On Saturday June 3rd, the UEFA Champions League Final will be held at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the Welsh capital city and two-time European Capital of Sport. For bikers around the UK and beyond this means only one thing: it's road trip time! 

If ever we needed an excuse to get on our motorcycles, then this is it. The Champions League is a football match of the highest calibre, an international sporting event held right on our doorstep. It would be rude not to get involved.

And here's the way to get involved, whether you are a fan of the beautiful game or not. Get on the blower to your friends, get on your motorcycle, and take a planned route down to Cardiff to see what the fuss is all about.

If you are riding from London, the fastest and most direct route is to take the M4 through Reading and Swindon, and carry on straight through to newport and Cardiff. This ride is about 150 miles and won't take long if you put your foot down.

But we're not always about the most direct route. As you all know, the pleasure is in the ride itself, not just in arriving at the destination. Consider heading towards Oxford, either using the M40 or by taking smaller roads if you prefer, and then jump on the A40 to enjoy the AONB the Cotswolds. Take a further detour and go around the River Seven at Gloucester. From here, you can drive through the stunning Wye Valley before arriving in Cardiff.

A road trip from the North of the UK also offers equally promising opportunities for scenery and the freedom of the road. The most direct route is to take the M6 to Birmingham and then the M5 to Ross on Wye before joining the M4 to Cardiff, but this is not the route that we recommend. There are much more attractive options.   

Instead, take the A55 at Chester along the north coast of Wales towards Bangor. This is great road for thrills and ocean views. From Bangor, you can either continue around the whole of the Welsh coastline until you hit Cardiff in the south, or you can cut through Snowdonia National Park to take to the lonely mountain roads and then head on through Brecon Beacons. Both are stunning options. 

Once you reach Cardiff you will need somewhere to stay, and even if you plan on staying at a campsite or a B&B that is far out of the city you should consider booking long in advance to secure accommodation. There are plenty of options available both indoors and outdoors. If you prefer a quieter location away from the football crowds (to get the best of both worlds), then consider a stay at nearby Newport, or venture further into the countryside and stay at the Afan Forest Park or Brecon Beacons.

Tickets for the Champions League Final are no longer available through UEFA, but some will be available to the public and sold by the semi-final winners.

You don't have to have a ticket to enjoy the final. The atmosphere around Cardiff is set to be electric, and there will be plenty of pubs and venues to enjoy the game. You could also consider taking a bet on the outcome to increase the adrenaline. Real Madrid and Juventus are currently joint favorites to win the competition, though Atletico Madrid and Monaco are both worthy competitors.

There are four excellent teams left in the competition this year, and a great UK city to host the game. Motorcycle enthusiasts – it's time to start planning the road to the Cardiff Champions League Final!