Global Motorcycle Tours

TOUR INFORMATION
This tour does contain some reasonably high mileage days and many challenging roads in the Mountains. The riding as always can be demanding so would better suit an experienced rider but if you are a competent first timer and accept the above this tour would be suitable. Although some of the days are quite long you stop several destinations for more than one night so there is ample opportunity to rest and relax along the way.

This tour utilises the Eurotunnel crossing but alternative crossings such as Hull to Rotterdam can be organised if required but an additional deposit will be required.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: 306 Miles
Following an early morning Euro tunnel crossing you begin your day by quickly transiting the industrial areas of France and Belgium. Clear of the motorway system you begin to enjoy some fabulous rural roads as you cross Luxembourg and continue to the Moselle region of Germany where you will spend your first night.

Day 2: 140 Miles
Continuing on through the rural forest roads of Germany you eventually enter the Pfalzer & Saar Hunsruck National Parks. This forested park is home to some great biking roads and is a favourite with local riders. Situated in the heart of the spa town of Baden-Baden your historic 4-star hotel features its own park and large summer terrace.

Day 3: (Ride-Out 115 Miles)
Today is a ride or rest day in which you are free to create your own itinerary. You can choose to relax at the hotel, explore the many shops and bars in Baden-Baden or take the supplied ride-out through the Black Forest. The Black Forest is one of Germany’s most picturesque regions and riding through mile after mile of the beautiful pine forests is what biking is all about.

Day 4: 220 Miles
Leaving the Black Forest via the famous B500 the alpine peaks now beckon and you enter Austria via the 5 mile long Pfänder Tunnel. For the next two nights you will stay at a fabulous four star hotel surrounded by the stunning Lechtal Alps.

Day 5: (Various Ride-Outs Supplied)

Today is a ride or rest day so you can just relax or use the supplied route information to enjoy the surrounding Mountains. The Austrian Alps are truly one of the best places in Europe to ride a motorcycle and the list of fabulous Mountain passes is almost endless. Point your bike in any direction and you will be rewarded with a unique riding experience.

Day 6: 210 Miles
Today you leave Austria behind and head for Switzerland via the impressive Stelvio Pass. The StilfserJoch as it is called in Austria soars to a height of over 9000 feet and with 48 hairpin bends taking you to the summit this really is a ‘must do’ for any motorcyclist. With the Stelvio pass conquered you descend into Switzerland via the Umbrail trail and continue over the Ofen and Flüela passes before reaching your hotel which is located directly on the Oberalp pass and surrounded by the beautiful Swiss Mountains.

Day 7: (Ride-Out Mileage 140)
The supplied ride-out is absolutely stunning and has got to be high on the list of ‘best ever’. With the Susten, Nufenen and Grimsel passes included, plus the famous cobbled Tremola this route is a bikers dream.

Day 8: 205 Miles
Starting the day in style you cross the famous Furka pass which was used for the backdrop of the car chase in the film ‘Goldfinger’. En-route you can visit the Rhone Glacier which although has reduced in recent years is still a stunning photo opportunity. Staying clear of the Autoroute system you eventually pass the town of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and take the winding Col des Aravis to your next destination, the medieval lake side town of Annecy. Your hotel is only a few minutes walk from the centre with its numerous bars, restaurants and bustling night life.

Day 9:
Today is a rest day giving you the chance to unwind and take in the sights and beauty of Lake Annecy, take a leisurely ride around the lake or alternatively visit the vibrant city of Geneva which is just a short distance away.

Day 10: 245 Miles
Your day starts as you ride into the Franche comté region which is acclaimed for its rolling fields, dense forests and of course the Jura Mountains. You are now in real biking country and your route takes you through the sweeping roads of the Jura and into Burgundy. Continuing north you enter the champagne region of France and arrive at your hotel located in the centre of Troyes. The medieval old town of Troyes features narrow cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses dating from the 16th century.

Day 11: 260 Miles
Following breakfast you take a leisurely route through the Champagne vineyards before joining the motorway system to Calais and your afternoon Euro tunnel crossing to Folkestone. Euro Tunnel times are flexible and can be changed to suit individual requirements.

INSURANCE
It is recommended that all clients take out appropriate Personal Travel, Accident and Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency.

MOTORCYCLE HIRE

We do not hire bikes directly but if you wish to take any of our self guided tours and require motorcycle hire click HERE for detail of companies we recommend.

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: 255 miles

From Calais your tour heads quickly south to Reims and to the Champagne region of France. Time saved on the motorway system in the morning enables you to enjoy the rural roads in the afternoon as you take the ‘Champagne Tourist Route’ through the vineyards before finally arriving at your first overnight stay in the beautiful town of Troyes. With narrow cobbled streets and medieval half-timbered buildings this picturesque French town is just waiting to be explored.

Day 2: 250 miles
Your onward journey now continues through the Jura Mountains to the medieval lakeside town of Annecy. Your town centre three star hotel with secure parking is your base for the next two nights. Annecy was once a prison town but now is one of the most popular resorts in France. With a warren of back streets and passages and numerous bars and restaurants it is just waiting to be explored.

Day 3: 170 miles
Standing by the beautiful Annecy lakeside the Alps are clearly visible and serve as an excellent introduction for your included ride-out which takes you to Bourg Saint Maurice and along the St Bernard’s pass.

Day 4: 225 miles
Leaving Annecy behind you begin perhaps one of the more challenging days of the tour as you continue your journey along the ‘Route des Grandes Alpes’ and climb the highest paved mountain pass in the Alps, the Col De I’Izoard. Your base for the next three nights is the 16th century town of Castellane. The town lies directly on the Route Napoleon which has been voted as one of the best motorcycling roads in the world. Whilst here you can choose to relax and discover the surrounding area or take one of our supplied ride-outs which of course includes the famous Route Napoleon.

Day 5 - 6 (supplied ride-outs 84 - 150 miles)
With canyon walls that rise over 12,000 feet from the Verdon River below your carefully planned ride-outs include the spectacular Gorges of Verdon. You will first take the north rim to Moustiers Sainte Marie and then continue along the south rim and the spectacular Corniche Sublime.

The second supplied ride-out takes you over the challenging Col de Alos which although quite narrow in places still affords fantastic views over the surrounding mountains. The ride-out continues as you experience the Col de la Bonette which contains the highest mountain pass in the French Alps.

Day 7: 180 miles
Leaving this stunning area behind you continue over Mont Ventoux which has long been one of the challenges of the Tour de France. Your day ends riding through the Ardeche Gorge whose impressive limestone cliffs wind back and forth and present spectacular views of the canyon below.

Day 8: 190 miles
Today you enter the Cevennes National Park and continue towards another of nature’s wonders, the Gorges Du Tarn. The gorge itself rises over 1,600 feet from the valley floor and is more than 3000 feet wide. To complete the day you continue under and over the famous Millau Bridge. This British designed structure attracts thousands of tourists a year and quite rightfully so. The central pillar is higher than the Eiffel Tower and it is possibly one of the most breathtaking bridges ever built.

Day 9: 286 miles
After spending the night in a family run hotel you continue to the Auvergne national park. This area contains no less than four chains of extinct volcanoes which have shaped the landscape and resulted in some excellent biking roads. It is no coincidence that this area often plays host to the tour de France and today you ride a major section of the route. The town of Orleans is your destination today and your hotel is situated directly on the banks of the River Loire. The old town is only a short walk away so your last night is spent in one of the many restaurants which line the narrow streets. There are also plenty of bars in the area and if you want to take in a few sights there is the fabulous Sainte Croix cathedral, comparable only to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Day 10: 265 miles
Following breakfast you head north along the back roads of Centre-Val de Loire region until you eventually join the Autoroute system to the Eurotunnel and your onward journey to Folkestone. Euro Tunnel times are flexible and can be changed to suit individual requirements.

With detailed route maps and GPS coordinates guiding you every step of the way this could just be the self guided tour you have been looking for. The riding in the mountains can as always be challenging but if you are an experienced rider or a competent first timer this tour would be suitable.

INSURANCE
It is recommended that all clients take out appropriate Personal Travel, Accident and Breakdown cover. This is essential for repatriation of yourself and your motorcycle in the event of an accident or medical emergency.



MOTORCYCLE HIRE

We do not hire bikes directly but if you wish to take any of our self guided tours and require motorcycle hire click HERE for detail of companies we recommend.