Cousin Jack wrote: ↑Sat Sep 17, 2022 3:36 pm
At hotel, old, and weird, but (and this is a big plus) the radiator in the room is working, so no cold soggy trousers for me tomorrow!
Now in Bouillon, Belgium, so tomorrow should be a short trip, although the tunnel is booked for 18:20.
People keep telling me that if you get to the tunnel early, they generally let you on early - cross fingers!
And, glad you clarified that it's the hotel that is old and weird
Life is for living. Buy the shoes. Eat the cake. Ride the bikes. Just, ride the bikes!!
Cousin Jack wrote: ↑Fri Sep 16, 2022 9:36 am
Restaurant served beer, so we took over that.
Today it is raining again, and I am soaked already. It is going to be a long day. Do you think I can return a rainsuit that leaks 10 years after I bought it?
Back in Blighty, and tonight it is the fleshpots of Folkestone, and the long drag down to the Duchy tomorrow.
Ypres was chaos, some sort of marathon finishing via the arch, roads closed, masses of cyclists, a fun fare and what sounded like a demo. Never mind, got there.
You have been through some very interesting countries. You must have met many interesting people. The Balkan area is a real crucible of history and culture and ethnicities and turbulence. It wasn't that long ago our Harriers were bombing Kosovo in what was later heralded as one of the more successful western military interventions of the modern day. Going back further, Alexander The Great came from the region too. I imagine you must have come back with some real insight and perspective on current end recent events. And I'm especially curious to ask you, where abouts was the most PAWGs? And do you have any photos of them too?
To a kid looking up to me, life ain't nothing but bitches and money.
3820 miles, 9 forrin countries, high temperatures (34C), low temperatures (5C), sun, rain (biblical downpours). I have been hot, cold, and very wet.
Great company, good beer, and fantastic memories.
Back home, bike washed, clothes washed, and a mountain of e-mails/other stuff tackled. Sorting photos started, but I am a numpty so be (even more) patient, they will come.
Bike was brilliant. Yes, it could do with more torque/power, yes it could do with better brakes, and more upmarket suspension, not to mention a more comfortable seat. The dash display is crap, monochrome and suffers badly from reflections. And I am getting old, after 19 days I am glad to be home.
OTOH it was less than 1/2 the price of the GS or RT that was the preferred weapon for most people, it used about 2/3 of the fuel, and it just got on with it. Motorways it will cruise at the legal limit, or a bit more. On goat tracks up a mountain it was less comfortable than a GS, but it made it. All the while doing 80+ mpg. If I could have as many bikes as I wanted I think a CB500 would be in the mix
Lessons learned. Pack less shit, test your rain gear (I had waterproofs, they just weren't waterproof any more), and expect both hot and cold any time of the year.
