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Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
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Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 15 Nov 2011
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Travelling in Poland . . .

Next Summer I'm heading off to Poland, amongst other places. I'm really looking forward to going, and have never been. There appear to be many places of great beauty. I bought a few guide books, which have proved useful in planning, but they frequently refer to potential car jacking / vehicle thefts. I put this down to over caution; speaking to friends who've been, they have personal experience of vehicle theft.

Now, I'm not suggesting that Poland is a hot bed of crime - the UK has many people just waiting to liberate my bike given the chance! I'm wondering whether people who have travelled there have felt the need to be overly cautious? I am staying in big cities for some of the time, and in the 'country' for others.

As with most things, everywhere in the world has wonderful, gracious people and everywhere has people with less of a social conscience. Just wondering about people's actual experiences . . . . . .
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Old 15 Nov 2011
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No problems

Been to Poland a few times.
I've never had any problems.
Most hotels have secure parking with a security guard
I prefer southern Poland, great people and great scenery
Watch out for the ruts in the roads and some back roads are somewhat "different".
Enjoy
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Old 15 Nov 2011
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Never Had A Problem

I've been to Poland 5 or 6 times in the last few years. I've never had a problem with security but I have been more careful than normal in the light of the warnings you see in many places whilst researching the country. I also think if you see so many secure car parks and security guards they must be there for a reason.
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Old 15 Nov 2011
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[QUOTE - I also think if you see so many secure car parks and security guards they must be there for a reason.[/QUOTE]

I've been to a few citys in the UK that could do with them

Rory
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Old 16 Nov 2011
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Poland is fine, spent a few weeks there last year.
Like he said ^ watch out for the ruts in the roads and the 'interesting' overtaking maneuvers
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Old 16 Nov 2011
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I and my girl have spent 5 days in Poland way back in 2009 while motorcycling to Russia, and had no problems at all.

Our Harley was safe at night inside garages / fenced parking places of hotels or public guarded parking areas, though.
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Old 16 Nov 2011
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Sounds like secure 'hotel' parking might be the way to go; peace of mind and all.

Thanks for the replies.
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Old 16 Nov 2011
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I think that if you've succeeded in holding on to your bike in the UK for any length of time then you are already an expert in theft prevention....

Anyway, if you want some peace of mind then in big townns there are guarded car parks everywhere, I never had any problems of any kind, at all, and if I had to leave my bike + luggage it was never any problem to park next to the guard's booth in exchange for some money ....
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Old 16 Nov 2011
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My plan is hopefully to go poland with Fantastic Missus Fox (this will be her first bike trip abroad).

Her mothers family are all Polish so we have many places to stay and friendly faces that will help if the worst shoul happen.

It only dawned on me yesterday that Poland is going to be heaving next summer (at the time we planned to travel) as it is the European Championships, so I assume that any criminals will see this as a great oppourtunity to make their money.

Not sure what relavence this has to the rest of the thread.
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Old 16 Nov 2011
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I was there last Autumn on my Enfield. The roads are pretty variable but also watch out for polished stone cobbles in some towns. When wet can be tricky. I visited here.

Photos Of trip to the Flytrap
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Old 19 Nov 2011
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Fantastic Mr Fox - thanks for the heads up about the Football! It had completely passed me by (I'm not interested in football). Thankfully, I'll be in Poland in August, so it will all be over by then!

OldBMW; great photos! I've seen the 'Bones' church before, but had forgotten about it. Where abouts is it, exactly - seems like it's worth a visit!
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Old 20 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fantastic Mister Fox View Post
My plan is hopefully to go poland with Fantastic Missus Fox (this will be her first bike trip abroad).

Her mothers family are all Polish so we have many places to stay and friendly faces that will help if the worst shoul happen.

It only dawned on me yesterday that Poland is going to be heaving next summer (at the time we planned to travel) as it is the European Championships, so I assume that any criminals will see this as a great oppourtunity to make their money.

Not sure what relavence this has to the rest of the thread.

Oh fook, I follow football and totally forgot about the Euros
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Old 24 Nov 2011
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Hi,

As a native Pole, I would say that today Poland is a very safe country. Widespread theft problem has already passed. Today, people are friendly, smiling and cheerful. In case of problems, willing to help. Everywhere you can find a place where you leave the bike safely. If I can help - write to me.

ps. sorry for poor English
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Old 24 Nov 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tool View Post
Hi,

As a native Pole, I would say that today Poland is a very safe country. Widespread theft problem has already passed. Today, people are friendly, smiling and cheerful. In case of problems, willing to help. Everywhere you can find a place where you leave the bike safely. If I can help - write to me.

ps. sorry for poor English
Your English is better than my Polish!

I'm really looking forward to going, and thanks for the replies.
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  #15  
Old 30 Dec 2011
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Hey, I'm currently living in Poland, in Wroclaw. I'm a volunteer in the poorest district of the city with the highest crime rate, and my bike is left in one of the large communal back yards, chained and covered and never had any problems!
Poland is a fantastic country to travel in, couple of dodgy roads, but no worse than some some of the roads back home in England.


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