Poland & Beyond goes Multiple

Not sure how but the next big trip to Poland & Beyond will now have 4 bikes. I am still trying to keep the planning minimal. The only firm things at present are the dates - Out on Friday 7th and back on the 23rd May. The route is fluid but the general direction known. Stopping/overnight stops are not planned - places of interest to visit are so far very few at present - Vilnius for a hotel stop also Treblinka and Aushwitz are just two (everyone should visit - just the once).

The bike is holding up to the changes to the weather - it must be due for yet another service soon - will try the Honda dealer in Bournemouth next. The bike will need to be in good shape for the trip. I suppose that by May 2010 it will need new brake pads, new tyres - bugger.... where did that 5,000 miles go !!! See ya

That was a week that was...

What a week - first the fuel pump on the bike - then the switch for the heated grips and then the car but that's another sad tale..

Visited the Motorcycle show on Monday at the NEC Birmingham - it was OK but quieter that usual. Met with a few friends whilst wandering around, including Sam Manicom. Didn't but much this year - just a brilliant book by Dave Gurman "The Carin' Sharin' Chronicles", a set of spanners and some oil. Had a good look around and left about 2pm. The trip up was awful - heavy rain, high winds, pitch black and cold..... thank goodness for the heated gloves. The trip back was dry but the temperature dropped very quickly and had to stop to warm up just north of Winchester.

Next year - will lead a group up as good company can make a difference..

This Sunday is the HU Meeting at the High Corner Inn .... I wonder how many will brave the weather !!! I know I will.....

Up Up and Away

Well it looks as thought it will be three for Poland and Beyond. The trip will now be Dave Charlton, Steve Davies and myself. The date is still two weeks in May and the planning will now continue.

As for stuff in the meantime - well the the trusty old XRV 750 Africa Twin broke down twice over the past few weeks - we all thought it was an electrical fault - but having all checked out - Mr Mugabe stopped again !! Bugger - and in the middle of the biggist rain storm !! We to cut a long story short it was the bloody Fuel Pump again - I only replaced that about 8 months ago ... Ah well I happened to have another on the shelf and it is still running.... fingers crossed.......

NEC Motorcycle Show next week....

One becomes three - possibly

Well - following the republication of me article about the trip to Andorra - two colleagues has come forward and are wanting to join in to the round to Lithuania in May next year.

First this was to re-read the chapter in the Adventure Motorcycling Handbook on Riding Solo or with Companions..... and we shall see how it goes in the planning leading up to May... Should be fun as I know both the other riders and have ridden with them before.

Quite of lot of friends have now signed up for the Rigby 2010 event.... and for the HU South event / Drink at the High Corner Inn next month.....


Oh and still no news on the proposed Enduro India ----!!!!

A quick dash at the Weekend

Well what a brilliant weekend - all the IAM Observers from SAM going on a training weekend into darkness Devon. 372 miles over two days of twisty country lanes with expert guidance - 9 hours and 25 minutes actual ride time. Excellent stuff..... the video was shot by Colin Hitchcock ..

Life goes on .... and on .... and on.....

Yes life goes on... Bike has had new footwear and a service (33,000 miles) - hopefully the oil leak has gone !

Planning for Lithuania is still ongoing - maps obtained and I will be staying over in the City and have even been invited out to dinner. Dates are still liquid at present due to family matters - but still May or June 2010.

Wet weather now here - thank god for the new boots.

Went West..........

Hi Each - just return from a very quick trip to the West Country - 2 days on Exmoor... very relaxing and the both the weather and the lager were good..... first night at the River Exe Campsite and the second night just outside Bideford... Rode back via the south coast and could not resist calling in a CW Motorcycles just for a coffee and a view of the R1200 GS A !! £10,500 is still a lot of money. Bike has now developed an oil leak on the right hand side mmmmmmmmmm bugger.... 33,000 miles on the clock - 22,500 since I got it in April 2008..

...Time marches on.... Not a lot happening - the bike is still running well but will require new tyres before too long - have a little time to spare from the annual holiday so I have taken a couple of days off at the end of this month and will re-visit Exmoor - (Leave Sunday and return Tuesday type of thing). Just need to get away for a few days - chill in the countryside - cover a few more miles. Mind you I have had Mr Mugabe for 16 months now and have covered over 22,300 miles !!! And will probably get wet too.

Picture taken by Carlton Swanbrow on Poles Lane in Hamphire for his web site see http://www.machinesinmotion.co.uk/

..The deed is done

Having checked with management the plan has been approved and the destination is Poland (and possibly Lithuania) !! The planning starts now . but will try not to plan too much - camping is the order of the day but with a couple of B & Bs here and there.... I have the map - all is set - sort of...


The rules will be be same - No Rushing - No more than 250 miles in a day - and CHILL


I am going to take myself off to Exmoor again in September just for a couple of days

Must get some better pictures......

Is it planning or scheming !!

.. Wel I have mode up my mind to ride to Poland in 2010 - the plan is to ride over the top and stop at Sopot ( I did stay there in 1979) and then ride down to Treblinka, Warsaw and then home. About 2500 miles.... Countries covered will be France, Holland, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Luxemberg, Belgium (not in that order !!) sorry about the poor image here but I think you can get the idea ..

I have read that the camping in Poland is not too good - so I may have to B & B it.

Of course I have got to run this past the Mangement but we will see.. I would be hoping for at least 12 days away. in May or Jun 2010.. Still not much further forward on the Enduro India for 2011 - I am still awaiting the other chap to extract the digit and get on with passing his m/cycle test !!!

..... Well not much to place on the blog - the bike has clocked up 30,000 miles (which is 19,500 miles in 14 months).... whoops - and 2,000 over it's service !! I am going to try to get a gathering of HU members in the Southampton area - just for a pint and a natter... not a lot else at present - but I do need to look at the trip for next year - Lithuania, Croatia or Marrakesh !!!! mmmmmmm

..@ HU Ripley

Good morning, it’s is 8 am and I am at the Horizons Unlimited Travellers Meeting in Ripley Derbyshire. Arrived on Wednesday afternoon – had a good journey up although Gertie Garmin did take me through the centre of Burton-on-trent – but that was informative: I now know where Marmite is made and where Coors Beer comes from !!

One set up on site (pitched me tent next to Sam Manicom and Mike O’Malley). The photo is of me with Sam's BMW. The rest of the time we spent unloading chairs for the presentations, setting up and testing the IT equipment, and generally being useful. Then it was Larger time and off the bed at 11.30 – very late for me…

Thursday was a little more setting up and the presentations started at 4pm.. I am looking after one of the presentation room and sat in on two good presentations – one for Tori on the subject of Yoga for Motorcyclists (might be good for my back) and another presentation from Ian Mutch on his Organised trip to Dakar – very amusing – must get the book. I also attended another forum on camping which was good. Then I was called to the bar for a well earned couple of lemonades !!

It is now Friday morning and the place is starting to get much busier. The first presentation is at 9am in my room. There are also demo of changing tyres and first aid that I would like to get to…

The are long queues forming now for the showers and breakfast.. I made boil-in-bag Beans and Sausage this morning (Army K Rations again – brilliant). I managed to persuade the cleaners to let me use the showers at 7am and therefore beat the queues…

Attended about 5 futher presentations during the event - even the "Road Kill" cooking !!!

Right – better go and sort out the laptops for the start of the day. This blog will be uploaded as soon as I can but there is no WiFi here… I will have to drop into a McDonalds on the way home !!!

.... India...

The decision has been made - delay Enduro India until 2011... that give me a little breathing space and the other chap a chance to pass his motorcycle test !!! So what now - well following this weeks trip to Ripley, I will have to start thinking about 2010 .... Lithuania or maybe Croatia !!! more later....

... the planning goes on...

All recovered from the trip to France and Andorra - the focus now is the Horizons Unlimited event at Ripley in Derbyshire http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ . I will be travelling up on the Wednesday afternoon and returning on the Sunday. Really looking forward to it. So many "overlanders" are going to be there - Sam Minicom, Austin Vince, Loise Pryce and Simon Gadofin etc etc.. I have volunteered to assist with the IT stuff for the presentations and have already received the Shift List !!

I need to get on a get the kit ready this weekend - I will have to pack the bike on Tuesday night as I will be leaving for "the North" at lunchtime on Wednesday. Another 500 miles round trip coming up.

The radiator on Mr Mugabe is still holding-up thanks to an injection of Rad-Weld. I have managed to locate a pair of radiators and fan on EBay for £68 (Including a rear brake disc).
I only had it services in late April and it now 4,000 miles done and another service is due - well maybe in July !!

The addition of a sheep-skip on the saddle has eased the SAS (Sore Arse Syndrome) and amused the members of the office were I work !!! I am working on the plan for Enduro India - I now have permission from "management" but I don't believe we don't have enough time to raise the required funding... I am suggesting that we go for the 2011 Enduro India.. which would leave the planning for Lithuania (or Croatia) for 2010 - watch this space....

.....and what next..

Well the next trip will be the Horizons Unlimited Meeting at Ripley Derbyshire on the 18th to 21st June - with tent of course. Mr Mugabe is having some problems with a leak in the radiator but Radweld seems to have stopped that for a while until I can get it sorted properly (new one is £250 !!!) so looking on eBay.

So best start looking at packing again and sorting out what to take... I think I had best take the stove and food as I won't be able to afford to buy food every day.... but will take a few largers just in case....

I know of a couple of people interested in a trip to Eastern Europe.... and I have been asked if I would like to go on Enduro India in Jan 2010 !!!! Not sure if I could ask anyone for charity money again !!! nor could I get permission from management !!! I am in enough crap through my travels already...

23rd May 2009

The rain managed to stay away yesterday evening and I enjoyed a warm sunshine and a couple of beers before retiring for the night. Was on the road by 8.30 and it didn’t start to rain until 12 noon. The roads were a bit boring on the way north, or was it the fact that I was now heading home to end the trip. I missed a junction or two near Caen and spent a happy 20 mins travelling through the centre of town before escaping to the Port. Arriving in good time to change my ticket for a earlier boat – a whole day early – I am out riding again on Monday so a day at home on Sunday will be worth while.

I had a good cool drink at the port and joined the queue for the boat – eventually other bikers arrived to join me. Talked awhile about the weather etc (after all they were Brits) and one of the riders looked at the bike, and asked if I had been “Around the World” - would it have been great to say “Oh Yes !!” Maybe one day !!!



Days Mileage 230 miles
Trip Total 1785 miles

These things usually end with “thanks to…..” etc etc
I would certainly like to thank all those camp sites were I stayed – especially the Camping Moto in the Dordogne, and the Refuge pour Motards for their generosity and help. Thanks to Mr Mugabe (aka Honda XRV 750 – my Big Black African) for chugging along without incident and to Mr McDonald for the use of his WiFi

22nd May 2009

After pitching the tent at Camping-Moto I wandered down to the bar for a well deserved beer and sort out the route. I did glance at my e-mail – should not have done that as my mind if full of the answers to the e-mails.. Dined on steak and chips and hit the sack about 10pm. Slept reasonably well although it was very humid.

Managed to pack most of the kit on the bike this morning before breakfast and set off at 8.30. Gertie started with miles are forest tracks and then settled down onto some fast D-roads towards Limoges, Poitiers and finally to the Tours area. Found a camp site and am now all sorted, showered and sitting by a pool in hot sunny weather typing this one-handed as I have a large ice cream in the other (honest – too early for larger).

I did stop off at a large Abby town for a break – all the roads in the town were shut and people were wandering the streets in their droves !!! so unusual – the Germans must have spared this one.

Tomorrow is a straight run to Caen – for those keeping track of the dates – yes I am a day early – so let’s see what Brittany Ferries can do.,

Days Mileage 239 miles
Trip Total 1555 miles

21st May 2009

Well the early night promised did not happen the German hosts had invited people to the evening meal 3 French and one Englishman – the food was good and the German beer was too !! – finally got to bed at 11pm – they were still drinking at 1am !!! Sorted the bike before breakfast at 8.30 and was on the road for 9am. I can highly recommend this for accommodation in the Millau area http://www.refuge-pour-motards.de/

A 25 minute ride down the road and over the bridge – a brilliant sight – then to the viewing area underneath. A short break and off to the Tarn Gorge – a great ride – even though it can get a bit tight with the cars and camper vans !! Some bikers were just going for it – not a wise move – especially on a French bank-holiday – when the French all take their camper vans for a run !! and every lay-by is full of families having picnics.

Rode the Gorge for about a hour then up and over the top heading for Rodez, Figeac and Gourdon. Arrive at the Camping-Moto at 5pm http://www.motocamp.com/

I was have to look at the route for tomorrow and decide how far I want to ride and how close the Caen I need to be….

Steak tonight – a la Dutch…



Days Total 227 Miles
Trip Total 1317 Miles

20th May 2009

Well another brilliant day although it did start badly – I managed to lock both sets of bike keys in the panniers while packing the bike this morning – to 30 minutes to sort but not rush !!

Left the camp site and was immediately climbing high in the Pyrenees well above the snow line again and then down through customs and back into France. Had a stop near Limoux and managed to send the last entry from McDonalds. Then I thought that I would be arriving at the camp site at about 1pm and whilst that would be enough riding – killing time in the afternoon is boring – so I decided to roll two days into one and arrive at Millau a day early. So 250 miles covered on some varied roads – fast dual carriageways and narrow country lanes and of course lots and loss of very sharp bends whilst climbing and descending the mountains.

The mid section was all very narrow and very twisty through the forest – the next time Gertie Garmin says “off route – Recalculate ?” I will say no and do a U-Turn… I missed the main road and went over the hills through the forests – very much like the roads in the Ardennes – knackering!!

Finally arriving at the “Refuge Pour Motards” at about 5.30pm. Excellent accommodation and a fabulous bathroom. Tonight we eat at 8.30 and then off to a bed for a change. It will be good not to have to pack the tent away in the morning. The route tomorrow will take me over the Millau Bridge and then up the Tarn Gorge to Le Marlene and then cross country to the Camp Moto – another 200 miles day..

Days Mileage 240
Trip Mileage 1089

19TH May 2009

Having gone to bed at about 7pm I still slept through until 7am this morning. I would make a note for the record – I ventured into the Army K Rations last night and had the Lamb Curry and Rice – Excellent – beats that civi stuff hands down. The valley was full of mist but I could see the sun starting to burn it off as it rose over the mountains. All packed and ready to go by 8am. Before I even settled in the ride I was through the border and into Spain… and not long before I was climbing up a extremely twisty roads further into the Pyrenees and up to the snow line – and yes there is still snow up there very cold too. Odd feeling riding around amongst the ski lifts !!

The I started the descent and I was determined that the group of peddle cyclists were not going to overtake me on the way down !! I won – just !!

At the bottom I meet the first traffic jam of the trip – queuing to get through the customs at Andorra – everything going very slow but no-one checking anything !! The I did battle with Andorra de Vella. A very prosperous looking town but full of petrol stations and everywhere new buildings or new roads – finally escaping into the hills and the campsite at Xirella. A very good site and the sun is shining, the washing is drying – it was very quiet about 10 minutes ago but the mower man has appeared!! Arrived about 2pm si I am counting this as a half day / rest day.

I had the site to myself until about 5 minutes ago – and now two Germans – both riding well-travelled XRV 750 Africa Twins have arrived – and strangely enough have parked on the far side on the park – such a friendly lot Herman the German.

I have yet to decide about tomorrow – I might ride all the way to Millau and arrive a day early and break up the following day into two ! Off the find some Andorran Beer and a WiFi connection!! Found a WiFi at McDonalds near Carcasone

Days Mileage 121
Trip Total Mileage 835

18th May 2009

Following an excellent supper with 10 others around a table at the Camping Moto, and a couple of well earned lagers it was another early night. By the way I cannot recommend this site enough – I do believe I found it on the http://www.horizons-unlimited.com/ site – I will be stopping there again on the way back (Friday). Started today with a great coffee and hit the road by 9am. Gertie Garmin was playing fast and loose with the country lanes but eventually we got sorted and made good progress throughout the day. Managed to totally loose the plot around Auch after leaving Condom (some places just have to be visited !!) and spent a worrying 20mins in narrowing lanes – at one point the grass on the banks was touching BOTH panniers !! and it was slippy and wet – a real bum-clencher.

After refuelling I took a break a looked at the route again – a change of plan was needed – so cancel to destination of Tarbes / Lourdes and replaced it with Fos which is with striking distance of the Spanish border. A good run put me and Mr Mugabe well and truly in the Pyrenees and we finally stopped at St Beat.

Pitched camp – with a demonstration by the Camp Commandant on what to do if the site flooded !!! we are next to a very swollen river and it’s running very fast. Had a walk into town and besides 4 Policemen on a corner I think the Germans have been here again! I did find one newsagents open and paid 4.25 Euros for a newspaper !! I won’t be doing that again.

Nite


Days total 214
Trip Total Mileage 714

17th May 2009

So much for heading for the sun - last night it rained hard from 7pm until about 7 this morning. After a couple of medicinal largers I was absolutely knackered so an early night was called for. Started the day at 7 am - So Shit, Shower and a Shave and on the road by 8am and it was still raining some. Gertie Garmin was very good at finding petrol stations but the french are very poor at opening them !! So I resorted to filling up every 100 miles when I did find one open.



Past through some very pretty villiages and towns, most of which looked like the Waffen SS had just left - not a soul about - every eerie. The roads have gradually changed from the straight and boring to twisty and interesting - at one point Gertie had be down to single tracked farm road with my panniers touching the grass on both sides !!! Bizarre.... Finally arrived at the "Camping Moto" site in the Dordogne - highly recommended - bikers very welcome and the showers are great. http://www.motocamp.com/ at St Aubin de Nabirat.



The last 30 miles have been great - lots of sweeping curves and the start of the hills and loads of Castles etc. Tent pitched and and now linked via the site Wi-Fi and on a second small glass of cold larger and it's still only 5 in the afternoon. The site has a bar - which looks like a hell's angel's club-house. Lots of bike bits over the walls and ceiling and some great music. Will now have something to eat and join the throng at the bar (all 4 of them !). Will try for a early start in the morning - heading for the Lourdes Region and wil try to find a campsite.

Days Mileage - 240
Trip Total Mileage - 521

16th May 2009

Hi there

Well the boat trip was fine - very calm and very quite. Not sure why people pay for the reclining seats - most of them slept on the floor... me to. I hate to say it but Pat in the office was right; upgrade to a cabin!

The boat landed on time at 6.30 French time (that's 5.30 UK time) so it was an early start !! After a quick loop of Caen and then Gertie Garmin settled down and we were heading south along with so many faster bikes in a hurry.

Steady run down and the only problem I encountered was finding a Petrol station that was open on the back roads... Oh yes - MAJOR disaster - have swapped mobile handset for an old Blackberry because it was easier to use sending text back home --- the bloody thing won't work in France - bugger!

Found the camp site and am sitting in the bar writing this. I did some cooking - the boil in the bag stuff - well - I will give it one more try tomorrow - tasted aweful.. Thats the expensive dry travel stuff - if the Army K stuff tastes like that then it will all go in the bin. I tried the Ration Pack Instant tea - OMG dreadful.... Now sipping a large glass of 1664 larger.,, Nite Nite

Days Mileage 281
Trip Mileage 281

15th May 2009 - PM

So far so good. Made it to Portsmouth and the Port. Now sitting on the boat eating a Yorkie bar! The bike is all secure downstairs and we sail in 30 mins. The rain has held off so far but I suspect tomorrow will be very wet. Loads of bikes on this boat mostly lightly packed and heading for Le Mans ! Some race I believe. Mr Mugabe (my Big Black African twin) was, as expected quite heavy but cruised along quite happily. Nite Nite .. more tomorrow ...

15th May 2009

Ahhh - well the day has finally arrived for the off the Europe..

Tried to get home early last night to pack but... I had double booked and ended up given a IAM Observed ride from 6 until 8pm - then on the way home I found a broken down Scooter rider - and having escorted him off the main road I loaded his scooter onto my old trailer and drove him and scooter to Poole. Finally manage to get home about 10pm and started to load up the bike and finished at 11.15pm. All is now set !! I hope

Will leave home at 8.30pm and head to Portsmouth.. France here I come .... more ramblings and witterings later

11th May 2009

Had to start some serious packing tonight - It all appears to fit - just need to adjust what is going where - is it needed urgently - do I need it on the boat etc etc....... Found this picture on the inter-web..... I hope to be lighter than this .....

It still feels pretty heavy - and I will need one waterproof bag for the tent, air-mat and small tarp and another for the sleeping bag !! Should ride like a whale when I'm finished....

8th May 2009

Good and bad day today – had to take the day off sick – just needed to be nearer to a bathroom….. didn’t feel well yesterday evening and this morning yukkk. Got up about 11am and pottered about. Manage a quick trip to town to get oil for the bike. Organised some of the kit for the trip and adapted some brackets on the panniers to carry a water container. I have borrowed an Orange ICON 225 device to enable me to connect to the internet if I can’t find a free Wi Fi point. Testing it with this entry onto the blog.. One week to go now.

5th Mar 2009

Hi - This weekend I spent some time on looking at the Garmin Route and tweeking it a little. I am trying not to plan too much but have yet to master the "free spirit" approach to this type of travel I have read about so often - typical Virgo I suppose !! I have also started to throw a few items in the pile ready - tent, sleeping bag, mat, some Army K Rations just in case. During the week I will put some clothing aside - remembering the Asda Bag technique mentioned by Kevin and Julie Sanders.

The bike is in J2 Honda as I type having new front disc put on. !!! Bugger

Next decision is leather trousers or Gortex !! The sensible thing would be Gortex but I prefer to ride in my leathers !!! - both is out of the question.

More ramblings later...

29th April 2009

Mmmmm - things not going well - I have now fitted the front brake pads - and this has only served to emphasize the effect of a warped front disc (or two). Had to re-book the bike back into J2 Honda.... another £250 bill expected. Tonight I must start o assemble the kit for the trip, bags, tent, stove, tools etc

Sunday 25th April 2009

Well, that's the front brake pads changed. Next is to start to sort out what to pack. I think the larger tent would be good - it has more space but also has a porch - I will be able to cook in there should the weather turn out wet... probably....

Wednesday 22nd April 2009

Just over 3 weeks to go now - Bike has been serviced - I still have to replace the front brake pads - and try not to worry about the small oil leak from the clutch housing !! The route is finished and I must try not to plan any more overnight stops....

Must test out the laptop for updating this Blog, and check all the paperwork and get copies etc ..

I must resist the temptation to start packing now....

Sunday 19th April 2009

Thought I had better start this so that I can post items once I start to travel more..

In May I am going to France - Spain - Andorra - France a back home - so I hope to be able to post most nights..So here are some test images - from the HUMP rally in Somerset and the Touratech Event in South Wales

God it was so cold at Touratech in April












.

Nigels Travels...

Got to start somewhere.....  The next trip... May 2009

Solo trip from UK to France, Northern Spain, Andorra, back into France, Millau Bridge, the Tarn Gorge and Home.... 9 days 1700 miles - one man, one Tent - one bike - and one Garmin!!! 

I have previous for getting lost - even with help from Gertie Garmin. It's a trust and man thing... 

 For this trip I am torn between the teachings of Austin Vince and his very purist views on Motorcycle Adverntures, and trying to plan too much. I am trying to steer a middle path - so to speak. 

I have booked a camp site for the first night, a campsite in Andorra and a B & B near Millau so that I can have at least one good nights sleep and a shower!!