Off To Germany in the VRS

[Darrenb3843]

Hi all I'm taking the vrs to Germany next month. Road trip going Dover to Dunkerque then got two days to make my way to Celle to see my lad who is in the army out there. Then have a week to get back to uk so any advice welcome, sensible only please. Going to take in the Nurburgring, not going to take my car around!!. Administrators if you feel the need to move it understand.

Edited 19 May, 2011 by Darrenb3843

[OctyNik]

Going to take in the Nurburgring but not drive round it

That's like going to a wh*rehouse for a shower...

[Darrenb3843]

theres always one plus taking swmbo

[OctyNik]

Stick her in the shops then for an hour, and take a drive round it, doesn't have to be balls out, just a drive round it to say you've done it!

[Grizzle]

Was going to go last year, my route is here i'm not bothered about people seeing my address lol, it also included a stop over at my aunt and uncles in portsmouth.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=218198050058447768174.00048e2093cca1455cb8b&t=h&z=5

[WaveyDaveyGravy]

I went last year and you really must do the Ring. As stated you don't have to go fast (I have no idea what time I did as it was ****ing down) but it's a once in a lifetime experience. Wife can stand at the start for 15 mins. She'll love it.

[Redboy]

Darren enjoy. I lived in Celle in 1981 and the whole Germany autobahn experience was great. I am getting married today and my honeymoon choice was Calais to the beautiful Rhein valley. Unfortunately I was overruled.

[FUBAR]

Darren enjoy. I lived in Celle in 1981 and the whole Germany autobahn experience was great. I am getting married today and my honeymoon choice was Calais to the beautiful Rhein valley. Unfortunately I was overruled.

Takes a cool calm and collected Skoda owner to on his wedding day not be running around in pieces or too pi**ed to get up, at this early time of the morning be hard core enough to be in here sharing his experiences. Good Luck today enjoy the honeymoon where ever it is in the end.

Darren Celle is only a 5 hour to 5.5 hour drive from Dunkerque it id be in a foul mood)

ps If you are not accustomed to driving on mainland Europe there are certain things you will need to have in place.

High vis vest for eash person in car.

Reflective warning triangle.

First Aid kit.

Headlight beam benders mandatory to be fitted day or night! or VRS with Xons can be adjusted on maxidot standards here = EU Lights Octy

Fire Extinguisher. (going threw Belgium most likely)

Cash in Euro's for on the spot traffic offence fines. (I carry €250 in the car hidden if stopped and no cash you will be escorted to an ATM fines can be steep)

Have notified your UK insurance company of dates and countries to be visited even if you already have EU cover. (they need to be informed)

Obey all speed limits on Autoban where the Germans have put up signs saying 120/100/80kph they are strict not suggesting and especially in road works the fines are astronomical if your putting other peoples lives at risk.

On unrestricted sections of the Autoban network "ENJOY"

Oh and if you see a black Kawasaki ZZR1200 thundering down the outside lane behind you... Please get out of my way :p

if you are accustomed to driving on there already ignore all of the above you should know it already :p

Also with insurance most UK companies give a restriction on speed for the Autobans while driving in Germany might be as low as 85mph majority seem to be around 90mph. And for the Nürburgring insurance is 99.999999% not going to cover you the old myth of its officially a toll road is not swallowed by anyone anymore.

Go in July and call in for the way back to the F1 at the Nürburgring got my ticket

Edited 20 May, 2011 by FUBAR

[Stoofa]

High vis vest for eash person in car.

Actually it's only the driver that is required to have the vest - it's only an advisory for there to be enough for passengers too.

Just being picky incase the OP only has the one hi-vis vest

What also should be mentioned is that the hi-vis vest has to be inside the car with you, it cannot be stored in the boot.

The idea being that the vest is on before you leave the vehicle in cases of a breakdown.

[RizzoTheRat]

Some fantastic roads in Germany, did this route on the way home on the bike a few years back and was one of the best days riding I've ever had.

[FUBAR]

Actually it's only the driver that is required to have the vest - it's only an advisory for there to be enough for passengers too.

Just being picky incase the OP only has the one hi-vis vest

What also should be mentioned is that the hi-vis vest has to be inside the car with you, it cannot be stored in the boot.

The idea being that the vest is on before you leave the vehicle in cases of a breakdown.

"Reflective vest: Anyone providing roadside assistance or leaving a stranded vehicle should always wear a reflective vest for their own safety. This is now a legal requirement in a number of European countries. (EU ref: RD1428/2003 and Art.162 Cod4 Bis4 Ter - CDS 2003.)"

Sort of ..... depends how you read the letter of the law. Would you in the event of a break down like to leave your family in a stranded car while you walk to a emergency phone.The luxury of breaking down in the outside lane of an unlit EU morotway etc ... so id never suggest bringing only 1 to anyone. Having it to hand in the vehicle is common sense I would not like to insult Darren by telling him to also put his seatbelt on when he gets in and when parking to apply the handbrake before putting the vehicle into neutral etc etc lol This is only a legal requirement in Germany btw for vehicles registered there France and Belgium its any vehicle!

As well as everyone knows you must carry your full driving licence and V5 and insurance certificate. EHIC card available form the NHS/ travel insurance and breakdown cover etc all very good things to have but not required by law.

Edited 20 May, 2011 by FUBAR

[FUBAR]

Some fantastic roads in Germany, did this route on the way home on the bike a few years back and was one of the best days riding I've ever had.

That looks awesome ! I may use this route in a couple of weeks when im bored some weekend cheers

[RS3100]

Cautionary not for the Nurburgring is make sure you have enough cash to repair any damage to the circuit e.g. Armco if you have acrash in addition to the recovery of your vehicle.

I know a couple of people who have been caught out this way, you have to pay all costs upfront if you have and off and need recovery and then claim back from your insurers. Some insurers class the ring as a public road, just a big one way system, others puut an exclusion in place.

Watch out for the locals, their cars may look like wrecks but they have some fenominal machinery under the wreck of a shell.

Take it steady and go at your pace and you'll be fine, Ive done the Nurburgring a couple of times in the RS3100 which is now 36 yeasr old. If I have oppertunity this year when I'm in Germany it will either be the Superb or the Octavia L&K. Depends which is first on the driveway when I leave for the father land as they say.

[expostmanpat]

What do you call sensible :p

Quite a few of the higher Alpine passes have opened up early this year, depends on the mileage you are willing to do, I would be tempted to head for Bavaria, we visited the Kehlsteinhaus last year and it is well worth the trip, in fact Berchestgaden is a town I could have easily spent a week in. From there you could hop over the Grossglockner and through Austria then meander back via Italy and Switzerland, then either back up through Germany or further East and spend a day or so driving through France. (The Tarn Gorges or even the Autoroute around Millau is great fun)

If you are going to have to us all that fuel getting there and back, you might as well use a bit more and enjoy it

[RizzoTheRat]

That's a fair point, I'm going to Germany in June, via the Stelvio pass

[FUBAR]

That's a fair point, I'm going to Germany in June, via the Stelvio pass

Need some good pics of the car with various backgrounds I think

[alanjonesbath]

If you want to do the 'Ring without risking your own car, do what I did, and hire a track toy. Doesn't need to be fancy - I hired a Suzuki Swift from rent4ring.de . Ralph and Freddy are great guys, speak great English, and their cars are properly sorted little things. I hired a "Stage 2" Swift, and while it (obviously) lacked power on the straights, in the corners it was stupidly quick. And they come with full insurance, covering the car, third parties, and damage to the ring itself, so damage to the wallet is limited to the (admitedly high) excess.

And if you are in the area, the road from the 'Ring down to Adenau is great fun. Not overly long, but great fun. Infact, there are loads of great roads in that area, very scenic!

[nickguzzi]

My only memory of Celle is being refused service in a bakers. (Don't mention the wa....)

I go often to Frankfurt to see my sister, so my knowledge of the north of Germany is vague, but as you seem to have a few days to mooch about, if you fancy driving a bit a couple of places for petrol heads. Sinsheim museum, has both a concord and a concordski. and lots (and lots of other stuff - like the diesel engine from a destroyer. Between Mannheim and Heilbron. Karl Benz Haus in Ladenberg, where he lived and built the first ever ic engined vehicle.

Probably best have a look on the web to see if its the sort of thing you want to spend time driving to.

The are so many places, its hard to give a short list.

One of the difficulties is how big the place is. Frankfurt for example is roughly 600kms from the channel, even cruising between 80-90mph its hard to do it in less than 6 hours despite it being motorway all the way. (I go Calais/Dunkerque - Lille - Leige - Cologne - Frankfurt). Celle is quite a bit further on. Via Michelin is a resource for route planning, dirctions and distances of course. It also shows hotels and of course restaurants too at all price points for quite a way around.

After Leige, if you take the A27/E42 at Herve, you could roll past Spa. Last time I was there, there were bits of the circuit that are still public road, not sure now. Then with a good map, because the signage is not good and will send you via Autobahn if poss. Head east toward Nurburgring. A lap does not have to be any thing you are not comfortable with, just keep to the right and don't dice with the Ring taxis - they know the way! Very pretty countryside all round that part of the world.

You could go on to Koblenz and the Mosel and Rhine valleys. There are river cruises, as long or short as you like, and see the vinyards(Weinberg)from the river. Or visit in person, Schloss Johannisberg or Schloss Vollrads near Ruedesheim am Rhein are impressive, but you will have to pay for a drink.

The Autobahn are generally good, although some are very busy like here now, and the speeds are much greater. There is always someone 20, 30 or 50 mph faster than you. Flashing headlamps mean "excuse me, I am going much faster than you"

Some sections are notorious for hold ups, so don't be afraid to dive into the woods for a convience break, sooner rather than later, as they may start to move off while you are admiring the work of the Forstverein!

Use the service areas, much better than the ones here, even decent coffee, but not tea. Food can be at least edible, but have a pee first as you often have to pay, but get a refund when you buy. Unfortunately, Germany can seem horrendously expensive, coffee £2.50 - £3.00. Have water with you at all times.

The non motorway roads are mostly brilliant, and like everywhere else, much more scenic but much slower even if often empty.

As I said before, its a big country and the time it takes to get about can be deceptive.

Have a great time

[Darrenb3843]

Thanks for all the responses so far, please keep them coming.

[RizzoTheRat]

Need some good pics of the car with various backgrounds I think

Alas not possible but I'll be taking lots of photos of my bike with various backgrounds

[mlister5500]

dont trust your sat nav! just before you cross the German border they have changed the road layout and my tom tom that i only bought last year does not recognise the route.

all the advice i can give is head for venlo.

[FUBAR]

dont trust your sat nav! just before you cross the German border they have changed the road layout and my tom tom that i only bought last year does not recognise the route.

all the advice i can give is head for venlo.

yea good point mlister5500 sat nav updates can be over a year behind even if you get one just released always good to have a real map floating about so you can see which towns/cities to aim for

[CEPi]

Real paper Maps are not up to date either.

Got totally lost from Germany to France, just entering Reims in France. New road layout from motorway exit to Reims, 5-6 Navigation Apps all got lost, none of them had the new road.

Now I take pictures with my phone of main route from Google Maps and if all lost, look at them, or fire quickly Google Maps/Navigation for a quick view (beware roaming charges for internet)