I have booked a nice Airbnb in the countryside 30 minutes south of Florence for a week in June, Saturday to Saturday. I'm after suggestions for an interesting/scenic way to get there (and back). Also recommendations for overnight stops. I'm travelling from Ludlow and have allowed for 4 overnight stops to get there. Leaving on the Tuesday for an afternoon Eurotunnel crossing, then the first night in Northern France, probably not too far from Calais. Then 3 more overnight stops before arriving at our destination on Saturday afternoon. Similar timescale for the return trip.
I'll be two up, with Mrs Bloke on pillion. She's a seasoned continental tourer, but a little bit of arthritis means we'll be meandering with regular short stops for a leg stretch, coffee and to take in the views. I'd like to avoid autoroutes/autobahns etc. I'm after scenic, twisty roads, but not so twisty or out of the way that they lengthen the journey until late evening every day.
Ideally after an early start, I'd like to be arriving in an interesting overnight stop around mid to late afternoon. With enough time to have a chilled mooch around and relaxed evening. Nice hotels or quirky/interesting Airbnbs (recommendations welcome). Either Belgium (via the Ardennes), Germany, Switzerland or down through Eastern France seem the obvious options. I plan to return via a different route. The Stelvio pass is on my motorbike bucket list, so that will probably feature on the way there or back.
So which way should we go and where should we overnight, there and back?
I'm off shortly with the bike for a 9am MOT appointment. That's the first hurdle!
Pics from our last jaunt a couple of years ago.
I seem to remember the route napoleon ie N85 being a good route down thru france. Part of that might be good to include I am sure you know to avoid Paris - I usually go thru Reims / troyes
The Stelvio pass is on my motorbike bucket list,
Be careful when riding two up.
I've had to help a Greek couple after they toppled over in one of the tight corners. The last on the back broke her wrist.
Are you on an adventure type bike? Up for a bit of gravel? The Strada dell'Assietta is worth a drive. If you go via Briancon it starts the other side of the Montgenèvre Pass (or Cenis Pass if coming from further north).
I'm off shortly with the bike for a 9am MOT appointment. That's the first hurdle!
Passed! One advisory easily sorted.
I seem to remember the route napoleon ie N85 being a good route down thru france. Part of that might be good to include I am sure you know to avoid Paris
Thanks TJ. I did a bit of that years ago on a trip to the Verdon Gorge. ISTR it was a great road, but possibly a bit far West and South for my route into Italy. I have considered going via Chamonix, because I've never been and fancy it. Then into Italy via the Mont Blanc Tunnel. I shall not be going anywhere near Paris!
Be careful when riding two up.
I've had to help a Greek couple after they toppled over in one of the tight corners.
Thanks. I'm a little wary of it fully laden and two up tbh. I'm OK with hairpins, but if they are mega steep with coaches etc coming the other way, it does make things interesting! I'm not committed to the Stelvio. I'll do a bit more research before I decide.
Are you on an adventure type bike? Up for a bit of gravel?
Yes and not really on this trip. I definitely would be if I was on my own, but Mrs Bloke would be far happier sticking to Tarmac.
Not so sure about it working in Europe. I think it does, but there is an app called Calimoto, which is specifically designed for motorcyclists wanting to route plan, but on routes that are more interesting for bikes.
You can adjust sliders etc to vary how twisty you're after etc.
Have a day out to the Lake District and do Wrynose and Hardnott passes. Plenty of hairpin practice there! Sounds like a great trip by the way.
That's not very encouraging is it TJ? 🤣
Lolz
I am sure you are not all the gear no idea or are you? there is an incredible lack of skill going on in those clips. Its frightening
Lolz
I am sure you are not all the gear no idea or are you? there is an incredible lack of skill going on in those clips. Its frightening
I flatter myself that I'm better than those Muppets! It was a good while ago but I did my RoSPA advanced test with a "Gold" grade a couple of times.
Traffic is the main issue, especially caravans, coaches etc. coming the other way and taking up the whole road and forcing you to take a shit line. It's as much about timing and traffic management as is is about pure motorcycle control.
If we do it, it will be on a weekday and probably in the morning. It's early in the season so hopefully quieter. Or I may park the idea until I get chance to do it without a pillion, fully loaded panniers, tank bag and top box!
Right, Stelvio, the unfortunate truth. It's spectacular, but, imagine riding into a 1950s housing estate on a Yorkshire hillside that's full of cul de sacs. On bin day, with Hyacinth Bucket and husband in a dilapidated Hymer in front of you, trying to squeeze past the bin lorry coming the other way, crockery crashing down around them. It's like that for mile after mile. Grossglockner's the same. There's better passes.
I would go out via Eastern France to Bourg St Maurice and up over the Col D'iseran, then into Susa. There **** all to see next to the autostrada between Turin and Florence, so why not head down to the coast - either take the autrostrada along (which is pretty amazing) or bimble along the coastal roads - just beware you will have your ass handed to you by a beautiful senoria in flip flops and a summer dress on a twist & go on the tight twisties down there. I did.
Coming back go up the west side of Stelvio (you could continue to the summit if you like, is only a mile or two more), then head down the north west side into switzerland. This avoids the miserable east side, which you can peer at from the cafe at the top.
I've thrown this together just now from a couple of trips I have in myrouteapp:
https://www.myrouteapp.com/en/social/route/12966500?mode=share
@hot_fiat that's a very helpful post. Gives me other options to consider, thank you.
no worries. Just realised I've clicked on the timmesljoch on the way home not the stelvio. That's a really nice route. Toll to pay on the timmels, but its worth it.
I have some pals who have ridden the stelvio and raved about it - but they stayed overnight near it and rode it just after dawn on a weekday. I think that would be the way to go to0 ride it as a thing in itself rather than as a part of a route and risk the congestion
yeah, On the bike I've stayed in Resia when running from the East in the morning and in the evening I've stayed in Livigno. The run from Bormio up to Livigno is stunning: fast, sweepy, immaculate, empty, the sound of the bike echoing off the mountains with the smell of the forest up through Arnoga permeating the air. Must. Buy. New. Bike!
Just beware that early morning on Stelvio can leave you with challenging conditions. Its 2778m at the top. it can snow, really quite heavily at any time of the year. This was late September at about 10 am. We literally followed the snow blower up. Was amusing on a bike, in an exclusively type 2 way. Soil myself I did, with laughter I had.
Great pic, but my clacker valve is puckering up just looking at it! Its my 40th wedding anniversary whilst we are there, it might be my last if I take Mrs Bloke up there in those conditions!
Epernay (or Mousy for a smaller spot) are both lovely parts of Champagne to stop in, you'll get extra brownie points for your anniversary if your wife like a bubbly grape based drink.
Troyes as mentioned above is a lovely town to stop over in on the way (we stayed in a hotel on the main road with an underground car-park so you keep the bike easily overnight). Wandering into town having a meal and a drink was great there even in March when we went.
Annecy if you haven't been, or Talloires further round the lake are both good for a stop over too.
Chamonix is a lovely mountain town at the bottom of the valley and has plenty of places to eat, drink and sleep.
As for biking, I've only done it by car on the peage, the middle of France is loooong.
Epernay (or Mousy for a smaller spot) are both lovely parts of Champagne to stop in, you'll get extra brownie points for your anniversary if your wife like a bubbly grape based drink.
It was about 15 years ago, but we had a cracking bike tour around the Champagne region. Thanks for your suggestions Troyes and Chamonix are both contenders 👍
Hi, I've been down thru the Alps and Italy a few times ... hotfiat's route looks good. One thing with Stelvio ... it can get really busy as it's a 'must do' peak. Packed with cars, cyclists, vans. campers ... I'd def avoid or if you must do it, get there early and never the weekend! All around Stelvio there are fantastic passes that are quiet, great fun on a bike.
Worth looking at Luxembourg hilly bits ... really great.
I've found some of these routes pretty helpful from Ride magazine Tour 2019 - they have lots of GPX files with some great routes.
Enjoy, it's a fantastic run!
Camping just a little south of Florence
And Nivolet is def worth a visit, do it early and it's glorious
That's the guy, TJ....!
Troyes as mentioned above is a lovely town
Was there a couple of weeks back. It is indeed quite nice.
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Dinant makes a good first night in the Ardennes… Colmar is worth factoring into the route out or back as a place for lunch. I would choose the Gd St Bernard pass over the tunnel although if you go the Chamonix route, the new Skyway might be an interesting activity to break the journey. Alps to Tuscany is as someone said above quite boring, so heading south a bit further east and then coast road is worth considering. Last time I went that was was to the Mugello MotoGP at the height of the Rossi/Biaggi/Capirossi rivalry