Who's heading down this year and when? Having ridden down there and back twice before, I went with the missus in 2016 but stuck our bikes in a van and drove down, as we could not afford the extra time needed to ride there and back. Have to say it wasn't that bad a trip as it meant we could carry everything but the kitchen sink with us, no limitations on clothes, essentials, tools etc and we arrived without feeling saddle sore and weary, ready to enjoy the weekend. Next year we are planning on flying down to Geneva to pick up the bikes from the Bike Shuttle service and ride from there and then drop them off again when we ride back up after the event is over. They take all your riding gear with the bikes so you only have to carry a backpack with your clothing/essentials to/from the airport/hotel. With only the option of 7 days off work this is, for us anyway, the best compromise.
Yep, im booking my bikeshuttle this week to Geneva, im going out on the 12th, back on the 25th. Make a 2 week holiday of it. Oh haha, Bikeshuttle are a 5 minute walk from my house..BONUS
I've put my name down for this. Using Eurobiketrans to get the bike across and then flying to Pisa to meet the bikes.
Provisional booking with DMC, I think there's 30 bikes going over, on a truck, flights and accommodation arranged by them also, I may stay on and extend the trip
Seems a better option in terms of how close Prato is to Misano. What if you dont mind me asking, are they charging for a return trip. Also their website says they depart UK on a Friday so would obviously have to take the bike to them the week before (13th July) and collect it from them a week after, as we would be flying back on the Monday/Tuesday night after WDW.
For me, a good part of the trip is picking routes across France, Germany, Switzerland, and/or Austria, different routes there and back. Mountains, passes, lakes, rivers, lovely old towns to explore. I will definitely not be flying to Italy or taking a van. Then again, I have all the time in the world. Actually I want to spend some time in Milan, Turin, and Ljubljana - places I have only visited briefly and wish to see more of - before or after calling in to WDW at Misano. All this depends on being fit and well enough to do the trip, obviously.
Looks like bike shuttle is fuly booked for the return so Eurobiketrans might be my only option. That or its the van again!
We'd do the same Pete if we could get the time off work, but it's just not possible so we have to fit the whole trip into 8 days, including getting there and back.
I like the idea of getting the bike transported down there. Definitely how we would do it as I would rather spend my time riding in Italy or the Alps than Northern Europe. Might have to take a look and see what the options are as I'd love to go.
Its on my bucket list of things to do....can't seem to work away round the wife.... I darent even mention it....
If she is not into bikes, you can spend the day at WDW and your evenings together. She can soak up the warm weather, a hotel pool, plentiful vino and an array of great food on tap, while you fill yer boots at Misano.
Return trip for your bike, luggage etc and sharing a twin room in a 3* hotel (B&B) is £1075 for a week. On top of that is flights (approximately £120 return) plus fuel, plus meals/drinks. It'll be approx £1500 all in for the week I guess.
Topolino, sorry to say mate, your absolutely right....bikeshuttle are fully booked for the return on the 25th So plan 2 or 3 may have to be engaged. Plan 2/ is to get the overnight ferry to Bilbao and ride across and take a couple of days to do it via the scenic route. Plan 3/ Hitch the big arse ifor williams twin axle trailer up to the Disco and take my bike and maybe someone else's and do a road trip with bike owner No2 with stay overs on route. So the cost of Portsmouth to Santander overninght (beer) ferry inc cabin for 2 and Disco and trailer is about £950. If someone wants to share that with me, ill book it. If not, i will grab a bike space and ride it.
Im seriously looking at Biketrans. If only because it gets your bike almost all the way there bar 130 miles. I want to spend as much time riding in Italy as opposed to the bulk of it simply getting there and back. Been there, done that, three times already. Ridden round the whole of Spain, Portugal, France & Belgium on various Dukes over the last 20 years and whilst the rides were fun, I've now less free time than I ever had and so I've got to condense things down to a week, especially as both me and the missus are going (both of us on bikes).
