A quick blast across Montenegro saw the team arrive at the Albanian border.
Albania was a completely closed country until the fall of communism and the collapse of a complex pyramid scheme led to the ousting of the local dictator, Enva Hoxha.
It is still terribly poor with peasant farms and little in the shops. The only signs of economic activity are in the automotive sector. For such a poor country there a very large number of black Mercedes and Range Rovers with tinted windows.
To service them, every 1km there is a brand new petrol station though most have no customers or staff. Between the petrol stations every other shop is either a car wash or sells cheap wheel trims.
In contrast to the excellent car servicing infrastructure, the roads are patchy. By which I don't just mean inconsistent but literally full of holes. Driving standards are also variable. The horse carts generally keep to the edge of the Motorway with the sheep herds while everyone else does whatever they want.
Kevin tells us that this is good training for China.
The ride itself was hard. 13 hours on the road with long stretches at 30km/h up and down narrow hairpin roads.
Despite the challenge, Nigel, Peter and Brad decided to extend the day by doing an extra 50km off-road. They all claim that their GPS told them to go that way. I suspect that they have an extra routing setting. "Most Fun" alongside the standard "Shortest Distance" and "Fastest Time" options.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
Press Release - Montenegro
The Ministry of Roads of Montenegro announces the programme of works for 2013 to 2018.
The Republic of Montenegro is not yet an accession country to the EU so has not received any grants for infrastructure development.
This means that we will not be doing any road works for the next 5 years. The roads will remain as they are with distorted surfaces, occasional pot holes, unmarked junctions and ice-like polished surfaces on roundabouts to catch out unwary Globebusters.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Republic of Montenegro is not yet an accession country to the EU so has not received any grants for infrastructure development.
This means that we will not be doing any road works for the next 5 years. The roads will remain as they are with distorted surfaces, occasional pot holes, unmarked junctions and ice-like polished surfaces on roundabouts to catch out unwary Globebusters.
We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Perfect Day
At the end of a long day, what better way to relax than sitting in a public square in one of the world's most magical cities, Dubrovnik, listening to a busker playing Tarrega's Recuerdos de la Alhambra. Fantastic.
Day 4 - Croatia
It is striking how many motorbikes we have seen coming to Croatia. Groups of riders from Finland, France and Poland converge in the Adriatic coast to enjoy the wonderful roads.
Today's picture shows one of the more outrageous machines we came across. A customised Honda Gold Wing from Poznan.
It's a bike Jim but not as we know it.
Today's picture shows one of the more outrageous machines we came across. A customised Honda Gold Wing from Poznan.
It's a bike Jim but not as we know it.
Press Release
The Croatian Ministry of Transport is pleased to announce the 2013 programme of works.
In anticipation of The Republic of Croatia joining the EU later this year, the Ministry has received 500 million Euros to upgrade essential infrastructure prior to accession.
Croatia is a long thin country with one road connecting Optijda in the north to Dubrovnic in the south. This road is 560km long and comprises some of the best motorcycling roads in Europe. The ministry will dig the majority of this road up in April 2013 putting in place temporary traffic lights, uneven road surfaces and piles of rocks.
For the benefit of passing Globebusters, the Ministry will leave 200km of awesome, twisty bends and smooth tarmac. We hope you enjoy it and look forward to your return when we have completed the project.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
In anticipation of The Republic of Croatia joining the EU later this year, the Ministry has received 500 million Euros to upgrade essential infrastructure prior to accession.
Croatia is a long thin country with one road connecting Optijda in the north to Dubrovnic in the south. This road is 560km long and comprises some of the best motorcycling roads in Europe. The ministry will dig the majority of this road up in April 2013 putting in place temporary traffic lights, uneven road surfaces and piles of rocks.
For the benefit of passing Globebusters, the Ministry will leave 200km of awesome, twisty bends and smooth tarmac. We hope you enjoy it and look forward to your return when we have completed the project.
We apologise for any inconvenience.
Monday, 29 April 2013
Day 3 - Four Countries and a Fish Supper
A long blast south to the sun today.
Leaving Ulm early in the morning to beat the traffic and heading out across a cold, damp Bavaria. Hitting the morning rush hour on the motorways around Munich we ride past the iconic Allianz Stadium, home of Bayern Munich.
Crossing the border at Salzburg and through the Tyrol the weather didn't get much better. Chris was wearing all he had to keep warm.
A short off-route diversion took us through the villages of Fell and Höf. After yesterday's incident, you'll be glad to hear that Deefor didn't. (Fell Höf. Geddit).
Then, through a long tunnel and we emerged into south facing slopes and blue skies. Temperatures rose to 20C+ and the cold weather gear was packed away.
Through Austria and across Slovenia to the Croatian border. It was a shock after crossing four countries in the Schengen Area to finally have to produce your passport.
Then down clear roads to the Adriatic Coast and a delicious grilled, fresh fish supper sitting on the waterfront. Lovely.
350 miles, 8 hours (including stops). Making progress!
Science update: Today Deefor was Prof. Sam's Guinea Pig. Wearing a recording vest that measures skin and core body, acceleration, heart rate etc. It will be fascinating to see what that lot made of the heated jacket!
Today's picture was taken at Slovenia's Army Museum. We are now in what was the Communist Bloc so I am not sure what a US Sherman Tank is doing here.
Leaving Ulm early in the morning to beat the traffic and heading out across a cold, damp Bavaria. Hitting the morning rush hour on the motorways around Munich we ride past the iconic Allianz Stadium, home of Bayern Munich.
Crossing the border at Salzburg and through the Tyrol the weather didn't get much better. Chris was wearing all he had to keep warm.
A short off-route diversion took us through the villages of Fell and Höf. After yesterday's incident, you'll be glad to hear that Deefor didn't. (Fell Höf. Geddit).
Then, through a long tunnel and we emerged into south facing slopes and blue skies. Temperatures rose to 20C+ and the cold weather gear was packed away.
Through Austria and across Slovenia to the Croatian border. It was a shock after crossing four countries in the Schengen Area to finally have to produce your passport.
Then down clear roads to the Adriatic Coast and a delicious grilled, fresh fish supper sitting on the waterfront. Lovely.
350 miles, 8 hours (including stops). Making progress!
Science update: Today Deefor was Prof. Sam's Guinea Pig. Wearing a recording vest that measures skin and core body, acceleration, heart rate etc. It will be fascinating to see what that lot made of the heated jacket!
Today's picture was taken at Slovenia's Army Museum. We are now in what was the Communist Bloc so I am not sure what a US Sherman Tank is doing here.
Day 2 - Black Forest Gateau
A long day on the road today 560km (350 miles) from Reims in France to Einstein's birthplace, Ulm in Germany. A nippy morning put the heated jackets to the test as we blasted down the Autoroute.
The road crosses the disputed border region. Signs beside the road told the story: Alsace, the Saar coal fields, Verdun (France's equivalent of the Somme), the Maginot Line and battles back to the Franco-Prussian war.
Then we were off the Autoroute and on smaller roads over the Rhine and up, up into the clouds hanging over the Schwarz Wald (Black Forest) mountains. Picture postcard timbered houses, onion domed churches, cows grazing in orderly little farms. And a black glass office block looking more like the lair of a James Bond villain than the headquarters of a Mittelstand wood processing company.
And then down along clear, smooth roads to Ulm. Schnitzel, wurst and dumplings for dinner washed down with fine Bavarian beer. Back to the rather posh hotel for an early start for THE BIG ONE tomorrow.
PS Deefor got the prize for the first dropped bike today when it over balanced moving off from a junction. A rather elegant dismount and paratroop roll I thought but a sprawling pratfall to everyone else. Nothing broken apart from my duck.
The road crosses the disputed border region. Signs beside the road told the story: Alsace, the Saar coal fields, Verdun (France's equivalent of the Somme), the Maginot Line and battles back to the Franco-Prussian war.
Then we were off the Autoroute and on smaller roads over the Rhine and up, up into the clouds hanging over the Schwarz Wald (Black Forest) mountains. Picture postcard timbered houses, onion domed churches, cows grazing in orderly little farms. And a black glass office block looking more like the lair of a James Bond villain than the headquarters of a Mittelstand wood processing company.
And then down along clear, smooth roads to Ulm. Schnitzel, wurst and dumplings for dinner washed down with fine Bavarian beer. Back to the rather posh hotel for an early start for THE BIG ONE tomorrow.
PS Deefor got the prize for the first dropped bike today when it over balanced moving off from a junction. A rather elegant dismount and paratroop roll I thought but a sprawling pratfall to everyone else. Nothing broken apart from my duck.
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Day 1 - From Greasy Spoon to Haute Cuisine
Quite a contrast for our first day.
Breakfast in the Ace Cafe, an iconic biker caff from the '50s, was all bacon, beans and a slice. It set us up for the ride out of London. The Met's finest escorted us to the M25 and then we were off to Folkestone and the train.
A cancelation put us behind plan so the group stuck to the Autoroute to Reims (That's pronounced Rhems not Reems according to Patrick).
A few of us didn't know about the change of plan and had a wonderful, if longer, ride through NE France. Open roads, good Tarmac and sweeping bends. What's not to like?
Late arrival meant the pre-prandial beer was rushed but we made it to Brasserie Flo for a lovely dinner and a glass of the local fizz.
Breakfast in the Ace Cafe, an iconic biker caff from the '50s, was all bacon, beans and a slice. It set us up for the ride out of London. The Met's finest escorted us to the M25 and then we were off to Folkestone and the train.
A cancelation put us behind plan so the group stuck to the Autoroute to Reims (That's pronounced Rhems not Reems according to Patrick).
A few of us didn't know about the change of plan and had a wonderful, if longer, ride through NE France. Open roads, good Tarmac and sweeping bends. What's not to like?
Late arrival meant the pre-prandial beer was rushed but we made it to Brasserie Flo for a lovely dinner and a glass of the local fizz.
The Adventure starts here
At the Ace Cafe with the family for the grand depart. Here we go!
Thanks to Sue, Max, Ash, Jack and Graham for coming down to see me off. Sorry you couldn't ride down with us Jack. You were there in spirit!
Thanks to Sue, Max, Ash, Jack and Graham for coming down to see me off. Sorry you couldn't ride down with us Jack. You were there in spirit!
Friday, 26 April 2013
Final brief (ing)
The whole team met up in London today for the final briefing before we go. We all had to strip down to our underkecks to be weighed and tested (all in the name of science I can assure you).
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