Traveling abroad for the Motogp

hi.
I know it's a bit early but I'm looking for any info or ideas you all might have on traveling overseas (mugello and silverstone) for the Motogp.
We have seen 3 laguna seca and 2 indy races, and now we're looking across the pond.
So far I just have the idea of flying to Italy for the may 30, 2010 race (which airport?) then get a eurorail pass and make our way up through France to the English channel, then spend some time with friends in London, and catch the Silverstone race on June 6th.
Any info or recommendations from anyone would be appreciated.
thanks.
steve

[quote name='steeeeeve' date='Sep 14 2009, 11:36 PM' post='209788']
hi.
I know it's a bit early but I'm looking for any info or ideas you all might have on traveling overseas (mugello and silverstone) for the

how long do u have to travel? Who are going with? Do thy love motogp and traveling?
FYI the silverstone date may change due to an isle of man conflict
eurail trains are good if u wanna stop along the way.however ryanair.com is also worth a look.
I've stayed in hostels all over. Most even offer cheap private rooms.
Don't forget, tracks are nearly always a decent distance from downtown.

hey Clark.
thanks fore the response. My girlfriend and I will be traveling. we're looking to spend about 10-12 days on the trip. We love the GP but we are probably looking to only catch the race days this trip. (we camp at the tracks in the U.S.) We are looking to spend probably two or three days in France.
I was concerned a bit about the travel from our hotel to and from the mugello track.
again. thanks for the quick response. luckily I have many months to figure out the logistics.
thank you for the heads-up about silerstone.

PM me if u want some specific advice

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Sep 14 2009, 05:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>however ryanair.com is also worth a look.
easyJet.com is also pretty good.

Me and a bud are traveling to Valencia for the race this November.
Next year, probably Estoril or France.

The best organised gp i've been to is Barcelona (Catalunya). Its very close to the city, and the transport is great and cheap.

Thanks for the info fellas.
Does anyone have any idea about transportation to and from the Mugello track? a shuttle of some sort? I know some people walk a pretty long way.

Is the atmosphere considered 'dead' at non-European/U.S. races?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (steeeeeve @ Sep 14 2009, 11:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>hi.
I know it's a bit early but I'm looking for any info or ideas you all might have on traveling overseas (mugello and silverstone) for the Motogp.
We have seen 3 laguna seca and 2 indy races, and now we're looking across the pond.
So far I just have the idea of flying to Italy for the may 30, 2010 race (which airport?) then get a eurorail pass and make our way up through France to the English channel, then spend some time with friends in London, and catch the Silverstone race on June 6th.
Any info or recommendations from anyone would be appreciated.
thanks.
steve



I have been to both but Mugello is close to Bologna where I live.

The best and funnest way would be to rent a bike (easy to do here) and ride there. You should in Bologna. The road from Bologna to Mugello is called "La Futa" check it out on you tube...and the weekend of the race its packed with bikes from all over. The ride from my house, just off the futa to Mugello is all turns and nothing else. no traffic lights, just about 40 km of turns...
On sunday after the race its gridlock, even with bikes. Its a pain in the ass but fun at the same time.

If you decide for Mugello, drop me a pm and I would be happy to show you the way.

Donington on the other hand, i rode there and camped out with a buddy. cool trip, long on a bike but had a great time. only thing i have against it is ...... weather. its nice to se moto gp bikes going full throttle as opposed to sliding round in the rain!

Motrix450.
Thanks for the advice. renting a motorbike sounds like a great time. I ride my rd350 to the Indianapolis motogp and that is definitely the most fun way to go!
Do any of you have any thoughts on renting a hotel near the track and making the walk? (3km 40 mins)
is it possible to rent a hotel this close during the gp? are the prices super inflated?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (steeeeeve @ Sep 21 2009, 09:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Motrix450.
Thanks for the advice. renting a motorbike sounds like a great time. I ride my rd350 to the Indianapolis motogp and that is definitely the most fun way to go!
Do any of you have any thoughts on renting a hotel near the track and making the walk? (3km 40 mins)
is it possible to rent a hotel this close during the gp? are the prices super inflated?


renting a small place close by is not a problem although you should act quickly as there are few places which are generally rebooked by same bikers that return from all of europe each year. figure mugello is between florence and bologna on the same "futa" road, which before the highway was built was the only way to get from one to the other. so hotels/ B&B's can be found on either side. try looking at firenzuola, loiano, monzuno, monghidoro, or even mugello. the closest walk is obviously mugello but places are most likely already booked!

Also, the experience of riding to the track as opposed to walking is priceless. mugello is located in the middle of the tuscan hills and vallies with absolutely nothing else. its in the middle of nowhere. try checking it out on google map. The futa is also called sp65, then you take ss503 that brings you to mugello. awesome ride and one of the most recognized roads for two wheeler enthusiasts. every weekend i go out, there are more bikes than cars. There are also a few chalets that are lots full of bikes with moto posters and pic throughout the bar.

Often, i see ducati test riders testing new bikes, i saw the desmosedici before it came out, just like the new monster and streetfighter...pretty cool stuff.

should you not find anything, i have a place and you would be welcome to stay. and its an awesome ride from my house as i explained earlier.

i lived in the us for many years but relocated to my homeland just 4 years ago. quite a change from the US but a good one for now. I never got a chance to see a race in the US, but can say having been to valencia, donington, le mans, mugello and misano...the best is misano because its in the end of summer and its on the riviera...everything is in full swing, weather is still hot and there are bars and tons of people...and if your a rossi fan tavullia is just 15km away!

so see what you can figure out and let me know.

feel free to ask me any other questions.

It sounds like riding is the way to go. Thanks a million for the information! Can you recommend a place to rent a bike? I came across a place called Stradnova. What do you think?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (eltoro @ Sep 17 2009, 06:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is the atmosphere considered 'dead' at non-European/U.S. races?


I've been to every MotoGP race in the States, Laguna & Indy--if partying all day and all night for three days is considered "dead" then yeah, we are rigor mortis.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Sep 22 2009, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>

I've been to every MotoGP race in the States, Laguna & Indy--if partying all day and all night for three days is considered "dead" then yeah, we are rigor mortis.
I read that as referring more to the asian/arabian flyaway rounds, but it's not entirely clear. Obviously you have places like Qatar that need to run at night to generate interest and/or hide the empty seats.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Sep 22 2009, 11:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I read that as referring more to the asian/arabian flyaway rounds, but it's not entirely clear. Obviously you have places like Qatar that need to run at night to generate interest and/or hide the empty seats.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (eltoro @ Sep 17 2009, 06:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Is the atmosphere considered 'dead' at non-European/U.S. races?

Ooops, yeah I think you're right.

As far as Qatar, yeah, not much debauchery there being it’s a Muslim country (or at least its all behind closed doors).

As far as Malaysia & Japan, I'd be interested to know what the party race scene is like. Also, for those Aussies here, what's the ambiance like in the Oz rounds?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jumkie @ Sep 22 2009, 07:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>

I've been to every MotoGP race in the States, Laguna & Indy--if partying all day and all night for three days is considered "dead" then yeah, we are rigor mortis.
Try a spanish race compa, and take you earplugs !

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mattsteg @ Sep 22 2009, 01:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I read that as referring more to the asian/arabian flyaway rounds, but it's not entirely clear. Obviously you have places like Qatar that need to run at night to generate interest and/or hide the empty seats.

Yeah, I was referring to races based in Asia.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (eltoro @ Sep 24 2009, 03:27 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Yeah, I was referring to races based in Asia.

Sorry bout the long post but...

Going to Motegi was like going to an amusment park for the first time.
Awe inspiring, fun, crowded and family oriented. There's a go-cart track outside the ticket booth, plenty of cheap-ish shops with nice gear and loads of good junk food. There are plenty of Japanese wildcards, so hardcore family members support is big. Honda also requires its staff to attend the race. Yamaha's staff gets free tickets. The other fans are reasonably casual and treat it like a nice weekend event, not a once a year spectacular. The paddock sparsely populated and costs about 8000 yen to rub shoulders with the big boys. From there, you also have incomperable access to the ENTIRE circuit. See my pics from earlier this year. I coulda given Melandri a high five on the cooldown lap.

Clean and easy to navigate, it's like Disney World for the the MotoGP fan. However, you could hear a pin drop at the Twin Ring Hotel. If you like zen gardens, rolling hills, picturesque streams, and upclose views of the racing, you'll be happy. No debauchery at the track, which is by a suburban farming villiage (you'll understand this when you see it).

Now, some alleys in the nearest city (Utsunomia) were littered with Yakuza and bars stocked with 'friendly' ladies and good scotch. Speaking some Japanese, or using a translator, helps. But the women will make you feel like a king. If you don't know what to eat, just get Gyoza and you cant go wrong. I liked Japan and will go back next year (with a Japanese stewardess and hopefully I'll meet up with the lovely americans I hung with while there. PM me if you wanna do the trip. I have some tips to make it easier and of course, we could meetup.
Here are the pics
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.p...mp;id=564321456

I imagine Malaysia, being officially Muslim, would be far more uptight than Japan. I couldn't imagine going there and expecting anything. It is close to Thailand though

Now, Jerez is total debauchery. They have central park downtown with a mile long bike-only parking lot which leads to 2 outdoor dancefloors and a fully fleged carnival. The main st just outside the park has 3 bars/nighclubs. A few blocks over from the main action is the local bar scene. Women are top notch, but your spanish and game better be way tighter than mine. You also should love partying until sunrise.

There's a Repsol station just before you drive into the track. It was packed at 6am as people waited for the gates to open. These are the people that didn't camp in the 40 acre dustbowl parking lot. If you have anything that just looks like a paddock pass, general admission folks are green with envy. If you actually have one, guard it. Scalped tickets go for face value, but don't get general admission if you wanna see the track.

Nearly all the rental car places at Madrid airport rent motorcycles. They all also sold out of bikes 1 month before the race. The road is epic and cars move over for bikes in pure reverence.

Jerez pics:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.p...mp;id=564321456
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/album.p...21456&op=18

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clarkjw @ Sep 24 2009, 10:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>I imagine Malaysia, being officially Muslim, would be far more uptight than Japan. I couldn't imagine going there and expecting anything. It is close to Thailand though
You imagine quite incorrectly then cjw... Kuala Lumpur hosts a great event. Yamaha has a huge presence in Malaysia and they have week-long events (as do the other manufacturers) all over downtown and in bars and night clubs. I usually arrive Friday and grab a room in Chinatown with its great street life. Start my evening at the Hard Rock Cafe (usually half-price long island ice teas 'til 10pm) watching bikes arriving from Singapore. Usually move on to Rum Jungle Bar (Ducati hosted event) or one of the other bars on Jalan Pinang which all feature bike displays, umbrella girls and copious amounts of alcohol! KL is a great city to party in.

Saturday off to Sepang for Practice and Quali. The best thing about Sepang is you can buy beer in six packs in neoprene coolers with ice for about $12US! Saturday's not too busy at the track and its a great day to wander around and meet people, usually local Malays and Singaporians, sometimes Aussies or Brits, everyone in party mode and everyone sharing a passion. Usually spend Saturday night with my Malay biker buddies at clubs of their choice with Johnny Black and Captain Morgan riding shotgun... Debauchery in KL...

Sunday race, more ice cold six packs, raceday atmosphere rockin', choice of track vantage points wide and easily accessible... Luv it!

If you're not into the party life KL offers lots of PG attractions and sights, AND the shopping is worth the trip in itself. Just thought y'all would like to know...