Hi Folks,

I've been an avid reader of the HUBB and have enjoyed reading many a thread, of folks adventures.

I'm from the UK, passed at the end of 2015, been riding a Street Triple since but have been driving for over 20yrs.

A trip (non bike) a few years ago around the Baltics got me bitten by the travelling bug and I felt touring on a bike was as about as raw an experience as you can get.

A break between jobs gives me the opportunity to travel and I want to go Europe.

The planned (loosely speaking) route is

Home to Dover - Calais - Belgium - Holland - Germany - Poland - Kaliningrad - Lithuania - Latvia - Estonia - Russia (St Petersburg & ideally Moscow). Then back (this bit's fluid at the moment).

July of this year - for 30-35 days is the rough time frame.

Now, I know the Street Triple isn't maybe the most suited bike for long tours, but it's the only one I've got and I do enjoy riding it. It's lack of luggage is annoying but I'm on with modifying a set of Givi PLX pannier frames to fit it and have a pair of Givi V35 panniers to go on it.

It's a solo trip.

I've never ridden in Europe, but drove there for a bit, years ago (not sure if that even counts - LOL).

I can read Russian and speak some too - so I'm not too worried about road signs etc in Cyrillic.

I'm looking at hostels\airbnb\etc for the overnights but only ones where there is secure parking for the bike.

Most places will be a one night stop with a few having 2. The plan is to stay 4-5 days in St Petersburg & Moscow - parking the bike and exploring using taxi\foot\metro\etc.

If I'm honest - there is a little apprehension about going. The usual - security, safety. Not so much about personal safety, but about riding out there and coming back minus bike. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. And doing the best I can making it hard to steal the bike - almax and squire padlock - is far better than doing nothing.

I would greatly appreciate any advice\tips\help\etc.

Thanks

Dibs