Hi, Can I pick your collective brains regarding my planned trip to Imola in June this year? There will be three bikes and three tents making the trip down through France, Switzerland and into italy. After a couple of overnight stops in motels I'm looking for a campsite near the circuit. Not too close but within a few km. Does anyone have any recommendations?
What route are you taking? I was considering doing this trip myself this year with my old man, as he's just turned 60. He rides a Honda, but I wont hold that against him! He lives in France so I'd be collecting him en route but I'd be interested to know your rough direction. I've never made it as far as the south of france and switzerland, not on a bike anyway!
If you're not in a hurry then ride down to the Swiss border through France, stop near Colmar. Take it easy once you are other side of the border. I'd stop on the other side of the channel first night and start fresh next day, stop in Switzerland the next night and at Imola on your 3rd. You can do this in just one day but where's the fun! Alternate route is down through Belgium, Germany, stop near Munich, we used a good hotel (think it was the Railway) in Dachau last trip and then onto Imola, the roads are better and faster, but less picturesque. The Campaniles or other budget groups of motels will do you fine on the main routes. Not sure why motels then camping, but there are plenty of camping places all over the countryside out of Imola.
Cheers Royam, We're planning a 3 day stint down to Imola. The route's not yet been finalised but it roughly takes us through eastern France, into Switzerland near Berne then down into italy via the Simplon Pass. Straight to Imola from there. We are planning a big first day with the first overnight stop near Nancy or even as far as Colmar. Second night near Comignano, Italy leaving a fairly easy 180 mile run to Imola on day 3. Really struggling to find a campsite near Imola without travelling to the coast or staying near Bologna. Not keen on the circuit campsite as it tends to be noisy. Something 10 miles or so away would be ideal but can't find anything. Looking at some Agriturisimo places nearby but they're working out at about 50 euros a night each. As we're stopping in Formula 1 or Campaniles in France, camping would be a way of keeping the cost down a little. If you happen to know a campsite near Imola then please let me know.
Willis, Never done Switzerland on a bike myself but if it's anything like the south of France you'll be in for a treat. See my post above for the proposed route
You may as well pump through France at a rate, there's nothing to see there. If you stop in Colmar you must visit Franky's bar, he's a bike nut and a very nice bloke. And don't forget to buy a vignette for riding on Swiss motorways - buy it online or in France before you get to the border, it'll be cheaper.
I know it's not PC, and it comes with certain dangers, but there's nothing quite like maxing out the bike in the sunshine
Surely it's only not PC if it's in the UK on limited public roads? If it's legal to do it elsewhere on the Continent on unlimited roads or on private roads then why not.
Figaro, Thanks for the tip but I don't think we'll make Colmar for the overnight stop. As we're setting off from north of Manchester at stupid o'clock in the morning to ride for the chunnel we'll have done nearly 300 miles then. By the time we get off the chunnel in Calais it will be about 1230pm local time so the extra 390 miles to Colmar might be a bit much. We're looking at St Die as our first overnight stop but even that will be a push.
There's a great hotel just outside Calais in the countryside, cheap, clean and great food, family run. You won't have trouble finding it as long as you are in the 'Ball Parc'!
