Bike stranded in Slovakia (from UK)
 

So I travelled from the UK to Slovakia, and then managed to break my leg. An estimated 6 weeks on crutches means riding the bike home is a big no no. Fingers crossed my travel insurance will get me home, but I'm not so sure about my bike and kit. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I get my bike home to the UK, or closer to home to friends in Germany or France (for example)?

Much appreciated
Ange

Long shot, and maybe risky, but might be worth a shot. Lend your bike and kit to someone who might want to ride to the UK, but who doesn't have the funds to do it on their own bike. Put a post on the Hubb.

Ride a bike for free from here to there.

This is a bit vague but. There is a web site somewhere that puts transport companies returning empty from a drop overseas with people that have loads available for shipment to the UK. I assume you'd need to get the bike palleted in Slovakia and dropped at a haulage yard in the UK or somewhere with a FLT.

Check your bike insurance policy - assuming you crashed your bike when you broke your leg. A few years ago I had a problem with my bike and it turned out I had free European recovery with my policy so they shipped the bike back for me.

On the subject of travel insurance, if you haven't contacted the company already I would check out the small print if you haven't already because many limit cover when riding bikes, so you might have to be a bit economical with the facts to get the result you need.

I'm about a days ride away, and I'd actually be happy to bring your bike home and keep it in my garage either until you're fit to ride it back home yourself , or get it back to the UK at some point when I feel like taking some days off work. I'm near Trieste, right by the airport which is served by Ryanair. PM me if this could be an option for you.

Thanks for your responses so far, it gives me some options to think about. ...and goes a long way to make me feel like I'm less on my own over here.

I guess I can't do anything until I speak to my insurance company (I did get cover to include bike riding - thank goodness) and that will have to wait until their office opens tomorrow.

Giacomo, thanks for your kind offer, if the insurance company can't help, that might be the best option short term. If so I'll be in touch. The bike I'm pretty certain is fine to ride, as I managed to unbalance it on my own without any help from 3rd parties!!

You've mail. Still not enough posts for PM. :oops2:

update - leg/bike situation
 

Hello everyone, and thanks again for the suggestions and offers of help :thumbup:

I myself am back in the UK - I arrived home at 1:30 am this morning, after approximately 12 hours of travel (taxi to airport, flight to Heathrow, long drive home). It's nice to be back, though obviously I'm sad my trip was cut short.

My insurance were very good, they flew a friend out to take care/help me - there's no way I would have been able to manage all my bags on my own - and arranged for me to have 3 seats on the plane on my return journey.

As for the bike - god bless Auntie Carole!! Carole Nash give free European breakdown cover via the AA - this has a clause for recovering your vehicle if you are unable to drive. Obviously whether they do this depends on the value of your vehicle and how far from home you are. They decided it was economically worthwhile bringing mine back, so it was picked up a few days ago and should be back with me in a few weeks.

Phew!! :biggrin3:

Next up: get my leg fit and well, so I can drive and ride again...

Thanks again
Ange