UK to Greece (Athens) and o to islands

[ukjules]

I tell you I look at the posts of rides
in the US and it pains me. I so want to
ride from east to west but cost has always stopped me.
To do that on a GS must be positively wonderful.

Anyway this thread is the next expedition.
Having ridden round Crete 2020 on a hired Yamaha
550 trial type road going thing and finding the
expense detracting from the ride I need to
ride there on the GS. Crete is simply amazing
by the way. This one would be Crete, Rhodes
and on up back to Athens.

A few years ago i went round Europe on
my GS , 5000 miles in total as far east
as Prague and then back round spain. This
in a tent on back of bike. An awesome time.
The best. Made easier when I broke down
this site assisted in the fix in Holland.

Has anyone gone from uk to athens to get the ferry ?
2100 miles one way.I usually do no more than
200-270 mile hops per day checking out sites
as I go. How has the mental torture of
a return of 2100 miles gone ?

 

[Burque73]

Now that would be the ride of a lifetime for me.

I've never traveled abroad and couldn't imagine how to plan a ride like that. Do you have trouble passing from one country to another? Maybe it's just like toll roads here in the states with a booth on the roadside kind of checkpoint. Don't even dismount, just pay the toll or show your identification?

Here in the states, it's easy to just ride. Grab a map, or just wander for days. Well, pre Covid anyways...

I plotted a course on the map. Is this the route you'd take?

 

[ukjules]

I so must get to states ...
If I was rich I'd bring my bike over and just head
west.

Yes your route is a way. However I find
the route opens up as you get going.
I always get stuck in Normandy, Somme
and must visit Amsterdam again. Down to Colditz castle
Prague and down to Croatia to check Snorkeling
beaches then somehow down to Greece but hell there
is Corfu to see too.
So the route will just happen. Being jobless and
almost homeless helps !

I find on my GS it is not the same as hammering
through the countryside on a BMW 1200 ...
It is harder for sure but with my new headlight
fairing it might save my neck in the wind.

If america was cheaper I'd be there in a shot,
by a GS in Boston or somewhere and get going.

When I do this trip I'll blog on here as before.
Hope it comes off

 

[RichDesmond]

Now that would be the ride of a lifetime for me.

I've never traveled abroad and couldn't imagine how to plan a ride like that. Do you have trouble passing from one country to another? Maybe it's just like toll roads here in the states with a booth on the roadside kind of checkpoint. Don't even dismount, just pay the toll or show your identification?

Here in the states, it's easy to just ride. Grab a map, or just wander for days. Well, pre Covid anyways...

I plotted a course on the map. Is this the route you'd take?

Many of those countries are in the Schengen Area (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area) and there are no border checks at all. You just drive on through, only a sign to mark the border. (and maybe a change in speed limits.)
For the Balkan countries you'd have to check to see if a visa is needed for US citizens but I highly doubt it.
Basically, moving about in Europe is very easy and hassle-free.

 

[Grimly]

Basically, moving about in Europe is very easy and hassle-free.

Not after Brexit, it won't be.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Athens, along with Rome, is a place where I absolutely loathe driving.

 

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Honeymoon, 1997, we rented a dual sport motorcycle for a day to ride around Mykonos from one clothing-optional beach to another (we prudish Americans opted to leave ours on). No helmets. The guy in the shop gave me kind of a funny look when I asked about them. He waved a hand at a couple of very vintage helmets way up high on a shelf and covered in an inch of dust. So in sandals, swimsuits and bare heads, we rode all the way around that island and visited some of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. 3 days there, 3 days on Santorini, 4 days in Athens (3 too many). As an Architecture buff, the Acropolis was sort of a pilgrimage, and walking, shopping, visiting cafes in Plaka was great. But Athens is stinking hot beginning of August and our hotel AC was not sufficient. I would be scared and never want to drive any vehicle in Athens, and I’m a seasoned Boston driver. We’d really love to go back someday and see some more of the islands.

 

[RichDesmond]

Not after Brexit, it won't be.

Yeah, but Britain has decided that it’s not part of Europe. So my statement stands.

 

[RichDesmond]

Athens, along with Rome, is a place where I absolutely loathe driving.

.I would be scared and never want to drive any vehicle in Athens, and I’m a seasoned Boston driver...

Athens is insane, for sure. Pretty much the outer limit of what I’m willing to drive in.

 

[ukjules]

I tend to camp outside cities and bus in if they need
visiting. Athens only need to get to port and then to islands.
You can get anywhere from that port.

I am a month back from Rhodes in between uk
and greek lockdown. I hired a 80cc 2 stroke
scooter and circumnavigated the island. A good
chap who gives me the bike for 10? a day
as I'm a fellow 2st rider. Nice and easy up the
winding mountain roads ......

I hate hiring a bike. Mad costs. Simply no
good for travels as held back by time and money.
Having your own GS is like having a horse I
found. Just needs food and water (and the gs forum).

The issue is can one mentally take the trip back ? I Wonder if
you can out bike on a train ?
Way back would have to be greece to southern italy
on the ferry and up to make it different.

let's see how the world is on march !

 

[Cipher]

do any ferries run from Greece to southern Italy?
you could go full magna graecia

are you thinking of travelling back home on train with bike?
air Canada had a package deal once to cater to the mare usque ad mare types who could only stand 3000 miles not 6000

 

[GS1150Pilot]

You can take a ferry to Corfu, and then from there to Bari. I've spent a good amount of time on Corfu, but never took the ferry over to Italy.

 

[GSXR7ED]

You can take a ferry to Corfu, and then from there to Bari. I've spent a good amount of time on Corfu, but never took the ferry over to Italy.

My "Best Man" said he loved Corfu...wish I woulda made it there!

Ed

****

 

[GS1150Pilot]

My "Best Man" said he loved Corfu...wish I woulda made it there!

Ed

****

One of my personal favorites among the islands around Greece. It has a special place in my heart for its significance in The Odyssey.

 

[ukjules]

On a previous "odyssey " again hiring scooters
not taking a motorbike with me , I went from
Rhodes, Greece and ended up in Pompei, Italy.
This all buy Ferry bar the Athens to Corfu
segment.

Corfu is wonderful especially the north east
area. I checked that out on my usual scout machine
a 125 scooter.

I went from Corfu to Bari, Italy overnight on the ferry and a bus
from Bari to Naples (few hours) and a train
to Pompei (an hourish).
The greek ferries are fantastic and you can
get around all te islands.

It all was amazing but I say it would be
simply magnificent with ones beloved partner
in travels ..... Ones GS !

If the pandemic has as i assume killed my career
I'll try and get to athens on the bike in april.
After that it is easy to get to any island.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Jules, what is your vocation?

 

[ukjules]

IT consultant .
Yes really!!! a self employed one and that has
been killed off in uk by the covid issue.
In my field anyway.

Used to do remote technology infrastructure.
It's hard to believe.... that at this time of
all times I cant get back to it.

was considering getting a boat and rowing in
the other direction to the migrants to france
of Mexico and climbing the wall!!!

 

[ukjules]

p.s another Herman Melville quote :

Moby dick ---- Hermann Melville
As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch
for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas,
and land on barbarous coasts.

 

[Cipher]

IT consultant .
Yes really!!! a self employed one and that has
been killed off in uk by the covid issue.
In my field anyway.

Used to do remote technology infrastructure.
It's hard to believe.... that at this time of
all times I cant get back to it.

was considering getting a boat and rowing in
the other direction to the migrants to france
of Mexico and climbing the wall!!!

Well Orr made it to Sweden by oar.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

p.s another Herman Melville quote :

Moby dick ---- Hermann Melville
As for me, I am tormented with an everlasting itch
for things remote. I love to sail forbidden seas,
and land on barbarous coasts.

Moby Dick is a favorite of mine, and that excerpt also channels the character of Homer's Odysseus well indeed.