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Born again biker,Mid life crisis,14 countries,16 days,5420 miles Born again biker,Mid life crisis,14 countries,16 days,5420 miles
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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 20 Apr 2009
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Born again biker,Mid life crisis,14 countries,16 days,5420 miles
Hi everybody, Hit 40 ish, had a mid-life crisis (my wife says) bought a big cruiser, went out on Sunday's.
Read Ted Simon first, then watched Ewan and Charlie, Hooked!

Swapped my Dragstar for a XV1000 (Varadero) at christmas, and my mate Mike swapped his Bonneville America for a Tiger.

The idea for this trip started when Mike wanted to visit Medjugorje (Bosnia) a few glasses of wine later we have decided that if we are going that far it may as well be a circular and we might raise some money for charity along the way.

Keep in mind that we havn't ridden for over 20 years until recently.

If you are still with me, Mike can only get 2 weeks off work, I run my own company so I can do as I like (with the wifes permission)

so, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Italy, Andorra, Spain, Portugal, France and home.

1. Everybody says we can't do it in 16 days but thats how long we have.

2. Can't get insurance for Andorra or Bosnia but beleive I can buy it at the
border.

Take a look at our web-site at, motorcycle adventure - Welcome


Any advice or help would be gratefully received.

nb, the DSA have given us a defensive riding course for free, even they thought we would crash and burn.

Thanks
Paul
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  #2  
Old 20 Apr 2009
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Yes, it can be done but remember it is supposed to be an adventure tour and not an endurance, I have made the mistake in the past of doing too much in too little time, just ride, stop an chill out and you will enjoy it much more.
Your UK policy should cover you for Andorra,don't know about Bosnia.
Just enjoy
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Old 20 Apr 2009
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Hi Dave,

Thanks for answering and thanks for the advice, I feel part of the gang now!

Thanks again,
Paul

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  #4  
Old 20 Apr 2009
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Quote:
nb, the DSA have given us a defensive riding course for free, even they thought we would crash and burn.
just remember thats the same DSA who think spending a few hours riding around circles and practising emergency stops is good enough to ride a 125 at the age of 16.

Like the website by the way!

best of luck
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Old 20 Apr 2009
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I see from your website that you are committed to doing the full trip, it appears that you need to average just under 340 miles each and everyday.May I just suggest then that you do in excess of your average daily mileages on the England, Belgium, Dutch, French, German, and possibly French parts of the trip as other parts you may get problems to do the mileages due to 'sun and swim' stops in Spain
Shopping and heavy traffic in Andorra, stopping for photograhs and a few s in other interesting places

I am pretty sure that you will find places that you will wish you had more time to stay in, in that case make a mental or written note of them and next time you may well plan a shorter trip to re-visit them. on one of my trips one particular day I rode my R80gs 650miles mainly avoiding motorways finished up for what was left of the night in Belgium,unable to get anywhere to stay and ended up sleeping under a plastic picnic table beside a skip, thinking to myself 'what a dickhead' .
The best advice given by so many people on this site is, 'take your time' and 'travel light'.And this advice is from some very experienced and respected travellers.
All the best with the trip and keep the forum updated as to how it goes
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Old 21 Apr 2009
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You sound thoroughly prepared for what is, in essence, a quick sightseeing jaunt around the paved roads of Western and Central Europe. On the route described on your website, you'll see no landmines and even, if determined, need to speak nothing but English. There'll be working ATM's, plenty of petrol stations, and the ferries will gladly take credit cards. Don't worry and don't obsess.

As far as your mileage, you're definitely over-reaching if you really intend to visit each of those places thoughtfully and respectfully. That's not heroic, and it's not even ennobling in its hubris: it's merely exhausting and, if unlucky with the weather or other conditions at some point during the trip, potentially dangerous. And of course, there are countless other worthy stops along the way, any of which would vastly enrich your experience. You might want to bear in mind that the last loop through Spain and Portugal--or even the part through southern France--can easily be eliminated if you're short on time or energy.

Hope this is heard in the constructive spirit in which it is intended. Keep an open, flexible attitude and you'll have a blast.

Safe journeys!

Mark
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