Dear Steve, I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the impact your videos have had on me and a friend after coming across this video in 2017. When your series first came out, I watched it with a friend of mine who, like me, was an avid motorcyclist. We were both blown away by the breathtaking scenery and the sense of adventure you captured in your travels. Inspired by your videos, we decided to plan our own small motorbike tour to France. Since that time, we have gone on to explore other parts of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, and Holland. None of this would have been possible without the inspiration we received from your videos. I wanted to reach out and personally thank you for the tremendous impact you have had on us! Your videos have inspired a group of young lads to take up touring on motorbikes and to explore the world on two wheels. I can't express how grateful I am for that. Once again, thank you for everything you do, and I hope you continue to inspire and motivate people for many years to come
Wow Josh you have just put the biggest smile on my face and I am blown away by such a positive comment. Can't say how happy I am that I managed to inspire you lads to embark on such adventures. Sounds to me that you have had a right blast travelling through so many countries. Continue enjoying yourselves on your travels, ride safe and keep me up to date with any future adventures. All the very best Steve.
Yup Steve. Slight wonky camera angle. Around 2 degrees 📷. So glad the plans are getting back on track. My WUMM-NC767 is still on hold so Paula and I will be doing Wales trips. We are only 50 miles away Welshpool so are planning to do as many mountain passes as possible. The first one is Elan valley. Doing the dams 😁. Keep safe and happy days my friend. As always Wowser wishes from Paula and myself.
Thanks David Elan Valley is one of the planned routes to do while in wales plus 3 or 4 others can't wait to get going. Stay safe the pair of you keep me updated on the NC767 plans. Wowser wishes to ya both :-)
I went on Le Shuttle in 2008 (memories.lol) on my bike. Fantastic experience. Riding tho the shuttle carriages was like going thro an alleyway. So when all vehicles were secure, it was time for departure. It was so smooth moving off. I didn't realise we were moving. We were in France before u knew it. On arrival, it felt like it was a movie set. As I hadn't left the shore by boat (so it felt like I hadn't left the country). It was a weird feeling. I then rode into Calais an found a place to stay overnight. Set off for Paris the next day, ready for an even bigger adventure. Then I flew to Italy for The Italian Motorcycle show in Milan..
Steve, just wanted to say thanks for the episodes. It's been a box set me and my wife have watched this week. Excellent video and commentary, take care.
Hi Steve. Yes after many crossings over the years from various ports the tunnel is the best. Try a clothes peg to secure the bording ticket to the screen and a bungie strap around the front brake lever while on the side stand works great. Only ever done 460 miles in one day once, never again 300/350 about my limit. Yes F1's are s**t holes mainly. Mike.
Thanks Joseph its just some people get put off by the first days riding as its really just a means to an end to get to the real enjoyable roads, stick with it as it does get loads better 👍
great watch Steve, a lot better that the dover boat with all the puke down the gunnals, p.s i was planing a Pan great engine, but i coudent get it in the gate of my concil house lol
Steve ,starting episode one of the Switzerland tour,looking forward to picking up lots of tips and seeing the great journey that your going to take me on.👊👊 Will be commenting as I plough through.
Watched all your tour mate, absolutely loved it especially those passes and riding through that tunnel amazing. Never went as fat as switzerland although I did most of Europe, were supposed to be riding to the Alps then North Of Italy last August then caus eof all this crap we just did the NC500 which was an awesome ride to. Great filming also mate well done! Thank you for sharing it
Thanks Carlo pleased you enjoyed the series fella. Let's hope we are all out touring again real soon but don't think we will make Europe this year tho.pleased you did the NC500 it's a great route isn't it, don't know if you've seen my NC500 tour on here also. Ride Safe my friend.
Made it down to Switzerland in one go on the Africa twin. Could do with a bigger fuel tank but it was quite comfortable. 1150km in total and your guide to the tunnel was very very helpful as I've not used it before but would again.
Nice one fella so pleased you've made it down there well done. That's some trek you have done and pleased tunnel vid was of some help to you, ENJOY you stay 😎👍
That's one hell of a trek in a single day Mr C - a few weeks after your trip a group of us went to the Black Forest, went Scunny to Hull, overnight ferry to Zeebrugge, next day rode to Luxembourg via The Ardennes, really relaxing and scenic - had to do motorways on the way home though as time was more critical. Looking forward to the next 10 of these!
Was a long first day but totally worth it as you will see in the coming episodes you watch as the scenery was amazing, and sounds like you had a trek yourself my friend and know what you mean about motorways sometimes a means to an end.
Nice vid. The missus & me are about to take our first ever two-wheeled trip in a couple of weeks. A couple of days in Bruges as a dry run for Black forest or Alps next year, so your info on procedure at Eurotunnel was a BIG help, thanks
Pleased its helped you and enjoy your trip and can't recommend Switzerland highly enough as you'll see if you keep watching as episodes are uploaded. Ride Safe friend
Great videos Steve, thanks for sharing them. I am at home with tonsillitis so you have kept me company. It wasn’t until 2016 that I did my first trip abroad, having promised myself I would do it since 1973 So travelled to Garmisch partenkirken for the BMW Motorrad festival with a group of mates in 2016 and 2017 on my ST1100, what an amazing time as we took days out and did Stelvio, grimsel, Furka and simplon passes. I now have a 2004 ST1300 same as you, and was really looking forward to trying it on the alpine passes, but I am unable to make the trip this year (July) as I have relatives visiting from Australia, so will be making a trip another time of the year. I love your easy relaxed style, quite often when groups go away there are “issues” ( or did you edit those out 😉) Feel free to just say no, I won’t be offended, but have you got anything upcoming another easy going fat lad could tag along with?
Hi Bob and firstly thanks for the positive comments and hope you get good soon. I had both the ST1100 and ST1300 for a while as both were a pleasure to ride. Hopefully this series brought back some good memories for you as you have done some of the passes yourself. This year we have a return trip booked to Scotland in June but that's full as we said 4 defo's with 2 possible visitors was just comfortable in the size of caravan we have booked. Other idea's floating about for now but nothing else concrete at the mo and even thinking of maybe a camping weekend for anyone to come along to but we will see. Thanks for watching Bob and like I say get good soon fella👍
its given me the urge to put switzerland on my to do list after austria this year. i like the way your not up your own arse like some of the moto vloggers on here. proper down to earth bloke.
Mate we are swapping to do lists cos Austria is on mine and trust me the video's dont do Switzerland full justice its amazing, Thanks again and ride safe my friend
Great video, thanks for sharing. I was riding to France the same day with my bro, his missus and our mate. Coincidence. 500 miles is hardcore. There are a couple of videos on my own channel (Laon, Langer's and Black Forest ride) from the same week. It was roasting every day for us. The year before it pissed down. 👍
Remember doing about 650 miles from Lydd in Kent to Munich Germany on a Saturday there was two of us as we was meeting up with others who was able to leave on Friday after that I said a maximum of 400 miles is more than enough.😂
I love the way the vehicles to your left while filtering move far enough over to their left allowing you to pass safely. Shame we can't adapt that idea in the UK
Great reminiscence video in the these covid times, great bikes looking in showroom condition, lovely north country accent easy listening compared to harsh estuary whining of the south, I’m from the south. I always carry a clip to attach lane document to screen and a large yellow arrow on right hand side of screen to remind me every time setting off “ride on the right.” No longer holding essential items at check-in or immigration in mouths to clear the area quickly, take time put it away hygienically and safely. When travel is permitted God help us with the new delays especially when on a bike in the pouring rain or cold. F1 hotels are the least attractive of the French roadside transit hotels. I find it’s worth paying extra to stay in other chains or local hotels and have a room on my own, it’s an age and snoring thing, my snoring. On to the next episode!
Thank you Jean for taking the tome to put together such a long and informative comment. Have to agree about the Formula 1's being of low standard but was for only one night. Stay safe my friend
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt You may need to start saving immediately, a trip to Norway might suit you, all you need is three weeks of Swiss weather in Norway and very deep pockets. I visited the Lofoten Islands, the temperature a very comfortable 28C! If you ever visit Norway by bike don’t miss Lofoten unless it’s raining biblical proportions. Noticed that the Pan (great bike) has been replaced by an RT, hope you enjoy many happy and trouble free miles. Always surprised me that Honda did not replace the Pan and gave the market segment to BMW, I suppose Honda could afford to drop the segment. Guessing the next bike might be a GSA.
@@jeanjacques9980 we did plan to go to Norway a couple of years ago but they had stopped the ferries straight there. It's still on the bucket list tho. I love the BMW now but was gutted to let the Pan go but it just got to heavy to manually manoeuvre. Will start saving Jean for Norway my friend.
Ha Ha well spotted have just looked back at that and it does sound like the lean of the bike :-) it is of course referring to the angle of the bike in the train carriage and not the lean of it, thanks for watching
Is that an ST1300 you're riding? I'm 60 and never been on bike tour until last year, a few mates he'd a ride through Wales. Now I'm eager to try something else. Thanks for this video!
Hi Peter thanks for watching and enjoy the series and your right it is an ST 1300 which I've had for over 10 yrs now. I highly recommend Switzerland to any biker. Go for it sir, thanks again for watching
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt Hey, no problem! I'm loving the vids of the trip. Been anchored at home for a number of years and desperately want to retrace those roads again. Was actually thinking that this year maybe...Maybe next year... :-)
Hi David unfortunately it was Dean who did the routes as I was a bit of a novice at the time, so no mate sorry I don't. You do need to get a Swiss Vignette as seen in episode 2 so you can ride all the toll roads otherwise it will take you forever on back roads. have a great trip my friend you'll love it.
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt ahhh OK.. if by chance he has the routes if not I will do my own. Yeah..the vignette..did you get it online or before you entered Switzerland?
@@davidguest6004 don't really ride with him now David and we bought our vignette from a service station just before the toll roads started in Switzerland but believe it may be cheaper online before you go. when we were there they last a full year. ride safe fella.
Thanks for the sub Baza this tour was superb keep watching as each episode gets better especially riding the passes. Enjoy fella and thanks again 👍 ride safe mate
I think when we did this it was about £60 return on the tunnel my friend. But at the minute they are advertising it as little as £15 pound each way so have a look at their website.
Hi Steve. What's the tank bag you are using in the Switzerland vids?? After a small one for my Triumph Trophy but needs to be thin at the front, just like yours. Doing NC767/NC500 in May so was looking on UA-cam for vids and found yours. Love your NC767/NC500 and Switzerland vids. Really keen to do Switzerland next year. Now watching Ireland as did Wild Atlantic Way a few years ago as from Belfast, but live on Anglesey, N Wales now.
Hi Chris don't know what make it is but don't use it anymore as changed bikes from Pan European to BMW R1200RT and it's a magnetic bag great for metal tank on pan but no good for bmw non metal tank. If any good for you am willing to sell you it for £20. Approx dimensions are 6 inches wide at front to 8" wide at back 14" long and 4" deep with 2 ext
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt My bike is blue but can't find a tank bag that is small at front as Triumph Trophy SE has handlebars shaped like an inverted V and their bag is hideous. How much for bag including postage?
Hi steve. Love these Switzerland vids. Myself and a few mates are going here next june. The campsite looks great too. Would you be kind enough to send me there details please. Keep up the great work
Hi Jason pleased you enjoyed the vids if you read the description below episode 8 I have put the co-ordinates for the campsite in Interlaken for a sat nav to get you there. Or the link to the website for it is here www.jungfrau-camp.ch/ I would highly recommend it as was a great site clean and tidy with great ammenities, ENJOY and let me know if you need anymore help
We're off to Interlaken in a couple of weeks, following a very similar route that you did on these vids. It looks amazing and we can't wait. However I've been looking up about the motorway vignettes in Switzerland and wondered what you did with them. Did you buy one and if so where did you put it on your bikes? Ta.
All about them in episode 2 Graeme showing us buying and applying vignettes or check this link out my friend www.intltravelnews.com/2015/10/vignettes-country
good vids Steve,just watching again your trip, just a question for you, on the euro train, if you were two up, can you ask if pillion can go to the train carriage on foot, it looks a bit dodgy going in and out of the train, being a short arse like your mate.lol.
Thanks Paul pleased you enjoyed them mate. I can't see a problem asking if pillion can walk on but honestly it's really easy to get on and off train with plenty of grip and have seen loads 2 up do it with no dramas. Ride Safe fella
Sat here at 3 am starting to watch your series, can l ask how long it took to get to Folkestone please ? l am based in Manchester so similar distance l think.
It certainly was Messingham Josh well spotted. If your just starting this series stick with it as this was a great tour with some amazing roads and scenery. Thanks for watching fella.
Spot on fella as it flips right over to the back out the way, I mention it slightly on my Ladybower Reservoir video if you take a look. thanks for watching mate
Hi Mick sorry but Dean was leader on this tour so he did all navigating. I do have the route for the day which we did the 3 passes on (best days touring ever) if you want that GPX File to look at. Let me know and let me have an email address. Cheers Steve
Shame you missed some great places to ride on the way to Switzerland just needs some planning and you will find some fantastic routes through France and never stay in F1 hotels worse than Ibis budget
We were on a bit of a tight schedule time wise John and wanted to get to Switzerland as soon as we could to enjoy as much time there as we could. Have to agree about F1 hotels though wouldn't use again 🤣 ride safe my friend.
Hi Steve just watched your trip to Switzerland. I live north of you In Middlesbrough and planning will a simlar tip for 14 days next June. Would you say tunnel is a better option than sat on ferry to Santander? Cheers
Hi Gary thanks for watching, in answer to your question I would go the Tunnel route every time now 35 mins and boom your in France, if you dont need a longer break than that its perfect and actually we did 505 miles on this particular day and was no problem obviously we had a few other breaks but the tunnel is just so easy and so much quicker I can't see me doing the ferry ever again, hope this helped and Ride Safe my friend
Gary you are gonna love it mate and in answer both campsites you just turn up and they book you in. As far as price goes think Metz is about tenner a night and can't remember Interlaken but sure I say price in the video. Hope this helps and enjoy my friend
Hi Bob (again) I had the zumo 500 but now as you rightly spotted have upgraded to the zumo 345 LM here are a few reasons why. 1 it has lifetime map updates so always bang up to date with roads. 2 It has a great feature called adventurous routing, if you have watched my Scotland tour you will have seen this in action but basically you can set it to be as hilly, bendy and decide which type of road you prefer. 3 Another feature it has is called Round trip which is where you either put in a distance you wish to travel or length of time you need to ride and press calculate and BOOM a mystery tour is made for you. 4 Better display and big motorway signs pop up showing lanes and which one to be in and road names are spoken (but think 550 does named streets if I recall). In summary I am really happy and pleased I upgraded because I love messing around with the features and it does a great job of all the above. If you just need to get from A to B stick with your 550 my friend. Hope this helped RIDE SAFE Bob
Hi Keith you have actually jumped back in time as I did this Switzerland tour last year first came home from it for a few days then headed up to Scotland will the bigger team as my second tour of the year. But trust me this series gets better the further you watch, ENJOY my friend.
Yeah agreed and if we had had more time we would have done it different but we needed to cover just over 800 miles in 2 days so a means to an end to get to the good stuff. cheers for watching.
Dear Steve,
I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the impact your videos have had on me and a friend after coming across this video in 2017.
When your series first came out, I watched it with a friend of mine who, like me, was an avid motorcyclist. We were both blown away by the breathtaking scenery and the sense of adventure you captured in your travels. Inspired by your videos, we decided to plan our own small motorbike tour to France.
Since that time, we have gone on to explore other parts of Europe, including Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, and Holland. None of this would have been possible without the inspiration we received from your videos.
I wanted to reach out and personally thank you for the tremendous impact you have had on us! Your videos have inspired a group of young lads to take up touring on motorbikes and to explore the world on two wheels. I can't express how grateful I am for that.
Once again, thank you for everything you do, and I hope you continue to inspire and motivate people for many years to come
Wow Josh you have just put the biggest smile on my face and I am blown away by such a positive comment. Can't say how happy I am that I managed to inspire you lads to embark on such adventures. Sounds to me that you have had a right blast travelling through so many countries.
Continue enjoying yourselves on your travels, ride safe and keep me up to date with any future adventures. All the very best Steve.
Yup Steve. Slight wonky camera angle. Around 2 degrees 📷. So glad the plans are getting back on track. My WUMM-NC767 is still on hold so Paula and I will be doing Wales trips. We are only 50 miles away Welshpool so are planning to do as many mountain passes as possible. The first one is Elan valley. Doing the dams 😁. Keep safe and happy days my friend. As always Wowser wishes from Paula and myself.
Thanks David Elan Valley is one of the planned routes to do while in wales plus 3 or 4 others can't wait to get going. Stay safe the pair of you keep me updated on the NC767 plans. Wowser wishes to ya both :-)
I went on Le Shuttle in 2008 (memories.lol) on my bike. Fantastic experience. Riding tho the shuttle carriages was like going thro an alleyway. So when all vehicles were secure, it was time for departure. It was so smooth moving off.
I didn't realise we were moving.
We were in France before u knew it.
On arrival, it felt like it was a movie set. As I hadn't left the shore by boat (so it felt like I hadn't left the country).
It was a weird feeling. I then rode into Calais an found a place to stay overnight. Set off for Paris the next day, ready for an even bigger adventure. Then I flew to Italy for The Italian Motorcycle show in Milan..
Thanks for sharing that Paul. Ride Safe mate.
I've just started watching your Swiss tour extravaganza. One down, 10 to go. Thanks Steve
My favourite tour for scenery by far Peter ENJOY fella.
Steve, just wanted to say thanks for the episodes. It's been a box set me and my wife have watched this week. Excellent video and commentary, take care.
Dave? Who's Dave ha ha pleased you enjoyed them my friend and appreciate the comment thanks STEVE ;-)
Hi Steve. Yes after many crossings over the years from various ports the tunnel is the best. Try a clothes peg to secure the bording ticket to the screen and a bungie strap around the front brake lever while on the side stand works great. Only ever done 460 miles in one day once, never again 300/350 about my limit. Yes F1's are s**t holes mainly. Mike.
Thanks for the tips Mike clothes peg in glove compartment now, so simple eh
No its not boring at all, this is the only way for me to see the world. Thanks guys.
Thanks Joseph its just some people get put off by the first days riding as its really just a means to an end to get to the real enjoyable roads, stick with it as it does get loads better 👍
Love this, I’m planning a solo trip in 2025 to the alps from Devon. It will be my first road-trip abroad
Your in for a right treat my friend, hopefully you'll watch the whole of this series and it will give you a real feel for it. Thanks for watching
Watching this series for the third time, love it Steve, cracking vids!
Pleased you enjoy them fella 👍 thanks for watching appreciate it 😀 plus viewing figures going up and up lol Ride Safe my friend
great watch Steve, a lot better that the dover boat with all the puke down the gunnals, p.s i was planing a Pan great engine, but i coudent get it in the gate of my concil house lol
Tunnel beats boat hands down fella.
Steve ,starting episode one of the Switzerland tour,looking forward to picking up lots of tips and seeing the great journey that your going to take me on.👊👊 Will be commenting as I plough through.
Enjoy Russ hopefully it will be helpful fella
Watched all your tour mate, absolutely loved it especially those passes and riding through that tunnel amazing. Never went as fat as switzerland although I did most of Europe, were supposed to be riding to the Alps then North Of Italy last August then caus eof all this crap we just did the NC500 which was an awesome ride to. Great filming also mate well done! Thank you for sharing it
Thanks Carlo pleased you enjoyed the series fella. Let's hope we are all out touring again real soon but don't think we will make Europe this year tho.pleased you did the NC500 it's a great route isn't it, don't know if you've seen my NC500 tour on here also. Ride Safe my friend.
Just started watching your videos Steve, love the way u just say it as it is, take care mate
Thanks Charlie really appreciate the comment my friend and there's a fair few vids on here now fella. Thanks for watching.
Made it down to Switzerland in one go on the Africa twin. Could do with a bigger fuel tank but it was quite comfortable. 1150km in total and your guide to the tunnel was very very helpful as I've not used it before but would again.
Nice one fella so pleased you've made it down there well done. That's some trek you have done and pleased tunnel vid was of some help to you, ENJOY you stay 😎👍
That's one hell of a trek in a single day Mr C - a few weeks after your trip a group of us went to the Black Forest, went Scunny to Hull, overnight ferry to Zeebrugge, next day rode to Luxembourg via The Ardennes, really relaxing and scenic - had to do motorways on the way home though as time was more critical. Looking forward to the next 10 of these!
Was a long first day but totally worth it as you will see in the coming episodes you watch as the scenery was amazing, and sounds like you had a trek yourself my friend and know what you mean about motorways sometimes a means to an end.
Nice vid. The missus & me are about to take our first ever two-wheeled trip in a couple of weeks. A couple of days in Bruges as a dry run for Black forest or Alps next year, so your info on procedure at Eurotunnel was a BIG help, thanks
Pleased its helped you and enjoy your trip and can't recommend Switzerland highly enough as you'll see if you keep watching as episodes are uploaded. Ride Safe friend
Cannot wait to ride again with my Honda ST1300 ABS 2004 in summer 2020...
I'm the same my friend cannot wait for some decent weather.
Great videos Steve, thanks for sharing them. I am at home with tonsillitis so you have kept me company.
It wasn’t until 2016 that I did my first trip abroad, having promised myself I would do it since 1973
So travelled to Garmisch partenkirken for the BMW Motorrad festival with a group of mates in 2016 and 2017 on my ST1100, what an amazing time as we took days out and did Stelvio, grimsel, Furka and simplon passes.
I now have a 2004 ST1300 same as you, and was really looking forward to trying it on the alpine passes, but I am unable to make the trip this year (July) as I have relatives visiting from Australia, so will be making a trip another time of the year. I love your easy relaxed style, quite often when groups go away there are “issues” ( or did you edit those out 😉)
Feel free to just say no, I won’t be offended, but have you got anything upcoming another easy going fat lad could tag along with?
Hi Bob and firstly thanks for the positive comments and hope you get good soon. I had both the ST1100 and ST1300 for a while as both were a pleasure to ride. Hopefully this series brought back some good memories for you as you have done some of the passes yourself.
This year we have a return trip booked to Scotland in June but that's full as we said 4 defo's with 2 possible visitors was just comfortable in the size of caravan we have booked.
Other idea's floating about for now but nothing else concrete at the mo and even thinking of maybe a camping weekend for anyone to come along to but we will see.
Thanks for watching Bob and like I say get good soon fella👍
must say what a great tour ive just been on with you guys. the scenery is 2nd to none,
Hi Pete thanks for watching and pleased you enjoyed it fella 👍
its given me the urge to put switzerland on my to do list after austria this year. i like the way your not up your own arse like some of the moto vloggers on here. proper down to earth bloke.
Mate we are swapping to do lists cos Austria is on mine and trust me the video's dont do Switzerland full justice its amazing, Thanks again and ride safe my friend
good enjoyable videos, cheers chum
Pleased you enjoyed them my friend.
500 miles youl have a soar arse mate youl be glad when it’s beer o clock ,watching from Australia
Thanks for the comment Jimmy 👍 appreciate it and enjoy rest of the series my friend.
Enjoyed the Vid Steve but where did you find the small mirrors attached to each of your bike mirrors. Thanks
Pleased you enjoyed Mike the mirrors were given to me by Pip and sorry don't know where he got them from. ride safe my friend.
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt no worries Steve and thanks for getting back. Happy New Year👍
@@miketalbot3248 Happy New Year to you and yours too Mike, all the best.
Great video, thanks for sharing. I was riding to France the same day with my bro, his missus and our mate. Coincidence. 500 miles is hardcore. There are a couple of videos on my own channel (Laon, Langer's and Black Forest ride) from the same week. It was roasting every day for us. The year before it pissed down. 👍
Thanks for watching and look forward to having a look at your footage later cheers
Remember doing about 650 miles from Lydd in Kent to Munich Germany on a Saturday there was two of us as we was meeting up with others who was able to leave on Friday after that I said a maximum of 400 miles is more than enough.😂
Wow 650 fella thats a monster ride in a day but they are a means to an end and rewarding after you get there eh?
I love the way the vehicles to your left while filtering move far enough over to their left allowing you to pass safely. Shame we can't adapt that idea in the UK
Totally agree my friend thats how it should be all the time. thanks for watching 👍
Great reminiscence video in the these covid times, great bikes looking in showroom condition, lovely north country accent easy listening compared to harsh estuary whining of the south, I’m from the south. I always carry a clip to attach lane document to screen and a large yellow arrow on right hand side of screen to remind me every time setting off “ride on the right.” No longer holding essential items at check-in or immigration in mouths to clear the area quickly, take time put it away hygienically and safely. When travel is permitted God help us with the new delays especially when on a bike in the pouring rain or cold. F1 hotels are the least attractive of the French roadside transit hotels. I find it’s worth paying extra to stay in other chains or local hotels and have a room on my own, it’s an age and snoring thing, my snoring. On to the next episode!
Thank you Jean for taking the tome to put together such a long and informative comment. Have to agree about the Formula 1's being of low standard but was for only one night. Stay safe my friend
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt You may need to start saving immediately, a trip to Norway might suit you, all you need is three weeks of Swiss weather in Norway and very deep pockets. I visited the Lofoten Islands, the temperature a very comfortable 28C! If you ever visit Norway by bike don’t miss Lofoten unless it’s raining biblical proportions. Noticed that the Pan (great bike) has been replaced by an RT, hope you enjoy many happy and trouble free miles. Always surprised me that Honda did not replace the Pan and gave the market segment to BMW, I suppose Honda could afford to drop the segment. Guessing the next bike might be a GSA.
@@jeanjacques9980 we did plan to go to Norway a couple of years ago but they had stopped the ferries straight there. It's still on the bucket list tho. I love the BMW now but was gutted to let the Pan go but it just got to heavy to manually manoeuvre. Will start saving Jean for Norway my friend.
Nice video! Had to laugh at the 45 degree angle comment! That's a bit extreme for a bike on it's stand! :)
Ha Ha well spotted have just looked back at that and it does sound like the lean of the bike :-) it is of course referring to the angle of the bike in the train carriage and not the lean of it, thanks for watching
Brill series 👍🏻 Off to do these roads this July (2018), doesn't look like we'll be disappointed 🤗
You defo wont be disappointed these videos dont really do it justice ENJOY my friend
Steve Clark Cheers! Just subbed, so get riding pal, look forward to seeing more vids 👍🏻
Is that an ST1300 you're riding? I'm 60 and never been on bike tour until last year, a few mates he'd a ride through Wales. Now I'm eager to try something else. Thanks for this video!
Hi Peter thanks for watching and enjoy the series and your right it is an ST 1300 which I've had for over 10 yrs now. I highly recommend Switzerland to any biker. Go for it sir, thanks again for watching
Nice. UK drivers take note of cars on motorway. Actually making room for bikes to pass.
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment appreciate it my friend.
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt Hey, no problem! I'm loving the vids of the trip. Been anchored at home for a number of years and desperately want to retrace those roads again. Was actually thinking that this year maybe...Maybe next year... :-)
@@gretchensghost go for it 👍🏍ride safe
Steve, do you have the route you took from Calais to Interlaken? Planning going in July..cheers...Great videos..
Hi David unfortunately it was Dean who did the routes as I was a bit of a novice at the time, so no mate sorry I don't. You do need to get a Swiss Vignette as seen in episode 2 so you can ride all the toll roads otherwise it will take you forever on back roads. have a great trip my friend you'll love it.
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt ahhh OK.. if by chance he has the routes if not I will do my own. Yeah..the vignette..did you get it online or before you entered Switzerland?
@@davidguest6004 don't really ride with him now David and we bought our vignette from a service station just before the toll roads started in Switzerland but believe it may be cheaper online before you go. when we were there they last a full year. ride safe fella.
Hi mate just subbed, it looks like its going to be a gudun ;-)
Ride Safe Baza ;-)
Thanks for the sub Baza this tour was superb keep watching as each episode gets better especially riding the passes. Enjoy fella and thanks again 👍 ride safe mate
Great video may I ask how much did it cost to cross the English channel am thinking about doing it this year
I think when we did this it was about £60 return on the tunnel my friend. But at the minute they are advertising it as little as £15 pound each way so have a look at their website.
Hi Steve. What's the tank bag you are using in the Switzerland vids?? After a small one for my Triumph Trophy but needs to be thin at the front, just like yours. Doing NC767/NC500 in May so was looking on UA-cam for vids and found yours. Love your NC767/NC500 and Switzerland vids. Really keen to do Switzerland next year. Now watching Ireland as did Wild Atlantic Way a few years ago as from Belfast, but live on Anglesey, N Wales now.
Hi Chris don't know what make it is but don't use it anymore as changed bikes from Pan European to BMW R1200RT and it's a magnetic bag great for metal tank on pan but no good for bmw non metal tank. If any good for you am willing to sell you it for £20. Approx dimensions are 6 inches wide at front to 8" wide at back 14" long and 4" deep with 2 ext
Extra pockets also but if ya tank is not metal it'll be no good , let me know and thanks for watching my friend.
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt Just found your vid on revealing new bike. My brother has the earlier version. Great vids.
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt My bike is blue but can't find a tank bag that is small at front as Triumph Trophy SE has handlebars shaped like an inverted V and their bag is hideous. How much for bag including postage?
@@chriscampbell7883 20 quid and will find out postage tomorrow and let ya know mate, your tank is metal yeah?
the comment at 09.36 kills me every time , "looks like a shit hole" , lmao brilliant Steve.....
Ha ha just watched it again lol Bazza and to be truthful it was a shithole 😂🤣
nice one
cheers Robert
Hi steve.
Love these Switzerland vids. Myself and a few mates are going here next june. The campsite looks great too. Would you be kind enough to send me there details please. Keep up the great work
Hi Jason pleased you enjoyed the vids if you read the description below episode 8 I have put the co-ordinates for the campsite in Interlaken for a sat nav to get you there. Or the link to the website for it is here www.jungfrau-camp.ch/ I would highly recommend it as was a great site clean and tidy with great ammenities, ENJOY and let me know if you need anymore help
Ps what part of the Midlands are you from Steve,I m in Mansfield.
Hope you enjoy the series my friend and I'm from Scunthorpe. Thanks for watching
We're off to Interlaken in a couple of weeks, following a very similar route that you did on these vids. It looks amazing and we can't wait. However I've been looking up about the motorway vignettes in Switzerland and wondered what you did with them. Did you buy one and if so where did you put it on your bikes? Ta.
All about them in episode 2 Graeme showing us buying and applying vignettes or check this link out my friend www.intltravelnews.com/2015/10/vignettes-country
Excellent, I've found the part in episode 2. Thanks!
good vids Steve,just watching again your trip, just a question for you, on the euro train, if you were two up, can you ask if pillion can go to the train carriage on foot, it looks a bit dodgy going in and out of the train, being a short arse like your mate.lol.
Thanks Paul pleased you enjoyed them mate. I can't see a problem asking if pillion can walk on but honestly it's really easy to get on and off train with plenty of grip and have seen loads 2 up do it with no dramas. Ride Safe fella
Sat here at 3 am starting to watch your series, can l ask how long it took to get to Folkestone please ?
l am based in Manchester so similar distance l think.
Blimey 3am lol we allowed 5 hours but had plenty of stops and always allow for breakdowns in case.
great video, was that messingham you drove through at the start?
It certainly was Messingham Josh well spotted. If your just starting this series stick with it as this was a great tour with some amazing roads and scenery. Thanks for watching fella.
Like the touring videos. How did you find the Shark Helmet was it good for touring
Spot on fella as it flips right over to the back out the way, I mention it slightly on my Ladybower Reservoir video if you take a look. thanks for watching mate
This might sound cheeky but do you have a copy of the garmin routes?
Hi Mick sorry but Dean was leader on this tour so he did all navigating. I do have the route for the day which we did the 3 passes on (best days touring ever) if you want that GPX File to look at. Let me know and let me have an email address.
Cheers Steve
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt Yes that would be great but I'm not sure about posting my email address on here ! I will see if I can private message you
Great vids mate. Been to Switzerland a few times have great memories.. did you not visit Lauterbrunnen ??
No we didn't visit Lauterbrunnen but just checked it out on google and it looks amazing, next time eh thanks for watching
Shame you missed some great places to ride on the way to Switzerland just needs some planning and you will find some fantastic routes through France and never stay in F1 hotels worse than Ibis budget
We were on a bit of a tight schedule time wise John and wanted to get to Switzerland as soon as we could to enjoy as much time there as we could. Have to agree about F1 hotels though wouldn't use again 🤣 ride safe my friend.
Hi Steve just watched your trip to Switzerland. I live north of you In Middlesbrough and planning will a simlar tip for 14 days next June. Would you say tunnel is a better option than sat on ferry to Santander? Cheers
Hi Gary thanks for watching, in answer to your question I would go the Tunnel route every time now 35 mins and boom your in France, if you dont need a longer break than that its perfect and actually we did 505 miles on this particular day and was no problem obviously we had a few other breaks but the tunnel is just so easy and so much quicker I can't see me doing the ferry ever again, hope this helped and Ride Safe my friend
Am planning this trip now,2 campsites Metz and Interlaken can you just turn up or need to book it,what price 1 x person bike and tent a night thanks.
Gary you are gonna love it mate and in answer both campsites you just turn up and they book you in. As far as price goes think Metz is about tenner a night and can't remember Interlaken but sure I say price in the video. Hope this helps and enjoy my friend
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt thanks for a quick response,go sunday.
also please if i dont use motorways,can i get away with not buying vignette,or you still have to buy one.thanks
If you are not on any motorways you do not need a vignette but can take a lot longer going on smaller roads but if no time limit save the fee fella.
@@Steve-Clark-1200rt yep,thanks a lot
I note on this trip you have upgraded your Zumo
I currently have the Zumo 550, was the upgrade worth it?
Hi Bob (again) I had the zumo 500 but now as you rightly spotted have upgraded to the zumo 345 LM here are a few reasons why. 1 it has lifetime map updates so always bang up to date with roads. 2 It has a great feature called adventurous routing, if you have watched my Scotland tour you will have seen this in action but basically you can set it to be as hilly, bendy and decide which type of road you prefer. 3 Another feature it has is called Round trip which is where you either put in a distance you wish to travel or length of time you need to ride and press calculate and BOOM a mystery tour is made for you. 4 Better display and big motorway signs pop up showing lanes and which one to be in and road names are spoken (but think 550 does named streets if I recall).
In summary I am really happy and pleased I upgraded because I love messing around with the features and it does a great job of all the above. If you just need to get from A to B stick with your 550 my friend.
Hope this helped RIDE SAFE Bob
Hi Steve what's happened to the other guys that did the Scotland tour with you.
Hi Keith you have actually jumped back in time as I did this Switzerland tour last year first came home from it for a few days then headed up to Scotland will the bigger team as my second tour of the year. But trust me this series gets better the further you watch, ENJOY my friend.
No hate but dean needs a smaller bike if he struggles to get his leg over
🤣 your right but it's Pip with the blue BMW 👍 thanks for watching my friend.
I always wondered what occurs using the tunnel, seems simple enough. I like France but it is full of foreigners ;)
Funny you should say that but I have found the same over there lots of foreigners but most of them talk proper england :-)
Great video thanks 👍🦘
Enjoy the series my friend
Steve, you made a mistake of going on far to many motorways and missing out on lots of great non motorway routes. Shame.
Yeah agreed and if we had had more time we would have done it different but we needed to cover just over 800 miles in 2 days so a means to an end to get to the good stuff. cheers for watching.
Brexit and COVID will make this a difficult trip to make for a while
You are so right on that one fella.