How does it feel to leave on a solo motorcycle trip as a woman?

Honestly, the first day was the most exciting for me. I had never travelled completely alone before, and now I also carried the responsibility of riding safely. But once you arrive at your first destination, the dominant feeling becomes freedom. For women who are doubting: book your hotels in advance, choose safe stops with people around and trust your preparation. Your confidence grows every single day.

What if it rains all day during a motorcycle trip?

Rain is unfortunately part of motorcycle travel sometimes, but with the right gear it’s manageable. Invest in good rain gear, waterproof gloves and boots. An extra pair of gloves is incredibly valuable. Newspaper helps dry wet boots faster, and a drying rack in your room is pure luxury if you’re lucky enough to have one.

Is France motorcycle-friendly?

In the regions I’ve ridden through, France felt very motorcycle-friendly. In traffic jams, drivers often make space automatically and change lanes less abruptly than I’m used to in Belgium. You always need to stay alert, of course, but overall I felt very welcome and respected as a motorcyclist.

Riding through the rain: the first day of my solo motorcycle trip

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Rain-soaked motorcyclist at a gas station on the way to Colmar

7/2/2024

July 2, 2024. Today is finally the day: the first day of my motorcycle trip towards Italy. I left. Alone. In the rain. With 500 kilometres of highway ahead of me. This is how I experienced day one.

After weeks of counting down, making lists and collecting GPX files, the moment was there. Yesterday I still doubted whether I should leave very early, but the weather forecast for the morning didn’t look promising at all.

A sausage roll against the rain

The first kilometres were still dry, but after about an hour somewhere before Metz, the drizzle started. I stopped for a sausage roll and to put on my rain gear.

From then on it was hours of riding on boring highways. No spectacular views, no twisty fun. But that’s often what day one of a motorcycle trip looks like: just getting there and letting your body and mind adjust to long hours on the road.

Motorcycle-friendly France

From Metz onwards, traffic became significantly heavier. At times even completely standstill. In Belgium, drivers are generally quite friendly towards motorcyclists and often make space in traffic jams. Here, I started filtering with a bit of a nervous feeling.

But to my relief, France is extremely motorcycle-friendly. Drivers moved aside naturally and zigzagged far less between lanes than I’m used to in Belgium. Despite the ongoing rain, I quickly felt more at ease.

Arriving = surviving

Around 7:30 pm I arrived in Colmar. I immediately recognised the roundabout with the Statue of Liberty that I had already spotted during my planning on Street View. How did I feel? Tired, soaked and hungry… but above all: relieved and secretly a little proud.

In the bathroom I discovered a small luxury: a heated drying rack. Everything went straight onto it. My riding pants felt like they had been swimming, and my boots were full of water. I asked for old newspapers at the reception and stuffed them into my boots (a trick from my short military period). Within a few hours, everything felt noticeably drier.

Alone on the road, but not lost

While writing these lines in my hotel bed, everything still feels a bit unfamiliar. Solo on a motorcycle trip. Not knowing what’s coming next. Rain. Border crossings. Mountain passes that only reopened today.

I read that the San Bernardino Pass was partly washed away after severe weather in the Alps, causing extra traffic at the Gotthard Tunnel. Luckily, the Gotthard Pass itself is open. And honestly, riding over the mountains sounds much more appealing than going through a tunnel, right?

Furka & Grimsel are coming

Despite everything, I’m really looking forward to what’s next. Rain or no rain: this is why I do it. Of course I hope for better weather, but a bit of rain won’t stop me. Tomorrow, Furka Pass and Grimsel Pass are on the agenda, followed by an overnight stay near Lake Maggiore.

For now, it’s simple: grab some quick food (McDonald’s this time) and go to bed. Tomorrow brings a new day with new challenges. My first real mountain passes.

Safe travels,

Cara from BikingWithC

Good to know for your first long travel day

Rain & gear

Always carry a full rain suit.
An extra pair of gloves is not a luxury.
Newspaper in wet boots is a lifesaver.

Long highway days

Plan mental checkpoints (e.g. every 200 km).
Listen to your body: one stop too many is better than one too few.

Starting solo

Book your first hotel in advance for peace of mind.
Choose a place with restaurants and shops within walking distance.

France & traffic jams

In many regions, drivers are surprisingly friendly to motorcyclists.
Stay defensive: there are always exceptions.

All the answers you are looking for

Honestly, the first day was the most exciting for me. I had never travelled completely alone before, and now I also carried the responsibility of riding safely. But once you arrive at your first destination, the dominant feeling becomes freedom. For women who are doubting: book your hotels in advance, choose safe stops with people around and trust your preparation. Your confidence grows every single day.
Rain is unfortunately part of motorcycle travel sometimes, but with the right gear it’s manageable. Invest in good rain gear, waterproof gloves and boots. An extra pair of gloves is incredibly valuable. Newspaper helps dry wet boots faster, and a drying rack in your room is pure luxury if you’re lucky enough to have one.
In the regions I’ve ridden through, France felt very motorcycle-friendly. In traffic jams, drivers often make space automatically and change lanes less abruptly than I’m used to in Belgium. You always need to stay alert, of course, but overall I felt very welcome and respected as a motorcyclist.

About Cara

I’m Cara Roggemans, founder of BikingWithC, motorcycle lover and travel addict. I’ve done two solo motorcycle trips so far and countless shorter rides and day trips through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. With BikingWithC I share honest experiences, tips and stories from the road. Everything you read is based on my own rides, tests and on-the-road adventures.

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