I am organising a ride to Budapest in June 2023. There are a few "restrictions" in how I can do it in that it will probably be a group of 15-20 bikes (Harleys) of mixed ability, with quite a few pillions, so not balls to the wall 400+ mile days to get down there. It needs to be more of a fairly leisurely holiday type vibe.
I'd say an average of about 250 miles a day would be about the max to work on. I'll have 14 days to do it, but do want to take 5 days in Budapest for chilling out, seeing friends and attending a rally. So maybe 5 days down, 5 days in the Budapest area and 4 days back.
Anyone with experience or Austria/Hungary got any good ideas for the route - or good things to see on the way. Here's what I am thinking so far for the route down:
Day 1: Channel Tunnel to Bernkastel-Kues
286 miles
I want to stay here for the first night as I know the town, have a good, proven route down there, know the area pretty well and have an excellent hotel there.
Day 2: Bernkastel-Kues to Ulm
232 miles
Ulm chosen purely due to mileage at this point
Day 3: Ulm to Zell am See (via Gerloss Pass)
244 miles
Overnight in Zell am See right on the lake, the do the Grossglockner the next morning
Day 4: Zell am See to Graz (via Grossglockner Pass)
217 miles
Overnight near to Graz, then on to Budapest
Day 5: Graz to Budapest
214 miles
For this day, maybe drop down south a bit and ride along Lake Balaton, which will add about 60 miles. Alternative is to do Balaton as a day's excursion for one of the 5 days in Budapest...
Total - about 1200 miles from the tunnel
Longest Day - 286 miles, Day 1
Shortest Day - 214 miles, Day 5
On the way back, I am thinking a more northerly route with a beer theme. Budapest via Vienna into Czech Republic, stopping in Budweis for a night, then Pilsen, then back up to the Chunnel via Wurzberg, Frankfurt, Cologne.
I did want to drop down into Liechtenstein and stay in Treisenburg where there is a fantastic hotel high up above the Rhine with the most incredible views, but I think this will just make it a bit too long for the group.
Anyway, any ideas welcome. Great roads along the way, places to see, stay or visit....I have a long time to think about it and want to make it really good.
I'd say an average of about 250 miles a day would be about the max to work on. I'll have 14 days to do it, but do want to take 5 days in Budapest for chilling out, seeing friends and attending a rally. So maybe 5 days down, 5 days in the Budapest area and 4 days back.
Anyone with experience or Austria/Hungary got any good ideas for the route - or good things to see on the way. Here's what I am thinking so far for the route down:
Day 1: Channel Tunnel to Bernkastel-Kues
286 miles
I want to stay here for the first night as I know the town, have a good, proven route down there, know the area pretty well and have an excellent hotel there.
Day 2: Bernkastel-Kues to Ulm
232 miles
Ulm chosen purely due to mileage at this point
Day 3: Ulm to Zell am See (via Gerloss Pass)
244 miles
Overnight in Zell am See right on the lake, the do the Grossglockner the next morning
Day 4: Zell am See to Graz (via Grossglockner Pass)
217 miles
Overnight near to Graz, then on to Budapest
Day 5: Graz to Budapest
214 miles
For this day, maybe drop down south a bit and ride along Lake Balaton, which will add about 60 miles. Alternative is to do Balaton as a day's excursion for one of the 5 days in Budapest...
Total - about 1200 miles from the tunnel
Longest Day - 286 miles, Day 1
Shortest Day - 214 miles, Day 5
On the way back, I am thinking a more northerly route with a beer theme. Budapest via Vienna into Czech Republic, stopping in Budweis for a night, then Pilsen, then back up to the Chunnel via Wurzberg, Frankfurt, Cologne.
I did want to drop down into Liechtenstein and stay in Treisenburg where there is a fantastic hotel high up above the Rhine with the most incredible views, but I think this will just make it a bit too long for the group.
Anyway, any ideas welcome. Great roads along the way, places to see, stay or visit....I have a long time to think about it and want to make it really good.