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London to Italy and back - Winter riding London to Italy and back - Winter riding
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Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 24 Jan 2009
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London to Italy and back - Winter riding
Just did a small trip from London to Padua (North Italy) and back.
3,200 Km (2,000 miles) on a Yamaha TT 600, over Christmas.

Here's the map of the route I did, and a few snaps, if you fancy viewing:
http://www.mymotorcycletours.com/

Happy new year to all motorciclists
Diego
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  #2  
Old 24 Jan 2009
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Well done!
Beautifull photos, looks like you had a great trip!
How much fuel did the tt use?
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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474
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  #3  
Old 25 Jan 2009
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I enjoyed that, thanks. That may be a "small" trip in June but not so small in December! Did you have heated grips? And no handlebar muffs either, you must have froze. It was great to see the town squares at Christmas and the mountains covered in snow.
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Old 25 Jan 2009
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Thank you, glad you enjoyed it, guys.

My TT does just under 20 Km on a Litre, so with a full tank (10 Lt) it does about 170 / 190 Km ...depending on average spead.
As I don't want to change tank into a 25 Lt one, at least when I ride in europe, I carry a little 5 Lt. jerry tank on the back, for 'emergencies'.

and no, Flyingdoctor, I didn't have handlebar muffs (don't like the look of those), nor any wired heated stuff, gloves / grips nor jacket....
really hardcore uh?!
But really, with some antifreeze undergloves and body winter pro-skin, I was fine.
and when the fingertips get too cold, it means it's time to stop for a hot chocolate!

I normally take it very easy. prefer the minimal riding, simple bike and simple packing, just an 'old fashioned' map and not a satellite GPS either
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  #5  
Old 25 Jan 2009
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Nice pictures Diego - Must have been a great ride

It would probably have been my last though (if I had tried it) since I can't take the cold

Being curious: How did it feel to ride in minus 14c ?
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  #6  
Old 25 Jan 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dieg0oo View Post
Just did a small trip from London to Padua (North Italy) and back.
3,200 Km (2,000 miles) on a Yamaha TT 600, over Christmas.

Here's the map of the route I did, and a few snaps, if you fancy viewing:
a winter motorcycle trip

Happy new year to all motorciclists
Diego

Loved the pic's, thats what this site is short of. Well done.
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  #7  
Old 26 Jan 2009
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thank you all.

riding below the zero is fine, really, i wasn't even wired up.

the body, legs and arms are always fine, as long as you wrap up well (under layers of antifreeze undergloves / socks / knees - lycra winter body 'pro-skin', etc).
the hands are the most critical bits: having chosen not to have any electrical device, I had put inside my gloves those hand-warmers sachets you can buy at outdoors shops, which worked well, they last for about 7 hours.
still, the finger tips get cold every one or two hours, but riding slow and stopping frequently for hot drinks is the key... taking it easy in general, enjoying the views and avoiding highways
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