Karen does Europe in 15 days
Karen does Europe - My tour of six countries in 15 days
by Karen Ashley.
On the 7th 2008 June, myself on my new BMW F800ST (including for the first time ever hard luggage), and 12 other bikers set sail with SeaFrance. from Dover to travel around 140 miles for a over night stop at a Campanile in Laon, in the French region of Picardy, between St Quentin and Reims.
From here we headed to Marlenheim, approx 240 miles, in the Alsace , again for one night at the Hostellerie Reeb, a great hotel set in one of the regions oldest wine villages, with its picturesque medieval half timbered houses in rainbow colours. The hotel had a large secure car park and the food was excellent.
Monday 9th June and we set off for Lugano in Switzerland around 250 miles. Our base for six nights was the Motel Vezia (Motor bike Hotel) a fabulous fifties style hotel located 2.5km from the centre of Lugano. From here various rides were taken by all including to the Moto Guzzi Museum and the Del Lario circuit, Lake Como, various passes and a chocolate museum to name but a few.
On Sunday 15th June we rode in thunderous storms to the Black Forest in Germany around 240 miles. The Gasthaus-hotel Kirnbacher Hof which was family run was set just outside Wolfach. Ideally set for visits to the Tour Tech Factory, Strasbourg, Mummelsee a dark Glacial lake, Triberg waterfall and Rhein falls (totally stunning) and well worth a visit. The hotel offered fantastic food, meats all purchased from local sources including the Black Forest wild Boar, a garage for the bikes and facilities to wash them down. It also has a laundry.
Thursday 19th June and it was off to Esch-sur-Sure in Luxembourg, around 220 miles, to a Moto route hotel. The hotel, though difficult to find as it was at the top of the village via many narrow winding streets, was friendly and well equipped for touring motorcyclists. It was at this Hotel that my BMW failed to start 1st time due, I believe, to the problem with the ring antenna. After walking away from the bike with key it fired up no problem. I reported this upon my return to the UK and, thankfully, my local dealer replaced the faulty part.
Our last night was in the town of Leper in Belgium At an hotel situated on the former WW1 front line, In the grounds are a trench, mine hole and a concrete bunker.
Across the road is one of the many cemetery’s and only a short walk away was the Hooge Crater Museum. We paid a visit to the Menin gate and stayed for the last post, played by the Ypres fire brigade without exception every night of the year. This can only be described as moving and extremely emotional.
The whole trip was on terrific roads, surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery. We stayed in great hotels, in fantastic locations and the weather was mostly kind to us. The bike was comfortable, enjoyable and easy to ride, my only regret is that I did not buy a BMW sooner. I am now looking forward to my next trip to Europe some time later this year.
