New countries are springing up every week.... I like this one!

Any news on the plans, guys?

Hey
I did a similar trip last year and took four weeks to ride out across Germany, Poland, Hungary, Romania and eventually i got to Bulgaria and the red sea. Its not until you start doing a few days of 350 miles back to back that it takes its toll. The days i had set aside to sight see were used up resting. Having to do those distance means you tend to stick to motorways and miss places of interest or miss stumbling upon these places.

The other issues i came across were
I didnt book any accomodation and at the end of a long day having to find somewhere to stay was a bit of a nightmare.
I used maps and drew up a list of waypoints i could read from my map case. Doing that kind of distance each day means that you cant afford to get lost or anything take time out of your day. Dont underestimate the likelyhood of being held up by a car accident or poor roads. A six hour trip can easliy turn into 12hours in parts of Eastern Europe if you take a wrong turn or the traffic is bad. Google Maps was not very reliable in predicting the time to get to places.
Fatigue was a real issue especially when it came to concentration. The risk is increased as you put a few long days together, it rains or you are like me and you like to have a few s in the evening. It is a real hidden danger and more so on a bike. It was illustrated to me through getting into Bucharesti after riding in the rain all day and almost being clipped by a car id normally have easily seen.

I guess my advice is travel light and think about seeing sights more so than doing the miles. Get yourself fit as being fit will give you more energy.

and remember to have fun

Hi
Just looked at your route and I would say its going to be a really hard slog !

Ive only done 2 european trips

2007 UK to Sweden went as a group and was tired most of the time, the heat was unbearable in normal UK textile riding gear.

2008 UK to Finland on my own. This time I had mesh jacket n draggin jeans and it rained most days (was very cold too!) spent most of my time in waterproofs just to add heat to my body. I took 15 days and 3000 miles, not much sight seeing. I know your not going to Poland but when I was at home doing my route prep I thought I could cross Poland in a day. The state of the roads meant in reality it took almost 2 full days.

Not sure if you can but I would look at making it a 4 week trip.

Hope this helps and good luck

Cheers
Geordie

Anyone heard from these guys lately?
They must be just about ready to set off on their trip in a matter of hours.
Was wondering if they are sticking to their original route or not?

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

The website says something about them having left for the ferry early this morning, so who knows?

Sometimes I wonder about the effort that goes into offering advice and support to people who post once, then vanish. This applies to a lot of forums in a lot of different areas. At least in this case the guy didn't specifically ask for advice: it was more like he popped in to make an announcement.

I haven't seen anything to alter my original view, which was that they're trying to bulk up what is basically a quick tour of paved European highways into some sort of huge, life-altering adventure....but I suppose if the cause is good why should I care? I'll save my irritation for those who've really earned it, like E & C (joke).

Mark

Hum, I did mean to point out in time that their kit list is missing sleeping mats. Well, if it isn't a typo, they'll find out soon enough ...

Thats a coincicdence! im leaving on my trip in a few hours and i just discovered that my blow up mattress doesnt blow up any more!!!
No time for repairs etc so im away up town to buy myself a thermarest.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474