Oct. 2010
The time has come. My plans cannot be kept on hold any longer, the journey that started what seems an eternity ago has to be completed and Nordcap to Capetown has to be completed this year.
I needed a bike and after quickly becoming an expert via the Internet I thought a Transalp. would be a good manageable size but decided that an R1150GSA would do the job nicely, especially if it never fell over.
These days anything can be done on line so it was no problem to locate what I was looking for and get the dealer to hold it for me until I could get to see it.
19Nov. 2010
Arrived at dealers in Bradford, bought the bike and asked them to give it a full service and MOT and keep it at their premises until Jan.,when I intended to pick it up and ride it to Morroco.This was to be a shake down trip for me rather than the bike.
20/01/11
Visited Hein Gericke and kitted myself out for the trip.Left with everything I needed although my wallet was considerably lighter. What a pleasure it is to shop where people care that you have the right kit and are prepared to go out of their way to help.
21/01/11
Arrive at dealers dressed in brand new gear feeling like a prat and praying that I would get off the forecourt without dropping the bike.After one or two pertinent questions such as how do you open the panniers? and where does the petrol go? I got my " civilian" gear stashed away, pulled on my helmet, climbed aboard and said a quick prayer.
The next minute or so involved me trying to rock the bike off the centre stand and get the engine started.
.
So far so good.
I don't think I will ever forget the feeling of exhilaration when I stopped at the first junction and confirmed that my feet would in fact touch the ground after all.I wobbled on, all the way to the M606 and the adventure had started, it wasn't until Stafford services that I had enough confidence(and an empty tank) to attempt stopping for fuel and seeing if I could get off.
Note.
It must be somebody with a sense of humor that designed the side stand.
View Bradord to Toulouse via Algeci in a larger map
23/01/11
Ferry to Le Havre. Got there nice and early and waited to board,convincing myself that it would be warmer on the other side.
24/1/11
It's amazing that after riding past four hotels and deciding to stop at the next one there was no "next one", at least not one that was open. I managed to sample the delights of a Gite and after riding all day long in the freezing cold warmed myself up walking around Montlucon looking for a shop to buy some food.
25/01/11
Things are not going to plan.Breakfast was very nice but the freezing fog wasn't.I scraped the ice off the bike seat and decided to wait for an hour to see if the fog lifted. It didn't, the arrival of snow didn't help much either.
Still freezing cold at the Millau bridge.A magnificent work of engineering but the old road afforded a magnificent view of the town below and for most people who are taking the bridge that is gone. Progress.
Some things stay the same and the temperature started to rise on the descent from the Massif central and by the time the Mediterranean autoroute was reached it was positively pleasant ,unless the gale force winds count!!!
Checked into a hotel just over the Spanish border and thought I was in Paradise. I was wrong, the flashing neon lights told me that Paradise was at the other side of the lorry park.
27/01/11
Light rain, hard rain and torrential rain.Luckily it only lasted for 350 miles and stopped before arrival at Torrevieja.Why is it almost impossible to put gloves back on when hands are a bit wet?
People say that Torrevieja is like Blackpool but I didn't find it like that at all, in fact that would be insulting to Blackpool.Having said that I stayed in a very nice hotel just out of town.
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| TORREVIEJA |
29/1/11
The elements and common sense prevailed on arrival at the port of Algeciras and the plan to cross to Morrocco was abandoned.
Started to head back and stopped in Fuengirola for a couple of nights.All the pensioners in Europe must converge on southern Spain in the winter and my arrival added to their numbers.Good weather good food and no crowds.
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| FUENGIROLA |
3/2/11
Almost needed medical attention when given the bill for bike service in France,almost cheaper to buy a new one.Peace of mind comes at a price I suppose.
5/2/11
Amazing how certain things elevate the spirit.Free upgrade to business class back to UAE.Roll on March and the next leg to Istanbul.Must remember to use the camera next time !!!
