Unless I've missed it, I thought I'd start a thread so we can see who's making the trip and what time scale/route etc. That way if people want to join in for some or all of a person/groups journey they can. It can be a bit lonely riding a thousand miles alone, so feel free to share! I'm travelling from Kent, most likely 2 days there, then Friday to Monday booked into a hotel in Rimini, then 2 days back. They'll be at least 2 of us but more are welcome ;-)
Will definitely be going, hoping to stay with the UKMOC lot wherever they end up (last time it was Cattolica) the Thursday to Sunday nights. There's a possibility of the pre-WDW Wednesday night just north of Milan (meeting up with a local Ducati owners club). I plan to take the whole 2 weeks off work to allow time for exploring. Last time I did around 250 miles a day, which was plenty for me, and pre-booked all my accommodation. It meant I was able to stop for lunch, or an afternoon Orangina, without constant clock-watching fear of not reaching my destination, and I turned up at my hotels about 5-6pm with plenty of time for shower, relaxing, wandering out in search of dinner. I want to spend a couple of nights in a fab B&B in Piedmont where I spent a night on the way back from WDW 2012. Not sure if that will be the way down or the way back. 2 nights this time to allow a whole day there, maybe a vineyard tour and some chill-out time. I also want to do some more good SE France roads (someone mentioned that the Cuneo (Italy) to Barcelonette border crossing road is good). Last time I had a cracking day on the route Napoleon and I'm sure there are plenty more where that came from, with swooping sweeping bends, fantastic scenery and hardly any traffic. Have vague ideas about maybe an overnighter in Tuscany (Lucca? Pisa?) Was thinking about looking at the Ride magazine recent French touring guide for suggestions on how to get through the northern part of France with a reasonable compromise between milemunching and not getting bored by too much motorway slogging. Happy to take others' suggestions about good roads. I doubt anyone else would like to ride with me as I am very slow, but if anyone else found themselves in the same place in the evening, would be more than happy to meet up for dinner or a drink.
450 miles a day is 8 to 9 hours in the saddle based on a 60mph average that includes 3 fuel stops and no extended breaks. Better make sure you have a comfortable seat lest you be walking around like John Wayne when you get there.
Fancy it, but that's as far as it has got... I'll be buzzing around Valencia in May so it's probably a stretch anyways
I'm booking it now, two weeks off work and a 4 day each way journey, will leave Monday before and get home Thursday after, the rest is unknown
Just booked a 'provisional' room down in Cattolica on the beach, in the town, looked online and a lot of them were sold out already, so booked just in case, got a free cancellation so might change later on. journey there and back will probably plan on route, or nearer the time. iPhone apps are quite good for hotel booking. The 4 days gives plenty of time for sightseeing, stopping for food and drink, and also I like to be in a hotel by tea time with a cold one
350-400mls of fast country road miles a day, on good quality twisty roads is an 8 hour saddle day, with splash and dash fuel stops only. It's pretty much my riding limit. And that isn't averaging anywhere near 60mph! Have done a few like that over the years. Two in a row is just about enough to level you on any of my bikes, three is knackering after about an hour into the third day. Wrists and knees are just dead. Never even tried doing longer on the motorway as there is a good chance I would fall asleep/fall off with sheer boredom and cramp! I rode to Mugello before, four days of twisty roads, great fun, but knackering if you are taking decent roads..... If you want to liven up northern France, it isn't easy, but Pas-de-Calais through to Amiens is interesting backroads through La Somme, which is more fun than the motorway, quicker as no police, and sobering history......
As a slight aside, I live 10 minutes from the Channel Tunnel, and a little over 20 from Dover Port. I have a kettle, a well equipped workshop and a trailer. If anyone is heading this way and wants my mobile number, just in case, PM me ;-)
I'm actually going to be able to make it next year so could do with some advice from anyone who's been before. I'll be travelling & staying in the van so any campsite info would be appreciated. Hope to do the factory tour and ride the bikes round the area for a few days before or after WDW. I've seen the dates announced, what about tickets? Do I need to order, if so where from? I put in a generic search but nothing helpful came up. Any useful info/tips would be gratefully received.
Agree that 2 days to Rimini is impressive. I did it in 3 for WDW2007 and would actually spend longer on the journey if i went again. Have actually improved the seat on my ST for exactly this reason, especially from the pillions point of view.
I'm not taking a pillion so it's only my butt to worry about! It'd be good to have a choice of routes though
I will definitely be going. Planning on taking the bike down in a VW Caravelle. So plenty of room for luggage and no squared off tyres. Must try and find some accommodation, best get that booked tonight.
Hotel now booked for arrival on the Wednesday, depart on Monday after event. . Booking is with free cancellation option, just in case
Went in 2012, might go again in July 2014, not sure. I would like to go further South in Italy, visiting Rome, Naples, and Pompeii perhaps passing by Misano on the way down. Also taking in some Appenine and Alpine routes on the way back.
