While there isn’t as much space for nature in Europe as in Australia or North America, the diversity across the continent both historically and in terms of natural landscapes make it an incredible place to tour. From natural landmarks to cultural heritage sites, the Old Continent boasts some fantastic routes for bikers looking to explore new territory. 

Below are just some of the most beautiful summer biking routes throughout Europe that include national parks, mountain ranges, coastal scenery and plenty more!

Ring of Kerry, Ireland

Ireland is home to some of the greenest and most beautiful coastal landscapes in Northern Europe, and one of the best ways to soak in the beauty is biking along The Ring of Kerry. This countryside trail is a circular road that starts in Killarney and moves along the Iveragh Peninsula. 

While tour buses and larger vehicles tend to struggle to maneuver through the sharp turns, for bikers the road is perfect for quick maneuvers, fun curves and breathtaking scenery.

Col de la Bonette, France

France may be best known for great cheese, fine wine and the Eiffel Tower, but its countryside and mountainous landscapes are also well worth a look. If you find yourself in France over the summer then the Col de la Bonette, which is a road surrounding a 2,860m mountain the French Alps, takes you through the Mercantour National Park and some of the most beautiful terrain in the country.  

It is not only the highest paved route in the entire Alp mountain range, but it is also the peak section of the Tour de France route. Not to mention the fact that this road takes you right to the Italian-French border, where you can continue your travels into Italy! 

Czech Paradise: Turnov to Jicin

If you wander about a hundred kilometers away from Prague you will find yourself on the banks of the Jizera River at the heart of Czech Paradise, also known as Bohemian Paradise. Not only is this a UNESCO protected park since 1955, but this road between Turnov and Jicin takes you through some distinctive landscapes peppered with unique rock formations unlike any you’ll find in the entire region. 

While the road to Czech Paradise is one of the most well-known biking routes in the country, if you drive around 100km in the other direction from Prague you’ll find yourself in Rozvadov. This small town is not only home to some of the biggest casino events in the country, but the road there also covers some beautiful Czech landscapes and rural villages.  

From AutoZug in Hamburg, to Djursland, Denmark

Germany’s Autobahn will not only take you across the country at maximum speed, but if you take the route from Hamburg to the Danish city of Djursland you will also witness the hilly beauty of Jutland’s Mols Bejrge National Park.  

From swamps and farmland to thick forest and beaches you get a bit of everything along the AutoZug road. This tour is one of the most diverse in Central Europe and is a real treat for nature lovers looking to get a bit of everything in one pleasant ride. 

4^th, 5^th and 6^th August 2017 will see the Stroud Vintage Transport & Engine Club (SVTEC) stage their Annual Show at South Cerney Airfield in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The show is widely regarded as one of the biggest and best Steam, Vintage and Countryside events in the UK and attracts thousands of exhibitors and visitors from across the county actively raising thousands of pounds for both national and regional charities each year.

One of the largest displays is the Motorcycle section featuring 230 registered entries representing manufacturers from across the globe. Among the marques on display are Honda, Yamaha, Harley Davidson, Moto Guzzi, HRD, AGS, James, Triumph, Royal Enfield, Rudge, Baker, BMW, Norton, Velocette, BSA, Panther, Francis Barnett, Matchless and Greeves. There will also be an abundance of Lambretta’s to celebrate the mods and rockers era and the show will host the Cotton Motorcycle Club national meeting. Section leader John Grange said ‘we always try to bring something of interest to all ages and interests, from Veteran to Vintage and Classic. From the smallest Brockhouse Corgi ‘Para’ bike to the HRD Vincent Meteor series B, from the Yamaha FS1E (my first bike!) to the Suzuki GT750, there will be something to suit everyone’s motorcycling interests. The section celebrates 100 years of motorcycles’.

Other Show Highlights Include:

• Vintage displays of nearly 700 classic cars from pre and post war, including over 70 Classic American, plus 230 Motorbikes, scooters, 70 bicycles from 1903 - 1980, 30 miniature steam engines, 90 stationary engines, 70 full size steam engines, model engineering, 200 Tractors, over 80 Buses and Coaches, 120 Military Vehicles, 240 Emergency and Commercial Vehicles, 60 Industrial Trucks, 30 vintage Caravans, 20 Emergency vehicles and a large model Aircraft flying display.
• Live Arena with non-stop demonstrations from steam to dancing tractors and much much more. Plus the opportunity to drive a steam engine and see the spectacular Showman’s Engines.
• Vintage Fun fair with the popular Fairground Organs, 'electric yachts', waltzers, big wheel, Punch and Judy Shows, steam-driven 'gallopers' and traditional penny arcade games, plus a ride on a model stream train, or ‘Chuffy the train’, and traditional games.
• Countryside Arena featuring a dog show (yes please come and enter your fury four-legged friend!), ferret racing, rare breeds, animal conservation, alpaca’s, shire horses, horse logging, sheep shearing, falconry displays  to sheep dancing and reptiles!
• Massive Trade stand area with over 100 trade stalls, models tents, craft marques and specialist displays of memorabilia from a bygone era.
• The showground site is sprawling, with plenty of food and drink ‘pit stops’, a firm favourite is the vintage tea room with regular music and 1940s inspired Lindy Hop dancing (both days).  2017 will see the first visit of the songstress Betsy Harmony, performing a delightful selection of 1940s songs from Andrew Sisters to Vera Lynn, to a right old ‘knees up’ singalong.
• The showground site is sprawling, with plenty of food and drink ‘pit stops’, a firm favourite is the vintage tea room with regular music, entertainment and 1940s inspired Lindy Hop dancing and the ‘Steamed Up Brass Band’ or bring a picnic.
• Battle of Britain memorial Dakota fly-past on Saturday and Sunday (weather dependent). Plus Jump4Heroes parachute display team will descend into the arena on all three days of the event. Jump4Heroes is The Royal British Legion Extreme Human Flight Team, made up of serving and former members of the Army, to support and raise awareness of the Armed Forces charities.
• FREE vintage bus rides around the showground on all three days

Chairman of the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club (S.V.T.E.C) Martyn Slater, said: ‘Our goal has always been to give the best value for money family day out in Gloucestershire, with something for all of the family to enjoy. The show has evolved allot over the past 40 years, but the mission remains the same - to inform, educate, entertain and celebrate our unique transport history and the preservation of historical vehicles. We actively encourage interaction between exhibitors and visitors, and have a nifty on-site Wi-Fi to enable visitors to find out more history and information about specific vehicles displayed. The dedicated Wi-Fi code can be obtained from the show program, and available for use on phones, tablets and laptops’.

The Extravaganza is organised by the Stroud Vintage Transport and Engine Club. This non-profit making organisation raises money for national and local charities and up to 30 will be represented on site raising money and awareness of their respective causes. The rally is one of the largest events of its kind run entirely by volunteers. All section leaders strive to bring something different to this year’s event. With so much to see and do, one day just isn’t long enough.

www.glosvintageextravaganza.co.uk

The packed weekend of the annual “Silverstone Classic”,  28^th to 30^th July, provides spectacular historic motor racing on the world famous circuit, free access to the paddocks and grandstands, displays from over 120 car clubs, streetcar shootouts, live music and much more. It’s the world’s biggest classic motor racing festival and is phenomenal!
 
Bikes are included as an integral part of the programme.  World GP Bike Legends provided a popular addition last year and set to return in 2017 with Wayne Gardner, Freddie Spencer and more, plus there are a number of bike manufacturers joining too.   We’re delighted to confirm that the Ace Cafe London has teamed-up with the event to create “Ace Corner Silverstone Classic” this year planned to include with a ‘mods and rockers’ bike and scooter display.
 
If you have an appropriate “Rockers” bike or “Mod” scooter, and would like to display it at this extraordinary event, we have a unique booking code that will enable you to access a special display package which includes general admission for 2 (and obviously access for displaying your bike) at just £43 for Friday, £71 for Saturday and £60 for Sunday. These packages offer fantastic value, and discounts apply when booking for more than one day. Contact [email protected] for further details, and for details of the booking code, before the 14th July.
 
It’s a great event and we’d love to see you there... whatever your two, or three, wheels! Standard general admission tickets are available via the event website (www.silverstoneclassic.com). There’s free parking for all bikes in the public car parks (and if you’re displaying your bike/scooter and trailering it there; free parking for your trailer, too). Join us and be part of this great weekend with us at Ace Corner Silverstone Classic!

• ‘Bike Legends’ team to contest special Celebrity Race
• 500cc World Champions joined by Parrish and Costello       
• World GP Bike Legends return for dramatic on track demo  
• All tickets for the Classic must be purchased in advance

Michael Rutter will have a strong chance of another race victory at the Classic TT presented by Bennetts with the Midlands ace contesting the Sure Junior Classic TT and Bennetts Senior Classic TT races for Ripley Land Racing.

The Bridgnorth rider has ridden for the Guildford-based team since 2014 and gave them a famous victory on their 350cc Drixton Honda in the 2015 Junior Classic TT race before taking a close second to Michael Dunlop in the corresponding race twelve months ago. The duo had a race-long battle with Rutter lapping at 103.974mph on his way to the runner-up spot.

In addition, Rutter will also ride Ian Garbutt’s MkII 500cc Seeley G50 Matchless in the Bennetts Senior Classic TT race, having ridden the machine for last two years. Rutter broke the 500cc single cylinder record in his first year on the bike in 2014 with a stunning lap of 109.102 mph and was leading the race and on course for a fairytale victory until a minor problem on the third lap caused him to retire on the Mountain Mile.

Problems on the opening lap last year saw him lap at just 60.975mph but he gamely carried on and lapped in excess of 106mph before retiring on the final lap. He was also forced to retire from the race in 2016 when lying fifth after more 106mph+ laps.

Rutter will be one of the favourites for victory in both of the races, further highlighting the credibility and importance of the Classic TT while Ripley Land Racing’s intentions are clear to see.

Team owners Ian and Janet Garbutt are staunch supporters of the Classic TT and, with one of the finest Mountain Course riders on their books, they have a strong chance of adding to their already impressive track record, which also includes two race wins with Chris Palmer.

Classic TT Grandstand tickets are available now starting from as little at £5 with race day tickets priced at £20. VIP experiences, tickets for the Classic TT Party on Saturday 26thAugust the RST Classic TT Legends Dinner on Sunday 27th and the Classic TT Prize giving and Closing Party on Monday 28th August are all available to buy now at iomtt.com or our sales hotline on (00 44) (0) 1624 640011.