Tallinn – St Petersburg – North Cape – Germany mid August/early September 2011

[chris]

Hi guys


My 2011 plans were originally http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...lia-side-57723 but a little accident on a side car rig (http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...s-bright-57994 ) have sadly changed them a little.

Being a skool teecha, I’m on holiday whether I like it or not , but kicking my heels is doing my head in. Also my injuries aren't as complex as first advised by the doctors.
So…

On 15 August I fly to Tallinn in Estonia and will hopefully be in St Petersburg by 17 Aug. Then heading north, either through Russia or Finland to North Cape (eta +/- 25 August?) before heading back south via the most scenic route possible (probably Norway) to Denmark and Duesseldorf in Germany (flying from there back to the UK on 04 September).The bike will once more reside in my parents’ garage (I seem not to be able to get rid of it…) until I can come up with yet another plan for its demise (Plan E version 62? :confused1: ).

Anyone doing something similar? Likely to be camping (either wild or on official campsites) and doing everything on the cheap (will have a couple of bottles of Vodka with me… ). Also bike likes riding at about 100km/h = 60mp/h or slower (Motor sounds sweeter (not that you can hear it for the noise of the silencer), uses a lot less oil and a bit more miles/gallon ).

Or if you’re on my route (not that I have a planned route…), you’re couch would be very welcome.

Or look out for me on the road:


Cheers
Chris

[chris]

Having done a bit of planning (aka. actually looked at a map and did a bit of reading on the 'net... ), I'm aiming to pretty much transit straight through Finland (my hand injury and the bike's knackered suspension won't allow any off pavement riding anyway) to Nordkapp, maybe arriving 22nd August.

This will then give me more time for the scenic ride south along the coast of Norway.

Also just signed up for the MRT at Gieboldehausen Motorrad-Reise-Treffen Gieboldehausen I was there last time in 2005 or 6 and it was a great event. Maybe see you there, or on the road.

cheers
C

[chef jules]

Hi Chris, Im doing similar trip next April. As a more experienced traveller do you think early April in North Norway is clear of snow and ice on the roads. I travel alone with now back up [apart from Carol Nash]. My trip for breast cancer is on htt://www.solobiketour4cancer.com . Any other bits of info that you think might help would be appreciated. Camping is in my plans too , to save on money. Cheers Jules ps good luck with yours!!

[chef jules]

Check out Warthog in Tallin. He is a hubber and very hospitable

[chris]

Originally Posted by chef jules

Hi Chris, Im doing similar trip next April. As a more experienced traveller do you think early April in North Norway is clear of snow and ice on the roads.

Can't tell you about weather patterns in that part of the world in early April. Never been there before. I imagine it won't be warm . There was still ice in the Baltic at Easter this year. North Cape is about 1000 miles north of that...

Maybe a Finn/Swede/Norwegian can tell you about the north of their own country? I've been told the north in late August will be cold. Will pack heated vest and warm sleeping bag.

Originally Posted by chef jules

Check out Warthog in Tallin. He is a hubber and very hospitable

He is indeed very hospitable. My bike is in his garage and he and his wife looked after me very well at Easter.

When I'm back in the UK we can meet for a chat. I also need to catch up with Stan and Ted too.
cheers
Chris

[palace15]

Hi Chris
Good to hear that the hand is not as bad as first thought, and the trip is back on, all the best.

[chris]

Originally Posted by palace15

Hi Chris
Good to hear that the hand is not as bad as first thought, and the trip is back on, all the best.

Hi Dave

I know I said it wasn't as bad as thought. I fact, that's what I'm hoping because sitting at home is doing my head in. I hope that gripping a m/c throttle all day will be good physiotherapy.

FWIW, I recon this will be the timeline I'll be on, or not:

15Aug arrive Tallinn

16Aug arrive St Petersburg, will give the side trip to Moscow a miss.

18 or 19 Aug arrive Helsinki

22Aug arrive North Cape

02Sept arrive at Gieboldehausen/MRT

cheers
C