1st May 2024 - Venice to the UK by motorbike - what / where should I visit on route? (2 Viewers)

[Mr Mousy]

Any suggestions please of where to visit / what to see / what route / mountain passes to take on my journey from Venice to the UK?

A bit of background…Last autumn we had a great trip to Greece in the motorhome taking our small Husqvarna 401 with us (in the garage of the motorhome).

I have always fancied doing a bit of a bike road trip so I decided to do a one way trip back home. I arranged bike storage in Corinth which was our last stop before we headed home. My original plan was to ride from Greece overland via Croatia etc back home. I’ve chickened out of that 3,000km route and opted for a ferry from Greece to Venice which brings the distance down to around 1,300 km.

Spring has arrived it’s time to bring the bike back home.

I fly to Athens on the 28th, pick up the bike on the 29th and then catch the Patras to Venice ferry at 23:00 the same day. Arriving at around 07:00 on the 1st May.

I have no fixed timetable for getting home. The bike is small and has no wind protection so I won’t be doing big mileage each day!
When I say no timetable I’m thinking about a week to ten days as I will get lonely on my own .

Hotels will be booked day by day.

So any recommendations of places to see, things to do on my way home?

I really want to avoid the motorways.

Thanks Mr Mousy (Martin).

PS Mousy (Dawn) will be at home rather than on the back of the bike!

 

[Carpmart]

Can’t help with the route, but sounds like fun Martin!

How ‘itchy boots’ are you going to go!

 

[David and Sally]

Not sure of your route, but the Grossglockner is worth a visit. Also the Stelvio Pass.
The motor museum at Mulhouse.
The Vosges mountains west of Colmar.
The ossuary at Verdun.

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[Edendeb]

We have done this route a few times (but in the MH), depends if you go via Austria or Switzerland we prefer the Gotthard Pass to the Stelvio. The Dolomites are amazing. Follow the Rhine north. And ENJOY!!

 

[Chrisvh]

From Venice head up to Cortina D’Ampezzo. Wonderful riding in the Dolomites. Check road conditions as early May can have a lot of high routes closed by snow. If the Grossglockner Hoch Alpen Strasse is open, go for that. You will end up near Zell-am-See. Then head towards Innsbruck and then Garmisch-Partenkirchen. Enough Alpine passes for a lifetime. Head over towards Freiburg. Tootle around the Black Forest. B500 up to Bacen-Baden is over-policed on weekends but is still a beauty of a road. And then into France via Colmar and enjoy the Vosges. Don’t miss Le Route Des Cretes. Quiet and underrated but a magnificent route.
Don’t forget that May can be early in the Alps and you may find high passes closed. It can be 25c in the valley and -3 at the top so clothing needs to be suitable. Hotels, especially the biker hotels are always well informed, and a mine of information. If you want any specific hotel info get back to me.

Travel light!

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

PS Mousy (Dawn) will be at home rather than on the back of the bike!

Peace at last

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[Mousy]

Peace at last

Absolutely I can’t wait!

 

[Ditcha]

Simplon pass is nice done it in a Moho but not by bike sounds a great trip

 

[Dutch 68]

Any suggestions please of where to visit / what to see / what route / mountain passes to take on my journey from Venice to the UK?

A bit of background…Last autumn we had a great trip to Greece in the motorhome taking our small Husqvarna 401 with us (in the garage of the motorhome).

I have always fancied doing a bit of a bike road trip so I decided to do a one way trip back home. I arranged bike storage in Corinth which was our last stop before we headed home. My original plan was to ride from Greece overland via Croatia etc back home. I’ve chickened out of that 3,000km route and opted for a ferry from Greece to Venice which brings the distance down to around 1,300 km.

Spring has arrived it’s time to bring the bike back home.

I fly to Athens on the 28th, pick up the bike on the 29th and then catch the Patras to Venice ferry at 23:00 the same day. Arriving at around 07:00 on the 1st May.

I have no fixed timetable for getting home. The bike is small and has no wind protection so I won’t be doing big mileage each day!
When I say no timetable I’m thinking about a week to ten days as I will get lonely on my own .

Hotels will be booked day by day.

So any recommendations of places to see, things to do on my way home?

I really want to avoid the motorways.

Thanks Mr Mousy (Martin).

PS Mousy (Dawn) will be at home rather than on the back of the bike!

View attachment 885905

Take the road past lake Garda , visit Merano, then over reshenpass into Austria , it’s stunning, then stay overnight in a place called Serfaus , beautiful place to spend a few days, then go towards Bregenz, using the arlberg pass, crossing into Switzerland , France , through french and Belgium Ardennes and make your way to Bruges

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[The Coops]

Don't know if any or all of the higher level passes would be suitable for a bike early mornings as still prone to icing, how about cutting across Italy to France via Ventamiglia and going up the N85 Route Napoleon up through eastern France?

 

[Mousy]

Anyone know of any bike or car museums worth seeking out on the way? Or places of interest?
I’m imagining Martin sat in village squares in the sunshine enjoying a coffee and cake. Trying not to think of him up the mountains solo!

We’ve done some of those passes in the motorhome, beautiful scenery whilst I cringed as we took the bends with a trail of biker’s behind us…

 

[Spriddler]

Don’t forget that May can be early in the Alps and you may find high passes closed. It can be 25c in the valley and -3 at the top so clothing needs to be suitable. Hotels,

Very good advice.
On a solo 2,500 miles solo camping trip on my 1954 350cc Matchless I was wearing lightweight biking gear approaching the Simplon Pass but by the time I got to the top I had put on every bit of my warm clothing.
The freezing fog at the top spoiled any view..........

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[David and Sally]

Anyone know of any bike or car museums worth seeking out on the way? Or places of interest?
I’m imagining Martin sat in village squares in the sunshine enjoying a coffee and cake. Trying not to think of him up the mountains solo!

We’ve done some of those passes in the motorhome, beautiful scenery whilst I cringed as we took the bends with a trail of biker’s behind us…

The Motor museum at Mulhouse. Incredible.

Musée National de l'Automobile à Mulhouse - Collection Schlumpf

Le Musée National de l’Automobile situé à Mulhouse détient la plus importante collection automobile du monde réunissant plus de 450 voitures d’exception.

www.musee-automobile.fr

 

[Roby2008]

The Plöcken pass between Italy and Austria is permanently closed...Rock falls in Dec 23, the adjoining pass the Nassfelden is brilliant for a bike, not advised for a 7m MH but a bike, yes.....

 

[Nonna]

I would suggest the Ferrari museums at Modena or Maranello or Ducati at Bologna but I think that would be taking you well out of your way
How about the Museum of the 24 hrs of Le Mans?

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[lorger]

If coming via Stuggart I highly recommend the Mercedes museum, allow yourself a good few hours if like me you look at every vehicle in detail You can also visit factory and large showroom, plus try the restaurant as it’s subsidised for workers and top quality.

Also the Peugeot museum at Montbeliard in France, I was pleasantly surprised with this one. They also have a restaurant in middle of museum which is worth a visit.

Both a

 

[Carpmart]

ISBN 1845847423

Mousy - Dawn tell Mr Mousy (Martin) to get this book! As kindly recommended by M. Taran_Las

 

[Carpmart]

Anyone know of any bike or car museums worth seeking out on the way? Or places of interest?
I’m imagining Martin sat in village squares in the sunshine enjoying a coffee and cake. Trying not to think of him up the mountains solo!

We’ve done some of those passes in the motorhome, beautiful scenery whilst I cringed as we took the bends with a trail of biker’s behind us…

He likes his tea and cake, so will deffo do a lot of this Dawn!

Also, having ridden a lot of mountain miles with him, he’s a bloody slow (safe) rider, I have to keep pulling over and waiting for him and I’m on a lumpy, three wheeled 250kg scooter…

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[Just smiffy]

Sounds like a fantastic trip, would love to do this sort of thing… drive safe…

 

[Mr Mousy]

Thank you all for your suggestions…I will add them to a map so you can see all the suggestions.

Carpmart Harvey, I’ve ordered the book

 

[Mr Mousy]

Well I’ve added the locations mentioned to a map…
Any last minute suggestions?

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[Roby2008]

Nassfelden Pass........after Großglockner...to the left of the Plöcken Pass which is closed.....

 

[Mousy]

Well he’s on his way. Bristol to Athens with easyjet. Arrives 23.00 hrs with no hotel booked but train recommendation to Corinth (where the motorbike is in storage).

Ferry booked from Patras to Venice Monday 23.00 hrs.

I’m nervous of him booking accommodation on the day but that’s his choice, he’s travelling very light…no idea of the number of pants but his bag seems small for such a long distance…mostly inner tubes and bike stuff.

Hopefully he will keep us all updated on his progress, for those that are interested.

 

[DandJ]

he’s travelling very light…no idea of the number of pants but his bag seems small for such a long distance…

4 days...1 pair of pants. Front to back, back to front...then inside out Front to back..back to front.

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[cliffanger]

View attachment 891228

View attachment 891229

Well he’s on his way. Bristol to Athens with easyjet. Arrives 23.00 hrs with no hotel booked but train recommendation to Corinth (where the motorbike is in storage).

Ferry booked from Patras to Venice Monday 23.00 hrs.

I’m nervous of him booking accommodation on the day but that’s his choice, he’s travelling very light…no idea of the number of pants but his bag seems small for such a long distance…mostly inner tubes and bike stuff.

Hopefully he will keep us all updated on his progress, for those that are interested.

I REALLY hope he hasn’t done the usual ‘pack, unpack and repack’ - leaving out what he thinks is surplus to requirements!

Safe trip Martin. xx

PS. You’re sure he’s boarded are you? I couldn’t find him in the second photo!

 

[scousebird]

Pleas keep us updated on the pants situation as well as the road trip.