Gerontious

I’m not really sure if any of the guys would want to relocate to Cochem. We’ve been there and to be honest and maybe I’m speaking out of turn, but purely for myself - I view it as a tourist hell. We went there once for a meal and none of the guys have ever requested a return. I don’t even like riding through the place as traffic is always really bad and as for most of the time we seem to have huge swathes of the region entirely to ourselves, encountering heavy traffic comes as a nasty shock. Something to avoid. Or I get moaned at, and I don’t like being moaned at. My worst mistakes have always been mixing with heavy traffic. That’s nearly always the top complaint. Because where we stay and the region we tend to stay within is effectively deserted. Mile after mile of empty roads from 9am to about 5 when the local excuse for the rush home from work begins.

this place has been mentioned before .. any particular reason its popular ? https://www.schlosshotel-neuerburg.de/ It’s popular with us because, mostly, the owners are extremely laid back. Nothing is ever a problem. I might book 10 rooms, they have never asked for a deposit or batted an eyelid when I’ve been forced to email them to cancel a room or rooms. It’s ideally placed for some of the best riding in the region. With Luxembourg just 12 miles away, we always have at least one full day over there. It actually stands on a really good road. The L4 so great riding is literally on the doorstep. With the equally great B50 to the south and B410 to the north. And from either end - every direction is just great. It’s a very German hotel, so the food reflects that, I just tell them we don’t want sauerkraut. (Which I think is repulsive) Tonight: noodle soup, followed by schnitzel, fries and a salad. Probably ice cream later. What you see there could probably feed two. The food servings are more than generous. Which is great, because we usually have big appetites at days end, For me, coming here for my final night is just obvious. Tomorrow after a huge breakfast it’s a very easy 255 mile ride to the tunnel. Chocolate and hazelnut ice cream (and my 3rd Benediktiner)

Guess where I am. Can you guess. Schnitzel ordered and I’m sitting out front with a Benedikiner. Shower then food. (And more Benediktiner) Traditional photo of said Schnitzel to follow. (Obviously) Billy no mates...

I’ll just stick with the thread title. Err.

I just use my mobile as a hub for the computer. Fast enough for my internet needs. I was with Virgin and was so glad to see the back of them. When I told them my landline was redundant and please disconnect it. They told me that my bill would increase!!! That really was the last straw. They take the concept of a “loyalty penalty” to the extreme.

No. Next year will most likely be staying at the Schloss in Neuerburg, for at least a week, maybe longer. We can discus that when I return. Today I am back in the Black Forest and bloody glad to be here after today’s ride from hell. Today was definitely my biggest mistake so far, but hey ho. I managed to avoid the speed traps or setting off the blue roadside cameras. Blue! Who knew? Over the course of the past fortnight I have been through 3 speed traps, 2 Austrian and 1 Swiss. Loads of roadside cameras and never a flash, I’ve been a lot more careful after being flashed last year. Though the fine wasn’t much really. In a very odd campsite. Nice, but a bit different, with a hippy commune vibe. Everyone here is Dutch. Absolutely everyone. Beer is cheap though, they have an unlocked fridge and an honesty box. But at €2 a bottle I’m not complaining. “Ketterer Bier” a very palatable Pils made a mile down the road. Very warm here even now at 9:20 another blue sky day tomorrow and 26c, I shall work out a different route as the B500 will be rammed, I had it almost to myself as far as Triberg. All those naughty Germans having their tea I guess. Just the odd random lunatic here and there. Just took two photos one of the first B500 sign and then some random roadside view on the way here. I’ll be at the Schloss tomorrow night and then ride to the tunnel on Sunday.

Well, that was horrible. If anyone ever suggests we go to Switzerland. My answer will be: “you can F. R.O.” Now back in Germany, currently at Waldshut and having something to eat. My first ever Burger King since this trip began. I’ll be joining the 500 in a bit and start north 3:45 now, so, see how far I get, before looking for somewhere to camp at about 7.hopefully with a (rather cheaper) Bar!!

This might upset any fanboys, but I have to say that Switzerland is by far the most tedious country to ride a motorbike in. And if I never come here again I will not be at all disappointed. Petrol is €1.45 a litre. I’m having a 15 minute break at some random bus stop, (and probably breaking a law by doing so) because bus stops seem to be the only place that offers seating. I’ve been through village after village, past parking spot after parking spot and no seating at all. Anywhere. Nobody overtakes. Everyone seems to drive at well under the speed limit and even then will slam on the brakes when the limit reduces at a village. I can’t wait to get back into Germany. Oddly enough where I’m parked has some anti-tank dragons teeth across the road, no paranoias here then.

That’s perhaps your good luck. I can see the reaction to €7 a bottle of Erdinger. You would fall to the floor foaming at the mouth, maybe do a bit of writhing for added dramatic effect. Shocking price, almost Scandinavian. Last nights menu. The cheapest ‘starter’ was €22.50. I was forced to use emergency food rations. Dried fruits and nuts and a couple of pieces of dark chocolate. Another boringly predictable blue sky day, with just some low cloud wreathing the mountain tops. I’ve a route to the Rhine that avoids the one ‘big’ town, Winterthur. Just under 100 miles. At the moment I’m not seriously considering a return to the Schloss today, I may just wander through the Black Forest and stay there, at its north end tonight and think about tomorrow when it comes. ODO is 2650 miles and I’m 506m up a mountain side. Just been to pay for the night and this has been, by a long way, the most expensive campsite so far. Last night, on my way here, I was thinking perhaps a room if it was too late, I dread to think how much that would have cost. Almost £22 for one night!!! That’s nearly double the average!!

7 euros a 500ml bottle. No wonders this is such a rich country. But, while I was waiting to pay my bill, I happened to glance at a groups bill, 6 people and their meal plus everything cost €525!!! And with that, I shall wobble back to my tent. I could murder a bag of fish and chips

You’ll soon get used to the attitude you get from other bikers. It’s always been the same. I got it in the late 90s when I got my first. Though the look of shock I used to get when I took off my helmet and they realised I was ‘only’ a 30 something was always amusing. Never mind eh. I’ve sat and watched the GS turn from an oddball and rather rare bike to what it is now. On my tour I would guess 3 out of every 5 bikes I’ve seen have been BMWs, aside from in Italy where they seem to be mad about Triumphs, so many of them. Almost outnumbering the GS. You’ll have great fun with that bike. They ARE great bikes, see what happens while the warranty and other benefits are in play. Hopefully you’ve got a good one and any teething problems will be speedily dealt with, that’s if you have any problems. Many never do. (Though those who do always scream the loudest)

One down and another on the way, I have to say the ride here was visually stunning. I added a photo looking down the Gerlos pass. They have built a road that effectively goes down a cliff. Truly amazing engineering. The road just curves round and round like some bizarre spiral staircase. Impossible to photograph and when I got to the bottom I just didn’t want to stop again. For a time I was riding in the clouds which was very odd too. Anyway, tomorrow I shal be riding very sedately (and extremely legally)across Switzerland to the Rhine crossing and the very southern end of the B500. Already done that road so I shall perhaps zig zag north. And if time allows head for the Eifel and maybe stay at the Schloss again. Though that might prove too much of a slog. We’ll see. But Schloss Schnitzel!!! Been a great day as my last day in the Alps. Been a great two weeks to be honest. Despite the rain when I first came to Austria. See what tomorrow brings.

My mission was a success!! I’m in a country I have never visited before. Where the number plates on cars are Black. Which is very odd and all start with LF. It’s also the first country I’ve entered by a main road that didn’t have the usual country sign. With driving rules and so on. Greetings from Liechtenstein!! And Camping Mittagsspitze, which is a few miles south of Vaduz. It has an outrageously priced restaurant!!! I’m not hungry (suddenly) I’ve eaten well today anyway. And my beer has arrived and it’s Erdinger!!! Oh joy! Oh pleasures untold. Probably costs £20 a bottle, but I’m past caring. This is the one Alpine country I’m allowed to stay in!! I was worried it would be dark by the time I arrived, but thanks to Austrian 82mph speed limits on the autobahn I illegally used (no vignette) I had plenty of time. Location of this place is stunning, but photos will have to wait until daylight. Now.... beer,

Five minute break.. I’m on a mission, 52 miles to go. My view.

And a few more. The road to and along the Plansee is now, officially, one of my favourite roads ever. Smooth as silk, tarmac to dream of and breathtaking.

I seem to be popping in and out of Austria today Like some sort of demented frequent flier. Another lovely day so far. Now heading towards Garmisch and then Plansee, a lake I always wanted to see. Just stopped for strawberries, which were just what I needed in this heat. 28c

I just looked that OMC Jones up, he was piloting a Lancaster and was attacked by a night fighter. The entire crew died and are all at Durnbach. Flew out of Scrampton, which I’ve ridden past, in Lincolnshire. It was his 30th mission. I just happened upon his grave. But these are the ones I think are worth a moment of my time. Forgotten and unknown. It does really get me that even all these years later there will be relatives of these 6 who know they died but nothing more and here they are.

When you look at torque values always bear in mind that any fixing that may be contaminated with oil, the torque reduces by about 30%. It’s important to remember this or you risk stripped threads. As for the actual question, I bought a 40-200nm

Get up early and everything outside the tent is soaked, so tomorrow I won’t be packing up until the suns risen over yonder lump of limestone and the tents dried out a bit. Lovely and cool now. Time for a shower and go track down that beer. Been a good day.

Back in the mountains 946m up a hill. 2410 road miles from home. And I need a beer. At a place with the charming name of Wackersberg.

So warm!! I’m at Durnbach and having walked around I’m sitting in the shade an emotional wreck. Both the unknowns get me, I think of the family’s that waited for news that never came. The vast majority here are under 30yo and many of them died within weeks of the wars end. But the saddest part are the personal messages that were allowed on the stones. But anyway this place and its setting is wonderful, facing the mountains. This is the view from where I am right now. With the mountains off to my right. From a shaded seat. And one particular grave. A DFC. But what his relatives asked for just sums up the whole thing.

On my way and waiting for the ferry across the Danube (no less) donaufahre stephanspocshing.

Grandmother, she was 82 Unless she changed her plans. She will be back home in Eraclea. and I wasn’t invited to visit. Or, if I was then I didn’t understand what she was sayin. She made great food though. Total yum.

No, that’s Rotherham.

I’m heading south again, there is a CWGC cemetery at a place called Durnbach I want to visit, it’s the most southerly British Cemetery in Germany and handily isn’t too far from the German Alpine Road, which I will then follow, perhaps returning to the Black Forest. Harz is too far north, over 300 miles from here and I can’t be bothered with that. So first, go and visit the almost 3000 men buried at Durnbach and especially the 93 Unknown’s, then follow the route west.