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-   -   7 Day Blast, Budapest/Tatras/Krakow/ Sept 10-17 (https://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travellers-seeking-travellers/7-day-blast-budapest-tatras-1395)

kaflynny 25 Aug 2005 22:14

7 Day Blast, Budapest/Tatras/Krakow/ Sept 10-17
 
Hi Folks, I'm a long time browzer, first time user of the HUBB. Starting on the 10th September, I'm planning to blast my way from Calais through Belguim, Germany, Austria and on into Hungary. Will take a day or two in Budapest to recover,see the sights etc. before crossing the Tatra Mountain Range (and what has been described on this forum as some of the best riding in Europe)and rolling into Poland (Krakow) for another day's rest. From there it's homeward bound through Germany, Benelux etc., stopping as necessary.

Is anyone interested in riding any/some/all of the sections with me? or, if anyone is crossing paths with me, they might like to meet up and share a meal and a beer?

In all I expect to cover around 2500 miles. I know this sound's like big mileage to cover in such a short time, and will include a couple of 600-700 mile days, but I'm used to covering big distance fast on my CBR1100. Last year I covered around the same distance in Norway on a ZX9R.

I would also be grateful for any advice re routes, acomodation or anything else from anyone who has done a similar route.

Rgds. Kaflynny

Momirj 27 Aug 2005 15:29

The way down is not something I would call interesting ride. I would rather say boring, but you can make a big mileage. Unless of course you take to route over the Alps in Austria. That is a gorgeous ride, but relatively slow. The fast route is a high way all the way to Budapest, without a heavy traffic. Once in Budapest, give me a shout (it seams that somethign is wrong with your e-mial address on hormail.com).

[This message has been edited by momirj (edited 27 August 2005).]

kaflynny 28 Aug 2005 16:45

Yeah, I won't be doing much sight seeing on the way down. I'll skip the Austrian Alps until the next time. My main goal this on this trip is to see Budapest, ride the Tatras, see Krakow and head home again.

Can you recommend a (Honda)dealer in Budapest who will fit a new set of tyres. I reckon I'll need them after all that straight line motorway mileage on the way down!

E-mail address listed is correct. Any further advice would be much appreciated

[This message has been edited by kaflynny (edited 29 August 2005).]

mdmystko 28 Aug 2005 21:11

Make sure you take a border crossing on the eastern side of Tatras - the one in Lysa Polana. Or even better, take the following route to enjoy the beauty of High and Low Tatras: (Budapest ->) Banska Bystrica -> Ruzemberok -> Poprad -> Lysa Polana -> Nowy Targ -> Krakow.
Southern Poland is crowded so allow more time for crossing it.

Wheelspin 29 Aug 2005 17:47

Look at my blog on the travellers stories section - Kevin Payne - I just did a very similar route and kept going. Krakow is great, but you could get there via Prague and then take my route through the Tatras. Hungary is not an interesting ride, although Budapest is fun. Let me know if you need info.



[This message has been edited by Wheelspin (edited 02 September 2005).]

Momirj 29 Aug 2005 18:16

The biggest problem with the workshop / dealers in Budapest is language. It's hard to find any who speaks English. Thus in your case we need a bit of logistics.
You want to buy and fit, or only fit tires? Sounds almost like a stupid question, but... I'm asking this because local shops (I'm in touch with) do not keep tires in stock. It may take then some time to get a proper make and dimension for you, and you are short of time. Let me know what would you need, and I'll check with my English speaking contacts.

kaflynny 29 Aug 2005 19:47

Thank you for your help Momirj!

I use either of the following tyres on by CBR1100.

Bridgestone: BT-020W, 120/70 ZR17 (58W)TL
BT-020L, 180/55 ZR17 (73W)TL

or

Avon: Azaro- ST AV45 'B' 120/70R17 (58W)
St AV46 'B' 180/55R17 (73W)

I would want them supplied and fitted if possible.

Again, thank you for your help!

Chris IMM 30 Aug 2005 16:16

I will also be travelling to Budapest at a similar time, starting from France on September 10th and hoping to arrive in Budapest on September 12th as I will be taking the slow route through the Austrian Alps. I will be travelling on to Romania after.

Kaflynny, Momirj, perhaps we could meet up for a beer if we are there at the same time?

Momirj, do you have any recomendations for a hotel which would have safe parking for my bike?

Cheers,
Chris.

Momirj 31 Aug 2005 05:01

Kaflynny,
I suggest you to get in touch with Andras and arrange all details about the tires. He is a great, perfect English speaking guy who runs Honda shop / workshop called Power BIKE, here in Budapest. Absolutely reliable and very professional. His e-mail address is
powbike (attt) netstudio dottt hu

Modified by Grant:
Don't give the email address to the spammers - modify it a little!

[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 31 August 2005).]

Momirj 31 Aug 2005 05:05

Chriss,
I shall be in town whole that week. So, we should definitely organize something. If there are some other travelers in this area, let's make a small HU meeting.
As per hotel, and safe parking... Budapest is in general very safe town, so parking on the street is normal thing. However, better safe then sorry. What is your budget for hotel, that would help me locating something for you.

Grant Johnson 31 Aug 2005 08:09

momirj, please add this shop to the Repair shops around the world forum!

note the mod to the email address.

Chris IMM 31 Aug 2005 18:35

Hi Momirj,

Thanks for your reply, it would definitely be good to meet up as I think Kaflynny will also be in Budapest at the same time. As I said I should arrive on the 12th and will stay 1 or 2 nights, not sure yet.

If you email me through my address in my profile I can give my phone number so we can meet.

Regarding a hotel I would like to find something around 40 euros / night but I realise that in popular cities like Budapest it could be a bit more. I am sure Budapest is quite safe but I always prefer to have the bike in a garage or secure place if possible when I am on a trip.

Thanks,
Chris.

kaflynny 31 Aug 2005 19:33

Momirj,

I will e-mail Andras at Power Bike about the tyres. Thanks for the contact.

Would definitely be interested in meeting up in Budapest, I expect to arrive there around the 12th also.

Steve Pickford 31 Aug 2005 22:44

Stayed in Budapest last year, rented a small apartment just up from the main train station, near the river. No garage but there was a locked side gate with access to the rear where the bikes were chained up out of sight.

We were told about the aprtment by the Tourist Info office in or near the train station.

BTW, your schedule will mean missing a lot of beautiful scenery.

[This message has been edited by Steve Pickford (edited 31 August 2005).]

Wheelspin 2 Sep 2005 18:30

I sent a reply direct too, but for wider benefit - Momir put me in touch with Andras at Powerbike too. He had tyres for my Pan fitted the next day - can get most standard type stuff in a few hours. Andras rides a Blackbird himself so I doubt he will have any trouble with that. You can find his email at www.powerbike.hu Hotels.com is pretty useful for Budapest - but once you find one try a direct internet search to cut out the booking fee.

The queue for the Polish / Slovakian border coming down from Krakow was awful - but its not going to worry anyone on a bike. No one seems to object to you going straight to the front.

One amendment to my comment about Hungary - Szentendre is worth a visit and is close to Budapest. I've probably spelt it wrong, but it will be in any decent guide book.

[This message has been edited by Wheelspin (edited 02 September 2005).]

Nikola_M 3 Sep 2005 03:56

Quote:

Originally posted by momirj:
Chriss,
I shall be in town whole that week. So, we should definitely organize something. If there are some other travelers in this area, let's make a small HU meeting.

I will pass through Budapest this Monday. If you will have a litlle time we can meet for beer.

Momirj 3 Sep 2005 04:05

Nikola,

This isn't fair.... You will be in Budapest and I will be somewhere in Kornati (sailing for a week). Leaving tomorrow coming back on next Saturday/Sunday. Next time maybe :-).

Momirj 3 Sep 2005 04:13

Details of "good value for money" accommodation (recommendation by Andras, owner of Power Bike shop in Budapest) are as follows:
The name of the pension is Cziráky pension (pron.:Ziraky)

Address: Budapest Cziráky Panzió ***

1121 Budapest, XII. district, Rácz Aladár u. 139.

Telephone: + 36 1 274-4759

Fax: +36 1 274-4761

Contact person: István Cziráky Mobile: +36 20 364-4215

Bed and breakfast is charged 45 Euro.

It seams that Chris is going to be the first guest from HU community, so his comments would be appreciated.

Nikola_M 3 Sep 2005 04:42

Quote:

Originally posted by momirj:
Nikola,

This isn't fair.... You will be in Budapest and I will be somewhere in Kornati (sailing for a week). Leaving tomorrow coming back on next Saturday/Sunday. Next time maybe :-).

Maybe on my way home :-)

mdmystko 5 Sep 2005 16:05

I'm posting my reply to our email conversation to the forum as someone else might find it interesting.

Hotels in Krakow are pretty crowded so you need to tell me the exact dates of your arrival and departure from Krakow. I'll see what is available and help you to book one. Take a look at this booking service in English to see some available hotels (not many...): http://www.visitpoland.com

If you want to see Morskie Oko [a beautiful glacial lake in High Tatras] you need to take the border crossing I mentioned - Lysa Polana. On the Polish side, there will be a parking and most likely an exchange service so make sure you get some Zloty's, almost 4 for one Euro. When you quit the parking place, you can turn right to Krakow if you are late or turn left to Palenica Bialczanska. If you turn left, I think you'll have to pay right there an entrance fee to the Tatra National Park. It's not a lot, about 3 zl. Then drive a few kilometers to the last accessible parking place at the Palenica Bialczanska. Pay a parking fee, I heard it's 30 zl but I might not be up to date and make up your mind about getting to the Morskie Oko. A 9 km hike is easy but takes time that you would not have much and would spend better at the lake's side. Alternatively, you can take a horse cart for 30 zl on the way up and 15 zl on the way down (found these prices on internet, cannot promise). Up there, you can either seat and enjoy magnificent views or take a hike around the lake or take another hike to an even higher lake Czarny Staw. Google for "Morskie Oko" to see pictures of the lake, you'll find many of them.
It seems you'll need at least 3 hours, make sure you can afford it before you turn to Palenica Bialczanska. I'll email you my mobile phone number so you could call me for help if you get into troubles and hit a language barrier. If I'm in Krakow when you come, we can have some beer.

Good luck

Richard Horton 6 Sep 2005 20:00

When and where are you setting off from, I'm heading over to Slovenia faily sharpish on Saturday, I'll keep an eye out for you! sounds like you've got a fairly busy itinerary lined up!

Rich

thecanoeguy 6 Sep 2005 20:37

i will be poking around some where there arounfd that time ,keep in touch are you into dirt bikes i am going to isde in slovakia
david

kaflynny 7 Sep 2005 16:03

Day 1.
Leaving Saturday morning from Cork in Southern Ireland, driving 100 miles to Rosslaire Ferry Port, crossing to Pembrooke, driving 500 or so miles accross the UK to Folkstone, crossing to Calais on the Channel Tunnell. Will spend the night in Calais.

Day 2.
Will Hit the road hard early Sunday morning and depending on how I'm feeling, will attempt the 950 odd miles to Budapest. If Im overtired or not making sufficient progress, I'll pull up for the night.

Days 3 and 4
Fit new tyres to the Blackbird, enjoy Budapest for a day or two.

Day 5
Hit the Tatra Mountains for a day on may way to Krakow, 300 miles approx depending on route. Spend night in Krakow.

Day 6
Blast off from Krakow early for the 940 miles to Calais.

Day 7
Calais to Folkstone, Folkstone to Pembroke, Pembroke to Rosslare, Rosslare to Cork.

All followed by one month's bed rest!!!

Sounds like lunacy, I know!!

kaflynny 8 Sep 2005 22:41

Disaster!! Last night having just collected bike from mechanic I had a smash with a woman in Volvo Jeep reversed out of driveway on top of me.

Damage to bike, bent fork stanchions, broken mudguard from collision. Smashed indicator/mirror, bent brake lever and bent helibar when bike fell over. Also nasty scratches and dinges to tank, side fairing and pipe.

Damage to me, squashed nuts from getting crushed between me and tank.

Driver admitted it was her fault and has agreed to pay for damage does not want to claim from her insurance. That's little consolation given that trip is shelved for the moment. Have taken a weeks holidays from work and everything. I'm gutted, to say the least.

Looks like end of October before I'll be able to take time again to go. Does anyone know if the weather will have closed in by then? Will Tatra Mountains be snowed in?

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to respond to my thread, and providing all the advice, hopefully I'll meet some of you another time. If any of you are coming to Southern Ireland please give me a shout.

mdmystko 8 Sep 2005 23:06

I'm so sorry to hear what happened... I was about to warn you about drivers in Poland but you didn't have to go that far... my sympathy for you.
By the end of October in southern Poland you'd have temperatures between about 0 and 10C. Roads should be free of snow even in Tatras but often wet due to slow evaporation. Mountains themselve could easily be in snow by that time.
You are welcome to Krakow but I'd rather recommend you an Irish coffee rather than a cold beer.

See you this year or the next one!

Wheelspin 9 Sep 2005 20:31

I hate to be a cynic...but tell your insurers now and try to get details of hers - just in case. Lots of car drivers seem to think you can repair any bike with 50p and a bit of sellotape. When she finds out what it will actually cost she might change her mind and then you have big problems. I have seen this happen..... And what about the damage to your prospects of having children, the mental anguish, fear of getting on a bike again..... must be worth a fortune ! Joking, but that helps keep insurers on the ball - you might need that threat if she gets difficult....

MrIFan 10 Sep 2005 19:12

Sorry to hear about the accident mate, glad you're ok.What Wheelspin said though, report the crash to your insurance and the Police. No need to take it any further now but if she changes her mind later and you havn't reported it you're shafted!!

On a brighter note when you do get to Budapest there is only one place to stay http://www.bikercamp.hu/

Walking distance or a short metro ride from the center, run by very friendly people and you will nearly allways meet fellow travelers to swap stories with.

Good luck with the bike and the (rescheduled) trip

Ian

seanh 15 Sep 2005 16:49

Sorry to hear about the accident. I've just done a 4 day loop from Krakow around the high Tatra's and back, good trip on nice roads. I've left the bike in Krakow, and will be picking it up in early November to bring back to the UK. let me know if you're around then.
Sean

kaflynny 19 Sep 2005 21:43

Bike nearly back on the road. Major damage has been repaired. Plastics and tank are in the shop for some plastic welding and a respray. Had frame checked out by a guy with a lazer and the good news is that it's not bent.

Being in the legal business, I am more of a sceptic than the next fella, and for that reason I made sure to report the accident to the Police and to inform my insurers as well as getting Mrs. Volvos's details.

In Fairness to Mrs. Volvo, she has been true to her word so far and has paid me cash for the replacement hardware:- fork stanchions, brake lever and handlebar. I was able to get everything from a breakers. She has promised to to pay for the respray etc when it's finished.

I'm actually quite shocked at how reasonable she has been, but then again, I'm being particularly reasonable myself. I told her that I was ok and that I just wanted the damage to the bike repaired. Ireland has become a very litigious society in recent years and she is probably so relieved that she is not being sued that she is happy to pay up.

Should be back on the road next week and if I can wangle a few more days off work I might try and get a few days away on the bike. Thanks everyone for the interest.


Toyark 22 Sep 2005 04:08

Quote:

Originally posted by Chris IMM:
I will also be travelling to Budapest at a similar time, starting from France on September 10th and hoping to arrive in Budapest on September 12th as I will be taking the slow route through the Austrian Alps. I will be travelling on to Romania after.

Kaflynny, Momirj, perhaps we could meet up for a beer if we are there at the same time?

Momirj, do you have any recomendations for a hotel which would have safe parking for my bike?

Cheers,
Chris.


If you're headed to Romania here's a tip:
Europa Hotel N46 14.297 E24 53.335 (WGS84) clean, modern and have great welcome and a garage at the rear of the hotel- ask!
Too late for Budapest but if you go there again stay at BIKER CAMP Zsolt Vertessy H-1089 Benyovszky Moric u40 at N47 28.720 E19 05.910 very nice people- rooms or camp- secure house and parking (rottweiler present!! and I kid you not!)

If you need parts, bike shop called MOTOLAND might help - at N46 41.491 E23 37.646
Happy riding!

Bert

Chris IMM 26 Sep 2005 16:22

Very sorry to hear about your accident Keith, it was a shame not to see you in Budapest. I had a little slide down the road myself in France as a result of some diesel on a roundabout but nothing serious.

Just a note to say that I stayed in the pension recomended by Momir in Budapest and found the place to be very good in terms of the room and also bike safety (which is my prime concern when travelling). The place was a little tricky to find coming into budapest but seemed to be well signposted coming out from the centre.

Also another point to note is that I went to see the mechanic recomended by Momir, (Andras +36 703 805 593). He was very friendly and spoke good english, he was also happy to let me watch and help him while he worked so I would recomend him to anyone needing mechanical assistance in Budapest.

Grant Johnson 26 Sep 2005 19:28

If you're happy with a mechanic somewhere - e.g. Budapest http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif please be sure to also post it in the "Repair shops around the world" forum.

thanks, Grant

tinman 11 Oct 2005 03:02

Having just done Poland ( Krakow / Auswitch ) via Germany from Rotterdam I can say that due to road conditions in Poland I would doubt it possible to get from Krakow to Calais in one day.
I managed to get from Rotterdam to the Polish boader easy enough but this was a hard ride even on a my hayabusa. It took another full day to get to Krakow due to Traffic / Road conditions.
Email me for more details and pictuers of the roads, honestly you will not believce how bad they are ! tinman at dsl.pipex.com

dam13n 11 Oct 2005 04:05

ej! its not THAT bad man! i did london to torun (central poland) in 20 hours (inc ferry and time change) non stop riding, well fuel and smoke stops every 160 miles or so, on my trusty transalp this summer, if i was on a bike like yours i could probably cut it to 16 hours, on the way back i did it in 24 hours only 'cause it was non stop raining all the way from polish/german border to my flat in west london.

kaflynny 12 Oct 2005 23:15

That bad eh Tinman? I was under the impression that the roads were pretty good. Would like to see the pics, maybe you can post them?

How was the trip otherwise?

I'm back in the saddle now after my recent bash and am thinking of heading off towards the end of Oct.

What was the weather like?

What were the Polish women like?

tinman 13 Oct 2005 03:09

Well the trip was fantastic but very knackering at times. We headed from Rotterdam after the over night ferry from hull and drove through the netherlands and across Germany to the Polish boarder in one day and then got a b&b. It rained all the way across Germany and this made it hard work reading road signs and keeping the pace up, but still fun. The next day we headed towards Krakow but did not make the progress we wanted because of the roads. The e40 / e36 is made of large concrete flags which are cracked and drop and inch after each one, there is also are a large gap in the middle of the road. The other tarmac roads have deep groves where the lorries have worn them away and this can be dodgy if your front tyre gets stuck in them. Im sure it would have been less of a problem on a smaller 600 dual purpose bike but tough on a busa however it does make for interesting driving, I'll e-mail you some pics. Krakow was nice but to be honest it was the much smaller villages that we found more interesting. The people where very friendly and everyone wanted to talk to us, even the workmen we passed all stopped and waved at us. It was just like being a film star is the best way to describe it. Auswitch was not very nice, really depressing with everyone crying etc. Glad I went there but would not go again. The weather was not great but remained dry after the first day, my advice to you would be to hold of your trip there untill better weather next year now and head south instead through france spain. Don't be tricked by the night club signs either as we were as these are Brothels. it was funny however going in and asking how much only to be presented with a Polish girl making shagging jestures. Left there quickly http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif
Came back much the same way and stopped in Amsterdam before back on the ferry.
Will defo do it agian and are already planning another trip but next time will head down through Germany, Austria then up through Hungary the Tara mountains and back through Poland Germany. Oh yeah the motorways are not built yet so if looking on your map you think you can wiz through to Krakow you'll be wrong - some show the motorways as dotted lines and it's these dotted bits that are not built yet - took us a bit to work out but hey it was our first time http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/wink.gif Oh finally one night whilst camping we heard guns going off - Oh how we laughed that night http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
If you want to more just let me know...

mdmystko 14 Oct 2005 01:47

The concrete flags Tinman mentioned are remains of an old German highway from Berlin to Wroclaw. AFAIK it is the last such section in Poland, I guess not more than 150km. All other roads are tarmac. Unfortunately, groves are not uncommon but they weren't a problem for me on a smaller GS500.
If there is something to worry about in Poland, for sure it's not guns, never heard one in my whole life.
Check this 10 days weather forecast to get a hint of what it's like now: http://www.weather.com/activities/ot...locid=PLXX0012

tinman 14 Oct 2005 02:04

[QUOTE]Originally posted by mdmystko:
The concrete flags Tinman mentioned are remains of an old German highway from Berlin to Wroclaw. AFAIK it is the last such section in Poland, I guess not more than 150km. All other roads are tarmac. Unfortunately, groves are not uncommon but they weren't a problem for me on a smaller GS500.
If there is something to worry about in Poland, for sure it's not guns, never heard one in my whole life.
Check this 10 days weather forecast to get a hint of what it's like now: http://www.weather.com/activities/ot...locid=PLXX0012
[/QU OTE]

The 2 gun shots we heard were whilst camping just outside the Auswitch Museum at a campsite on the Kolbego road. We had no idea what was going on but definatly heard them. This was not posted however to put anybody off http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

kaflynny 17 Oct 2005 16:24

J H C those roads look like a death trap. I was fooled by the maps which suggest motorway standard the whole way. Maybe you're right and I should head south instead.

Sounds like you had a good trip though, dodgy night clubs and gun shots aside. Thanks for the pics and the info.


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