Motocamp Bulgaria - 14th Jul - broke down again

What an interesting day!!  Overcast this morning until about 9am.  I decided to ride to the local town to get local currency to pay my drinks bill and the new tyres...

I refuelled at the start of the town and then I found the ATM at the local kaulfhall, and got the cash.  Back on the bike and nothing, no start..  bugger.

I jump stated it with the booster battery and set of for Motocamp..  Nearly there and the battery stopped and so did the engine… stranded on the side of the road !!!!  I checked all the fuses etc and then found that a major connector had burnt out and melted….  The chef from the event was passing in his van and stopped and we loaded the bike into the back.

Got back to Motocamp and a couple of guys helped me strip out the wires etc ( Note: they did most of the technical electrical stuff)…. Having nearly sorted it, it was decided that the reason was that the rectifier was knackered.   Fortunately I have been carrying a spare one for the last 9 years just in case..!!!!

We replaced it and hey presto all sorted … the bike is running again….  If I had broken down anywhere else I would have been totally buggered ?!?!

Not all heroes wear capes…..

Bulgaria Trip - Day 13

Sunday

I left Nis by 8am - not before having knocked over a full glass of orange juice onto me and the table - clumsy bugger.   Another cool start to the day and quickly found the main road from Serbia towards Sofia Bulgaria… I can recommend the Majesty Hotel in Nis, nice stay and it has a secure garage for the bike.

Some fast traffic going my way… at frightening speeds, apparently if you drive a black Merc or BMW you can drive right up the tail pipe of a motorcycle even whilst he is overtaking a truck !!!  A****holes. 

The good news was that when I approached the two mile queue of traffic waiting at the border, there they were again !!!  I did a bit of filtering and queue jumping to get close to the front…. It still took over 1.5 hours in silly heat…

Finally released from this bit of Bulgarian madness and on the road to Sofia and the long road to Motocamp Bulgaria.   Note:  it is part of the Bulgarian mentality that they have to overtake !! Even it there is something coming the other way!!   Idiots….

Arrived safely at Motocamp, parked up, put up the tent, had a most welcome cool shower, did some laundry and settled in for a cold beer and a bit of supper.

Mozzies are persistent here so it's trousers, socks and long sleeves for the day…

More chillin'… I think Mel & Greg will arrive today, Gareth and Maria and their Unimog will arrive Wednesday or Thursday and Helen Lloyd is due too.   Now for some more chillin' and reading the last part of Graham Fields latest book…

Bulgaria Trip - a long Saturday

I am now at he end of a long day.  Set off at 8am and arrived in Nis at 4pm.  Most of the first part was through twisty mountain passes with the occasion straight bit. They have manage to build a few faster roads , and some motorways…. The scenery up the top was fantastic.

It started off quite cool this morning but after noon it hit 29….  Just got to keep moving.   I did manage to find a Lidl shop to get lunch…. The layout is the same wherever you go. 

 

8 hours on the saddle is way too much.  I've had a cold shower and I'll finish sorting things out, and go in search of some supper..  

Bulgaria Trip - Friday

Day 10

The storm passed overnight and I was ready for a late breakfast.   It was overcast and cool when I set off into Sarajevo, I walked a long way down the Main Street and then saw a sign for a cable car…. Off into the hills but it was still misty and I could not see the top, but by the time I'd had a coffee and cake at the top I could see for miles.   

Back down and more walking (my wife Debbie would be proud of me for doing 20,353 steps).   Getting hot again and so it was time for a long cold drink (water) and enjoy some shade.   Even found a book store selling Prince Harry's book … probably not the best read - even in another language!!

Back at the hotel now and thinking about tomorrows long ride into Serbia and stopping at Nis.  

 

Bulgaria Trip - Day 9 or whatever

Good evening, we saddled up and snuck out of town by 8am.   Rode down more of the fabulous Croatian coast road (it should be on everyone bucket list of thing they must do).   Eventually we needed to turn north and head for Mostar and then Sarajevo.   More tunnels, more winding roads and the temperature soon fell to a cool 26 from 30+…

We crossed almost unnoticed into Bosnia Herzegovina.  I did try to get into Mostar but with long lines of coaches and hoards of tourists, all trying to get their own view of the infamous bridge - I thought bugger this, I'm off.  Then I started to feel it was time for breakfast and found a place in the mountains - more cheese omelette and salad.  

There is lot of major road construction going on with enormous viaducts between mountains.  Then without noticing it I was at a toll booth for the newish autoroute towards Sarajevo.  The hotel I had chosen was right at the far end of town amongst the heavy road works for more tramways.

Finally found it and all settled in.  So off to have a look around, I got just a few hundred yards down the road and the sky was getting very dark.  So turned around and headed back.  I was near the hotel and thought I would stop for a coffee - no sooner had I sat down in the cafe when … crash, bang wallop a mighty thunder storm erupted, and boy did it rain… I've not seen rain like that for a long time.   And it's still going on now - I did a quick dash to the hotel and I am now drying out some clothes.   Good job I arrived when I did - I really would not have like to be riding in it….

Bulgaria Trip - Day 8 - I think…

The problem with short days is the temptation to join two together!!!  I left the campsite at 8am and cruised along the beautiful coast road heading to the next campsite near Zadar.   We arrived all too soon, despite my slow pace.   What to do …. Ride on….  Since I was last here 4 years ago, heading home from Bulgaria/Greece they have competed the A1 motorway so we hopped on that for a while… Exited at 28 and rode through a mountain (4.5km tunnel).   

I found the next campsite at Makarska but oh what a tourist trap…. Ride on….   It's too hot to set up a tent and then wait for it to cool down so that you can get in it….   I found a small but perfectly formed B&B with a room and air conditioning.   When I was unpacking the bike a polish gentleman handed me a cold beer… so welcome and I am about to drink it when I cook supper on a proper stove, with plates and everything !!!

Tomorrow is a run up to Sarajevo via Mostar.   Then I am staying for two nights so that I can look around the town that was so much in the news a while back - quieter now I hope….

Bulgaria Trip - Day 7 - Rest day

Note - Beer is cheaper than Coca Cola. !!! Who would have thought...

Oh what a night - first some light rain, then heavy rain and then a crash and a flash - a full blown thunder storm …. The group of cyclists next door were enjoying sleeping under the stars without tents….. !!!! They abandoned their kit and retreated to shelter of the shower block.

Checked out my bike and it's using oil at an alarming rate so will have to buy some more oil tomorrow. Topped up the Scottoiler at the same time. Good job it is booked in for a big service on return - 1550 miles done - another 2000 or so to go…. Personal admin done ie washing some clothing - at least it won't take long to dry today.

Cheese omelette and coffee for lunch near the beach. It's a good day to chill… a non riding test day.

Lots of oversized people in undersized costumes showing off some horrendous tattoos. Maybe I'm just an old fashioned guy stuck in my ways !!! You don't have to agree but I can feel you nodding….

Bulgaria Trip - Day 6

You have to "not see" the ex soviet oil storage area in the distance !!

Good camp site - going to stay another night … had a doozy of a thunder storm last night…. The German cyclist were sleeping under the stars , now they are trying to dry out…. Coffee just boiled.

Question: Why is there always one kid on every campsite that comes dressed in the full colours of his favourite football team, and wants to play solo keepee-upee all day….

Bulgaria Trip - Day 5

It was a confusing day, I set off on time and joined the vast number of overpriced sport cars, over rev'd sports bikes and the ever present gaggle of BMW GSs. All was going fine and then they disappeared ! Bugger if have missed to route to the Stelvio Pass and was now on the 180 I think. It was very twisty and Gertie Garmin said I would get to the next destination so I stayed on it. I can just imagine the Stelvio Pass being a slow moving traffic jam so I was happy to miss it. These Italian and German bikers are F***** nuts.
I started to get tired and could not locate the next campsite so I rode on…. and on and on… started to get tired so I thought I would find another campsite …. Nothing found so I ask Gertie to find me a motel/hotel - round and around this town - lots of roads no hotels - I turn down a one way street (whoops) and found one. Expensive but I did care. Secure parking, hot shower, free Wi-Fi and breakfast thrown in. Now for something to eat before landing on the very large bed…. Oh yes and a beer.

Bulgaria Trip - Day 4

I had a very good nights sleep (thank to my best buy of the day - mozzie spray!!!)

Had a slow pack up and left the site a 9am. A pleasant ride today (even though it was 350kms) with no big dramas. I crossed over the Rhine and into Germany and before too long crossed over into Austria. This is a land of many tunnels but the big one was closed so we had to ride up the side of a mountain and back down again - I am not too fond of switchback using a loaded bike !! this does not bode well for my forecast efforts on the Stevlio Pass!!!

I had problem finding the camp site, so wasted 30 minutes trying - I gave up and Gertie Garmin suggested one 13kms further on. Found it and it was half the price of the first one.

All set up now and about to look at the map ready for tomorrow…. Italy I think !!!

Nite nite

Bulgaria Trip - Day 3

Had a great start to the day riding down the D994 - miles and miles of empty road with hardly any other traffic, corn fields on both sides, just wonderful but then....nearing Keyserburg I stopped for fuel and broke down: no start, battery dead - managed to jump start it and found a motorcycle shop just 1 mile away and bought a new battery…..     The same thing happed in 2019 on my return from Greece/Bulgaria !!  Good job I did break down on the D994 with bugger all passing traffic.   It was great to have the battery booster thing with me - and it worked this time unlike 2019.

And it’s now raining….   Rode on through the storm.   Now at campsite and they have beer on tap.   It’s been a long traumatic day so I need it….

 

Bulgaria Trip - Day 2

The day started well except the bike decided to a an extra hour asleep!!! A kind neighbour helped me get the bike upright and so I finished packing and away we went to Soissons. 

 It was a very nice campsite - I might just visit on the return run as it's just 40 minutes from the Channel Tunnel. 

It was a pleasant run today, just 3.5 hours with very little traffic. Tomorrow will be a longer run as we head for Kayserburg on the French/German border. Good night from Soissons FR.

Bulgaria Trip - Day 1

So far so good. Arrived in good time - was offered a place on an earlier train but it was delayed so landed at the planned time. 

I did manage to bash my thumb and it's starting to swell, I fear it may hurt more in the morning - good job it's only the left clutch side !!!! 

Made the campsite without issue. Now just sorting things out before a beer and supper.

Off to HU Bulgaria at Motocamp - June 2023

Off again on the 28th - so just testing the Blogger links etc …. 

maybe also on Facebook and/or Instagram

https://maps.findmespot.com/Track#history/assets

Scotland to Home - Day 3

Well today was the last day of riding home from Scotland - I think I have ridden about 2,500 miles over 12 days.

We left Duxford on two separate routes home; David to Hove in Sussex and me to Ringwood in Hampshire.   I was going to ride across country and join up with the A34 at Oxford but decided that I would just let Gertie Garmin have her own way..  Down the M11, onto the M25 and then the M3 and lastly the A31.   Oh how I dislike the M25 during the morning "get out of my way - I'm important" peak times..  You know type - the rules concerning the Highway Code and mobile phone use do not apply to them....  I passed one lady in a white Porche and made it clear that she should not be texting whilst driving (she was tailgating a truck at 60mph).  She then passed me at speed and I caught her again about 10 mile further on doing the same think whilst up-the-chuff of a slow moving Crane...  Idiot.

So I survived and arrived home at about noon.  There was no-one home so I managed to get all the washing done, unpacked the bags and hung the tent etc to dry.  I had a long soak in a hot bath, then fed the cat and sorted out things that needed to be done today.  I will sort out the bike and the rest of the kit tomorrow.

Not much of an epilogue at the end of 12 day trip, but I did what I wanted to do and so the trip is now done.  I enjoyed most of it (not the cross winds or the inclement weather) I hope that David did to..  Thanks for your company David ...

Bishops Auckland to Duxford

The total ride - Crieff Cloverleaf and NC400

Scotland to home - Day 2

After a latish start we motored south on the motorway, lots of traffic with many large trucks and idiot car drivers.  A couple of major road works to slow down progress, and so after about six hours including a couple of fuel/pee breaks we arrived at the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and spent a few hours wandering the hangers.  Enough is enough and we rode the 3 miles to the next overnight stop in Duxford village, for a pint and a lovely Sausage and Mash supper.

Tomorrow is the last day and David and I ride our separate ways home..  I will try to work out the mileages later but for now the trip is almost over....  the epilogue will follow shortly...

Night night...

Scotland to Home - Day 1

Good evening dear reader,

I was just too tired to blog yesterday evening.  The ride down from Scotland was awful - lots of rain, sleet, snow and the ever present cross winds.  On the way the winds were mainly from the north and therefore at my back, BUT as soon as we turned left at Brough toward Barnard Castle it got extreme and  I must admit it scared me fartless.....  I don't know how everyone else manages cross winds but for me I am hopeless....  I turn up the music and hope a lot!!!

We arrived at the accommodation in Bishops Auckland, a town of which I cannot say less.   A bit of a ghost town at 5pm.. and very disappointing..     Everything was closed except for a couple of pizza shops....  We did visit the local pub but although the sign outside said food - they don't so any food...  So it was a pint and home for a pizza and an early night.

Looking forward to leaving this tumbleweed town...