Notice given
 

To day I handed in my notice giving them 5 months and hopefully in Jan / Feb I shall be ready to start my trip

cheers
 

RWR,

Its a big step, congratulations and cheers.
beer

I have done it twice. Its not easy stepping away from employment, but its worth it. You only go throught this life once. And showing up for a job 5 or so days a week is only one way to do it. There are much more interesting ways spend your time. Try to stretch the time out as much as possible and travel slowly.

Where are you going? Where are you starting from and how long are you planning to travel?

I was originally planning to go around the world but thinking russia is a no no right now so plans may change as i travel I am trying not to plan to much and go with the flow. The general plan was to fly to florida in Feb collect my bike from the dealers ride across and down to mexico on to south america then back up through usa to canada and then not sure but hopefully on to russia kasakstan etc on to EU then back to Blighty.
Problem I have encountered is the visa waver only lasts for 90 days so i need to apply for a visa but applying for a visa to stay longer i require an address in isa. the form does not accept TENT as a valid address so I am re thinking my plan now.

Think you can supply an address .. you don't have to be there the whole time of the visa .. nor the majority of the time of the visa? Read the fine print? So a hotel address.. or contact a HU community where you'll be first landing, someone might put you up in return for talks/info on UK/Europe riding. Keep going.

Oh and TENT is not an address ... 109678 Highway One, Somewhereville, Lost State, 3497 .. is an address .. where you might be in a tent?

You've taken the biggest step, the rest is easy. My wife and I got B2 visas for the USA, was a bit of a palaver but its a hoop you need to jump through, we used a friends address in the USA , at the interview we explained our plan, had to prove we were solvent and not planning to work or stay in the US and it was fine.
Enjoy, the Americas is an amazing trip and one I hope to repeat!

I bet as the adventure draws closer each day becomes less mundane.

Embrace the freedom of the road:scooter:

I have so much to do my head is spinning sell all my bikes and my van decide what to store or get rid of . Decorate and rent out my house. Get a bike in the states. Get a visa

Know how you feel about head and plate spinning.
I'm currently sorting out my house to rent out with a plan to disappear for 6 months. Renting isn't as easy as I thought it would be - so much bureaucracy (UK) and negative views about doing that whilst absent. If you haven't already, start looking at the rules for renting now.
I'm informed Craigs List is a good place to start looking for bikes in the USA.
Enjoy planning! :)

Why do you think that?
I can possibly guess, but its a very big place and the nonsense that is going on at the moment is purely spin doctoring and posturing.

Hey Redwine, congrats. I'm in miami. if you plan on starting or passing through here give me a shout. also, you can use my address for visa.

Thanks will do, as for address turns out I have a relative in Georgia and I have been in touch with an MC dealers in Orlando who are going to sort out bike registration address its all beginning to come together. I have had estate agent around getting advice on renting out my house. Started applying for my visa. Got to sell all my bikes before winter sets in and my Van will go up for sale just before i leave.:D Will definitely pop down to Miami before I head off to who knows where. The plan is to have no plan

Spanner in the works.
My girl friend has decided she wants to come with me for part of the trip :D
So will have to change my plans slightly as she is not keen on going past Mexico. So will be flying in toFlorid February(hope its not to cold) then across Texas to Mexico and then zig zag up towards Canada.

It's a great feeling..

That last month will drag like a 10 ton anchor though....

Stay strong :)

get ready for ground rush as the day approaches!:clap:

south florida will be fine in february. northern florida and southern georgia often see freezing temps in feb. parts of texas as well. not to mention that heading NORTH in february is jut plain nonsense, unles of course you're doing it in a 4x4...

Been out road testing bikes as the bike i planned on using for our trip (BMWG650GS) will be way to small. Tried the 700/800 and the 1200 GS and fell in love with the 1200. OUCH said my wallet.jeiger:rolleyes2:

Update
 

Things are moving on only 4 months to my intended departure. The GF is now coming so have chosen the R 1200 GS Adventure and I have bought one today from Guildford BMW (secondhand)
I am now obtaining quotes to Air freight it out to the USA
Any advice on Bike insurance as I have only found one company to get a quote from and on there web site they will only insure me for 6 months (waiting for reply as to wether they will extend that and how much etc)
Head is spinning with excitement think i need a beer bier or several

Try Motorcycle Insurance Specialists - Fernet Insurance Brokers for motorcycle insurance.

Patrick

Thanks Email sent

Hi teevee We have our Visas and I have a bike all ready to ship out to Florida My partner and I will be in Florida in February our tickets are for the the 9th. We will be riding to Miami then back up through Florida and across to New Orleans and on. Will hook up for a beer

The moment you wave your bike off leaves you feeling in limbo until you meet up with it again. The time drags, but there still seems to be not enough time to get everything else sorted....!

You'll be settled the moment you are re-united again : ). It is a special moment! - was for me :clap:

Just about have everything in place now and if all goes according to plan I will be flying out to Orlando on the 9th of Feb2015:D:D:D

Letting a property
 

Renting out properties can be rewarding and a straightforward process. The key to a hassle free experience is getting a reputable letting agent. Check around as much as you can. Don't be fooled in to going for the cheapest quote. If you need to depend on the rent take out a rent guarantee insurance policy. I have rented out multiple properties over the last 20 years and have had only one bad experience.
Good luck with your travel plans.

Everything is just about sorted I have a tenant moving in on the 12th of Jan 2015
I am just trying to get my head around the NRL1 form so I do not pay tax on the rent while I am away.:scooter:

Notice
 

Congratulations.

I give my notice for early retirement in on March 31st but unfortunately I have to give a years notice of my leaving.

Plan a year off in Canada/Alaska/USA & South America starting April 2016...Bikes prepared and shipping quotes obtained.

Cant wait.

Best of luck and drive safe

A years notice. ouch I gave 5 months only had to give 3 but I might need a job when I get back. So I have done my best not to burn my bridge the last 2 months have been a struggle:taz:

This last month at work is starting to Drag they have still not found a replacement for me and have asked me to work through January. Told them for that to happen they will have to get me a hotel and a rental car. As Tenants move in in January and My Van will be sold and my bike should be on its way to USA. I am going to head down to Key West to stat with and I am hoping to be in Canada about mid May, spend 2 or 3 months in Canada, also hoping that my VISA pauses during my time in Canada so I can head back south and on in to Mexico and then on to South America.:scooter:

USA visa will not stop when you head to Canada...

I do hope you are wrong. We asked at the consulate and they said it will.
But have been told many a different story some say yes:thumbup1: some say no:nono:

Well done on taking that big step...once taken you will love being out there.

Quick question, have you been to Florida and the Keys before??

Cheers Kev.

Never been to the USA before. Why do you ask is there something I should know about Florida

Ok..this is just my opinion..

I went there in the 80's and was back there this year for a month looking after a young relative who is at school there. ( east coast, between miami and Fort Laudadale).

It was 29 days too long...I find Florida boring with no interest at all..even the Keys which is over priced and tacky. In all my years of travelling Florida is way at the bottom of my list..there is simply nothing there. Believe me i have looked.

I have been to other places in the states touring around and its been great.

Thats just me...but see for yourself...:D

Thats fine only starting in Florida not staying there

There are some nice places like Everglades, keys (really expensive), Kennedy space centre.
If you like to see huge variation of motorcycles, go to Barber Vintage Museum https://www.barbermuseum.org. Amazing place!

The museum is in Alabama, does look good.......Space Centre i would agree with, so thats one day taken care off..;-)