Scotland to Barcelona, Monaco, Lake Como, Alps, Germany and Stopping off at Bike Shed London - 6,140 km or 3,815 Miles
I'm preparing for a 20 day journey riding my motorbike from Scotland to Barcelona all the way to the Alps. This will be an unforgettable adventure, filled with spectacular scenery and ever changing landscapes. Coastal roads near Barcelona offer stunning Mediterranean views, but heavy traffic and distracted drivers demand constant attention.
The unbelievable Monaco, with its narrow streets, sharp bends, and dense tourist activity can make riding challenging despite the glamorous surroundings. Then along the roads running parallel to Lake Como with breath taking lakeside panoramas, though tight corners and limited visibility require caution and focus. The almighty mountain routes leading into the Alps deliver some of Europe’s most breath taking and dramatic views, with towering peaks and deep valleys at every turn.
You continually need to watch out for the sudden weather changes, including rain, fog, and strong winds which can quickly transform a pleasant ride into a demanding one. High alpine passes feature steep gradients, hairpin bends, and occasional rockfall or loose gravel, testing both rider skill and concentration.
For me it is my mental preparation, which is as important as any physical challenge, but for me it’s staying positive, managing fatigue, and setting a steady pace, this will help me stay focused. The isolation will be tough but taking in the natural beauty will keep me grounded.
Having the correct mindset and preparation is the most important this will prepare me for the adventure ahead
The bike (Helen)
2022 BMW GS Adventure TE 1250cc Tripple Black
Tyres are (Anakee Adventure ) Michelin
Two Additional Tyres front and rear
Two additional Fuel Tank units
BMW Tool Box Equipment
Puncture Repair Kits
Falkirk → Cairnryan → Belfast → Dublin (IE)
Dublin → Cherbourg (FR) → Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel → Angers
Angers → Périgueux
Périgueux → Luchon
Luchon → Luz-Saint-Sauveur
Luz-Saint-Sauveur → Sort (SP)
Sort → Barcelona
Barcelona → Adge (FR)
Adge → Marseille
Marseille → Monaco
Monaco → Lake Como (IT)
Lake Como → Montvalezan (FR)
Montvalezan → Guttannen (CH)
Guttannen → Wassen
Wassen → Tübingen (DE)
Tübingen → Calais (FR)
Calais → London
London → Falkirk!
The route covers a wide variety of landscapes across Europe:
Barcelona offers a mostly flat, coastal setting with gentle hills and a warm Mediterranean feels easy and relaxed to navigate.
Monaco is the complete opposite: steep, compact, and highly vertical, with sharp elevation changes and very little flat ground.
Lake Como features a scenic mix of water and steep surrounding mountains, creating lush, beautiful views with moderately challenging terrain.
The Alps present the most extreme environment, high-altitude, rugged mountains with steep climbs, valleys, and perhaps snow, making it the most demanding section.
Germany varies significantly: flat and open in the north, increasingly hilly and forested centrally, and alpine-like in the south.
The journey transitions from smooth coastal riding → steep urban climbs → scenic lake roads → intense alpine terrain → mixed landscapes.
Road challenges: Tight bends, steep gradients, loose gravel, and occasional rockfalls
Environmental hazards: Sudden weather changes, thunderstorms, and reduced traction (wet roads, tunnel exits)
Unexpected obstacles: Wildlife or livestock on roads
Physical strain: Fatigue, heat exposure in southern regions, and dehydration
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