Gsxr 1000 - 2k Miles - Uk - Switzerland And Back - Sore Ass

[dandoolittle]

So me and a few mates are doing this with @CBR-Pete

Its quite a trek. Most of us barely ride more than a few hours a month on the roads these days because we mostly do tracks etc.

Any tips?

I've got cameras, 20 litre tail back, sat nav (phone) on the bars blah blah

My main concern is a dead arse on a Super Sports bike lol. My old k7 1000 nearly killed my arse after 600 miles in a hit.

Hi people I am planning a long weekend road trip in June, 16-20th. Thought I would see if anyone else wants to tag along, so far we have two others coming. As a rough plan we will leave early on the Friday, Eurostar to Calais then head towards Mulhouse going through the Vosges mountain area, D431 is a must do road. Day two would head into the mountains of Switzerland to do the Grimsel Pass, Furkastasse Pass, over the Gassa Pass on to Chur. Day Three will either be a run through Switzerland back up into the Black forest area in Germany, or push east to the Stelvio Pass then head to the Black forest (not huge mileage but up and over mountains takes time). Heading home will start with the B500 then onto the autobahn and home.
Cost will be around £250 that’s three hotels and Eurotunnel return; you could bring the hotel cost down if you found someone to share room with. Then fuel, about 1500 miles give or take, then just beer and food money.
This won’t be a 150mph dash round Europe, having said that I also don’t sit in traffic, no one will get left behind though. Also if you have an issue with food there are Mc’ds near the hotels as well as the 100s we will pass each day, Gotta stop for coffee

Drop me a msg if you are up for it, you will get to ride some of Europe’s best biking roads.

 

[Lurch]

Sheepskin to put over your seat!

 

[dandoolittle]

I'm hoping cycling shorts will work?

I was gonna tank bag as well but it will look shit with the tail bag on the bike as it is!

 

[Lurch]

I've heard the cycling shorts one too.

Have to say, you're on a biking holiday, you need to take stuff, don't worry about looks!

1 pr under pants, inside put & back to front does 4 days.
Fresh socks for me are a must.
Wash in a can
Hotels usually have soap.

Done. Fits under the seat!

 

[Hippo-Drones]

if hotelling it you can wash ya grots in the sink and dry them on the towel rails. When I did Europe I camped and washed my grots and t-shirt when I had a shower and air dried them on the back of the bike as I rode. As for padding, I went on my Guzzi which although looks like it has a more forgiving seat than a gixer, it really doesn't and it got pretty uncomfortable after around 3hrs riding, I just got on with it and enjoyed the beers at the end of each day standing up!

 

[dandoolittle]

Doing four hotels

Surely, tracky bottoms x 1 - Gucci Pants x 4 - Shit trainers/plimsoles from a pound shop = done


Must fit in a 20 liter tail bag with ease?

 

[dandoolittle]

We got a Beemer GS in tow as well, We've said he can clean up the fines as we aint stopping for foreign police

 

[Hippo-Drones]

hahahaha

 

[Lurch]

Must fit in a 20 liter tail bag with ease?

Got a 35l Oxford you can borrow.

 

[dandoolittle]

I think 20l will be enough? Flat pack everything

Got c02 pump and bungs

Surely I won't need that much?

 

[Lurch]

If you're over, sling it in the GS.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

I was really annoyed with all the extra crap I carried but never needed. And I never even took waterproofs..... take as little as you can, if you need it on the way, buy it fresh!

 

[dandoolittle]

Well that's the other thing, we're going through towns etc

 

[Hippo-Drones]

sorted then.... take nothing but the clothes you are wearing!

 

[dandoolittle]

What did you take but didn't need?

For me I'm thinking the below, purely cause the tail bags gonna make my bike look shit


Sena 10c - two SD cards, can power from the bike blah
iPhone aka sat nav and small iPad to back up SDs to Dropbox at the hotels
Tracky chav clothes
Linx, toothbrushe and towel
Two anker battery packs, just in case
Cycling shorts, maybe adult nappy ha
Maybe a camel pack in a small rucksack?

According to @CBR-Pete only really got to have a high vis for France?


Kinda thinking I'd be best to get euros now as the pounds gonna get shit again

 

[Hippo-Drones]

I took the alcohol breath kits, full set of bulbs (that none fitted my bike), warning triangle, hi-viz, first aid kit, tool roll. These bits and then a couple of pairs of pants, socks and t-shirts and a towel, plus toothbrush and tiny shower-gel/lynx spray. Only bits I needed were the pants, socks, t-shirts, towel,toothbrush and shower gel. I actually fitted everything (except the tent and sleeping bag in a camelback....

 

[Hippo-Drones]

trip was around 13 days iirc. I actually wanted to leave the tent at home too but friends told me to bring it as they worry lol

 

[Lurch]

Vis thing is a rule, needs to be accessible the moment you step off the bike on to the shoulder. Breathalysers are still required, but the fine is zero.

However, don't have something you should, les Gendarmes will try and pin something on you and it's an on the spot fine for many things.

AA has a page for things you should have. This chap has some tips, although geared for longer leisure touring rather than a 4 day hoon. http://robdavistelford.co.uk/webspace/deauville/touring/

 

[dandoolittle]

Vis thing is a rule,

I'll take my racing one lol

http://robdavistelford.co.uk/webspace/deauville/touring/

Good site that one

 

[Arctic Pride]

I regularly ride in cycling shorts, dont expect them to save your ass for days on end. The sheepskin covers seem to be the oldest and most popular even to this day.