Best of Europe (BOE2603)

Welcome to Erding! Today marked the official start of our motorcycle tour as participants arrived in Erding from various locations. After checking in and settling down, the excitement for the days ahead was already building among the group. In the afternoon, we attended our Welcome Briefing, where we received an overview of the tour, discussed organizational details, and got a first look at the routes and highlights awaiting us. It was also a great opportunity to meet fellow riders and share our enthusiasm for the adventure ahead. Later in the evening, we gathered for a group dinner in a traditional Bavarian beer garden. Over delicious food and refreshing drinks, everyone had the chance to relax after the journey, get to know one another better, and enjoy the friendly atmosphere. Conversations quickly turned to motorcycles, travel experiences, and expectations for the upcoming days. The first day was a perfect start to the tour—relaxed, enjoyable, and filled with anticipation. Tomorrow, the engines will finally roar to life as we set off on our first riding day together. Stay tuned for more from the road, and ride safe!

Manchmal sind es nicht die spektakulären Alpenpässe oder endlosen Serpentinen, die eine Motorradtour besonders machen. Oft sind es die kleinen Landstraßen, die schönen Landschaften und die gemütlichen Pausen unterwegs. Genau das erlebten wir auf unserer Tour von Erding nach Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Durch die grüne Hallertau Am Morgen starteten wir in Erding bei bestem Motorradwetter. Schon nach wenigen Kilometern ließen wir den Alltag hinter uns und tauchten in die sanften Hügel der Hallertau ein. Zwischen den hohen Hopfengärten führten uns kurvenreiche Straßen durch eine der schönsten Regionen Bayerns. Die Mischung aus weiten Ausblicken, kleinen Dörfern und entspanntem Verkehr machte den ersten Abschnitt der Tour zu einem echten Genuss. Pause in Geisenfeld In Geisenfeld legten wir unsere erste Pause ein. Bei einem Kaffee und netten Gesprächen ließen wir die ersten Kilometer Revue passieren. Solche Stopps gehören für uns einfach dazu – nicht nur zum Ausruhen, sondern auch, um die Atmosphäre der Orte entlang der Strecke aufzusaugen. Mittagspause in Eichstätt Anschließend ging es weiter Richtung Altmühltal. Die Fahrt nach Eichstätt war ein Highlight der Tour. Die abwechslungsreiche Landschaft und die schön geschwungenen Straßen machten richtig Spaß. In Eichstätt angekommen, gönnten wir uns ein entspanntes Mittagessen. Die historische Altstadt bot dafür die perfekte Kulisse und lud zu einem kleinen Spaziergang nach dem Essen ein. Kurzer Halt in Dinkelsbühl Frisch gestärkt setzten wir unsere Fahrt fort und machten in Dinkelsbühl noch einen kurzen Zwischenstopp. Die mittelalterliche Altstadt mit ihren gut erhaltenen Mauern und Fachwerkhäusern beeindruckt immer wieder aufs Neue. Auch wenn die Pause nur kurz war, lohnte sich der Halt allemal. Ziel erreicht: Rothenburg ob der Tauber Am späten Nachmittag erreichten wir schließlich Rothenburg ob der Tauber. Schon die Anfahrt auf die berühmte mittelalterliche Stadt war ein Erlebnis. Nach einem Tag voller schöner Straßen, beeindruckender Landschaften und angenehmer Pausen genossen wir den Ausklang der Tour in den verwinkelten Gassen der Altstadt. Unsere Motorradtour von Erding nach Rothenburg ob der Tauber war die perfekte Mischung aus Fahrspaß, Landschaft und Genuss. Die Hallertau, das Altmühltal, die historischen Städte Eichstätt und Dinkelsbühl sowie das beeindruckende Ziel Rothenburg ob der Tauber machten diesen Tag zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis. Eine Strecke, die wir jederzeit wieder fahren würden. 🏍️👍

Today's ride took us through what felt like a true fairy-tale landscape on our way into Baden-Württemberg. Our destination was the beautiful university city of Heidelberg, but the journey itself was packed with unforgettable highlights. We passed impressive castles, magnificent palaces, historic monasteries, and charming half-timbered villages, all surrounded by peaceful, lush green countryside. With brilliant sunshine and perfect riding weather, every mile on the winding roads was pure enjoyment. Our first stop rewarded us with stunning views over a deeply carved river valley, which we followed for part of the route. In the village of Jagsthausen, the birthplace of the famous knight Götz von Berlichingen, we took a moment to appreciate a piece of German history. He later became widely known through Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's famous play. Another highlight of the day was a magnificent Baroque monastery. Here we took a well-earned break and treated ourselves to delicious cakes and pastries from the monastery's traditional café. In the afternoon, we reached the Neckar River, one of Germany's major rivers. High above the water stands the impressive Hirschhorn Castle, offering breathtaking views across the Neckar Valley. After relaxing on the castle terrace and soaking up the scenery, we continued our ride along the river toward Heidelberg. With countless great memories and smiles hidden beneath our helmets, we finally arrived at our hotel on the Königstuhl hillside overlooking Heidelberg. In the evening, we took the historic Heidelberg funicular down into the Old Town, where we wandered through its picturesque streets and enjoyed the city's unique atmosphere. We ended the day with a delicious dinner and a refreshing drink in a cozy local restaurant. It was a perfect day on the road—blessed with fantastic weather, beautiful riding roads, spectacular scenery, and unforgettable sights. A day that truly had everything a motorcyclist could wish for.

Riding from Heidelberg to Riquewihr – A Hot Summer Ride Through the Black Forest Some motorcycle rides are memorable not because of the distance covered, but because of the experiences along the way. This ride from Heidelberg through the Northern Black Forest and into the heart of Alsace was one of those days—a perfect mix of sweeping roads, stunning scenery, excellent food, and a festive summer atmosphere. Leaving Heidelberg The day began early in Heidelberg. Even in the morning, the air was already warm, hinting at the heat that would accompany us throughout the day. With clear skies above and open roads ahead, we headed south toward the Black Forest, eager to enjoy some of Germany’s finest riding routes. A Stop at the Famous Wunderkiefer Our first destination was the Wunderkiefer near Bad Herrenalb. This remarkable pine tree has become a popular landmark and an ideal place to pause and take in the surrounding landscape. After the first stretch of riding, it offered a welcome opportunity to step off the bike, stretch our legs, and enjoy the peaceful views across the forested hills. Curves and Views on the B500 From there, we joined the legendary B500, the famous Black Forest High Road. For motorcyclists, it is a true classic. Long, flowing bends, smooth pavement, and breathtaking panoramic views make every kilometer enjoyable. Although the temperature continued to rise, the higher elevations provided occasional relief from the summer heat. Lunch at Renchtalhütte By midday, both rider and machine were ready for a break. We stopped at the Renchtalhütte for lunch, enjoying good food and a chance to cool down in the shade. The terrace offered beautiful views over the surrounding countryside, making it the perfect location to relax before continuing the journey. Arriving in Riquewihr Crossing into France, we made our way to Riquewihr, one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace. Surrounded by vineyards and famous for its colorful half-timbered houses, the town looks as if it has stepped straight out of a fairy tale. Despite the intense heat, the narrow streets were full of visitors enjoying the charm of this historic village. The Eve of Bastille Day As evening approached, Riquewihr came alive with anticipation for the 14th of July, France’s national holiday. The village was buzzing with activity, and there was a festive atmosphere everywhere. Restaurants and cafés filled with locals and tourists, while preparations for the celebrations could be felt throughout the town. After a long and very warm day in the saddle, it was the perfect way to end the journey: sitting in a picturesque Alsatian village, enjoying the warm summer evening and soaking up the excitement of the Bastille Day festivities to come.

For centuries, Alsace was fiercely contested and repeatedly changed hands between German and French rule. This eventful history can still be felt today: Many place names, such as Thannenkirch, bear witness to the region’s German roots, and the local dialect is also much closer to German than to French. It is precisely this cultural blend that makes the region so special – here, the best of two worlds comes together. While part of our group opted for a relaxed day in Riquewihr, the other part set off on their motorcycles early in the morning. Our first destination was the impressive Haut-Koenigsburg Castle. During our visit, we were amazed by its imposing size and the breathtaking views across the Vosges mountains. An absolute must-see for anyone visiting this region! Afterwards, we continued along the legendary Route des Crêtes. The combination of endless bends, stunning panoramas, and the ever-changing landscape brought a smile to our faces time and again. After a delicious lunch, the ride took us to the idyllic Lac Blanc, beautifully nestled among the mountains. After many more fantastic kilometres of winding roads, we made our way back to Riquewihr. Since we still had enough time, we took a detour to Colmar and strolled through its beautiful old town. And so, a perfect day of motorcycling in the Vosges came to an end – filled with riding pleasure, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable impressions.

Our motorcycle tour started in the charming village of Riquewihr in Alsace and first took us over the Texas Pass into the Black Forest. With pleasant weather and winding roads, it was the perfect start to the day. From there, we continued towards the Kandel, enjoying the beautiful scenery and great riding roads along the way. Another highlight was a stop at the Hexenlochmühle, one of the most picturesque spots in the Black Forest. After leaving the Hexenlochmühle, we found a nice place for a relaxing picnic surrounded by nature before heading on towards Switzerland. Unfortunately, the weather did not stay friendly all day. Several heavy rain showers soaked the roads and made riding more challenging at times. Nevertheless, the varied route and stunning landscapes kept our spirits high. By the end of the day, we reached Schaffhausen, where the magnificent Rhine Falls provided the perfect finale. The powerful waterfall was an impressive sight and a fitting end to a memorable day on the road

Zunächst folgen wir dem Rhein und passieren das malerische Städtchen Diessenhofen mit seiner beeindruckenden historischen Zollbrücke, über die wir den Fluss schließlich überqueren. Anschließend führt uns die Route zu einem höher gelegenen Aussichtspunkt, von dem sich ein herrlicher Blick über den Bodensee eröffnet – der perfekte Ort für eine kleine Fotopause. Nach einer Kaffeepause bei einem Motorradhändler in Bütschwil, der zugleich eine sehenswerte Sammlung historischer Motorräder beherbergt, verändert sich die Landschaft spürbar. Hinter den saftig grünen Hügeln zeichnen sich bereits die schneebedeckten Gipfel der Schweizer Alpen ab. Besonders eindrucksvoll ragt der Säntis vor uns auf. Mit seinen 2.502 Metern ist er der nördlichste Alpengipfel der Schweiz und bietet bei klarer Sicht einen spektakulären Rundumblick über sechs Länder. In der Schwägalp, direkt unterhalb des Säntis, legen wir unsere Mittagspause ein. Bei hervorragendem Essen und einem traumhaften Blick auf das Alpenpanorama genießen wir die beeindruckende Bergkulisse. Nach diesem Ausflug in die Schweizer Alpen verlassen wir die Schweiz und durchqueren – in nur wenigen Minuten – das kleine Fürstentum Liechtenstein. Nach einem kurzen Fotostopp an der Grenze erreichen wir Österreich, wo es erneut hinauf in die Berge geht. Die schmale, äußerst kurvenreiche Straße hinauf zum Furkajoch zählt zweifellos zu den fahrerisch anspruchsvollsten Abschnitten der gesamten Tour. Oben angekommen werden wir jedoch mit einer fantastischen Aussicht und einer wohlverdienten Kaffeepause auf der Passhöhe belohnt. Nach der Überquerung eines weiteren Passes erreichen wir schließlich unser Tagesziel in Warth.

Last Ride: From Warth to Erding – Finishing in Style Our final day on the road began in Warth, Austria, with crisp mountain air and the bittersweet realization that our adventure was coming to an end. But before heading home, there were still a few unforgettable highlights waiting for us. The route first took us toward Neuschwanstein Castle, the world-famous fairy-tale castle perched high above the surrounding countryside. Even with the crowds, it was impossible not to be impressed by its majestic setting. A quick photo stop was mandatory before continuing the journey. From there, we rode along the stunning Plansee, whose crystal-clear turquoise waters reflected the surrounding mountains like a mirror. The road hugging the shoreline is a motorcyclist’s dream—sweeping curves, breathtaking scenery, and plenty of reasons to slow down and simply take it all in. The climb over the Ammersattel delivered another serving of fantastic riding. Smooth asphalt, flowing bends, and perfect conditions made it one of those stretches where every rider finds themselves smiling inside the helmet. A stop at Ettal Abbey provided a change of pace. The impressive Benedictine monastery stood proudly against the Alpine backdrop, offering a moment of calm and reflection after days filled with mountain passes, tight turns, and roaring engines. Eventually, the route pointed north toward Erding, Germany. With the scenic roads behind us and home drawing closer, there was only one thing left to do. On the autobahn, Hunter, Robert, Reza, Navid, and Walker decided to give it one last proper send-off. The throttles opened, the engines sang, and the group enjoyed a final burst of speed before the journey came to an end. By the time we rolled into Erding, the trip was officially over—but the memories were not. Incredible roads, spectacular landscapes, great camaraderie, and countless stories would remain long after the bikes had cooled down. The last riding day had delivered everything we could have hoped for: iconic sights, unforgettable roads, and a fitting finale to an amazing motorcycle adventure.