A Trip of a lifetime, that changed my life forever. 2 Mates, KTM 790 Dukes, 5609KM, 6 Countries and a feast of festivals, factories, racetracks and riding. Great memories!
So I watched “The Bike Show” this week, the first time ever!!! because they reviewed my current favorite bike, the 790 Duke. For the most part I was loving the show and couldn’t agree more with Matt Duran’s sentiments, although my heart skipped a beat and I have to admit I checked my pulse when…
Pouch fitted, we left for Stuttgart, via Munich Airport, destination Porsche Museum. I have new respect for Navigational Racers! Following GPS instructions, on the wrong side of the road, traffic buzzing around you, traffic lights to contend with, all the while not losing your riding buddy! Not much time left to take in the beautiful…
Sunday,8 July 2018, a day to remember. My friends will tell me I am being melodramatic, my mother would tell me I am just “ongewoond” (and complicated!). This post and photos, do not do the day, facilities, surroundings, bikes and especially the experience any justice. I’m trying not to hyperventilate as I recall easily one…
At breakfast we met manager Taryn, a South African whose husband (both from Cape Town) is a driving Instructor at RSR Performance. Obviously, like teenagers, we nonchalantly told her about our previous days antics, to which she was absolutely gobsmacked exclaiming “no experience on the ring, first time ever, you do it on motorcycles, on…
Last year I learned to trust the GPS, besides a few early turns (my own fault), it has been reliable. Until yesterday. Routed me into truck euro crossing. Frustrating waste of time, but we survived. First ever EuroTunnel Crossing. 25 minutes crossing at 110Euro, yes, but don’t forget the 45minute wait and boarding process. Great…
Special day at the much anticipated Holy Grail, Alfaholics! Unannounced we received a warm welcome and tour through the facilities! might have been the rain! Impressive levels of stock for 105 Alfa’s, dispatched all over the world! Carbon, aluminum and magnesium trick bits, need to rob a bank. £250k builds… Let the images speak for…
Yesterday we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon in the quaint little town of Shepperton (on the Thames) catching up on laundry & sleep (navigating while riding without losing your riding partner can be tiring!), before remembering we wanted to visit GMR-UK (who build SuperChargers, amongst other things, for Aston Martins) in Wellington…. close to where we…
Lovely lunch in the beautiful town of Portsmouth. Hotel parking lot filling up with exotica! Room service snack dinner with #fos live-streaming. It’s about to get real. Bring on #fos2018 [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”103″ gal_title=”EURoadTrip2018 – Portsmouth”]
Last night I caught myself grinning like a teenager again, as I reflected on the weekends events. Kevin Anderson playing in the Wimbledon final, Brad Binder taking his first Moto2 victory and my very own travel buddy eclipsing 8 other Aston Martin VIP’s, from around the world, for the prized pillion seat in the Vulcan…
800km of the 1100km liaison covered today, destination Saint Raphael, via Paris and Lyon, for dinner with the Doc! After yesterday’s excitement, no dinner and only 4 hours sleep, today was always going to be a long one with frequent stops and a power nap or two, as summer announces itself! Flat batteries all round,…
Slow start to the day after an epic night out. Seems Pedro cracked a nod to the Kravitz after party! Chilled, literally, in the pool all morning, followed by another tasty lunch in the country before we hit the road to Rimini for World Ducati Weekend… Pace definitely picked up, helps to stay awake in…
Blast from the past, great memories of WDW2002 come rushing back. 790 Duke stood their ground in a sea of red, loud & proud and very well received! Kudos to Ducati for allowing us into their domain! (I remember being upset about the non Ducati’s in the parking lot previously, I now have some sympathy…
At the risk of sounding melodramatic, no emotional PDA’s (public display of affection) allowed in our house. The first, and only, compromise of the trip. We had planned to return via Stelvio Pass, but chose to rather take in Pagni, Lamborghini & Enzo Ferrari Museums in Modena, take a more direct route back to Mattighofen…
212km of unrelenting rain today. Soaked to the core, no coffee breaks, just ride! After some slipping and sliding, switched drive to “Rain Mode” for improved traction. 790 flawless through the entire 5609km. Average consumption of 5.4l/100km. Specifically designed maxxis tyres offering superb traction and longevity throughout the journey. Going to miss my Nurburgring Touring…