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Trip writeup - France/Germany September 2011 - picture heavy

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Maruchino
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PostPosted: 20:43 - 30 Oct 2011    Post subject: Trip writeup - France/Germany September 2011 - picture heavy Reply with quote

At the end of September I went on an impromptu jaunt across France and below are some pics to prove it.

I was on my own, so there isn't a massive amount of 'tourist' stuff on this occasion as I was interested in doing some roads I haven't done before so I can tick them off the list. Kit list wasn't very long, as much as I could stuff into my Kriega US-20 tailpack and Kriega R25 rucksack.


The story starts two weeks before, I still had my Triumph Daytona 675 but was actively trying to sell her so that I could get something more touring oriented. I stuck her on eBay and on Friday 16th she had been collected by her new owner. Cue mad scramble to get a replacement..

On the Saturday (17th) I went to A&M Motorcylces in Letchworth who are a Suzuki & Kawasaki dealership. I was particularly interested in Suzuki's "£1 deposit, 0% interest and £1c off per cc" offer. However ever since the Kawasaki Z1000SX was released I have always had the urge to get one, so I was torn between heart and head - as it turned out, I needn't have been.

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0305_small.jpg
(You can just about see the black and green kwaka in the back)

I test rode the kwaka and was pretty disappointed. I had wrongly assumed that it was a "sports tourer" when infact it is a very slightly diluted version of the Z1000 and is still full on bonkers. Sure, it had good road manners, had a silky smooth power delivery and handled great with a good view ahead - but apart from that it wasn't what I was looking for. 140bhp, relatively high running costs, small tank range, horrible buffeting from the useless screen... not for me. It totally crushed my idea of what I thought the bike would be, never mind, onto the next test ride.

A&M were very busy, but the staff patient. A couple of mugs of tea, a burger and two hours later I got out on a Suzuki GSX1250FA. This was the bike I had come to see with a realistic chance of purchasing. With £1255 off list price, the old cliché "it's a lot of bike for the money" was on the tip of my tongue at every opportunity as I tried to justify to myself my first ever brand new vehicle. It was certainly slower, uglier, more agricultural and didn't handle as well as the kwaka - but it was perfect for what I use my bike for! Cost vs comfort vs power delivery, it came up trumps. The fact you can roll on in 4th, 5th or 6th gear an virtually any speed and get away with it was delightful. It really is a bike you can ride lazily which is perfect for long journeys. Sure, it is not as refined as a VFR1200, or one of those big BMW's - but it gets good writeups from the journo's, so I don't think I've missed out too much - "it's a lot of bike for the money".

Deposit down. Finance went through on the remaining, but it came through at the wrong rate (apparently this would be sorted Monday morning). Also the bike hadn't been ordered yet (and I wanted to go away on the Thursday at the latest!

True to their word, A&M got the bike by Wednesday, had built it in time for me to pick it up Thursday mid-day.

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0316_small.jpg
(here she is after I got her back home)


Thanks to the quick turnaround, by Thursday evening I was enjoying a pint in a Dover inn whilst enjoying some jazz music.

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0317_small.jpg

A cold but clear Friday morning presented itself and I was off early doors for the ferry:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0296_small.jpg

A couple of things were nagging in the back of my mind, a) I had to get my first service done in France (at least the first oil / filter change) and b) I had no European breakdown cover - but it was a brand new bike, it couldn't possibly break.. right?

There wasn't really much of a plan other than I knew I wanted to do the Black Forest in Germany. After that I made it up. I left the booking of the hotels until that actual day (booking.com on the phone was a godsend!).

There are a couple of big towns/cities between Calais and the Black Forest so I aimed for Metz and would try and find a bike garage to get my oil/filter change done.

Pretty uneventful autoroute jaunt down to Metz. This was the first time I'd used a satnav on a bike and was so glad I did. When you have lots of miles to cover in a short space of time with no planning, it helps to have a little box to point you in the right direction.

The only interesting thing all day I came across was what I believe is a memorial to a Prussian army brigade or similar (unless anyone can elaborate?):
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0298_small.jpg
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0300_small.jpg



In Metz, late on in the day (about 5pm, eek) I lucked upon a Bike/Scooter garage called Moto Expert 57 (my lucky number is 57, so I knew it was right!). They also had a little café so I could put my feet up with a cold drink for the hour and a half it took to get the bike sorted:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0318_small.jpg
Some mad thing with dumbbells on the front wheel?!
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0319_small.jpg

I stayed a 'Premier Klasse' for the night. Don't be fooled. Lenny Henry has not worked his magic here. It is a very small step up from a Formula1. Had a half decent steak here though who found it hilarious every time they wanted to speak English to me!
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0321_small.jpg
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0320_small.jpg

Metz is very close to the German border, so it was only a few miles before you got to see the edges of the Black Forest:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0302_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0304_small.jpg

What follows are mostly on board shots whilst blasting through the Black Forest. I sort of entered in the middle somewhere, I wish I'd started nearer the top and spent more time here. It was absolutely beautiful and spotless. Lots of pride taken in the towns and villages that were dotted in the hills.

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0305_small.jpg

Log pile for winter
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0308_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0314_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0337_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0338_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0343_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0345_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0348_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0349_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0354_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0356_small.jpg

goats
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0359_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0360_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0361_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0364_small.jpg

more goats
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0367_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0368_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0369_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0370_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0374_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0375_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0378_small.jpg

market
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0379_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0382_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0383_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0387_small.jpg

worlds largest slingshot?!
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0392_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0395_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0397_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0399_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0400_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0404_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0405_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0406_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0407_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0413_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0414_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0437_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0440_small.jpg

At the bottom of the Black Forest I decide to make a dash for Lyon and spend the night in what can only be described as a building site! The idea being that Route Napoleon would be the order of the day for Sunday (25th).

The next morning was easy going down to Grenoble, where even with the help of Mr. Garmin, I still got lost somehow trying to find the start of Route Napoleon.

The scenery on the way into Grenoble is quite stunning:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0446_small.jpg

Finally I found ole Napoleon:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0447_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0448_small.jpg

Again, what follows are mostly action shots as the route is quite long. It was quite busy with traffic up until a point and then it thinned out when down in the mountains.

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0451_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0461_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0463_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0466_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0467_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0469_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0472_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0475_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0477_small.jpg

Fort or something:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0486_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0487_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0489_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0490_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0497_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0501_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0504_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0508_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0509_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0510_small.jpg

catch fences:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0511_small.jpg

"Brits out of Ireland":
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0512_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0515_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0524_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0534_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0535_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0536_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0537_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0539_small.jpg

Just to prove I was here:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0540_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0541_small.jpg

isolated church:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0542_small.jpg

washed out colours on the picture, but to the eye this was azure blue, quite stunning:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0543_small.jpg

a town with lots of tourists:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0544_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0545_small.jpg


it drizzled a bit up 'ere:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0546_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0547_small.jpg

windy roads:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0548_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0549_small.jpg

raining coming down near Cannes:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0550_small.jpg

Was quite pleased with Route Napoleon - nice views, good roads and there is always petrol, even on a Sunday.

Took the chance to see a small part of what is the whacky world of Monaco. Couldn't do the full F1 lap as the tunnel was closed. I must have spent all of an hour in Monaco before I felt too dirty and had to leave:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0551_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0552_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0335_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0553_small.jpg

Casino Sq:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0554_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0555_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0556_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0558_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0559_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0560_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0561_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0564_small.jpg

Wrong turn coming out of Monaco took me into Italy. I spent a grand sum of 12 minutes here before leaving, paying over £8 for the pivelege!
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0568_small.jpg

I shot back along the riviera and settled for a village somewhere around Nice (I think).

Monday was to be spent heading cross-country up through the Massif Central region. Again, I'll let the pics do the talking.

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0569_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0571_small.jpg

chasing down a hardly dangerous:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0572_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0577_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0589_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0592_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0600_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0605_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0609_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0612_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0616_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0617_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0621_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0624_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0629_small.jpg

On these roads pictured here, it was well over an hour before I saw another vehicle on the road.
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0634_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0636_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0648_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0651_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0652_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0667_small.jpg


Tuesday morning was spent at a place called Oradour Sur Glane. A place of great atrocity during WWII. I'll leave the history lesson up to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oradour-sur-Glane#World_War_II - in short, it has been pretty much left untouched since the day of the slaughter.
It was the most sombre place I have ever been to. It was much larger than I was expecting. The following are just a handful of photos I took. It was a really hot day, around 32 degrees - I pretty much baked into my full goretex suit.

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0673_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0674_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0686_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0687_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0694_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0696_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0700_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0705_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0707_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0708_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0715_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0719_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0721_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0723_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0724_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0729_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0730_small.jpg

melted iron bell:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0731_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0733_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0735_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0743_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0752_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0764_small.jpg

memorial crypt:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0775_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0781_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0790_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0795_small.jpg

the new oradour-sur-glane overlooking the old:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0798_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0813_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0819_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0824_small.jpg

petrol pump (I think):
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0832_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0833_small.jpg

garage:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0834_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0843_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0846_small.jpg

public loos (I think). the blue and white tiles between the doors read 'ora____-___-g___e"
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0858_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0859_small.jpg

the new church:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0862_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0863_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0864_small.jpg

post office:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0867_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0876_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0881_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0888_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0892_small.jpg

weighing scales:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0898_small.jpg

village entrance:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0906_small.jpg

The continent definitely has better sunsets:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/IMAG0343_small.jpg


In the afternoon I wanted to go back to Mont St Michel, again on this occasion I arrived late in the day, but did pop in to see what the fuss was all about. Definitely want to go back for a third time and maybe even stay over a night or two:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0910_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0912_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0913_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0914_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0915_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0916_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0917_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0918_small.jpg


Wednesday, home time. Just enough time to stop off at the American war cemetary at Omaha beach and also visit the Bayeux tapestry. No pics of the tapesty but this was one of my favourite things of the trip, what a great cross-stich it is!

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0923_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0924_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0926_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0927_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0929_small.jpg

https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0931_small.jpg

Omaha beach:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0940_small.jpg



Lonely bike:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0944_small.jpg

Arriving at dover:
https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011/100_0946_small.jpg


Another trip over. Lots of great things seen. A few more life experience boxes 'ticked'. Bike didn't miss a beat, did exactly what I wanted to do.

6 days, 4 countries + 1 prinipality, 2799 miles exactly. Full directory of pics here: https://www.finestfootball.co.uk/France-Germany-September-2011

Next trip will be further afield. Beyond the comfortable neighbours of France & co. Maybe Eastern Europe or the Balkans - any takers?
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sulphur
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PostPosted: 21:03 - 30 Oct 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Awesome read! Beautiful scenery! Looks like a great time. I'll definitely take notes of those places for when I plan my own road trip.
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kenjh
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PostPosted: 00:40 - 31 Oct 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

awwsome ..and thank you for all the pix's never had the chance to see Europe ..or England ..this is what makes it worth trying for..
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Wafer_Thin_Ham
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PostPosted: 09:46 - 31 Oct 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, lots of pics there. Looks like you had a great time. A&M is literally a minute's ride from my flat. Laughing
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shooter
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PostPosted: 14:04 - 31 Oct 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks ace. What's the budget for a trip like this? (not including the new bike!)
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pepperami
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PostPosted: 16:21 - 31 Oct 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Impressive! Thumbs Up
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Maruchino
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PostPosted: 19:53 - 01 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all for nice comments.. glad it wasn't picture overload like I thought it might be! I will try on the next trip to keep a better log as there are more stories that I haven't remembered or bothered to write out to accompany the pics.


kenjh wrote:
awwsome ..and thank you for all the pix's never had the chance to see Europe ..or England ..this is what makes it worth trying for..


There is a massive amount of variety in Europe - you just have to be prepared to travel to see it Smile


kenjh wrote:

Looks ace. What's the budget for a trip like this? (not including the new bike!)


6 days. £450 ish in fuel. £300 in hotels. £100 in food.
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Shall78
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PostPosted: 22:54 - 01 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Enjoyed reading that and looking at your pictures, looks like a great trip, thanks for sharing it Thumbs Up
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olionel
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PostPosted: 11:38 - 02 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

argh I love the Alpine scenery.. I have plans to move to the alps (give it 20 years lol)... amazing part of the world..
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willis1337
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PostPosted: 19:18 - 02 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great stuff! Thumbs Up I really must get away more. Give me a shout for your next trip if you don't mind me tagging along (family and work permitting). The next getaway on the bike in my diary isn't until next May which seems ages away.
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Jamie S
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PostPosted: 20:03 - 02 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

I went to Oradour Sur Glane my self about 3 months ago, as you say it's a very strange and sad place to visit.
Looks like you had a nice trip, did you run the bike in before going? Thumbs Up
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Maruchino
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PostPosted: 23:21 - 02 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

willis1337 wrote:
Great stuff! Thumbs Up I really must get away more. Give me a shout for your next trip if you don't mind me tagging along (family and work permitting). The next getaway on the bike in my diary isn't until next May which seems ages away.


Will do. Might not be until the new year now (May) time due to weather etc. I have a Balkan itch that needs to be scratched. Is that something you'd be interested in? Down to Croatia/Serbia area.


Jamie S wrote:
I went to Oradour Sur Glane my self about 3 months ago, as you say it's a very strange and sad place to visit.
Looks like you had a nice trip, did you run the bike in before going?

The bike had 4 miles on the clock when I picked it up. I rode it home for 20 miles from dealer, the same day I set off for Dover.. so in a word, yes. I was careful to alter my speed alot so as not to idle at a specific revs - the guys at A&M gave me a great running in procedure to stick to for the first x miles. I also got the oil / filter changed in France as part of the running in.
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Michael47
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PostPosted: 00:22 - 03 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Lovely pictures, sends me back, cheers for sharing! Thumbs Up
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jam66
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PostPosted: 13:54 - 03 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting your trip. Awesome inspiring read. Brilliant !
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JoeDougieDoug...
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PostPosted: 00:24 - 04 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, such beautiful places. Smile

I went to Monaco earlier this year, such a brilliant place. Casino Sq is also an awesome place.

Thanks for posting. Smile
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willis1337
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PostPosted: 18:59 - 04 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Could be up for Croatia/Serbia, only thing that'd worry me down that way is getting robbed and / or the bike nicked. It'd only be a year old by then (BMW K1300S).

I'm going to either Germany or Spain from 3rd - 8th May with another touring group and planning to tag a few days on to the end of that and explore a bit more.

If you're also away from 8th - 13th May could meet up. Failing that I don't think I'd be able to blag a pass from the mrs (and finances recovered) until at least late July.
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shooter
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PostPosted: 11:20 - 28 Nov 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

how do you take the photos whilst riding?
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Maruchino
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PostPosted: 17:03 - 01 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

shooter wrote:
how do you take the photos whilst riding?


Is that a loaded question? Wink
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UrbanRacer
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PostPosted: 16:17 - 29 Dec 2011    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for posting this, Its something I'm very keen to do next year.
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Beelzebob
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PostPosted: 01:57 - 15 Jan 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Maruchino wrote:
shooter wrote:
how do you take the photos whilst riding?


Is that a loaded question? Wink


Don't think so... was wondering the same myself. Helmet cam, bike cam?
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Maruchino
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PostPosted: 18:55 - 28 Jan 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Beelzebob wrote:


Don't think so... was wondering the same myself. Helmet cam, bike cam?


Just a point and shoot camera in hand.. don't try this at home kids!
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