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?

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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.

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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

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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....

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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

Folks
Those of you who are interested in taking this idea a step further please send me an email to: chris050@hotmail.co.uk
I have drafted up an initial schedule of things I believe we should address and I just wanted to share my thoughts with you all on them. I know it all seems a long time away but believe me, it'll arrive much faster than we think and it might be an idea to start thinking about things.

Regards
Chris

Chris, I have taken onboard your recent circular request to the participants of this thread, and to help I have put together a sort of checklist for the trip.

Its by no means finished, and it would benefit from the input of others, but hopefully it will serve as a starting point which is what you asked for, and so that you are not doing this all by yourself. Its coming to you by email and you can then circulate as you see fit.

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Live life now - you only get it once.

Sorry Guys and gals but I unfortunately am going to be the first to have to pull out of this venture. I am truly gutted as I think Chris comes across as a great guy to travel with . What has happened in my situation is that for years now I have hated my job "but at my age 55 didn't hold out much hope of being able to change it . Well much to my amazement I got through to a second interview and was offered the job, obviously the downside of this, is that there's no way I could ask them if it would be ok to take a three month break next year. "But you just never know, if it doesn't work out I could be back"

Chris thanks for the email

Des

Shame Des, but I'm sure the door never closes .....

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Live life now - you only get it once.

What a bummer Des!
But good luck with your new job and we all sincerely hope it works out great for you. I guess you have to take your chances when they come along.
Thank you too for being upfront about your non-participation.

Chris

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