Your Guide to Doing a Motorcycle Tour of Europe

Touring Europe via Motorcycle

Traveling across Europe is an activity found on bucket lists all over the world. And it’s no surprise why: the continent is rich in history, culture and landscapes. With this many neighboring countries so close to each other, traveling throughout the continent is relatively easy.

Instead of backpacking through Europe, though, consider experiencing this amazing continent all from the back of your motorcycle. By traveling on a motorcycle, you get a 360-degree experience unlike what you would in a car or a bus. You’ll experience the twists and turns of Europe’s valleys and mountains, as well as be part of a community that also loves touring via motorcycle.

Take a look at our guide for motorcycle tours in Europe below!

Tips for Planning a Motorcycle Trip in Europe:

• Before your trip, take your motorcycle in for a complete service. Make sure everything is operating the way it should. The last thing you want is to be stranded in the middle of the Alps because your motorcycle needs a repair.
• Since Europe stretches from the Arctic Circle down to Africa, the weather across the continent varies by geographical region and time of year. Think about when and where you’ll be traveling, then pack and plan appropriately.
• Pack lightly and efficiently. Have an emergency bag packed separately from the rest of your items, and secure it in an easily accessible spot so that you can grab it immediately should anything happen.
• Booking through a tour company relieves the pressure of having to plan and arrange your trip yourself. If you don’t want to book through a company and prefer the do-it-yourself approach, check out the suggested routes below.

Motorcycling Routes through Europe by Region

Europe is a large continent, so there are many great motorcycle trails in different regions. Each one has unique sights and are all amazing routes in their own rights. See which route interests you the most.

Trans European Trail

The Trans European Trail stretches for 21,000 miles (34,000 kilometers), coursing all throughout the continent. Traveling this path could essentially be your one stop shop for seeing all of Europe. It’s cared after solely by volunteers named “Linesmen,” who each represent their respective country and the part of the road coursing through it.

The British Isles

The Cat and Fiddle Run, United Kingdom

While it’s technically named the A537 Buxton New Road, the Cat and Fiddle Run gets its nickname after a pub of the same name found along the route. The road is about 12.5 miles long, with most of it cutting through the Peak District National Park. Be careful, though, as it’s known as Britain’s most dangerous road because of the sharp drops and bends along the way.

Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland

Its total distance of 1,553 miles (2,500 kilometers) makes it the longest coastal route in the world. Travel along Ireland’s Atlantic coast, and you’ll go through six regions of the Emerald Isle. Taste the salty air on this scenic route featuring beaches, cliffs and coastal towns.

Nordic Region

Kristiansand to Bergen, Norway

Travel along Norway’s southern region on this 273-mile (468 kilometers) long journey. Before heading out, consider the time of year you’re traveling; winter in Norway can last from September to June, giving you a limited window of bearable traveling. However, it’s totally worth it for the incredible fjords.

The Iceland Ring Road, Iceland

This 828-mile loop takes you around the outer edges of Iceland. Plan to spend about seven days to see all that Iceland has to offer: volcanoes, icebergs, waterfalls, the Northern Lights and more amazing sights.

Mediterranean

Amalfi Coast Road, Italy

This 446-mile long road is also called “The Road of a Thousand Bends” for its crazy dips, climbs and turns. This area was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a cultural landscape in 1997. It’s advised to visit in the off-season because the summer traffic can be horrendous.

The Alps

Alpine Road, Germany

The German Alpine Road, or “Alpenstrasse,” is about 280 miles (450 kilometers) of road passing through incredible landscapes. You’ll see mountains, farmland, lakes, valleys, meadows, castles and so much more on this trek.

Furka Pass, Switzerland

One of the highest mountain passes of the Alps, this pass is featured in the car chase scene in James Bond’s Goldfinger. More than 250,000 people cross the pass each year in cars, motorcycles, train and bus. Switchbacks, glaciers, and the threat of landslides, avalanches and heavy snowfalls make this pass one of the most adrenaline-inducing rides in the world.

Ship Your Motorcycle to Europe with Schumacher Cargo Logistics

Ready to hit the road? Schumacher Cargo Logistics offers the best services and rates for shipping to Europe. Check out our page on shipping your motorcycle to Europe. With a multitude of ports throughout the continent, all you have to do is decide where to go! To get started, request a free online estimate or talk to one of our specialists at 562-408-6677 or toll-free at 800-599-0190.

Summer in the United States unofficially begins on Memorial Day weekend. For the city of Indianapolis, however, there’s more to it than a holiday weekend.

The Indianapolis 500 is held annually on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. It’s known as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” and it’s no wonder why. Thirty-three drivers race for 500 miles, reaching speeds up to 221 miles per hour, in aptly-named IndyCars. Approximately 300,000 patrons make it to the Speedway each year.

The 102nd Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 12:19 p.m. EDT. This year, Hollywood actor Chris Hemsworth is the unofficial starter for the race, and pop star Kelly Clarkson will sing the national anthem. The rock/pop band Train will headline the Carb Day concert on Friday, May 25, and country artist Sam Hunt will lead the Legends Day concert on Saturday, May 26.

Events leading up to the race include a festival, concerts, services honoring the Armed Forces, and a scholarship program that crowns 33 college-aged women as 500 Festival Princesses. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway also hosts the Brickyard 400, IndyCar Grand Prix, Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational and an annual mini-marathon.

Indy 500 Traditions

• Kissing of the Bricks: After winning the 1996 Brickyard 400, NASCAR driver Dale Jewett and his crew chief Todd Parrott kneeled and kissed the Yard of Bricks that create the start-finish line at the track. The rest of the team joined, and they started a tradition that both Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 champions have followed ever since.
• Drinking of the Milk: Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer drank buttermilk as a refreshment on a hot day; this habit had him requesting the drink after his win in 1936. An executive from the (then) Milk Foundation saw the photo in the newspaper the next morning, and he was so pleased that he promised to repeat that custom in the upcoming years.
• “Back Home Again in Indiana”: While it isn’t the state song, “Back Home Again in Indiana” has been played prior to the drivers starting their engines since 1946. A huge release of red, white and blue balloons is timed with the final notes of the song.

Historic Moments at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

• The fastest lap ever completed during the race was in 1996 by Eddie Cheever, Jr. His speed was 236.103 mph, taking 38.119 seconds to go completely around the track.
• At the 100th Indianapolis 500 in 2016, 24-year-old rookie driver Alexander Rossi won the race. His average speed was 166.634 mph.
• in 1975, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway joined the National Register of Historic Places. It was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
• Drivers with most wins: AJ Foyt (4), Al Unser (4), Pick Mears (4)
• Team with most wins: Penske (16)

When you’re in the midst of a move, it’s hard to nail down exactly what you’ll need on hand to help you pack. Here, we’ve compiled a handy list that you can use as your go-to packing guide.

• Boxes of various sizes
• Plastic tubs with lids for storage
• Packing material like bubble wrap, newspaper, packing peanuts, etc.
• Tape and tape dispensers
• Duct tape
• Packing tape
• Masking tape for labeling
• Painter’s tape for quick touch-ups
• Scissors, box cutters
• Stickers for labeling and color-coding boxes to each room
• Permanent marker
• Trash bags
• Furniture pads and covers (blankets work just as well)
• Dollies and hand trucks
• Rope, twine, bungee cords to hold things in place during transport
• Padlocks if items will be in the moving van overnight
• Toolbox
• Cleaning supplies

Once you’ve moved past the packing supplies, you’ll want to make sure you have your personal essentials easily accessible. The last thing you want to do on your first night in your new house is unpack a hundred boxes trying to find your toothbrush. Pack these items up last, as you’ll want to make sure they’re the first things you grab from the moving van.

• Toilet paper
• Hand soap
• Dish soap and dish towel
• Paper towels
• Snacks
• Beverages
• Plates, utensils, napkins
• Pet supplies
• Emergency kit, first-aid kit
• Flashlight, candles, matches
• Shower curtain
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and other related items
• Personal information, like birth certificates, passports, marriage licenses, etc.
• Clothes for the upcoming days
• Toiletries
• Backpacks and school supplies
• Electronics and accompanying chargers
• Cooler, ice or ice packs
• Medicine, prescriptions
• Cell phone
• Sheets, blankets
• Pillows
• Sleeping bags
• Anything else you may need within 24 hours of packing and moving

Packing for a move is an exhaustive chore, and it can seem even more daunting if you’re moving to a different country. Not only are you making sure that all your items get to your destination safely and efficiently, you have to figure out a foreign country’s laws, culture and overall way of life. This list of important items to take with you as an expat is a great place to start and refer to during your move abroad.

Important documents to bring as an expat:

Be sure to have copies of these tucked away in a safe spot, and provide copies of these to a trusted contact back home in case of emergency.

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Debit and credit cards; remember to notify your bank of your move so the activity on your account isn’t marked as suspicious.
• Immunization records, health insurance, and other key medical records for all members of your family
• Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and any other kind of legal documentation that affects you and your family
• Physical list of important contacts in case technology fails; don’t forget to have the address and contact information of the nearest Embassy or Consulate of your home country.

Tech-related items to bring as an expat:

• Universal plug converter
• Voltage converter
• Cell phone and coverage plan that both work in your destination country
• Handy apps for your smartphone: language translator, a currency calculator, navigation and maps that can be saved offline, etc.

Health-related items to bring as an expat:

• Prescriptions: renew and fill these prior to moving, and do your research to make sure that your prescriptions can be filled in your destination country.
• Over-the-counter medicines: probiotics, antihistamine, cold and flu care, etc. Living in a new country, your body may take a while to get used to the unfamiliar elements.
• If you are particular about your brands of toiletries, be sure to stock up on those if they aren’t carried in your destination country.

Comforts of home to bring as an expat:

While you should do everything you can do embrace the culture of your new country, having a couple items to remind you of home can help with homesickness and the ease of moving.

• Personal mementos
• Favorite snacks and other foods that might not be available
• Books in your native language; if you want to lighten the load and save space in your new home, look into an e-reader, like a Kindle, or find downloadable copies of books that you can access on a smartphone.
• Tape measures, measuring cups and related items in case the system used is different than what you know
• Clothes or shoes that fit you if you need a specific, hard-to-find size

While this isn’t a definitive list of items you should bring, it’s a good place to start. Feel free to do your own research or contact the Embassy or Consulate of your home country in your destination country if you have questions.

Trust Schumacher Cargo Logistics with your move

You want your items to reach their destination as securely and efficiently as possible. Schumacher Cargo Logistics can do exactly that. Trust Schumacher Cargo Logistics to safely move your vehicle, boat, motorcycle and household goods.

Not only is Houston one of the largest cities in Texas, it is also one of the one of the fastest growing cities. Drive downtown, and you might be intimidated by the skyscrapers. One of the most popular things to do there is to go downtown near the Minute Maid Park and enjoy a day by the field. Check out some of our favorite things to do in downtown Houston below.

Getting Where You Need to Go

In a city like NYC, you usually take a cab, right? Well that’s naturally an option for Houston along with the Tram, but since we are talking about Texas here, many locals drive.

Parts of suburban Houston TX and the greater metropolitan areas are rural and spread out. In this case, it makes sense to focus on the downtown area which is full of things to do, and let’s get to talking about some of them.

Minute Maid Park

If you are in Houston during the MLB season, we absolutely recommend you go to Minute Maid Park. And yes, to get to the home of the Astros, you have to go through downtown Houston.

In left field, the box seats are called the Crawford Box. They are some of the more expensive general tickets, but none of the general tickets are too pricey. If you were to choose to sit there, you are right behind the left field wall. What better place than to try and catch your first home run ball?

Enjoying downtown Houston is one thing you will want to do outside of just going to the ballpark there. If you don’t want to handle your own navigation, then you can certainly hand off those duties. You can even take a guided tour of Houston if you want to make it really easy.

Food

If you decide to just do a full day at the ballpark, then make sure and stop by Jackson Street Barbecue which is right next to the stadium. It is one of the many places with great barbecue food in Houston and generally is pretty busy before the games due to how close it is.

Quick Stops on the Way to the Ballpark

Now, let’s look at some of the more tourist things to do in Houston when visiting. There are so many things to do in that city that it will make your head spin.

Here are two quick stops you can make while downtown.

1. The Downtown Aquarium-Houston

You don’t need to be an ocean lover to enjoy the aquarium. It features a variety of different sea animals like sharks and rays as well as different tanks with different ecosystems.

2. Buffalo Bayou Park

The park is a great escape from the High-rises and city turmoil. So if you struggle with downtown crowds then it may be the perfect stop to calm yourself before heading towards Minute Maid Park.

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