Tag Archives: Europe

10 cool motorcycling routes in Scandinavia

(Sponsored post on Scandinavia travel)

Scandinavia has a lot of beautiful landscapes that just beg to be discovered. There are hundreds of ways to experience all that Norway, Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland have to offer, and one of those ways is by taking your motorcycle and exploring. Here are 10 cool motorcycle routes you should take on your next visit the Europian north.

Inkoo to Karjaa in Finland

A modern road that connects to a medieval road that runs through south Finland from west to east. Although a section of the road is straight, the vast majority of it is curvy with a lot of twists and bends. There are multiple cafes along the Inkoo boat harbour, as well as the historical village of Fagervik and an old ancient iron factory. As you get closer to Snappertuna you would see the castle Rasenborg.

Bergen to Geiranger in Norway

A long road that may take you a couple of days, this path features multiple floating bridges that help you cross the myriad fjords. Beautiful landscapes such as glacial valleys, 1,000m cliffs and Sognefjorden, Norway’s longest fjord. At the end of the path at Geirangerfjord, there are magnificent foaming slashes of the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls.There’s ample time to stop and view the landscape. Alternatively, Casumo has a fantastic online casino in Norway that can be played while you’re taking a rest.

Route 62 in Finland

This route is long and gorgeous, featuring scenery from forests to bridges over waters and historic towns and villages. The best section is where the winding road meets the blue waters of Puumalan lake, where you can stop and enjoy the scenery. Approximately 112km long, you may want to take your time to stop and look at the view.

The E4 Highway, High Coast Route in Sweden

A famous route that stretches from Härnösand to Örnsköldsvik in north-eastern Sweden. This route takes you over the High Coast Bridge, a large suspension bridge that travels over Ångerman River. There are some really fascinating hiking trails if you want to stop. This ride won’t take you long, lasting about an hour and a half.

Atlantic Ocean Road in Norway

There are multiple bridges along this route (8 in counting!) with a generous amount of twists and dips through Norway’s most spectacular views. Keep in mind that this road can be hazardous in the rain, as the high altitude twists could make the leisurely ride fatal. Waves are known for crashing into the overarching bridges – so beware.

Route One in Iceland

Do this one in the summer to avoid the crippling winter cold. Iceland becomes a lush country of green with multiple panoramic views around May-June. You’ll see beaches with icebergs in the distance, enormous waterfalls, black sand, and fascinating wildlife. The full route is quite long at 1319km, so if you want to do this in one stretch, you better pack a snack.

Trollstigen in Norway

Also known as “The Trolls Ladder,” Trollstigen is a part of the Norwegian National Road 63 which is a high road on the side of a mountain. This 57km route has breathtaking views and sharp corners. Within the twist and turns is a waterfall that cascades towards the bottom of the hill. Getting to the top and looking down is the best part – check out that view!

West Coast and the Atlantic Wall in Denmark

A ride along the North Sea Coast that shows off the Bork Viking Harbour and the small town of Hvide Sande. Up the coast is the WWII Atlantic Wall fortification at Houvig and eventually the BunkerMuseum Hanstholm. This route is perfect for any war buff but is quite long at 228km. Still, it’s a great way to see various city sites in Denmark.

The Highlands in Denmark

The Lake Highlands have long winding roads from Silkeborg to Skanderborg, through a forest, idyllic villages and fields. This road features the best of nature and culture all in one sitting. The historical town of Himmelbjerget looks out on a river that winds around it. Great motorcycle route for those wanting the best of both worlds.

Fjordland in Norway

The fjords in western Norway are a quiet little pocket of beauty near Oslo. As you drive, you’ll be surrounded by endless mountains, forests and winding valleys as you approach Telemark. Hardangervidda National Park along the way shows off the west coastline, and the Laerdal Tunnel burrows through the mountainous landscape.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Ride scenic Croatia with a local couple

What better way to see the scenic Adriatic country of Croatia but with a local couple who have more than 20 years of motorcycle experience!

Robert and Andrea Vrabec of Moto Tours Croatia have planned a 2400km ride through their home country which, as the map shows, is dominated by a rugged coastline, multitudes of islands and craggy mountain ranges.Moto Tours Croatia

Unforgettable Croatia

“The nature, the sea and the cities we will go through, with their history and culture, will make this trip unforgettable,” Robert says. 

“Some parts of the routes we ride are truly spectacular and majestic“. 

“The cities we will visit like Rovinj, Zadar, Dubrovnik count among the most beautiful tourist destinations, while islands like Cres, Mali Lošinj, Hvar will leave you breathless.” Moto Tours Croatia

They promise that their customers will truly “feel Croatia”.

Their tours range in price from €2990 for a rider and €2290 for a passenger for the eight-day Feel Croatia Small tour to €4290 and €2790 for the 14-day Croatian Island tour.

Motorbike Writer readers who book before the end of March 2019 will receive a 10% discount.

Price also depends on the type of motorcycle hired. Robert says they only use high-high-performance KTM and BMW motorcycles. 

Tours run from May to October, but not the hottest months of July and August. Moto Tours Croatia

Riding passion

“It is difficult to explain even to ourselves, from where we draw such will and passion to go along the same road, same curve, to sit in that same coffee bar,” he says.

“There are no special words to describe it; just that sense of freedom, contact with nature; that smile on our faces when we meet those wonderful people who share the same and true passion for motorbikes, nature, travel, adventure.”Moto Tours Croatia

Robert and Andrea have worked in real estate, so they know the best places to stay and eat in no less than four-star comfort.

“After an exhausting ride, dinner will be served,” says Robert. 

“For this we will also choose the places whose food and wine offer follows the customs of their geographic location.” Moto Tours Croatia

Moto Tours Croatia plan only small groups so they can devote their attention to each guest.

“Whenever we travel, we always find a new curve and pass the old ones with a smile,” Robert says. 

“We plan our trips with a lot of attention to details and we also know that mileage is not the only purpose of travel. Therefore, the journeys we plan for you will always have additional content, depending on whether we are on the sea side where we will sail to a hidden cave, or we are on a hill where we will try zip-lining, or we will simply enjoy a glass of Croatian wine and watch the sunset.”Moto Tours Croatia

Robert says their two main tours — Feel Croatia and Croatian Islands — are “similar yet so different”.

“These tours are ideal for romantics who love the sea, scenic coastal roads and impressive sunsets, as well as for gastronomes and fine wine devotees,” he says.

Moto Tours Croatia also organise tours through the mountains in neighbouring countries such as Slovenia, Italy and Austria. They can even arrange a unique, customised tour to your requirements.

Guided tours include:

  • Late-model BMW and KTM motorcycles with lockable hard luggage and tank bags plus a third party liability insurance and comprehensive vehicle insurance;
  • Experienced motorcycle guide;Moto Tours Croatia
  • Support van for luggage and 1 or 2 passengers;
  • All accommodation in mostly four-star hotels and apartments;
  • All buffet breakfasts;
  • All dinners, mostly in traditional local restaurants (except on rest days);Moto Tours Croatia
  • All ferry rides and tolls (according to tour program); 
  • All fuel during the tour;
  • All entrance fees for national parks and museums (according to tour program);Moto Tours Croatia
  • Airport transfers on arrival day or one day before and on departure day;
  • All maps with marked routes for the region being toured;
  • Extensive tour booklet; and
  • GPS with all the routes uploaded.Moto Tours Croatia

Not included in the price: Airfares, dinners on rest days, most lunches, drinks, personal spending and tips.Moto Tours Croatia

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

2019 dates for Italian motorcycle tours

Having ridden the Tuscany region this year with Hear the Road Motorcycle Tours Italy, we can thoroughly recommend one of their tours in 2019.

Owner Enrico Grassi says he has prepared the 2019 riding season “with more determination and passion”.

Having a local guide like this Roman rider is a distinct advantage as he knows and rides all the roads, and he has a great knowledge of local history, foods and the best wines to have with dinner.

Enrico Grassi Hear the Road Motorcycle Tours Italy Tuscany and Umbria: Heart of Italy
Enrico, Mrs MBW and me at the Pantheon in Roma

His tours range from 8-12 riding days visiting scenic destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Italian Alps, Dolomites, Tuscany, Chianti, Sardinia, Corsica, or even watching the MotoGP races at Mugello and Misano circuits. 

All include twisting country roads, historical destinations, spectacular views of the mountains and the Mediterranean with four-star hospitality.

“After the sun has set, there’s plenty of opportunities to experience the culture, the food and wine, the night-life and the passion of this amazing country,” Enrico says.  

Hear The Road Motorcycle Tours Italy provides motorcycle rental, accommodation with “a local flavour”, luggage transportation and transfer from and to the airport.

You can select from BMW, Ducati, Moto Guzzi and Harley-Davidson motorcycles.

Enrico Grassi Hear the Road Motorcycle Tours Italy Tuscany and Umbria: Heart of Italy
Italian pace

Bonus free night

Tours run from April to October with a bonus free night in Rome if you book by the end of January 2019.

Hear the Road Tours also caters to those riding enthusiasts who want to tour Italy but can’t meet the scheduled tour dates.

Enrico says they can organise self-guided, customised and/or private tours for individuals or groups of any size. 

Click here to contact Enrico via email or phone +39 393 04 03 260.

 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Monkey around in Romania on monkey bikes

The Adventurists must be the first motorcycle touring company to offer tours on monkey bikes and now add tours of Romania riding one of the most famous roads in the world.

Two years ago they launched the Monkey Run in the Sahara, crossing the Atlas Mountains to the Moroccan coast on 50cc Monkey Bikes and followed up with the Monkey Run Peru.

Now they will tackle Romania’s famous Transfăgărășan Highway.

The Adventurists Monkey Bikes Monkey Runs Romania

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson called it “the best road in the world”.

We don’t often agree with the bike-hating TV presenter, but we have to agree on his verdict of this challenging piece of heaven.

Cost and charity

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The Adventurists will operate two Romanian Monkey Runs in 2019 at the end of June and in mid-September, costing £1295 (about $A2320, $US1665).

As per all their adventures, The Adventurists ask participants to all raise £1000 in charity donations.

Half goes to their charity partner Cool Earth and the other half goes to which ever charity is chosen by the participant. Since they started, they have raised £7.5million for charity.

Secret location

Apart from riding monkey bikes, the tour will be unique because there is no defined route, says MD Daniel Reeds.

It starts in Sighetu Marmatiei, close to the border with Ukraine, before travelling a few hundred kilometres to a secret location.

The route in between is not set, but Daniel urges riders to include the paved Transfăgărășan Highway across the Carpathian Mountains. The road was built in the early 1970s as a strategic military route and goes into Transylvania were riders can visit Dracula’s Castle.

Monkey Bikes Transfăgărășan Highway
Transfăgărășan Highway

“Beyond that we encourage riders to look at their maps as little as possible,” Daniel says.

“The idea of the Monkey Runs is to give people a true adventure that allows them to get under the skin of the country they’re in in a way that a normal holiday wouldn’t.

“There’s no set route, no backup and no support. That’s the whole point. You could just rock up, enjoy the launch party, team up with another rider and ride in tandem the length of the country to the finish line and you’d have an amazing time.”

Monkey BikesThe Adventurists Monkey Bikes Monkey Runs Romania

This aim for adventure is why The Adventurists chose Honda Monkey Bikes, rather than more comfortable or powerful rides.

Monkey Bikes are a whole lot of fun and it’s hard to take a serious fall,” Daniel says.

“Because they’re low to the ground they also feel much faster than they are, but in reality they’re slow enough for you to truly appreciate the landscape you’re travelling through.

“They’re perfect for this trip and they’re bound to break down at some point, which means you’ll be forced to engage with the locals and find out what the country and culture are all about.”

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com