Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125719
.... WHAT ABOUT A CYCLE RIDE .... - THROUGH EUROPE? en ~ u Iii ::!; By Ralph Shaffer ~ When you're thinking about summer, do you see yourself as Easy Rider, laying back there real steady at about 90 along the Autobahn in die Mercedes lane? Or slowly doing the Via Veneto, giving just a little eye to the Italian girls who turn around? Could be, you know. ,..-------------, Information For F or motorcyc I· f rom J una to mg MOTORCYCLING TRIP OVERSEAS September is the real way to see Motorcycle Tours. Agencies below tha countries of Europe on a have operated tours abroad for several years. There's no charge when you ask budget. The wide use of any travel agent for up-to-date 1971 motorized two-wheelers - nothing information: Moteurs Travel, Box 3571, new in Europe - has been the San Diego, Ca. 92103. Hank Slegers Co. Inc., 19 Ridgedale Ave., Whippany, N.J. next step up, during the affluent 07981. 'SiXties, from the utility of family International Air Travel. A booklet bicycling with manpower alone. "Air Travel Bargains" by Jim Woodman - published annually since 1965 So, you'd be no center-ring contains information about low air fares novelty on a machine there. all over the world. It can be ordered for Not only chat but up to now motorcycle groups and individuals in countries across the Atlantic have built good community reputations. They have been quick with traffic observance rules, self-enforced safety regulations and good manners in general. As a motorcyclists, you'll not merely be tolerated everywhere, but you'll be genuinely welcomed. This is true of the friendly people you'll meet in the business of cycle touring - in service stations, campgrounds, coffee bars - as well as of the many fellow-wheelers you'll meet from other nations. About the budget, don't misunderstand. It's no free-load. No way! Cycling through Europe on a budget means you still need money. So look here: the costs depend on how much touring you plan to do, how much time you're going to allow, and how. fancy a machine you are going to talk yourself in to purchasing. First off, there are several organizations which offer pre-packaged cycle tours abroad of about three weeks duration, On these, all basic preparations are made by the tour planners for you. Usually, their prices indude your round-trip air fare, foreign hotel rooms, some meals, and the purchase of a new, foreign-made motorcycle. Typical cost of a New York departure coupled with buying a basic German bike would be about $1,600 complete. Not really "complete", either. This would-be the skeleton tour price. You'd need a few hundred dollars extra for things like tips, souvenirs, gas and oil, tolls, insurance and any emergencies. Departing from a West w Z W ..J o > o $2.65 from the Mail Order department, Simon and Schuster, 1 W. 39th St., New York 10018. Accommodations Abroact Youth Hostels. For information write American Youth Hostels, Inc., 20 W. 17th St., New York 10011. Inexpensive Hotels. A directory by Beverly Beyer is in its ninth year of publication. Send $1.00 for this list of 320 inexpensive hotels in 185 European towns and cities to Voyager, Inc., 80x 25684, Los Angeles, Ca. 90024. Camping. Write lairmail, 20t Yo oz.) to Federation Internationale de Camping, 218 Bvd St., Germain, Paris, France. Motels. Write lairmail, as above) to European Motel Federation, 21 Kasthoferstrasse, Berne Switzerland. Coast city adds about $300 in round-trip air fare. And buying a larger-than-basic motorcycle would add perhaps another $600, If your wallet is flat, don't dispair. International air carriers and other travel specialists offer 24-month financing plans. All things being equal about your credit, it would be possible for you to ride Europe in the summer and pay it off the following winter, Generally, regulated tour itineraries for cycling cover about tw.o thousand bike-riding miles in about three weeks. Some days the distance might be only 75 miles. On other days (depending on nigh t-time destinations) the' mileage might be as high as 300. This laller is exceptionally long for continental touring - unless you use the freeways. (Dual carriageway, please, in England; in Gennany the Autobahn; and to Italians, the Autostrada.) Other than these limited-access highways, most European roads while paved are not conducive to long days of travel. Often, they are narrow, with two-way farm traffic, unbanked curves, and direct access into the center of small villages, True, everybody waves to yc>u; but all this can make slow going on a flat-out mileage day. There's a wide choice of countries and areas to visit in any cycling tour you select, Most start in London or Munich because these are factory pick-up points for English and German bikes. The route from either of these starting points can include the Isle of Man (competition), Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and parts of Italy. Those who have dOl1e the organized touring say benefits include the safety of group travel, the services of .. qualified mechanic traveling with the group, confmned hotel reservations and professional tour direction, Feel up to going it alone? Or with one Of two friends independently of any group or organ ization? There's a way. For..ign motorcycle companies offer British and European dty-delivery plans similar to the motor car-pickup deals widely advertised in the U.S. All you do is make arrangements with a local U.S. cycle dealer to pick up your machine overseas. And pay him here. Details that he takes care of usually include the cycle registration, obtaining International plates, title, insurance, and export papers (in Germany you can get an export-goods tax refund after your machine officially leaves the country.) You can arrange your own air passage. At present, there are many special overseas flying arrangements which any air carrier office will look up for you. If you want to map out your own tour abroad from city to city, get copies of each specific country's green Michelin guide. English editions of these are available in Public Libraries or can be ordered in ariy bookstore at $3.50, These guides have maps, tours of the 'Countryside, sigh ts to see and incl ude some road conditions information. Some "tour clubs" offer low rates on charter flights for members. You can plan for your own accommodations from Youth hostel, hotel or mo tel Iis~s (see box) by writing ahead (U.S. Airletter 13¢). Whether you go independently or on a scheduled tour, there are these additional considerations: Machines, Experts recommend a comfortable "big" L\nit for all the miles you have to go - something in the 250cc-or-over class, and new, if possible. A used machine could give you trouble at a time and far-away place when you could best do without it. Brand-wise, BSA, Honda or the well-known German BMW should be .considered first. All have wide availability of parts and service in almost all countries. Accessories. Since the rider and the cycle are supposed to function together, some accessories are needed for each. "Musts" for the rider are safety helmet, good goggles, waterproof glove., sportsman pocket warmers, durable poncho or large raincoat and a sleeping bag. ror the cycle itself, you might add a locking gas cap, luggage carrier, saddlebags, windshield. And it's a good. idea to carry an extra chain, points, condenser and plugs. Documents, You'll need a U.S. Passport, health card with smallpox innoculation for getting back into the U.S" an International driver's license (although in most countries of Europe your own up-to-date state license is enough), and travellers' checks in US dollars. International licenses are available from the Triple-A. There's a final bonus maybe you hadn't though t of. On your return to the U.S., there's a good chance you can sell your sligh t1y used, late-model motorcycle for about what you paid for it overseas. You've had all the fun and freedom of a summer on your own wheels while seeing foreign countries in just about the most inexpensive way there is. Why not quit dreaming how you'd look sweeping down the middle of the Champs Elysees some soft summer evening? Just start counting your money,