Gerontious

Better last year than this (in my opinion) friends were very much missed.. in the end two were forced to drop out due to circumstances the day before the off and Bonio couldn't come for family reasons... I feared the worst when i told the Hotel. "No problem, see you on Sunday" they said. Notably, the 3 missing were also missed by the Hotel.. all three were asked about. Turns out that once again we were the only Brits to stay there and we are firm favourites of the Owners. Which is nice. It rained at the end of the trip over.. and quite heavily, unfortunately an Umleitung was in force and so the final leg (in the rain) was a lot longer than it should have been. but, despite that we still arrived in good time for the expected Schnitzel. The tunnel was a lot quieter than usual. (same for the return.) We had two wet mornings during our week.. the second I was on the verge of turning round when the sun began to appear, the rain stopped and it got rather warm, very quickly. 6 times and never a day lost to rain.. but this time with rain twice, was in stark contrast to the previous two trips that coincided with a heat wave.. Northern Europe. always the luck of the draw, Though we have been very lucky with the weather more often than not. Warm or Hot. is very usual. so.. the bit of rain came as a shock. (temporarily) We, as promised stayed mostly in the Eifel and Hunsruck... and went as far east as the Ring, A day in northern Luxembourg and only a fairly brief foray into Belgium, and a narrow escape from the infamous N620 rue de hestreux. (road from hell), I saw it mentioned on the sat nav and started swearing vociferously. we went another way. The guys should all thank me for remembering the name. Its one of the worst roads EVER. Break a wheel/frame type of bad. A lot of paranoia at the Ring, due to the earlier rain and obvious increased risk factor (which is already high) so, we gave it a miss. but that aside, it was all good. So good.. we are going back next year. the Alps can wait. Bill for the week at the hotel.. including beer, for me was €294.50 That was 1 night B&B and 5 nights H/B. and a 13 beers over the 5 nights the bar was open. Food this year at the hotel was superb.. the owner has discovered hunting so game was on the menu. Wild boar being the highlight. and my souvenir. same as last year, 3 bottles of Asbach.. I still have a little left from 12 months ago. A truly lovely local spirit. (beloved of British soldiers stationed in Germany) €12.69 there. £35 here. The Africa twin was a hoot.. and caused much amusement when i fell off.. the bike didn't fall, only me. (at a standstill) and the kiddie trolley was free.. I didn't have a euro for a proper one. 500ml cans of chilled Bitburg. 79c each (we like going to germany)

Heading out that way tomorrow... Though not as far as Harlech.

and it explains why the bike is the size of an oil tanker Made my bike look almost svelte.

I would look at the hotel first on streetview and then base my next move on that. I would prefer to stay somewhere that the bike can either be stored in a secure garage or worst case, out of sight of passing traffic. Often times its easy to just ask the reception staff where people (or staff) park their bikes.

The 150 mile per tank 'rule' may seem arbitrary, but it isnt. A tank range of 100 miles is fine for the ride across, but once we arrive its very restrictive, It means every rest stop has to be tied in with a fuel stop (or rapidly followed by one) and that isn't always possible and would mean constantly going 'off route' to find a petrol station. These aren't endurance rides but sometimes that can happen especially when we are on a mission to get back to the hotel at the end of the day. Our Hotels location is perfect, however the nearest 24hr fuel is in Luxembourg a 30 mile round trip or diversion. There isn't a garage closer than that, that is open after 6pm, they simply cannot compete with the significantly lower tax regime in Lux. Whenever I have asked someone if they want to come along, I have always asked first if their bike can carry a bit of luggage. The second question (if i don't already know the answer) is: what is your tank range to reserve? Its important. 150 miles is easy.. much less than that isnt.

Yamaha TRX750 Early 90s VFR 750 2019 BMW GSA 1250 5yr old VFR 1200? maybe. 2018 Africa Twin. In the past there have been all sorts of bikes and none were problematic. Honda CBR500R restricted. Aprilia Shiver 750 Yamaha R1 Deauville. Kawasaki race bike.. not sure what type (igloos previous) Fireblade. Older R1100GS Bmw 1200GS and GSA Triumph street triple Yet another VFR BMW R1100S x2 Another large capacity sports bike whose type escapes me. The only prerequisite is that the bike can manage motorway speeds. can carry a bit of luggage. few changes of clothes. 30L is enough. 50L which i took, turned out to be more than enough and has a tank range of at least 150 miles. and can corner. (there are a lot of corners) and it helps if its comfy enough to do the trip.. or can be made comfortable. we usually never ride more than about 70 miles without a rest stop. and that is often tied in with a fuel stop if necessary. And finally that has tyre life and service life of at least 2000 miles. which depends on location in the UK. how far you are from Folkestone. Some of the bikes had dedicated luggage.. but most did not. throwovers or a bag strapped to the pillion.

I'm in recovery. Too much Schnitzel. (pork x2 and Turkey with Hunters sauce). Wild Boar (OMG). Beer. Cake. Bread and a distinct lack of Froop. of course the icing on the cake was getting all whimsical about the B50 and L4 after leaving the (ever cautious) pair behind on the M20, getting all (expletive removed) over the return to shoddy roads and bad drivers. Completely lost in thought I ended up going through the wrong bloody tunnel. Not at Dartford. Bloody hell.. I thought, why am I suddenly in Greenwich on what looks horribly like the southern approach to the sodding Blackwall tunnel. You'll be pleased to learn.. we are going back to the Schloss next year. we had a vote and it was unanimous, the Alps can wait. We are also going to think (over winter) about having a few more days. maybe 10 total (including travel) which will depend largely on the Nordschleife tourist day calendar, but theres plenty of time to reach some consensus. The week was a hoot. And Frowne didn't break down though to compensate he had a very nasty habit of removing his seat at least 5 times daily. sometimes, I'm sure, just to gaze longingly at his under used tools.

Made it in one piece... And Bonio turned up to say hello, but he's only staying here tonight and going home tomorrow. Had a meal at the beefeater and a tad squiffy. Told the guys to be at the MacD at 7 and leaving 7:45. See how that pans out. And so to bed.

Clent Hills. to the west. Lickey hills to the south. or... back roads to Kenilworth, Temple Balsall. or the around Redditch. so much down that way. I kinda miss it.

Yes, today is the ride down to Kent, where we stay overnight and then off to the Tunnel tomorrow morning. He has had all year to get his bike ready, since January. Now, we will just have to wait and see if. A. he arrives in Kent later today. B. If he makes it to the Tunnel tomorrow. C. If he makes it to Neuerburg without a breakdown. D. if he manages the entire week without a breakdown. E if he manages to get home without a breakdown. he has a habit of breaking down. (did you guess) Its not his tyres Im really worried about, its that Heath Robinson mototrcycle he is riding.. one of Hondas best. but he's had it in his hands for a few years now so: who knows.

Theres nothing lke leaving things to the last minute, Has the bike got its engine in the frame? or is it in the dishwasher on a final rinse?

it'll be even nicer if you remember to bring them.

Its quite self explanatory.. if you are pushing the bike then no helmet required. if you are walking beside the bike (holding it upright) and the engine is on and turning the back wheel (a rather risky action). then you must wear a helmet. I'm not sure under what circumstances that would happen... but. life is full of extremely odd occurrences.

Thanks.. we are staying only about 16 miles from the Bitburg brewery. And at least two of the guys are big fans. I prefer their wheatbeer. Benediktiner. Though at the end of a long day.. anything is welcome.

Last full day at home... and a small spanner in the works. Highways have decided to close the M20 from our junction to the one immediately before the Tunnel turn-off. So, its a going to be a bit of a rigmarole and much slower ride on Sunday morning. Particularly as the motorway is closed in both directions. The shortest route goes through Ashford and I think that might be a nightmare.. so a short diversion around and join the A20 on the other side. And leaving about 20 minutes earlier than planned to be certain we have the best chance of arriving on time. Ideally, it should take 30 minutes, Ive allowed 45. This is a shame, because (for me at least) the dash from the hotel to the tunnel is all part of it. its thrilling. Aside from that.. the weather forecast has only improved. Dry all the way on Sunday and dry all week, with the coolest day being this Sunday. 17c and improving daily to 22 on Wednesday. Im happy with that, much better than the heatwave we have endured the past 3 years. 30c is nice until you stop. Dog has gone to the minder. Ive got all my docs sorted, final step was travel insurance last night. £8 so cheap as there are so many 'normal' things I don't need. flight cancellations. lost luggage. and so on. just packing my bag - next.

Last time I used a ferry.. the fella asked me if I was happy once he had ratched the straps down.. he used rags to protect the bike. Anyway.. its unlikely I will ever use the ferry again.. unless its to spain. (or norway - please.) The tunnel is far too convenient. (mostly)

I never knew Slough was in India.

I never knew Slough was in India.

almost 4 weeks later and it has arrived and surprisingly has arrived with its own, rather simple, but effective, pump. Far too soon to make a judgement on how it works, but quite by chance (fnarr fnarr) I will have that opportunity to test it, rather soon. seems fine though.. pretty much exactly what I was expecting.

The official importer is Motohaus. but knowing that is worthless unless you can positively identify the luggage brand and precise model. if it were me I would make my own seal.. using silicone rubber and couple that with waterproof inner bags. Trax are well known as leakers.. some people are lucky. many are not.

I agree.. but I will add one other point. A bike can often be offered for sale.. with everything absolutely spot-on. No apparent problems at all. It all works as it should. However there is something waiting in the wings, and thats a major service. A major service that is very expensive. Lets say for instance it involves a valve check... in addition to everything else. EVERYTHING. perhaps the brake fluid will need to be changed as well. This can involve a lot of labour time and because of that - can easily be very expensive. And who wants a big bill.. lets say £500 in labour charges alone, to be conservative. A bill like that soon after spending £1,000s So that bargain bike might turn out to be less of a bargain, when within weeks you have to spend the greater part of a £1000 on it. pay close attention to the service history and do some research on what might possibly be heading your way. sooner or (preferably) a lot later.

An eventful day... a message this afternoon from the Hotel owners wife. what time are you arriving because we will be opening the restaurant,, and so if you can be here by 6pm you can eat here.. (words to that effect) Obviously.. even without needing to ask the guys I agreed. as not only will the restaurant be open, but so will the bar.. and so no need to go in search of an open bar, like we did last year on the Sunday. (and Monday night too) Then one of the guys dredged up a memory of Schnitzel being served on a previous Sunday, years ago, And so I dropped a very (not so subtle hint) so.. better and betterer. no hassle when we arrive, having to go out to eat and then find a bar. none of that. but also the absolute favourite meal they offer.. THE highlight of the week.. on our first night and likely on another night too.. as its a weekly 'event' and the place is known far and wide for this particular dish. So... that means we will need to do the ride in about 7 hours... easy. We get to France at 11. and need to be at Neuerburg by 6. This year I reckon there will be none of the usual tut-tutting and "come on.. enough dilly-dallying" - we will be on a mission. Ive just finished my last shift and cant stop grinning... and now just 5 days. or 4 till we meet up in Kent.

I ride a bicycle every day to and from work.. to use the motorbike is just plain stupid for me. my 'commute' is 1.3 miles. even walking takes just 25 minutes.only 15 minutes longer than using the motorbike given all the faffing involved.

leave off a final decision on gear until Friday.. when we will have a much clearer idea of how the weather is going to shape up. Todays forecast for our week beginning Sunday. Luxembourg in the west and Koblenz on the eastern side. So far so not bad at all for the ride across on Sunday. dry all the way. cloudy.. but dry. and mild.

Yes.