Probably similar to your trackday one Andy Dave must have been on fumes. I got to maidstone and filled up, 145 miles, 18.54 litres. Mamaged to do the 160 miles home from there on one tank with 30 miles to spare...
@gliddofglood certainly you continental fellas are blessed with great roads. Dont think I've ever done as many hairpins as that road we did. Easy riding on the multi
Good job we took that short cut, or I may not have made it at all. I ran out of fuel just as @bradders blasted off on leaving the train ... Had to push the bloody bike the last 800 yds. Great weekend though Thanks to @Pete1950 for organising and carrying my rucksack in his top box - a true gent
124 miles or so I reckon you managed On the whole all bikes behaved faultlessly and that multi really is the bike to have for these trips. No doubt. Very rarely was I wanting a sports bike. Although my tank bag zip let go and then I stopped at Maidstone initiated the seam across my chest had burst. So kit less so..
This is going to sound really blasé, I know, but you've got to get yourself to Switzerland, or any of the bits of the Alps. You will find more hairpins than you can shake a stick at. The road we did was just a typical pass. Pity about the gravel on the ride down - I hate gravel! You need to go to Andermatt where you can ride the Furka, the Susten and the Grimsel all in a short bit of afternoon. Now you are talking hairpins and views! I once did 12 passes in a day on an 851, but by the end, there was no strength left in my arms and wrists at all. Yup - you've got to get back to the Continent before the year is out - you have the bike for it.
Just get a top box Bradders, so much easier to take on and off and chuck all and more in there, then empty and take just what you need when there. Were some great roads, and so many more too
Been to Switzerland and done all those passes, I did find traffic a problem, but I can assume do it at right time of day and be empty, my only comment Switzerland is all about passes and after a while they can become a little samey, It was still fantastic place to go though, would go again Scenery is awesome never got tired at looking at that. Although I did look far too ofter over the edge
not really a hairpin fan tbh, but enjoyed these as they weren't all tight and had some nice switchbacks
You need the D911 from Rodez to Millau in France - 130mph sweepers and brilliant sunshine. Make it so...
That is a truly sportsbike road. I used to ride it every year going to Gascony. And then Millau to Le Puy. All top stuff.
So. All five of us got there and back, nobody crashed, broke down, or got arrested so that makes the trip a success. Plenty of fine twisty mountain roads and excellent scenery. Hotel was adequate but not exactly luxurious. Parking for the bikes was really secure, as the hotel had promised me. Strasbourg has hundreds of bars and restaurants, the place we ate on Friday was very good, Saturday OK, Sunday the food made me really ill. Taking a ferry boat ride across the Rhine adds a little flavour to any trip, don't you think? Comparing Cochem (2014 trip) with Strasbourg (2015), I have to say Cochem makes a more enjoyable experience. You have to ride quite a distance from Strasbourg before you get to the good bits, but the gorgeous riding roads start right outside Cochem plus you have the Nurburgring nearby. It was great to meet up with Gliddofglood and sample some twisties together; the opportunity rarely presents and is not easy to arrange!
Any time, happy to oblige. If we had been together at that point I could have towed you those 800 yards with my handy towrope!
On the way home I was feeling so ill I knew it was touch and go if I would make it. Painful abdomen, couldn't eat anything. Coughing to try and get the stomach acid out of my lungs. Cold shivers and hot sweats. So tired. Got home at 8.30 and collapsed into bed totally exhausted. So somehow I did make it after all.
My thoughts are turning to a trip to Cochem & the Moselle via Luxembourg in late May 2016, probably 28-29-30-31 May. Staying at the Hotel Noss, of course, and taking in tours of the Eifel, Hunsruck and Taunus areas. Anyone tempted? Hotel KARL NOSS in Cochem / Mosel: Homepage
I'll take my nav next time Pete so I can share the leading. Maybe a small town rather than city is a better bet
Agreed, and very helpful. Leading is more tiring than following. Plus the leader gets the embarrassment of taking wrong turnings and having to U-turn.
