Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Going blind-one big last road trip UK turkey

I suffer diabetic retinopathy. My doc says I have 3months to 3 years till I will have to give up riding. I'd rather do the trip than wait than put off the trip and lose the chance.

You may remember me as the one who did Vancouver to Mexico on a 185, and North Wales to Italy on a CD200T (two up, with baggage). So I plan to get much from little.

I seek a riding companion who would come with me on a southerly route across Europe and make it to at least the Turkish coast to say I have touched foot in Asia. Istanbul, though Turkey, doesn't cut it. If paperwork and companion allowed, I'd love to continue either east to Georgia or the Iraq frontier, or south. I'm seeking a companion because:

It's a lot easier to have 2 heads when things go wrong.
You always have a 2nd bike to double on if one dies/stolen etc
If I get a retinal bleed which leaves me partially or totally blind- I don't want to be in darkness in a place I don't know with no language to explain my problem.

I travel cheap on bikes I can maintain, parts are cheap and usually available, even hulks to be found locally and raped. You can ride what you like, as long as there is a provision for doubling in an emergency, even if baggage gets abandoned. I plan on using my 1981 CB400T- a bike I know very well from the last 20 years of using them for a business.

I'd like to hit the big attaractions- I'll list later- but will treat my companion's interests equally..

I am 40, have been riding bikes exclusively since I was 19, and pulling wrenches. I have French, a few words of Spanish and Italian, but have a long history of teaching English, and if being understood by a class with 20 or more languages in it. If that doesn't prepare one, I don't know what will.

I am in a position to cover all my own costs, travelling moderately- the cheap motels are wheer the local action is. Only rich boring tourists go to the posh places. Ask me about The Clown Motel in Tonepah Nevada. It's likely to be a shared room basis in Western Europe.

I will also cover my companion's fuel bill, extra insurance coverage as needed, and all breakfasts.

email me an introduction at redcoat1812@hotmail.com

You can see the two previous trips at redcoatphoto.com

Suggestions?

Justin