Early mornings, who could blame you

Saturday 13/06/09

So an early start it was, 6am we were packed and on the road. Made it to St Ettiene in no time passing through some really interesting towns, amazing how things are changing the further south you head.

Rushing on, we did manage to miss a few really great picture opportunities, picking up only one or two nice ones on the way. Well the highlight of the day was actually the river that ran next to the pass on our way into Gap where we managed to (nearly) misjudge quite a few bends. Really really beautiful. With not much of a campsite in Gap, we headed for Marseille, what a dive, sure hope its better in the morning.

After a brief search, 3 hotels later, 470 miles completed and 16 hours in the saddle (mostly from windy roads and mountain passes) we got to bed at about 2am.

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz................

Friday.....please can I have some more?

Got to it really early today to get a few miles under our belts, and boy did we get some more, 420 miles with really beautiful landscape to contend with.

Having said that, it is very expensive as well, everytime you get on the highway you end up forking out, and that on a bike. You also end up paying an arm and a leg for food and drink, with a small coke costing you over 3 euro. Will be trying to get something from Lidl tomorrow.

After a long day in the saddlie, we eventually got to a small town just past Vesille, got a camping spot(surprisingly cheap), pitched the tents and went to get some food. Had to ride 10mins to get the only place open(@ 21:30) for what must have been 10 small towns. It was the second best pizza i had ever tasted to be honest.

At least i had my shower to look forward to, DEVINE!!!

Early morning again tomorrow............

Off to Europe on a whim

Thursday 11th June 2009. Two guys, 2 bikes and one goal in mind......... to get a real taste of what Europe has to offer.

So we finally got on our wayat 3pm, on schedule actually and would you guess it we lost each other in the first five minutes. André managed to head off in the wrong direction.

When we eventually got back on track, things went pretty well. Got to Folkstone early so got the early train across the channel, this after having the easiest border crossing i have ever had, showing our passports but keeping our helmets on, weird. It's funny that it took us just over an hour to reach French soil and took us 4 hours to reach Wales.

On arrival in Calais, the wind was a bit shocking, could have sworn i was back in Cape Town. Decided heading to the hotel would be the best option. All i can say is £5 for a pint of beer.....are they mad??!!??

It's 22:30 and outside is still light, summer is strange north of the equator.

Only 74miles covered today

New bike, again.....

Well it is a while since my last post. My wrists and back were getting to me a bit so i started looking around for somthing new for my European adventures. When i got the price i was looking for, that was it........ another goodbye to a brilliant piece of machinery.

As before, one closed door usually opens another, welcome BMW's F800GS, the newest in their range of adventure tourers. Well as can be expected, it did not take me too long to break it into the world of adenture. First trip was to Wales for a weekend with Touratech, the motorcycle travellers best friend(expensive though).

Like walking on water

What a bank holiday.........is it really work tomorrow?
Cycling to Kings Cross........what was i thinking? Felt great afterwards though.
Party time at Woz and Em's place. We even got to take the boat out on the river, hard work but great fun. Sorry Andrew (sure i did'nt mean it)
Its great to just get away from things once in a while (this seems to come up alot lately), i guess that was the reason i started writing his blog.
How long has it actually been since i've seen my friends, i hardly even recognised Nate, wow, gotta make a plan. Guys, if you reading this, braai at my house whenever you are available.
What a blessed life we live.

A new beginning

The start of a new relationship is never without its complications. This one however was delayed from my side, which has turned out to be painful, but for the best.

Well if you were wondering, i bought myself a new bike, something i will be able to tour on throughout europe. Why i opted not to take her on the day was firstly to get an alarm fitted and subsequently to get insurance sorted, but the main reason being that i was able to spend the day with Eugene and Naomi, who will be leaving for SA end of this month.
I had such a great time there, just chilling that i only got home at about 00H30.
Good times don't come cheap

In memory of - a post written for events on Friday 4th May 2007

Its weird, the last time you touch, see and ride something before passing it on to some very deserving person. Yes, there comes a time in every mans life when he has to part with a machine he has on many occasions cursed and been grateful for, all in the same breath. Now i know this sounds awefully materialistic, but you ask anyone who has owned a bike before, it just becomes an extension of who you are (for the time you have it, that is)

One and a half years of time and effort invested into her wellbeing, countless funds used in feeding, cleaning, securing and maintaining her, only to move into that place where your heart fears to tread. Who owned who i ask myself now................. Who?