Hello

I am reading here for a long time already, so it is time to say hello.
I am actally German, 30 years old and living since 2017 in Switzerland and riding motorbikes since 3 years.
Before that I travelled as a backpacker, which was also great, but since I am riding a lot the wish grew bigger to ride around the world.
Somehow I got quite fast tired of my job, yes, the salary was not bad and the job not boring, but is this what I will do the next 35 years?
No, I can also work when I am older, so I bought a CRF 250L in June 2019 next to my Ducati Multistrada 620, later quit my job, sold almost all my stuff and wanted to travel from April 2020 for 2-3 years.
But Covid came, so I had no job, no appartment, almost no stuff left and travelling was not an option anymore.

Was not the best time, but I am a very lucky guy. I stayed 4 weeks at a friend's place and afterwards started a new job for one year in a different city in Switzerland. Out of frustration and for fun riding in Switzerland I bought a KTM 790 Duke. (Fun ride, not the most comfortable, but going to Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Italy in one trip was ok with it.)

Now again I have just two months of working left, started get rid of my things again and in April I will move back to Germany to organise some things and get the Honda finished for the trip .
I wanted to go eastwards, Pamir highway, Iran, Pakistan maybe, India,..., Australia. Probably this won't be possible this year, but I have some other ideas to not just sit around in Germany and do nothing. Last year tought me, that having too many plans is useless...being flexible is more important!

Long text, but I hope not too boring and thanks for this helpful site!

Paul

Hi Paul
A very nice text indeed. It’s a shame about your circumstances and Covid but you seem to have a great attitude so power to you.

Hi Paul
You are not alone in the disruption caused by COVID - let’s face face it all of our lives have been disrupted. Your attitude is really good and I think your route looks really good. Hopefully your trip will get back on track very soon.
All the best
Jay

__________________
You will have to do without pocket handkerchiefs, and a great many other things, before we reach our journey's end, Bilbo Baggins. You were born to the rolling hills and little rivers of the Shire, but home is now behind you. The world is ahead.

Hello
Thank you both.

I decided to keep working till end of June as long as I am waiting to get vaccinated.
30 years and healthy, so it is still not my turn.
Autmn I can get going. For sure!

Haha, I am such a fool.
6 weeks ago, totally out of the blue, I had a stroke.
Luckily I was inside just standing and the symptoms(which were quite scary) only lasted for 30 seconds. The cause of the stroke is found and will be fixed soon.
I can still move everything and my cognitive abilities are also fine.
I am already working part time for 3 weeks already.
But I get tired very fast and I'm fighting with dizziness. For exampe riding a bicycle is possible, I tried today, but half an hour is already too much, too exhausting and leads to headache with dizziness.
And I need a lot of breaks over the day.

Compared to days right after the stroke I feel quite good. Compared to the state before the stroke it's just depressing.
My goal is at least to have a ride on the motorbike for 2 hours this summer. If I can make this happen I will be already very happy.

What will happen next? I will keep working. How long? Not sure, maybe a few months, maybe one year.
Maybe go in autmn slowly towards the south of Europe, maybe start with the big trip next year.
In my first post I wrote: "Last year tought me, that having too many plans is useless...being flexible is more important!"
Well, still my attitude. Time will show.

Why I am telling you this?
Life showed again it's unpredictable. You will be never prepared for the situation that will come, but even though it can be really hard, somehow you can get used to it and stay positive. Concentrate on the progress, not on the state before.

I am sure for most of you this is not new, for me it wasn't either, but such a big thing in your 30ies makes it very obvious and changes things in the head.

So long
BR Paul

Hi Paul,


I wish you a 100% recovery from your stoke.

You have had a lot of bad luck with your plans so things must get better now !

__________________
Jan Krijtenburg

My bikes are a Honda GoldWing GL1200 and a Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

My personal homepage with trip reports: https://www.krijtenburg.nl/
YouTube channel (that I do together with one of my sons): motormobilist.nl

Sorry to hear about the stroke you had. Hopefully you will be able ro recover 100 % in a a few months. You are young so chances you will get well again is good.

Maybe any long trip plans should be postponed until next year, both because of the ongoing pandemic and your recent health issues? Both should be taken seriously - and you have the chance to come back better prepared and stronger than ever next year!

Best wishes with your health issues and remember the world will still be there next year, or in two or five years time from now.

__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Best wishes my friend

Wishing you a speedy and complete recovery.

Wishing you a speedy recovery Paul. Your health is the most important thing so maybe delaying the long trip into next year or longer will be better for you.

Nothing stopping you doing some smaller trips as and when you feel up to it.

Take care mate and best of luck whatever you decide to do

Cheers
Steve

Welcome to HU Paul.


I can really recommend "The Belper Moo":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5eL1h9hv8c


https://www.facebook.com/thebelpermoo/


It works also in CH & DE!

All the best for your health! Have patience & get well soon!