Riding Across Europe in 4 Months: Emmanuelle’s Challenge

Interview / portrait

Traveling across Europe by motorcycle can look like a polished itinerary on a map—until you meet riders who choose the opposite: a moving compass, a loose season strategy, and the discipline to stay open to the road. We met Emmanuelle at a Planet Ride apéro rider in Paris, and her project immediately stood out: four months solo on a Ducati Scrambler, following spring south and summer north. No fixed route. No performance badge. Just a deliberate way to explore—and to learn what happens when you give time back to the road.

Who is Emmanuelle—and what is she riding for?

What?

Emmanuelle set herself a 2019 challenge: a solo loop of Europe by motorcycle. The project took shape in early October, sparked by a mix of travel and literary encounters. Her approach is simple: no pre-planned route. She rides where curiosity pulls her, with only one seasonal logic—Southern Europe in spring, Northern Europe in summer.

Her first stop was in the South of France to visit her father, then… “surprise.” She even named the journey: “Sans borne et sans visière”—a way to say no limits, no rigid constraints, a roadtrip built around freedom and time on the ground.

If you want to follow her progress, she shares it live on:

• Facebook: Sans borne et sans visière
• Instagram: @sansborneetsansvisiere

When?

She rolled out on Thursday, April 4, for four months on the roads of the Old Continent. The day before, she hosted a departure evening at Librairie Ulysse (Paris, 4th arrondissement), with patronage from Anne-France Dautheville—known as the first woman to ride a motorcycle around the world—and Kim Hoang, who rode all the way to the end of Siberia.

With whom?

Solo—by choice. Her only constant companion is her Ducati Scrambler 800, owned since late September. For luggage, she’s running two stainless-steel side cases. Inside: a tent, sleeping bag, daily essentials, and “a good book.”

And a detail that says a lot about her mindset: she didn’t pack a full tool kit. “I don’t know enough mechanics. If my Ducat’ has an issue, I’ll find a mechanic on the road.” On a Europe ride, that’s realistic—especially if you keep to populated corridors and avoid stacking long weekend distances that leave you hunting for service on a Sunday.

A few weeks after her departure, we checked in to see how her motorcycle roadtrip in Europe was unfolding.

Emmanuelle, a few weeks in: the road, the rhythm, the real feelings

How is your Europe route going?

Emmanuelle: “Very well! Everything is going wonderfully. I’m living fully in the present moment and I love it. I’m enjoying being alone—I needed that. I finally have time to read and also to write. I appreciate this feeling of solitude.”

She did catch a few rainy days, but instead of forcing the ride, she slowed down: “I take my time. I consider myself a tourist, so I can stop when the weather isn’t favorable.” That’s a pro move on a long solo run: if you’re planning four months, you’re not racing the forecast—you're managing fatigue and attention.

What were your first destinations?

Emmanuelle: “I started my Europe trip as planned, heading to the South of France to visit family. Then I rode toward Spain, and now I’m south of Porto in Portugal.”

She describes Spain and Portugal as “two beautiful, friendly countries,” and she was surprised by one thing: fewer riders than expected in remote areas. “The roads are beautiful—nice wide curves—but there’s nobody.”

For anyone traveling across Europe by motorcycle, that’s a useful reminder: outside the famous passes and coastal hotspots, you can still find quiet, flowing roads—especially midweek. Expect a mix of highway transfers and secondary roads; if you’re riding the Atlantic side, wind can add real fatigue even when the road is easy.

Have you met people on the road?

Emmanuelle: “Yes, of course! I’ve already had some great encounters. I meet people of all ages and backgrounds. As a woman on a motorcycle, I don’t go unnoticed.”

Her pattern is consistent: conversation, shared travel stories, then an invitation for an aperitif—simple, social, grounded. She mentions meeting a rider in Bayonne, fellow travelers, and a German woman who hikes two weeks every year. “I hope I can visit her later at home in Germany.”

Any difficulties—especially finding a place to sleep?

Emmanuelle: “I don’t have difficulties finding somewhere to sleep. I try to stop in small villages to meet locals.”

The only real friction point so far: communication in villages where people speak only their mother tongue, while she speaks neither Spanish nor Portuguese. Still, “with a few gestures, we always manage.” On a long ride, that’s also part of the craft: when you arrive before dark, you give yourself time to ask, adapt, and settle without pressure.

What’s next?

Emmanuelle: “To continue, I need to head back up toward France. I’d like to discover Northern Spain’s coast, then return to the South of France before reaching the Pyrenees. After that, I think I’ll go to Italy.”

Planet Ride’s rider tip (one that changes long trips)

If you’re traveling across Europe by motorcycle over weeks, not days: build your rhythm around real riding time, not distance. A “short” day can still take 6–8 real hours once you add weather, fuel stops, finding food, and detours you’ll want to take. On solo trips, that margin is your safety net—especially in rain or strong crosswind.

Mini-FAQ (Europe motorcycle roadtrip)

Do I need a special license to ride across Europe?

Within the EU/EEA, your home motorcycle license is generally accepted. If you’re coming from outside Europe, check whether an International Driving Permit is recommended alongside your national license for the countries you’ll cross.

What’s the best season for traveling across Europe by motorcycle?

Emmanuelle’s logic is solid: south in spring, north in summer. It reduces cold mornings in mountain areas and keeps you away from peak heat in southern inland regions.

Is it easy to find mechanics on a long Europe ride?

In most regions, yes—especially near medium-to-large towns. The trick is timing: avoid arriving with an urgent issue late Saturday or on public holidays, and keep basic consumables (chain lube, tire repair kit) accessible even if you’re not doing heavy mechanics.

À savoir aujourd’hui

This is a 2019 rider story, and what remains true is the mindset: pacing, weather flexibility, and human encounters still make a long Europe ride. Before leaving now, verify country-by-country requirements (insurance green card, low-emission zones in major cities, and any seasonal access rules for mountain roads).