Planning trip from Hamburg to tour castles: NEED INFO!

[armymedic]

Hello all,
I am planning a one day (possible two) from Hamburg around western part of Germany to see castles. ANY information about renting bikes in Hamburg, to routes, to castles or any other info would be GREATLY appreciated!!!

We are going on a cruise and will be in Hamburg for 2 days (Sat and Sun) in Sept. and there is little info in travel guides about what we are interested in.

Thanks a mil.

Kevin

[RBEmerson]

I don't know the Hamburg area well but it's my recollection that you're a little far north for what you're most likely after, particularly if you only have two days (or is that an arrival day, two days to ride around, and a departure day?).   Instead, plan on heading along the North Sea coast or toward the Baltic.  I'd challenge your cruise line people to come up with the rentals.  

[armymedic]

Yes, we may have to keep it close to Hamburg. Did find a BMW dealer in Hamburg that rents beemers, so that's good. Most castles are in southern part. We do plan to make it at least a full day of riding, so don't mind the miles. Any idea of the geography of northern Germany?

[RBEmerson]

Northern Germany is, for the most part, flat terrain with a mix of fields, forests, and so on.  And, in general, the sea or water is never that far away.  Hamburg is well inland and still one of the busiest ports, period.  There are, of course, lots of old towns and lots of eye-candy.  Two days is hardly enough to even say "hello", let alone get a real feel for the area.  

A note about the autobahns... there are speed limits in many places - it's not all "hop on and wind 'er up 'til it blows!".  You can cover a lot of ground in a hurry there but the Good Stuff isn't on the autobahns.  The point is not to plan to knock out tons of miles and think you'll see a lot, you'll see a lot of cars and a lot of concrete but not much else.  

[Ralf]

Northern Germany is, for the most part, flat terrain with a mix of fields, forests, and so on.  And, in general, the sea or water is never that far away.  Hamburg is well inland and still one of the busiest ports, period.  There are, of course, lots of old towns and lots of eye-candy.  Two days is hardly enough to even say "hello", let alone get a real feel for the area.  

A note about the autobahns... there are speed limits in many places - it's not all "hop on and wind 'er up 'til it blows!".  You can cover a lot of ground in a hurry there but the Good Stuff isn't on the autobahns.  The point is not to plan to knock out tons of miles and think you'll see a lot, you'll see a lot of cars and a lot of concrete but not much else.  

I can only agree with the above. Northern Germany is flat and you're probably thinking about the Rhineland, where there are indeed many castles. However, from Hamburg it's probably a good 4 hours to get there. I guess it would be do-able to do some brief touring in the area over two days, but to me it sounds more like a lot of hectic and stress. I would venture to say you'd be better off touring Hamburg (by foot). It's a big city with a lot to see, and two days should do the North Sea metropolis justice.

[FJR-UK]

Ralf is right. I spent a very pleasant couple of days walking around Hamburg.

The autobahn is like a super highway anywhere – not the prettiest of sights, and you have to pay very close attention to what's going on around you. As soon as you get off the autobahn, you are subject to traffic congestion and speed restrictions. Plus, motorcycles are not allowed to filter, so you sit with the cars.

[Ralf]

Plus, motorcycles are not allowed to filter, so you sit with the cars.

Although technically illegal, German police generally turn a blind eye to filtering

[RBEmerson]

If nothing else, a foot tour through Hamburg will probably reveal the truth about "St. Pauli girls".    

Armymedic, don't be put off by the comments here.  If you want to do some riding in the area, there really is a lot to see and, in general, German traffic is a lot easier to deal with than in, say France or Italy.  Roads are well marked, you really can boogie down even the local roads, and September is generally still warm enough to be enjoyable.  August is when all of Europe goes on vacation so you'll avoid that problem.  Keep in mind, though, that the weather can turn on you and a "plan B" in case of ugly weather is a good idea.  Otherwise, at least keep digging into how to do the rides.  You may not get the castles you had in mind but there is a lot more to Germany than castles and cuckoo clocks.  

[armymedic]

Naw, I'm not put off. We are looking at just doing to rural riding around the area as the castles really are too far for the time constraint. That's why the initial planning now, to have an idea of what to expect, gather info, etc...

Found a website: www.bestbikingroads.com that has provided some local input as to what roads in that area may be good to ride.

[FJR-UK]

Although technically illegal, German police generally turn a blind eye to filtering

Well, I guess you should know. I do, in fact, filter through traffic when I'm in Germany and have never been pulled over for it. I thought I was just lucky...

However, I couldn't help but notice that German car drivers are very quick to let you know that filtering is verboten. Usually, by pulling over to shut down the gap. You have to carefully pick your spots.

[Ralf]

Well, I guess you should know. I do, in fact, filter through traffic when I'm in Germany and have never been pulled over for it. I thought I was just lucky...

However, I couldn't help but notice that German car drivers are very quick to let you know that filtering is verboten. Usually, by pulling over to shut down the gap. You have to carefully pick your spots.

Knock on wood, but I've yet to have problems with German drivers blocking my path. As mentioned, technically it's illegal, and if such filtering results in an accident the situation could get messy. That said, as far as I can tell the majority of motorcycles do filter.

[Orson]

I don't know if you're going to Hamburg  for another reason or you're going expressly to see castles.

If it's castles you want, Spain has an impressive array. So much so that Edelweiss Tours has a Spanish tour just for the castles.

The Duero River that runs across the center of Spain from east to west provided a natural defensive position and was the front lines between the Moorish & Christian Kingdoms for about 150 years...enough time to build many castles.

[photomd]

I'm exploring a trip to the Alps and here's what I've found for motorcycle rentals. None are in Hamburg.

Bosenberg is in several locations

Admo-Tours in Germany

There is also Knopf tours in Frankfort. Global Rider suggested them.

I don't have any experience with these. They are just what I found while researching a trip to Austria. HTH's.

[armymedic]

I don't know if you're going to Hamburg  for another reason or you're going expressly to see castles.

If it's castles you want, Spain has an impressive array. So much so that Edelweiss Tours has a Spanish tour just for the castles.

The Duero River that runs across the center of Spain from east to west provided a natural defensive position and was the front lines between the Moorish & Christian Kingdoms for about 150 years...enough time to build many castles.

Nope, going on a cruise that stops in Hamburg for 2 days. Would like to spend at least one day touring around the countryside on a bike. I doubt my wife and mother in law want to tour around the Reperbahn, but they definitely want to tour around on a beemer. Would just like to see the country another way and am curious what would be of interest in the Northern part of Germany.

[FJR-UK]

I've never been on a bike in that area. However, if I was going to do a quick tour around there, I'd take the autobahn northeast from Hamburg to Lubeck, 1 hour. Then, my map shows green lines (roads of natural scenic beauty, says the key) along the roads that hug the coast northeast of Lubeck. Neustadt, Gromitz, Kellenhusen, Dahme. Double back to Lensahn, Schönwalde and you're in a National Park area.

Northwest to Lütjenburg, southwest to Plön, which is on the Plönersee (lake). Continue along the lake to Ascheberg, then make your way back to Hamburg. Looks like a leisurely four hours of touring, not counting stops for sightseeing or meals.

Well, that's what I'd do.  

[FJR-UK]

Guess what? I've just done a quick google to find that Plön has a late Renaissance castle.  

Lübeck: http://ezinearticles.com/?Guide-to-Lubeck,-Germany&id=45162

[Ralf]

Schwerin Castle in the State of Mecklenburg–Pomerania and directly east of Hamburg looks like a worthwhile visit. It's located on the shore of Schweriner Lake.



From here you could go to the quaint coastal towns of Wismar, Stralsund and Island Rügen

[RBEmerson]

Well, well, well... I just happen to have a copy of the April-June issue of Motorrad Freizeit which just happens to have a piece on touring Mecklenburg Vorpommern (AKA "Meck Pomm") including comments about Schwerin (the state capital).  Looks like a win to me!