Road trip to Switzerland

Belgian roads aren't derstricted, and the continental Europeans are getting more and more strict with limit enforcement, so be carfeul.

Not all autobahns are desrestricted (no limits) and even those that are have limits that can be imposed when it rains (etc). When limits are in force, you again have to be very careful as the limits are strictly enforced.

I don't have a list of specific autobahns etc. The guys in the Europe section will probably have detailed info though if you ask there (and could probably give more colour than I have here).

And whilst I don't want to come over all "Driving Miss Daisy", be very careful regardless of the limit signs. Some personal observations:

1) Your car needs to be 100% tip top when you're moving at high speed. Brakes, tyres, fluids, clean screen. Everything. A failure in anything at high speed is going to hurt one way or another. Don't just get in the car having had it serviced 10mths ago and filling the screen wash bottle. Check it thoroughly.

2) The condition of the tarmac on public roads isn't always great, and can catch you out badly.

3) At high speed, you have a couple of things to seriously bear in mind:
a) gentle motorway curves become corners that have to be steered through.
b) Traffic may all be going in the same direction as you, but hitting a car doing 80mph in that direction at 150mph is like hitting a stationary car at 70mph. Only a lot worse.

And that traffic does not necessarily account for the posssibility that someone might be coming up on them at that sort of speed - cars can often pull out without too much notice/awareness, and braking heavily from high speed can be a very good way to test the integrity of your underpants.



Know your limits, and your cars, and be ultra-aware of every single other road user around you for as far as you can see.

Ultimately, you're FAR better off keeping the high speed stuff to organised events at tracks. Medical cover is on hand, organised facilities are usually significantly safer in every respect and you can learn your car much, much more safely.

And no, I don't always listen to my own advice. But the older I get, the more I do. Which'll hopefully keep me getting older.

 

Wherebouts in Grindelwald are you staying?

 

I'd go across Belgium towards Aachen and down through Germany. There are lots of derestricted sections on the Autobahns though keep in mind German roads can be very congested, especially around the central industrial belt, so choose your time. They also impose limits of, say, 100 - 120k near exits, so choose carefully. My personal favourite is the A9 from Nuremberg to Munich, fab road and lightly trafficked if you choose your time.

I agree with the comments re prepping the car but it does to some degree depend on how fast you are intending to go. In an F- or P-car, 120-130 is a very comfortable cruise you quickly adapt to but if you are planning to v-max the car, 180+ is not to be taken lightly.

Lane discipline is generally much better in Germany than in the UK but the authorities tend to pin the blame on you for any accident if you were going over the 130 kph recommended max.

Enjoy your trip.

 

In terms of derestricted roads for top speed, Germany is the only place, but as mentioned, there are still speed restrictions in certain parts of the autobahns (clearly marked). The drivers over there are prepared for fast cars bombing along, but I wouldn't advise holding Vmax for too long! To be honest, you'll probably have more entertainment at lower speeds when you hit Switzerland (passes, tunnels etc.). I went last year and am going again at the end of July!