Pie man

First one of the trip, be rude not too.

Have you looked at the Garmin Zumo XT. I'm certain it has those features.

@Yorky Have a good & safe trip pal. Might see you out and about

I've booked the 13.25 but all being well, I'm planning to get there an hour earlier, I hope.

Made in Lancashire

I usually hit motorway too, to get out of the boring Pas du Calais. On previous trips I have travelled from my home in the northwest UK to Klotten in Germany in a day, 640 miles in 13hrs, only stopping for fuel and refreshments and in doing so missed the boring Pas du Calais. Last year I did a 540m to Normandy in the day. This year is different for a number of reasons, one being due to my shoulder injury, I don't want to push it this year, so after the 300 mile UK motorway ride, I am only planning a 60 mile leisurely ride to Bethune, it might be boring, but, I'm in no rush. The following day will be a leisurely ride through Belgium and Luxemburg and Germany, check in is after 1600hrs so no rush.

I haven't one myself, but saving my pennies to purchase one, I have read good things about the Innovv K3 https://innovv.co.uk/ I have never heard of the Vantrue, however, it look like a decent bit of kit

The beauty of solo travelling, but never alone, and I suppose travelling together requires compromise. I have changed my strategy this year due to a shoulder injury, last years trip to Normandy was a 550 mile slog on day one, this year I'm planning less miles and taking my time to include some sightseeing. only me to please I suppose.

I almost thought it was an oxymoron. I believe they are a good employer when you get past packaging and delivery.

I thought I would give the Daytona a try, last place I stayed at in the area was http://www.mueller-kyllburg.de/ Once I land on French Soil, I don't intend touching the motorway.

I'll be the idiot riding around on this

I've experienced this first hand (no pun intended) 12 weeks in plaster, following Scaphoid and ulnar collateral ligament damage, surgery to reconnect ligament. This was following an off. Gloves protected from gravel rash, held on to bars too long though

Leaving on the 18th, its a long motorway ride to catch the train (300 miles), then a short non motorway ride down to Bethune for the night, then the next 4 days will be in and around the Eifel. Luckily there are many ideas stolen from the Eifel/Luxembourg 23 Tour. I will be visiting some places I've been before and some new places along the way in Luxembourg. Short break this year due to having the Canadians over earlier this year. Next year further afield for sure, need to get back to the Alps. Need to smuggle a few bags of Squashies sweets in the luggage

Many good places to take in the views, traversing along the Moselle between Cochem to Trier along the 53. Pie Sport is a tradition in Wigan too

I had had them on the 1290 and didn't get along with them at all. Probably better suited for the Honda, but I found them shockingly poor in the wet. Then again, it could have been my riding style. I'm not keen on the Avons I have on the 890 either. No pleasing some folk

Sorry to hear of your husbands accident. I can only offer my experience after being hit twice. I would seek the advice of an independent specialist. Do not rush and react to the pressures of your insurer, as above, try White Dalton for starters. I will never go with the recommendations of my insurer again. But your circumstances may be different, and it is sometimes easy to go with who your insurer suggests, don't be pressured. It helps to have legal cover.

Starting to put a list together for the trip. So far. 1. Passport, less than 6 months on it, but more than 3 months after I return. 2. Euro's - Trip to the post office in order - Hotel is cash only. 3. All the usual paperwork - V5 & Insurance + Travel Insurance + EIHC + Euro Vehicle Recovery. Leave the rest until end of next week, then panic

Would like to hear what you think of them when you're back in blighty. I had them on the Katoom and thought they were shocking.

Made in Lancashire

Now that sounds like a good idea. Work can wait

I probably have the most uncomfortable seat on the KTM, both the 1290 and 890 seats are bad and I opted for the ergo seats. In the end I purchased the airhawk, move it from bike to bike.

I have been 1st week in June, weather is usually good, passes are usually open however, weather at the moment has been so incalculable, who knows when is the best time to go . I tend to miss the month of August, just to busy.

I'm hoping you guys will add some pictures on your travels of towns/places and of course local patisserie.

My Wife and our kids have I phones, so they use the find my I phone app however, I use an android phone, so we also use Life 360. Its good but sometimes there are glitches when they decide to turn off notifications. My wife knew there was something wrong when I had my last accident however, when I was out last week in Wales and with no signal she started to panic a little.