Chernobyl Challenge Day Three, Berlin to Proznan.
27 Aug 2007
Before we start day three it is worth mentioning that one of us, Tim, very nearly started a “domino” affect when he stalled his bike whilst turning in to the parking area. He and it tippled over just nudging the next bike, a Be Ma, oops, Still thats all he did so thats ok, eh?
Right, today is Monday the 27/08/07. First stop BMW in Berlin. The hotel was to everyones satisfaction so that is good. A late night was had by some but still we all were up and ready by 08:20 as agreed. Ready to role as one, the idea we arrive at the BMW factory as a group, great idea!
It didn't happen that way though, the lead bike decided he was going to filter, ho hum, we got split up within the first 10 miles. Let the fun begin. Group one are gone, we, group two are Dave and Mark 'T', Tim, John and me, again. No worries, we got there after a “slight” detour.
The factory was well worth the visit, if you get the chance do visit, it is typically German and efficient but very well sorted in its attitude and diversity in production. We leave there at about 11:00 (ish)
There is a decision made that we will go as two groups, meeting at the border with Poland Hhmm?
Of we go Dave K, Allan, Mike 'S' and Mike 'C' leading the way, the rest of us including Andy follow on, we are the slow group? Part way along the motorway we have to pull in to a rest stop for me to fill with fuel from the spare tank's, it gives us a toilet stop also. When we get to the border, the slow group go through expecting to find the “fast” riders waiting. It didn't happen, we got a phone call, “hi Andy, we are BEHIND you we got lost in Berlin” or words to that effect. Andy in the meantime has atracted the affections of the Police, you cant park there in the forest and you will not turn round and go back to the border from here, drive 10km (ish) to a truck turn then you can go back, they tell us.
Andy tells Allan we will meet at a roadside cafe on a given road to Poznan in 20 minutes or so. Sorted. It happened!. Well 40 minutes later it happened. The tortoise and hare were mentioned briefly and Tim suggested that they would perhaps like some pie,............ humble pie!
It has to be noted that we also got to see places we did not mean to but still arrived earlier, oh, Dave K thought the roadside cafe' was the Hotel and so emptied his overnight stuff from his bike only to be told we are leaving. He was not a happy bunny, te he. The hotel we are in is very nice, not a roadside Cafe' at all.
The change of wealth as you come over the border is marked, the roads are chronically in need of care, pot holes and ruts make them dodgey, but interesting, and the traffic is fast, and dodgey! It is a single track road and so very busy.
We take a road to the North and then travel East to Proznan, Andy tells us it is a better road and one he will use in the future when he visits Natalia.
On the last part of the journey Dave 'T' takes the lead, John 'G' has gone ahead with the “fast” group. His job, Mark 'T', is to bring us in safely to the hotel. He is doing so well until he tries to follow a tram into it's station, oops, well the blackbird is a bit of a bus isn't it?. Shortly afterwards, at the same station, the traffic light having changed to green, we move forward but the traffic is stopped mid junction. We were stunned to see the tram pull forward and HIT the back of a small car that had been stopped on the line's because of the hold up, no one got out, the lights change and they both drove of, amazing!,
Thats it for now, dinner beckons me.
My recorded millage (GPS) to date is 761 miles, that does not include the distance from the A12 to Harwich.
Thanks for logging on, Martin.