Going on impulse..... Leaving on Monday!

[McGowan]

I don't know if I love or hate my impulsive nature but it certainly makes things interesting.

Ok trip itinerary:
Amsterdam (my spiritual home but I might skip this because it screws with crossing times)
Stuttgart, Germany
Prague, Czech Republic
Budapest, Hungary
Ljubljana, Slovenia
San Marino, Italy (maybe by boat)
Rome, Italy (skippable depending on time)
Monaco
Long ride home through France to Calais or something (Ridden French roads before and they were pretty boring)

As far as I can tell all of those stops and the routes required to get to them are safely within the EU and within my "limited documentation" requirements.

I have 2 full weeks to ride that route, Does it seem reasonable? It is around 3500 Miles which means travelling about 250-300 miles a day but some days will be huge legs over alot of motorway! I intend to pack light and travel quite large distances each day with short stopovers whenever I am tired and longer stays in the bigger destinations.

I have checked with my insurance company and I am fully covered to ride in any country in the EU, my passport is up to date, I have an IDP.

Bikes been recently serviced, new tyres booked to go on it in Stuttgart, Handwarmers being fitted Sunday.

What have I forgotten?

[Tim Cullis]

After a long day on the motorway I can thoroughly recommend a few hours at Schwaben Quellen at Stuttgart. It's an experience you won't forget. This is an alternate link: More on Schwaben Quellen

There's underground parking for the bike. How to get there

[juddadredd]

Hey man,

What bike etc... it's nice to know, and take your thermals with you as it's frikkin cold in the east.

Gods Speed Safe Journey and please send pictures when you can.

[stevesawol]

Good on ya! Have a good trip mate!
Lets us know how you get on!

[McGowan]

Going to need them, your right! Going to be very cold! Packing enough thermal gear for about 4 layers although I don't think I will need it it is better safe than sorry. Obviously got the muffs and heated grips.

Talked to a couple of hostels on the route and they are happy to secure my bike for a night no problem. Last thing now is the BT020s. It looks like I am going to have to get them fitted in Stuttgart so if anyone can recommend a fitter that would be cool!

Getting nervous now! Going to be pissed if I miss the crossing on Monday. The only schedule I actually have to keep and If I were a betting man I would probably bet against me getting there on time!

[McGowan]

The perfect winter touring bike! LOL

Laying out my gear on my bed now and trying to work out what I don't need and trying to work out how I am going to fall asleep tonight....

alcohol induced coma is probably not the best way to go about it all things considered!

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by Tim Cullis

After a long day on the motorway I can thoroughly recommend a few hours at Schwaben Quellen at Stuttgart. It's an experience you won't forget. This is an alternate link: More on Schwaben Quellen

There's underground parking for the bike. How to get there

There are a few of these places in the major cities of Germany; the ones I have been in have unisex changing facilities and after that you are out of place if you are wearing anything.
However, they are all "straight" with no extras on offer. Just ask the locals where to find the sauna.

McGowan,
It would be interesting to hear of any good accomodation that you find open at this time of year in the holiday areas, including what the prices are; some new threads in this HUBB are available for suchlike of course.

[McGowan]

Seems to be a few decent hostels open.

You seem to know Germany and hopefully Stuttgart. You know any Tire fitters in Stuttgart so I can get a couple of BT020s fitted on arrivel?

Cheers!

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by McGowan

Seems to be a few decent hostels open.

You seem to know Germany and hopefully Stuttgart. You know any Tire fitters in Stuttgart so I can get a couple of BT020s fitted on arrivel?

Cheers!

Nope, purely saunas!! Can't be that bad though - in France, tyre fitters are just like in the UK - big places on main roads; Germany may be the same, I can't really say 'cos I haven't looked for them there.
Lots of Germans speak good English BTW (better grammar than most of us!), so just ask when you are there.

BT020s: I've used them a lot, but there is a newer one out now - probably just a change of name of course (BT021 or 022?).

Nice reference - thanks for that - I'll take a look.

Good travelling,

[Hooli]

this is my first post, dont i feel proud?

hes right there is a new new 020 out, its the 021. the 021 is dual compound so should last longer than 020s, plus when i priced both on my old bike it was about £8 more for the 021s, no brainer really.

[uk_vette]

Damn it man!

Thats a long haul in 2 weeks.

[Danquart]

G·day impulsive friend.(cant get worse than meeeee)
That·s the way !
Just go, and You will see that it·s so easy!
Even the hard parts are easy!!
Thats what its all about. Finding solutions to the (later on You will see) insignificant

t problems you will, luckily, encounter::confused1:
just do it.
love and peace,
Dan