Gerontious

I never got on with MRA. As I have a Garmin as well as an Apple computer. I find it’s simpler to use Garmins own route planner - Basecamp. which some people seem to have huge problems with but to me is incredibly simple. I never use waypoints. ive been told that basecamp for windows is a POS. I can’t comment on that as I’ve not had a windows device since 2011. It works well on MacOS.

My greatest memory of the very first trip and arrival at the Schloss. Was terror. as I mentioned the cost of the room seemed too good to be true. Half board was (at the time) comparable in price to room only at other hotels in the area.. especially those I looked at over the border in Luxembourg. Maybe a few that offered B&B. But they didn’t have enough rooms or they demanded a deposit. So when we arrived I was terrified that the Schloss might be a flea pit. Aware that sometimes websites show places in the best possible light. I ran to the two guys who were already there and asked them ‘is it alright?’ And got broad smiles - “it’s great!!”. it was a Monday and we arrived in time for dinner. Which was pretty good, far better than I hoped. The rooms were exactly as portrayed on the website - so that was good too. And the rest (as they say) is history. Breakfast next morning was gob smacking. Really good. it was the first time… so it wasn’t perfect and a lot of lessons were learnt. Most notably the travel in both directions was moved to the weekend. So we had 5 days ‘there’. And it became set in stone that we would go the weekend after August Bank Holiday. this first time was an experiment - we went for 3 days. Just to see what it was like. Crossing on the Monday and returning on the Friday. (Which was a big mistake) nobody died.

that can only happen if you are stopped. Personally I have absolutely zero sympathy. It’s no secret that the Swiss take a very dim view of speeding. It’s no secret that the Swiss police target popular passes and especially at weekends. It’s no secret that the fines are staggeringly high and although these are mitigated somewhat by the financial ability of the person involved - this is only true if you are a Swiss citizen. This intolerance of speeding is something the Swiss are perfectly happy with. They could change it any time they want with a referendum - they choose not to. It’s their country. If you don’t like the way they operate - stay away. I choose to stay away.

I’ve never stayed at Daytona and in fact I’m not convinced it even existed in early 2012 when I was looking at hotels in the area, though to be fair I was concentrating my efforts around Vianden as the original, very original intention was to stay on the Luxembourg side of the border and within easy reach of Vianden, a place I considered unaffordable, but still a good centre. So I was looking at hotels within the area up to about 10 miles. And so it was that I clicked on the Schloss and the rest is history. My search ended abruptly. It’s difficult enough organising a group of strangers and trying to coax a deposit from them was just another complication and seemed quite daunting. So as soon as I saw that the Schloss didn’t require one. That was it. Sorted. The “Biker Welcome” label helped too. So did the price for half board - which at the time seemed too good to be true!! Anyway it was worth the risk and it all worked out really well. Over 12 years we’ve been there 8 times. With 4 breaks, once when we had a week in the Black Forest. Another time the Vercors in the south of France and then a forced break due to Covid. One year when travel was too risky. And the next when it was simpler to go to Ireland instead. im sure the Daytona won’t be closed for long. It’s quite unique in that part of the Eifel & Luxembourg.

Cleaned and oiled the chain and sat back satisfied (for about a minute) then I had a good look at the rear sprocket - I think the time is fast approaching where the whole drive train will need replacing. So that’s the task for this winter. Get the parts together so it can be replaced without having to pay for the whole shebang at once. Sprockets first then a chain. 26,000 miles and only one adjustment. I’m not sure if that’s good bad or about average.

Its not important. Top photo is of the last remnants of Nazi Germanys great defence called the 'West Wall" - anti tank 'dragons teeth' that failed miserably. near Großkampenberg. second is the view over Cochem from the viewing platform on the B259 third is while taking shelter from a nasty thunderstorm near the Geyser at Wallenborn. fouth is a random arty rain shot. fifth is our old friend which we simply call 'The Northampton' on the road above La Roche-en-Ardenne. something we always look forward to seeing. sixth a random group shot. seventh the castle above Vianden. Luxembourg. we went out for a short evening ride 'around the block' to see it. eighth - a view of Pieseport. and the Hunsrück beyond. ninth - while having a rest and sheltering from the rain and thunderstorm before heading to Daun for lunch. tenth - an overloaded table covered in food. The Schloss does tend to over feed. eleventh the memorial plaque on The Northampton.

Oh… and in one of the local villages those mucky Germans were having a party and could I convince the guys to pop along? nope. I’ve never been to ‘that’ kind of a party - maybe next time.

I’m giving this year a 7/10 and that’s mostly because it was highly unusual. Any other year we’ve had blue sky mornings and blue sky days. Occasionally a bit of cloud and either warm or very warm. This year we had 3 wet mornings with light rain for the most part early morning with the rain going away.. aside from occasional ‘spitting’ that didn’t amount to much and as the mornings progressed everything dried up quickly. Once again we didn’t lose a day to rain though our starts were a little later than is normal 10am to 11am instead of soon after 9. Not a washout by any stretch but VERY unusual for this, our normal week for the past 12 years. We did get caught in a thunderstorm on one of the days and were sheltered from the worst of it. With a lightning strike that hit mere feet away. The bang was VERY loud. and then Thursday happened and a rainstorm that came from nowhere, just as we were returning to base. and was absolutely ferocious in its short-lived intensity. Rain drops that individually could have filled a tea cup. Preceded (and I’m so glad we missed it) by what was by all accounts a brief intense wind storm over Neuerburg, not a tornado but one if those down drafts that have knocked planes out of the sky. The rain though… was absolutely outrageous and I was really worried about the guys as we were spread out and visibility was measured in feet. The road became a river and that last 2 miles was the longest ride of my life. I have never seen, let alone ridden through conditions like that. A proper super concentrated tropical summer rainstorm. But.. everyone came through it unscathed if a bit wet. Its onset was so sudden and there was nowhere to take shelter and/or time to change into waterproofs. But we all got back to the hotel and this will I’m sure become a story that will be passed down the generations. epic. but rain didn’t define the week, it just made some of the days a bit shorter than usual by an hour or two. Everyone had a good time and already the dates for next year are agreed and the countdown has begun. 4 regulars and 4 newbies and I can’t praise them highly enough. it was a great week. I’ll let the others tell their own stories.

All the ducks in a row.

Kebabs and Bitburgs all round at the Saray Grill. (I forget the flash) it’s 9pm here. We arrived about 7:30. It’s been very hot today, over 30c and no breeze. So getting here has been a chore - nobody died. No mishaps at all. One road closed so there followed a bit of a mystery ride to get back on track. The change of tarmac at the Luxembourg border was as incredible as always. And the guys were agog at the petrol station at Dasburg which doubles as the most amazing duty free type place- they sell tobacco by the bucket!! As well as other essentials. (Obviously) like cheap petrol.

Currently in deepest Belgium and a lunch break, if a bit late. 30c outside so luxuriating in the air con at SPY. Late, but we’re on schedule. everything has gone remarkably smoothly so far. Amazingly

I’m quite boring. Years ago I bought a crash helmet that suited me perfectly and although the name has changed multiple times, their sizing and overall style hasn’t. Just little tweaks in style. And I’ve stuck with them so buying new is very simple the same size will always be a perfect fit. I bought a new one just a couple of weeks ag. Same brand same size. Perfect fit.

it’s a lovely place and with luck by the time we get there the vast majority of trippers will be gone. After this it’s 34 twisty miles to the hotel. via a petrol stop. Q8 Though Im guessing there will be pressure to stop at the view point above Vianden too.. I don't mind. (Its quite special).

It’s gone from months to weeks to days and now 44 hours till we ride away from our overnight stop to check-in at the tunnel on Sunday morning. Next week looks great. Small chance of a few rain showers here and there. But these should be easy enough to avoid or take them as an excuse to eat cake while they pass by. Worst case we’ll just head in a random direction to avoid it. Seems like a very low chance of constant rain. So I’m not worried about a washout. We’ve never once lost a full day to rain. On the plus side it’s going to be much milder during the week. Mid 20s - but 30 on Sunday. The plan is to take it easy with plenty of stops and coffee and cake in Luxembourg at one of my favourite places.

All the checks and oiled the chain. Turned it on and let it warm up properly to check the oil level. Everything is as it should be ready for Saturday and the ride south.

Its Scunthorpe on sea. after a walk under the palm trees on the east parade. I bought a stick of rock and a new hat. very jolly watching the dolphins in the bay. as well as the natives doing their renowned hula dance in genuine grass troosers.

Not quite as shiny and complete with a few scratches now. Not that I care (much) bought before Brexit. The prices now are shocking. But at least I can leave the camping gear at home. I do enjoy doing bike camping tours, but this annual week at the Schloss is a nice change. I’m at work and the rampaging schizophrenics are all tucked up in bed. Last shift tonight so, roll on 7am and I can turn my back on this place for 16 days.

Its effectively deserted once you are away from the tourist traps along the Mosel river and the immediate area around the Nurburgring. September, Kids are back in school and its a normal working week. The very few tourists we see are like us. having a quiet week away. Obviously its all change at the weekend when its once again a major magnet - especially for the Dutch. But Monday to Friday. - empty. Its always great to go back.

and BANG.. its August Bank Holiday weekend. and that can only mean one thing. (aside from the first signs of Christmas appearing in the shops - look out for the big tins of chocolates!!) Such an exciting time of the year. Just one more weekend... albeit a long one before we set off next Saturday!! Weather is looking promising. though we need to curb our excitement about that until next Wednesday/Thursday. mid to high 20s seem assured, we'll just have to see if we need to dodge any summer rainstorms. it can and does occasionally happen. its still Northern Europe after all. Im not too worried, in fact Im not worried at all. Routes are loaded onto an SD card in the Zumo and all that remains is to jot down some explanatory notes so I know what's what. though Luxembourg Grand Tour is self explanatory. As are the routes from the Tunnel to our hotel. (and back again) Also a ride up to the Dutch border. And a visit to the Nurburgring. and the rather nice Coffee and Cake shop in Adenau. Should be fun if a little fattening. Actually coffee and cake is on the cards for the run across.. we will be stopping off at Esche Sur Sure, where there's a rather lovely cafe next to the river. So another week to plough through... tick tock.

I agree. But only because it was the only colour scheme available at the time.

8x6 here. Never had an issue with either the police or a jobsworth MOT.

It’s yet another cheap Chinese copy. Though it looks very much like the original it doesn’t have the logo and for £10 - seems great don’t it!! Because it needs to be absolute reliable - if it fails at the wrong moment you could easily be thrown off the bike and perhaps killed. I cannot recommend it. When I bought mine I had effectively 3 choices. The thumb holder, which is just a plastic wraparound that you can hold in position more easily and give your hand a bit of a rest. The Kaoko. Which replaces the bar end and can hold the throttle in position by turning it to introduce friction. And the Atlas - which seemed to me at the time the best solution, even if it wasn’t the cheapest. im the wrong person to be asking about cheap Chinese copies. I wouldn’t touch them with a barge pole.