DG Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 For you guys that don't really know me, I'll introduce my steed, myself and my missus AKA Jack.KTM 950 Adventure, in this dress, she's kitted up to be a tourer http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3832.jpgHis 'n' Hers Wardrobes http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3830.jpgI had a bracket made and welded this tool tube I got to the pannier rack to carry a few extra tools. Just in case http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3833.jpgHere's Jack on the Chunnelhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3844.jpgAnd here's yours trulyhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/DSCF3846.jpgThe first day we covered 465 miles and I planned to take a snapshot of the mileage after each day, but I soon forgot Anyway we couldn't find a campsite in Belgium so we had to check into a hotel, we hit the town for an hour or so, but as I was a tad shy of getting the camera and the tripod out in busy public places I didn't get any shots at night time. My shyness didn't last long though as you'll see later on This is a couple of snaps of the town Leuven.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3850.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3849.jpgBreakfast choices, mmmmmm.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3852.jpgWe hit the road determined to rack some miles up as we crossed Belgium, Germany and crossed the border into the Czech Republic. It was late, we were both tired, I couldn't see much as I had my dark visor on and the hotel we punched into the satnav wasn't accessable as there was some kind of carnival going on and all the roads was blocked off We ended up in a busy cobbled square with music pumping out of big speakers, dancers and jugglers weaving their way through many stalls and bars. I couldn't move the bike around, so Jack had to get off and give me a push from the front as bemused teens looked on and laughed We found a hotel and it was a Godsend. €40 for the pair of us including breakfast and for two beers it cost us the pricely sum of €1.46 The place we stayed in was appropriately named Louny.Our Hotelhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3861.jpgThis seemed to be the main attraction, a Medieval Church.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3856.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3853.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3860.jpgDon't really know what this place was, but it was pretty big and imposing http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3855.jpgThen it was time to move on and visit another Medieval Church, famous for a different reason, AKA The Church of Bones.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3876.jpgYou may not recognise it from the outside, but I'm sure many if you have seen it somewhere. All the ornaments and artifacts you see are all made of bones from the bodies exhumed from the graveyard. The church was supposedly built on holy ground and because of this reason many people from miles around wanted to be buried there, but there was not enough room, so the bodies were exhumed after a period of time and their bones were moved into the church.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3862.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3867.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3869.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3873.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3864.jpgCloserhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3866.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3871.jpgWhen we came out of the Church and returned to the bike as I tuned it around I heard a grinding noise I looked at the front brake pads and one side was worn right down to the metal Saturday afternoon, I asked a local policeman who happened to be walking by and he told me that there would be no motorcycle shops open at this hour I remembered we had passed a Honda dealers a couple of miles back and decided to head back there to see if it was open and maybe get some help. Anyway as we pulled out of a junction a guy was behind us on an R1, I flagged him down and tried explaining about the brakes. "Follow me" he says. Well I did and five minutes later we pulled into a bike sales place, I thanked him, shook his hand and with a twist of the throttle he was gone. To cut a long story short the guy behind the desk had the pads in stock and told me that they would fit them for me. I protested and said I had the tools and I would do it myself. He wasn't having it, in a friendly way I hasten to add and told me he'd only charge me €5 for doing the job. Result. He brought us coffee while the mechanic whipped the wheel off. And we had a conversation like this;You like our country?Yes, very much.Where you head for now?I'm not sure really, probably south, we're hoping to visit Bulgaria.You not going to MotoGP?No, we hadn't planned to.You no like MotoGP?Yes I do, but we've not really planned to go.I have a ticket for you for Brno, you want it?Erm..... How much do you want for it?Nothing. It is my gift to you for free. Are you sure?Yes I go on holiday tonight, I cannot go so you have ticket from me?Yes please, thankyou Brno here we come Then I here's the V twin thumping away and the mechanic come out riding the KTM laughing. All done sir. We have a quick chat about bikes and roads and speed cameras. We get kitted up and head for Brno. Quote
Guest Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 Fantastic journey and write-up... is there a Part deux?Excellent... and very jealous Quote
DG Posted September 1, 2009 Author Posted September 1, 2009 Sure is Rick! I've only done up to day 2, we were away for 18 days, plenty more pics to come dude Quote
Guest Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 Wow... looking forward to the rest of it. I'd love to do something like this one day (maybe my 40th?!).I'm heading Belgium with my neighbour in a couple of weeks for three days so looking forward to that... hopefully it will be a good, short trip to get me into touring on the continent! Quote
DG Posted September 1, 2009 Author Posted September 1, 2009 Where abouts in Belgium are you going to? Some parts are pretty expensive Quote
firestorm Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 Where abouts in Belgium are you going to? Some parts are pretty expensive What do you mean "Some Parts"..I have just got back from spending four days out there.It's all expensive..... €50.00 a night for a smelly B&B. €36.00 for an evening meal for two, not including starter, sweet or drinks. I have a feeling we will be going somewhere else in future. Some people have all the luck..free tickets to the MotoGP....nice one. Quote
DG Posted September 1, 2009 Author Posted September 1, 2009 Where abouts in Belgium are you going to? Some parts are pretty expensive What do you mean "Some Parts"..I have just got back from spending four days out there.It's all expensive..... €50.00 a night for a smelly B&B. €36.00 for an evening meal for two, not including starter, sweet or drinks. I have a feeling we will be going somewhere else in future. Some people have all the luck..free tickets to the MotoGP....nice one. Yep! You're probably right we stayed in Brugge for a couple of nights €130 for two nights in a B & B and I ordered a Large (1 litre I think?) Leffe and a small one for Jack. €16.30 Wow... looking forward to the rest of it. I'd love to do something like this one day (maybe my 40th?!).I'm heading Belgium with my neighbour in a couple of weeks for three days so looking forward to that... hopefully it will be a good, short trip to get me into touring on the continent! It's very addictive too! We went to Italy for our honeymoon three years ago. We went to France on the bike last year for a tour of the Normandy Beaches and this year we went round Europe. Next year? Who knows, but it'll be on two wheels somewhere. Enjoy anyway! Quote
YamahaWolf Posted September 1, 2009 Posted September 1, 2009 Fantastic write up, I am so jelous! Quote
DG Posted September 2, 2009 Author Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) Before we got the tickets for the MotoGP we looked at the map and checked the miles to Auchwitz 300+ the same back reluctantly we decided to give it a miss and just head south to meet up with my friend who lives in BulgariaThe great thing about travelling with the tent on the back of the bike and not actually being booked into any hotel is the lack of deadlines and time keeping. I loved the freedom and the fact that when on the road you face obstacles and problems and due to this fact doors get slammed shut, but the flip side is that other doors open; bad times = good timesHence the tickets As we pulled into the camping area at Brno the clutch went Jack told me to call the breakdown people and to get it sorted, but I reasoned with her, that it was late Saturday night, we would be watching the racing on the Sunday, so lets just chill out relax and enjoy ourselves and we'd deal with the bike on Monday when everything would be back open again.We cracked the beers open and got into a bottle of vino http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3879.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3880.jpgBecause of the language barrier I thought I'd take these pics and we might be able to show them to a stall at the GP and maybe get some mineral oil or help??http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3882.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3883.jpgAnyway there were no stalls out selling stuff like that, just beer, cold drinks, food and merchandise. Nevermind, back to the racing http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3892.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3894.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3899.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3916.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3930.jpgIt was really really hot!! Jack bought a frikin Lorenzo brolly to keep the sun off her http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3919.jpgI improvised and soaked my T shirt in cold water and...... Wellhttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3908.jpgRossi Fanshttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3906.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3921.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3939.jpgJThttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3929.jpgThen back at the tent after a right trek, first we walked the wrong way around the outside of the track, we asked the police who told us we were heading in the right direction, but the gut feeling was we were going the wrong way. We asked another policeman and he told us we were many kilometres away, so we had to go back the other way. Four blisters on each foot, I was in agony http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3935.jpgAt about 3 in the morning I heard loads of noise outside the tent and saw shadows round the tent. With my heart thumping I unzipped the tent and had a look to see what was going on. Now look at all this space at the back of the bike.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3943.jpgAll this space and this numb nut decides to park and camp here!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3944.jpgAnyway I mangaged to sort the clutch out and thanks to some mates off the KTM forum I punched the address of the KTM Dealers into the satnav and risked it.20 minutes later and here we are http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3945.jpgI showed the guy behind the counter the pictures of the slave cylinder and pointed to the clutch on one of the bikes in the showroom and the light popped on in his head with a grin Aaah yess, I know problem.Anyway turns out that it wasn't the slave at all it was the small piston and spring inside the clutch reservoir. I wish I'd have got a pic, but sorry I missed the opportunity.But I did get some pics of this beauty in the showroom. MMMMMmmm http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3946.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3947.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3948.jpg Edited September 2, 2009 by DG Quote
Fozzie Posted September 2, 2009 Posted September 2, 2009 Again, Another fine write up But I have to say, I love the look of the KTM in the flesh especially the RC8 but boy does it look pig ugly in that photo Your bike looks a sexy orange thing as he always does through all the pictures though Quote
DG Posted September 2, 2009 Author Posted September 2, 2009 Again, Another fine write up But I have to say, I love the look of the KTM in the flesh especially the RC8 but boy does it look pig ugly in that photo Your bike looks a sexy orange thing as he always does through all the pictures though The one in the photo is the 690 Rallye, loads of tricked up gear on it and ready to race.Thanks for the compliments on the bike too! It was the opposite way for me, I really didn't like the look of the Adventure, but over a few months they really grew on me and after riding one? Well the rest's history Quote
JoshRS Posted September 2, 2009 Posted September 2, 2009 Very interesting looking forward to hearing how the rest of your tour worked out.WE WANT MORE! Quote
DG Posted September 2, 2009 Author Posted September 2, 2009 Once we got the clutch sorted out we headed south and we crossed yet another border, similar to the rest of the borders we had crossed there was no passport control, just a desserted block of offices and a sign stating which country you were in followed by a sign pointing out speed limits on roads and that you should be riding/driving with your headlights on.We stopped for a bite to eat and by this time I'd got my Spricken zie inglish? Off to a tee, but in this small establishment, no one spoke much English. We looked at the menu and we chose what the lady thought we'd like Beef and chips we thought? http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/IMG_0143.jpgAnd we got thishttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3949.jpgIt was like minced pork kebabs, with roast potatoes and lots of onions. It was really good and tasty! We looked at the maps and picked out a campsite right on the side of a huge lake a town by the name of Podersdorf am See. We checked in and as soon as the tent was pitched we pulled our swimming gear on and went for a dip! It was heaven http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3957.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3953.jpgAfter many many miles of long straight roads with nothing to see but flat lands and the horizon on all sides. I've heard that the African skies are huge, but Bulgaria, Germany and the Czech Republic are vast too and I'm sure would give the skies of Africa a run for their money. All this changed once we passed into Austria. The views were simply stunning, you turn a corner and you are treated to the most spectacular vistas' real picture post card sights.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3969.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3968.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3967.jpgThe hairpins soon came thick and fast, switchback after switchback, uphill and down hill. Jack comments on the views and invites me to look down, it's like when you come into land on a plane looking down at the villages all the green grass and the lakes shimmering in the sunlight. I managed to steal a quick glimpse, but I had to kep my eyes on the road http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3970.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3964.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3962.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3966.jpgThe temperture was soaring and it was a relief to drop down into a few villages, we stopped to grab a bite to eat and take on some water.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3971.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3973.jpg Quote
JoshRS Posted September 2, 2009 Posted September 2, 2009 http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e92/nagikokiyohara/MOAR.jpg Quote
techno Posted September 2, 2009 Posted September 2, 2009 Nice write up Gav, nowt like a foreign moto gp round either so much better than here!! Quote
DG Posted September 3, 2009 Author Posted September 3, 2009 We crossed another border and we entered Slovenia, again we were treated to the most spectacular views as we crossed more mountain passes, the sun was shining and the skies were a gorgeous blue. We didn't do many miles today and we found a campsite in a small village called Ljubno, a few kilometres north of Ljubljana.Setting up camphttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3977.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3975.jpgJack did some washing and set up a washing line with a guy rope and fastened it to the bike, then cracked open the beers. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/IMG_0145.jpgWe spotted some kids playing on a trampoline as we ate our food, Jack says she's going to have a go on it in the morning. I don't believe her. I was wrong http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3978.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3980.jpgAfter her morning exercise we packed up and hit the road, not before a small water crossing to get back to the main campsite though.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3985.jpgSome of the views on the road, some of the pictures don't do it justice, but you can see the real natural beauty http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3987.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3991.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3988.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3998.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF3995.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4001.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4004.jpgWe stopped a few times to check my phone as I had my daughter pm a fellow inmate who I'd got to know through the Advrider forum and we had kind of agreed to meet up on the road, Dubravko who lives in Zargreb. Unfortunately he couldn't get through to me so we headed west towards Italy and Croatia. The temperature was rising the further south we travelled. We passed through Italy, back into Slovenia and then into Croatia which was the only border in which we had to show our passports We tried a couple of campsites which were not to our liking, we were going to take a couple of days off and we wanted a decent site, we batted on under the tremendous heat and we finally found on in Umag. Like before we pitched the tent, I downed a litre and a half of water and we went and jumped in the cool sea!http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4013.jpgNow to get this shot put me in a bit of pain http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4009.jpgI was getting bolder with the camera and I had the tripod out a few times, I put the timer on the camera, and my feet were still sore from all the walking at the MotoGP, as I made my way across the rocks hastily I slipped I was rubbing my foot and putting my sandal on as the camera clicked.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4010.jpgWe hung around lazily and chilled and we paddled in the cool sea a bit more and we just waited for the sunset.http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4005.jpghttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4006.jpgI tried doing the star jump trick as an old couple looked on a tad bemused, but hey ho the barriers were coming down and I didn't really care. Four or five goes later and this is the best effort, not brilliant, but not bad. http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u38/ducatigav/Bulgaria%2009/DSCF4021.jpg Quote
Netmeister Posted September 3, 2009 Posted September 3, 2009 Some of the views on the road, some of the pictures don't do it justice, but you can see the real natural beauty Totally agree. Pictures never ever do sceneries like that justice, you just can't fit in the vastness of it all. I was getting bolder with the camera and I had the tripod out a few times, I put the timer on the camera, and my feet were still sore from all the walking at the MotoGP, as I made my way across the rocks hastily I slipped I was rubbing my foot and putting my sandal on as the camera clicked. I laughed out loud reading that. You couldn't have planned it any better.Great write up Gav. Really makes me want to do it myself in the future.Look forward to the next chapter. Quote
Fozzie Posted September 3, 2009 Posted September 3, 2009 http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/02/moar-moar-moar.jpgKeep this up! I am liking what I read.Can I also reccomend you make a booklet of the trip. A hard copy so you can always go back and look over it and put it on sale in the forum shop so members can see your route and what to do Actually.. thats not a bad idea... Quote
DG Posted September 3, 2009 Author Posted September 3, 2009 Cheers for the comments and kind words guys I really appreciate it.Fozzie you made me smile man! I did a video diary and actually wrote a book about our honeymoon trip to Italy, I niavely thought it was a "big deal" (I suppose it was for us at the time) I even gave a copy to Charley Boorman and asked him if he'd write me a fore word for it. I was amazed when he said yes, but that was 2 years ago and I've still heard nothing Never mind eh? One day maybe? I've still got a copy I've kept for myself though.Thanks for the suggestion though mate, like I say I do genuinely appreciate it Quote
Guest philgale Posted September 3, 2009 Posted September 3, 2009 looks quality mate....makes me want to do one myself Quote
techno Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 looks quality mate....makes me want to do one myself Most of wish you would do one!sorry Quote
Guest Posted September 4, 2009 Posted September 4, 2009 Great write up, glad you had so much fun Good pics too Never have too many (i take 1000's too sometimes )Look forward to more Quote
DG Posted September 4, 2009 Author Posted September 4, 2009 Great write up, glad you had so much fun Good pics too Never have too many (i take 1000's too sometimes )Look forward to more Lol! I agree I took just short of 800 pictures! One of the sayings of the trip was; you can never have enough pictures can you? Quote
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