they :-0)
whippetbreeder
Registered User
Taxi from Heathrow
Ken, a workmate of mine has a taxi service and he may be able to help you out with transport from Heathrow.His contact details are via email at
elitechauffeurs@aol.com. His website is www.evoschauffeurs.co.uk
regards.
Ken, a workmate of mine has a taxi service and he may be able to help you out with transport from Heathrow.His contact details are via email at
elitechauffeurs@aol.com. His website is www.evoschauffeurs.co.uk
regards.
Dark Angel
Still kickin' it!
Hope this helps, Mate.
View with Internet Explorer - it's been a while!
Millau 1
Millau 2
Route Napoleon/Gorge du Verdun
RideSafe! @tu*
View with Internet Explorer - it's been a while!
Millau 1
Millau 2
Route Napoleon/Gorge du Verdun
RideSafe! @tu*
Thanks whippetbreeder i have sent him an email.
will probably be staying at the campanile hotel basildon as it states it has parking.i just hope its secure parking.
great pics dark angel.im really looking forward to getting over there.i will have to pick up a gps once i get to the uk and see if jaws can wire it in to my bike for me
will probably be staying at the campanile hotel basildon as it states it has parking.i just hope its secure parking.
great pics dark angel.im really looking forward to getting over there.i will have to pick up a gps once i get to the uk and see if jaws can wire it in to my bike for me