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1 May 2016
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European Adventure 2016 on a KTM
Hiya guys,
Perhaps it was an overdose of merriment or caffeine over Christmas 2014, maybe it was the imminent return to work after another great trip somewhere in Australia on my "Big Girl" (my affectionate name for my KTM) or possibly a mid-life crisis coming into play - whatever - it was time to take the plunge and realise a life-time dream to travel Europe.
Of course I could always find an excuse not to do it but something told me this was my time and so the planning began.
Where do I start? This is all foreign to me. My desire to ride the worlds best roads was high on my list as well as my love of architecture and both WWI & WWII history ... Yes - Europe it is.
After recommendations of two books John Hermanns 'The Alps and beyond" and Toby Ballentines 'Motorcycle journeys through Western Europe' I was hooked. Thanks to the input of fellow HU members on a blog (click here) http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...e-advise-80618- my desire grew even more & with my 5 month leave from work approved, I was on a roll.
Fast forward with my route done - not set in stone but done nevertheless the government red tape with exporting my bike sorted, saving finances to compensate for the abysmal currency exchange rate and the tough decision to sell my KTM 690 - my dream has progressed to the point that my bike has arrived in the UK and is waiting for me. I will arrive on May 19 and will set off in an anticlockwise tour of The UK before heading across the English Channel on a ferry to Cherbourg in France. I'll then be travelling in a clockwise direction around Europe - hopefully 5 months later returning to my starting point.
Shooting video and editing is a hobby of mine and armed with my GoPro and a camera drone, I hope to take some footage for a record of my adventure. I'm no film maker by any means but i get a kick out of experimenting with camera angles and editing ...
So if any of you guys happen to come across a guy parked under a signpost on a KTM 1190 with a look of bewilderment on his face and swearing at his GPS ... that will be me ... please say G'Day...
I have set up a Blog - Any comments will be gratefully appreciated - goodness knows I'll appreciate anyone who shows an interest when I'm sitting on the side of the road in the wet and cold - desperate for a coffee. I hope to post my adventures here as well ....either way - I'd like to say a big "thank you" to members of this site for all your help in making my dream a reality ... it's plain to see a little Christmas merriment can be a dangerous thing 
The following are links to
MY BLOG SITE 'WHERESPHILSITE' https://wheresphilsite.wordpress.com/ and
MY VIDEO 'TRAILER' - to tempt your interest ... http://youtu.be/BsWwbu36vB8
Cheers Phil
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Last edited by Simo; 1 May 2016 at 08:12.
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1 May 2016
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Bristol, UK
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Hi Phil, you'll have a great trip. Not done all of that route but done good chunks. The Alps are fantastic, I loved Romania and the highlands of Scotland are truly beautiful (once you accept green comes at a price...).
Not sure when you hit the south west of the UK but suspect i'll not be able to offer you a bed for the night as i'm off to Africa for 3.5 months on 28/5. I will check in on your blog though.
For me a least your youtube link above is not working (asks me to log into google).
Cheers
Andy
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1 May 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee
Hi Phil, you'll have a great trip. Not done all of that route but done good chunks. The Alps are fantastic, I loved Romania and the highlands of Scotland are truly beautiful (once you accept green comes at a price...).
Not sure when you hit the south west of the UK but suspect i'll not be able to offer you a bed for the night as i'm off to Africa for 3.5 months on 28/5. I will check in on your blog though.
For me a least your youtube link above is not working (asks me to log into google).
Cheers
Andy
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Hi Andy ,
Will hit south U.K. Around 1st week in June .. Im jealous about your Africa journey.....sorry for confusion my accommodation is sorted it was a figure of speech.my bad..... I deleted that part...thanks anyway... You tube link is working now... I really am looking forward to Scotland, the lakes and Wales on my UK Leg.....we are isolated here in OZ .....but it's not without its own beauty...and isolation....you can ride 800 kms a day here in the outback and not see anyone....
Cheers Phil
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1 May 2016
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Love the video - really looking forward to the rest of it now!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simo
You can ride 800 kms a day here in the outback and not see anyone....
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Best stay off the motorways and main roads in the UK then. You can ride 800kms and not miss a single member of our 60m population ;-)
Highlands, Lakes and Wales will keep you very happy though - all beautiful.
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1 May 2016
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Phil
Have a great trip fella
Hope you'll keep us all entertained on this now you have started the thread lol
Ride safe
Wayne
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1 May 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee
Love the video - really looking forward to the rest of it now!
Best stay off the motorways and main roads in the UK then. You can ride 800kms and not miss a single member of our 60m population ;-)
Highlands, Lakes and Wales will keep you very happy though - all beautiful.
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Might be better than dodging kangaroos and emus.....Andy ... Then again?... 
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1 May 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lonerider
Phil
Have a great trip fella
Hope you'll keep us all entertained on this now you have started the thread lol
Ride safe
Wayne
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G'day Wayne .....this is all your doing. Lol... I'm going to have to give it a go now hey. ?.. Cheers buddy
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4 May 2016
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Hey Phil, good luck with the adventure. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of the same places you are going when I'm there next year.
I dig the video trailer, nice work. I'm interested to see how your footage with the drone turns out. Was just saying the other day I might look into the feasibility of taking one myself.
Enjoy.
Brett
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5 May 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brett.marschke
Hey Phil, good luck with the adventure. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of the same places you are going when I'm there next year.
I dig the video trailer, nice work. I'm interested to see how your footage with the drone turns out. Was just saying the other day I might look into the feasibility of taking one myself.
Enjoy.
Brett
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Hi Brett..
Well the drone was always on my list as I said I like to muck around with video, but this one was my second choice .. I originally had an Airdog on order which is a true follow me drone and a great concept.. Delays in production saw me have to abandon this and go for the one I have now.. It takes really good hd video but is limited to basic functions.. Have been experimenting lately and I think I can make it work ..we shall see. cheers mate..
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5 May 2016
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Give us a shout (PM) before you hit Scotland, I can help with route planning and possibly a couch to sleep on in Edinburgh if we are at home
Gino & Fiona
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5 May 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rondelli
Give us a shout (PM) before you hit Scotland, I can help with route planning and possibly a couch to sleep on in Edinburgh if we are at home
Gino & Fiona
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Hi Gino,
Thanks very much for the offer of a couch but I have my accommodation in Edinburgh booked23rd & 24th May just down the road from Royal Victoria Hospital....It happens that's as far ahead as I have sorted ....I may run my route options north of Edinburgh by you though if you are around... As I have a few options....
Cheers Phil
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6 May 2016
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No worries, looks like you have highlighted the good options, make sure you get to Applecross, then the coast road up by Gairloch to Ullapool and then Lochinver is superb. If you need a hotel in Lochinver, go to the Culag, tell them I sent you and they'll knock a bit off the bill.
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6 May 2016
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Agree with above..... And go for the Bonar Bridge to Tongue (YHA there is great) and then west on your green route (or vice versa). Give john O'groats and the far north east miss - not in the same league as the rest of it.
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7 May 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rondelli
No worries, looks like you have highlighted the good options, make sure you get to Applecross, then the coast road up by Gairloch to Ullapool and then Lochinver is superb. If you need a hotel in Lochinver, go to the Culag, tell them I sent you and they'll knock a bit off the bill.
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Great,,, yes I have applecross marked, and have now added Gairloch to Ullapool....thanks for the heads up on the Culag hotel Gino.....
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7 May 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Temporaryescapee
Agree with above..... And go for the Bonar Bridge to Tongue (YHA there is great) and then west on your green route (or vice versa). Give john O'groats and the far north east miss - not in the same league as the rest of it.
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Brilliant,, I was after a consensus on that part of the trip .... Got it Bonar bridge - Tongue..and YHA....cheers 
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
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What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
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Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
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Show your route on your panniers. Great conversation starter when you meet people on the road!
Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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