Cambridge to Offenburg in one day

[matt]

Near end of May will be going abroad a AT-abroad virgin. I will be visiting my brother in Offenburg just inside the French/German border. I've worked out I can do it OK in one day from Cambridge, and I'll be staying put for two days before I return.

I'll be going Dover/Dunkerque on Norfolkline, and looking at the Google Earth suggested route(s). I don't mind motorways, though I might change my mind once I had 4 hours plus of them.

Anyone with tips suggestions; I welcome some

[SteveWilko]

Bon Voyage...... dont forget to stop when you reach the wet bit

[Lord Vader]

Well,not sure how hard your backsite is?My family is from Mainz near Frankfurt and a few years i did the trip on a RT1100 in one go and i must say i was glad to get off the bike.Has your @ still the standart seat?
I also did only motorway and only stopped for fuel,i was cruising at a average of 90 miles which i do not think you will achive with the @.It will be a very long day riding
If you come of the motorway and take the scenic route you will take even longer
Question is do you want to enjoy the trip or just get there?

[Dee Duble Yuh]

The Dover Dunkerque crossing is quite lengthy. That's good in that it gives your backside a chance to recover, but bad because you'll have a long day's travelling.

[matt]

I have a Corbin seat which has been fine for 150 miles, so I guess I will find out just how good that seat is. I might do a trial run to Wales and back sometime before the trip. I do aim to just 'get there' as there is a world series MTB event I will be watching, and I'll be staying a couple of days. I am allowing (what I think will be) lots of time, basically all the daylight hours, but I guess the best lessons are the ones experienced! I hope to have a nap on the crossing, but I know that those seats and children vomiting everywhere might not provide quality napping. If I was travelling day after day I might cut down to sub 400 miles. However, there is only one way to find out my pain threshold...and that is doing it! Thanks for all the info. I will report the pain or the pleasure....

[kiroh]

Near end of May will be going abroad a AT-abroad virgin. I will be visiting my brother in Offenburg just inside the French/German border. I've worked out I can do it OK in one day from Cambridge, and I'll be staying put for two days before I return.

I'll be going Dover/Dunkerque on Norfolkline, and looking at the Google Earth suggested route(s). I don't mind motorways, though I might change my mind once I had 4 hours plus of them.

Anyone with tips suggestions; I welcome some

Hi Matt,

I've travelled from Calais to the French/German border before and was shown this fantastic route, which closely follows N43.

Make your way to Lille, and then find N43, which is a brilliant traffic free road, which will take you trough some beautiful countryside.

Around Metz, change to N3 and make your way to the German border. Or if you're running out of time - get on the A3.

This can be easily done in a day.

[kiroh]

... forgot to mention - I'll be riding down N43 in two weeks time, on my way to the Alps. Can't wait...

[matt]

Excellent info! Thanks very much.

[matt]

Forgot to write up result. Ride: no problem. Weather coming back into UK was ...

Things of note: Need bigger screen. Need to fill up and not think 'I'll stop at the next one'. Got down to about 20Km fuel left at one point. iPod into ears might be a good idea, but not sure, need to hear engine/tyre noise. Comments on listening to music while riding welcome. I've an audio book.

Gear ratio. Definately want higher gearing. Also consider motocross bigger pegs. Could also handle large capacity fuel tank, but not at £700!

Ferry floor + salty spray = very slippery. Was using back brake because I knew this, but did side ways slide down ramp at one point! Looked cool though.

Move around on the seat alot, really helps to avoid bored bones.