After reading Edelweiss Bike Travel’s best Greece tour of these, you’ve probably already thought about your next vacation. Motorcycling Europe with Edelweiss is easy. The hardest part was deciding which tour to book as it was all so beautiful. (Visit EdelweissBike.com for a complete list of tours around the world.)
Traveling to Europe, especially by motorbike, is an extremely enjoyable and rewarding experience. But before you book a tour, keep the following in mind to maximize your enjoyment.
First, acknowledge your level of riding skill. Edelweiss ranks its tours by difficulty on a scale of 1 (easiest) to 5 (hardest); most are rated 3 or 4. Read the Edelweiss guide for how to rate tours, take them seriously, and then honestly evaluate your abilities. Want to upgrade your game? Sign up for Edelweiss’s One Day Alpine Preparation Course or a seven-day Alpine Riding Academy tour.
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Second, choose the right bike for the tour. The easiest thing to do is pick up the same bike that you already own. If you drive a BMW GS at home, then you should feel comfortable in one in Europe. Or you could take the opportunity for an extended test ride on something different. But before you dive in first, go to your dealer and get on the bike to get a feel for it. Consider the saddle height, weight, and power of the bike, especially if you plan to travel with passengers. On back roads in the Alps, a smaller, lighter bike is always easier to manage.
To prepare for your trip, I recommend you to buy books by Rick Steves Europe through the back door. Steves has been writing about European travel for over 40 years, and his books are filled with valuable advice. He also has a websiteone online forumone Youtube Channeland many free podcasts and audio tours. Steves covers most of the basics but doesn’t have to be commuting by motorbike. We faced some challenges that other travelers don’t.
These days, commercial air travel can be chaotic. Airports are crowded, lines are long, flights can be delayed or canceled, and take offs are full. Once you’ve booked your motorbike tour, book your flight tickets as early as possible so you have the most options at the best prices. Book flights with a delay long enough for your checked baggage to make your flights and to make room for delays.
When the luggage does not reach the destination, it is an inconvenience for most travelers. For motorcyclists, it can have serious consequences. Without equipment, you can’t ride, and last-minute helmet or jacket replacements can be time-consuming and expensive. Riding gear is heavy, so a lightweight carry bag will keep you within the 50 lb weight limit. Bring your helmet on board as your personal item to stay safe.
Know the travel rules regarding passports and Covid. Check your passport’s expiration date and make sure it’s valid for at least six months after you return home. The Vivid Guide is constantly changing, so stay up to date. Before we begin the press, the US has lifted its requirement to show a negative Covid test taken the day before the return flight. Be prepared before you go and have a backup plan.
Try to arrive at your tour departure hotel at least one day before the tour presentation. Flights can be delayed, missed connections and lost luggage, so save yourself some profit to avoid errors. Jet lag is also an issue to consider, so I recommend planning your visit a few days before the tour. It’s more fun to get used to the new time zone in Munich biergarten than on a steep hill.
For ride-hailing, plan for the worst and hope for the best. Weather can be unpredictable. It is expected that one day it will be dry hot and cold and rainy the next day. Wearing two riding suits is impractical, but wearing two pairs of gloves is not. Controlling a bike is a lot easier with warm, dry hands. Your bike will have a side case, a top case, and a storage bag, so you’ll have plenty of room to pack. (Except for Ride4Fun tours, your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel by assistance van.)
Wear moisture-wicking, quick-drying clothing made of synthetic materials underneath your ride. Bring a layer to keep warm and pack specialized rags, even if your device promises to be waterproof. (Pro tip: Use your rag to tighten two plastic grocery bags; putting them on your boots will make it much easier to pull your pants into the rain.) Also, don’t pack too many clothes. Take your laundry detergent pack with you when you travel and wash it in a hotel tub or sink. It will dry overnight. Casual dress is acceptable almost everywhere.
Use your smartphone or point-and-shoot camera to take pictures. Dealing with an expensive DSLR camera and lenses is an unnecessary hassle, unless you’re a professional shooter. And remember to bring two or three EU-compatible power outlet adapters to charge your devices.
Finally, be prepared to have a great trip. Riding in Europe was amazing. Beautiful scenery, great food, and friendly people. European drivers also have the sense and respect for motorcyclists that American drivers often lack. About 60% of Edelweiss tour participants are repeat customers. What you think would be a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, could very well become an annual event.
