My struggle continues!!!
I have enjoyed many biking trips in Europe since 2000 and am planning to do a really good one next year.
Originally I had thought about going sometime this year but I've decided on 2011 since I reckon it'll take me until then to raise the cash necessary to do it the way I know I'll enjoy it....i.e. staying in B&B's instead of camping. I'm just not into lying on the ground every night to be honest, although in all fairness the occasional experience would be fine. I just don't want to make it a necessary requirement of my planned experience. I'm quite happy to cook along the road etc. and do all the other things that may save a £ here and a £ there, but I'm definitely not a cheapskate who will complain and grumble about the cost of everything. I once spent a week in France with a guy who pulled faces of pain every time it came to putting petrol in his tank and he made a mental note of every penny he spent, then had the audacity to tell me after 7 days that he'd spent 10 euros more than me in total (He has more money than I've ever had in my life!). I still don't know if he was waiting for a round of applause or whether he was asking me for 5 euro to balance it out!! Needless to say...people like that irritate me!

So here is a brief idea of where I am at the moment.............


So who am I???
Well, I reckon I'm a thoroughly decent chap in many respects. I don't do drugs and I have no criminal record. I'm reasonably easy going, I'm not selfish, I am considerate of others and I know the difference between right and wrong (I tend not to bother doing any of the wrong things!). I like a once in a while...in fact, I seem to like a most nights when I'm away from home (strange that, for someone who drinks very little in general lol). I'm not into racing at break neck speeds but I'm not a 30mph warrior either. Safety on the road is important to me with the occasional little adrenalin rush.

Where am I going?
Well, that's part of the reason for writing this. I don't fancy going to the Stans etc., don't ask me why but I prefer places with a more Western lifestyle. I'd like to do a 2-3 month trip. It might be 6 weeks or it might be 14 weeks but I think it would be great to have the flexibility to go for as long or as short as circumstances allow within certain parameters.

So are you interested?
Now that bit is for you to decide. If you are GENUINELY interested in hooking up for the ride then it would be great to hear from you. Male or female doesn't matter to me as I'm not looking to sh*g you! lol I'm open to ideas on where to go, how to get there and what to see along the way. Nothing is set in stone apart from the fact that I'll be going anyway.

PEOPLE WHO WON'T LIKE MY COMPANY ARE AS FOLLOWS:
*Cheapskates (because I'll "go to the loo" one day and not come back!)
*Mental racing lunatics
*Cheapskates (see reason above)
*Anyone who wants to talk constantly about how much they earn/
how much their bike is worth/ how they've got the biggest house in the
street etc.
*People with no sense of humour.
*Overly-sensitive people who think my jokes are aimed at them.(I am Irish
after all and we DO have a tendency to criticise each other through
humour!)
*Constant complainers and grumblers with a "I hate the world" attitude.
*Cheapskates (same reason as before)
*People who are always right (believe me, none of us are).


These threads tend to start on one topic then drift onto totally different topics within a few posts and before you know it the original message can be lost in the middle of it all, so if you are GENUINELY interested then drop me a line to my inbox. Hopefully that'll get rid of the could've/would've/should've replies and keep the whole thing on track.

Any questions.....just let me know.

Chris

Hey Chris, what a coincidence - my general outlook and planning timetable.

I'll be 55 years next May, but much younger than that in my head. I've recently had to sell my house due to financial pressures, but still working and have a bike. Next year I can take advantage of the scheme to get some tax-free cash from my pension, and I was looking at taking a 3-6 month sabbatical from work to do some serious bike travel. Like you I don't mind the occasional night under canvass but I'm not a hardy RTW type who eats grubs and gets water out of a puddle etc....

I'm planning to ride my sportsbike abroad again this year, then sell it next year and buy something more suitable for touring on. Not into off-road so it will be probably a naked musclebike more like a Triumph speed triple, etc. I have a full set of Kreiga soft luggage that fits any bike so I don't need panniers etc.

Be interested in your plans for 2011. Personally I've always fancied the France/Germany/Denmark/Sweden/Norway(Nordkapp) route, and then a circular eastern route back to UK somehow. I'm not into roughing it in the stans either!

Keep me in the loop?

__________________
__________________________________________
Live life now - you only get it once.

sounds like a good trip may be interested when time comes nearer john

We seem to share the same outlook on life and riding in many respects except, I do want to do "The 'stans" and am planning to leave mid-June, 2011 returning early September. Objective is to get to Mongolia and come back via Russia. Don't know how far I'll get before necessity means I must break out the tent but if you do decide to break out of Western Europe, it'd be great to hook up.

__________________
Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

Hi Cris,
just read your message new to hu sounds like just what I have been looking for, with like minded people.Always wanted to see northern lights and the pyrenees and all points in between.
The way you come across and the way you intend to do it seems spot on.Please keep me up to date on plans.

All the best

Brendan

Hi Chris
"sorry cant pm you not enough posts"

Like your style. I have immediately formed the impression that I would like to travel with you, hopefully for a few months without having to hide in the toilets till you fxxxed off. ;-) I'm 55, Scottish, with a sense of humor, yep I take the piss but more importantly, can also take it without getting the hump. I have been riding bikes since I was 12, but only on the road in the last 15 years, I have twice ridden to France on my own, and twice to Andaluca Spain. "flew in hired bikes" So a relative novice, as far as seen it, done it, all I want, is that the route takes us to sunny and warm parts . So early days, that's me. O, and am not a cheapskate or a grumbler

Des

You heard anything about the Cork / Spain Ferry ?

Sounds to me as though a comprehensive Russian trip would tick all your boxes - not too extreme unless to go towards Siberia/Stans etc.... Plenty of to see and experience in the time you have.

Also plenty of great looking single fit blond Russian girls to be seen almost everywhere!

I'm afraid that I'm a constant moaner (nomally about the state of my beloved England after 11 years being run by a bunch of anti-British lunitics). I also feel like I'm being mugged each time I fill my tank up of late. But I wish you well.

I live in a HUGE house, earn millions and like to keep up with the Jones's (I wish).

Stay safe.

Neil

__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

This looks like it might have some support.

Chris, are you there buddy? It's your thread so we need you back to steer this in the direction you want to go....

__________________
__________________________________________
Live life now - you only get it once.

Hi guys
Apologies for my absence....a few technical pc errors have prevented me from being as available as I should have been here.
First things first...many thanks to all those who have replied. It's somewhat reassuring to know that I'm not alone in my general outlook on bike trips and what may (or may not) constitute a reasonably decent idea.
My original thought was to head south (France, Spain, Portugal, Italy) and perhaps a little bit west in the general direction of Croatia and Turkey with the main focus of being in the sun. However the thought of Scandinavia as part of such a trip doesnt sound at all bad I suppose. The suggestion of Russia maybe shouldn't be ruled out either and I suppose that's why a forum like this is invaluable. If there's going to be a 2-3 month window then anything within reason is possible. I don't think I should necessarily dictate destinations since the whole idea is that whoever goes is able to fulfil at least part of a personal dream, and if that means going somewhere you hadn't planned on visiting in order to get there then so be it. As we all know, life itself often takes unexpected turns and the ideas that don't immediately appeal to us often turn out to be the best of all. One thing though that is important to me is to be able to remember the places I've been to. What I mean by that is that I prefer to take the trip slowly and stay in a place for a couple of days or more if it looks appealing, rather than be riding 300 miles every day, going everywhere but seeing nothing. I'm simply not into focussing on the miles covered. If that were the case we could all sit on the M1 day after day and rack up 3000 miles a week!
As time goes by no doubt some people may drift away from the whole idea and others may jump on but hopefuuly all can add an idea or two as they pass by.

So that's me pretty much up to date. The original idea is only becoming stronger and it will develop further as time goes by. I've given an idea of where I'd like to go so any suggestions for consideration by all interested ae most welcome. Fortunately we don't have to decide the route by this weekend!
Looking forward to hearing from you all.

Chris

|Hi chris,
Your version of the grand tour that includes be able to see the locals not flash past them at warp factor 10 suits me down to the ground.Am thinking about yamaha tdm as bike for me anybody any ideas?
Tho early days might be idea nearer time to meet up somewhere central to plan routes etc.

Ta ta for now
Brendan

I like the idea of a TDM as well, but as this would be at a more relaxed pace than I'm used to (hurray for that) then anything that doesn't require superhuman strength to park up and manouvre suits me, as speed and endurance is clearly not a major issue.

I currently have a Fireblade so that will be going early in 2011, or maybe late 2010, but I plan to get a bike I can live with (and tour on again) following this trip.

main thing I have done is to set up a separate bank account and every spare penny will be finding its way there to fund a road trip in 2011, hopefully this one....

__________________
__________________________________________
Live life now - you only get it once.

Hello Chris and the others, it sounds like your trip is actually going to happen. I was reading with interest because I am one of three who are going overland to India in 2011. I'm a firm believer of the more the merrier..!! We have bought XL 600 LMF's off Ebay ( so as to keep spare's library down to min). The one problem with swelling rank's is that it's harder to keep all an sundry happy all of the time which is what You have been hinting at. One of the guy's on this trip only has a 3/4 month window of opportunity with ref to work, coupled to the fact that We have watched Mondo Enduro too many times, Our daily travel criteria may clash somewhat...!!!
I wish You well, it looks like Your crew have started to form quite nicely there and common ground has been sort...!!
Mez

Hi there,
I have just joined this website in the hope finding other people that want to travel as most of my friends with bikes are tied up with families etc and so can't disappear for weeks / months at a time. And within 10 minutes of being on here have found other likeminded people. I went Europe a few years ago and loved it, would love nothing more than to go off for a few months seeing different countries. I have several bikes but the F650GS is the one that i use for touring, so not high speed but not slow either, steady pace so can appreciate where you are!
Am really interested in how this goes, I'm sure I would be able to get a few months leave from work (my boss is into his bikes and would only be jealous that he couldn't come as well).
Am easy going and will go with the flow, but if can fit in a stop at a motogp that would be great!!!
Andrea

Hello Andrea, welcome to this site, You are definately on to a winner if travelling is in Your bones at present...!! Your bike would suit Our little group quite nicely only We have a desire to get to India in quick time so as to max out Our travel while in the country, then a relaxed jouney home taking in the sites etc etc...! Whoever You hook up with I'm sure You will be safe and have have a life changing experience...!!
Regards Mez

I can see the logic in getting to India fast then touring around once there, I don't see the sense in spending 2 weeks travelling around Europe at breakneck speed and not seeing anything apart from the road. When in 2011 were you planning on going?