Seven European countries in nine days

A ride through Europe lasting 9 days and taking in 7 countries (some twice!) with a two stop in Antibes and covering 2700 miles. (England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium.) I was riding with Pete, Ian and Julie.

The best moment, other than the two planning sessions which descended into a practice session for pub crawl, was cresting a flyover and seeing the Mediterranean Sea. Riding along the coast with the Med to one side, riding through alpine passes, first trip through the Alps, Mont Blanc tunnel and the rest in between.
There weren’t any really bad moments other than walking two miles in the wrong direction for a beer (thanks Ian!), my GS blowing over at the Nurburgring or Ian realising his tyre might not last to Antibes! If Pete had one he kept it to himself.
We did have a scary moment on the second Saturday. A storm blew up on that day when Pete & Julie set off home and Ian and I went to the ring. Pete said “I just hung on all the way home (545 miles)”! It pissed it down all day and the wind was blowing the bikes across two lanes. (The road from Liege to Nurburg is full of high level bridges and not recommended on a bike during a storm)
Our next trips will be a quick trip through Scotland and then deciding where next (critical part of the trip is the drunken planning sessions!!). Pete fancies Greece, Ian Eastern Europe (thanks to Charlie and Ewan) and I fancy Southern Spain. Now this will take some planning!!

Recommendations
• Planning sessions are a must (but don’t plan distances when drunk).
• Don’t book too many places to stay ahead as it becomes restrictive.
• You can do 300 miles in one day but you will spend all day head down and arse up. (if you want to do more than ride plan for days with 150 miles max)
• If someone is two up get them to make a video (we still cry laughing at ours).
• Minimise what you take.
• Make sure the bike is up to the journey (tyres, serviced,etc)