Ducati Tom is leaving on a Bonneville

[Ducati Tom]

Hi All, I'm heading into Europe at the end of next week with Istanbul as my destination. If you see a Black and White Triumph T100 with Horizons Unlimited sticker on the back of the panniers, well that's probably me. After arriving in France I will head into Germany and then potter through central and Eastern Europe, entering Turkey through Bulgaria. I will take a different route back coming through Greece.

If you see me out there and get the chance to say hello, please do so.

Cheers Tom

[g6snl]

enjoy !

[johnnington]

Hi Tom,

I'm also planning on leaving next week, going via the tunnel. I'm making my way down to the Stella Alpina Rally on the French/Italian border but in a roundabout way, going through Germany.

Are you travelling solo? Would there be a chance of meeting up?

Thanks, John

[Ducati Tom]

Hi John, yes I am travelling solo and will be boarding the Euro Tunnel Shuttle around 08:30 next Thursday 4th July, wow just realised it's independance day...

Happy to meet up if at all possible, when are you travelling to France?

Cheers Tom

P.S. I have just checked out a video clip of the Stella, it looks like a lot of fun...

[johnnington]

I only really have the Stella as a goal but would quite like to explore as much as possible along the way.

I haven't done the Stella before but it looks fantastic. The highest driveable/rideable mountain pass in Europe apparently. Also is doable on a road bike. Lots do it on them apparently.

Could I tag along with you as close to the Stella as possible? Will you be camping or hotels?

John

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by johnnington

Also is doable on a road bike. Lots do it on them apparently.
John

Just to interject, "road bikes" is the whole ethos of the Stella A meeting; "tossers on crossers" are frowned upon by most people who attend - it does happen, with a few folks blasting up and down a bit, but the majority of those present are there for the orgiinal aims of the Stella.

You will see every kind of bike and sidecar combination, including classic bikes, and some will go to the summit, depending on the snow conditions this year; others will go as far as one of the main camping areas where there will be an Italian guy (in a van) selling badges and an Italian version of a McDonald bun.

[Ducati Tom]

Hi John, I would prefer to use hotels,however, I am bringing some camping kit. I have a couple of months before I need to be back in the UK, therefore, attending the Stella would be a nice distraction.

So I will be in Calais Thursday morning, when are you arriving?

Walkabout / Dave thanks for the Stella update.

Cheers Tom.

[johnnington]

I haven't booked my tunnel crossing yet. Was planning on doing it tomorrow so I'm fairly flexible.
I was hoping to do as much camping as possible. I'll PM my email address.

[henryuk]

Happy riding, is that one of the old T100s or one of the new-fangled modern jobs? I am waiting to ship to Australia and my '71 Triumph engine has given me lots of happy spannering time, but I've probably spent more on oil than on food.......

Happy riding!

[Ducati Tom]

Hi Henry

It's one of those new one's. I'm currently in Austria and head into Hungary tomorrow, I'll take a break when I reach Istanbul. Good luck with your old girl, they are lovely, if a little high maintenance. Cheers Tom

[Ducati Tom]

Hi All

After a quick detour to take in the Bikers Classic at Francochamps last weekend, I started riding again last Monday and reached Istanbul last night. I am staying in the city until Thursday morning when I will be heading to Greece.

If you ever get the chance to ride down route 7 in Bulgaria, don't . It shows as a Normal road, however, a large part of it is more suited to an enduro event. Still the bike and I got through it, but it proved to be a very stressful experience. I was so glad to book into a hotel in Jambon that night.

Cheers Tom