Deleted account Cooperman
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First Lake Garda - now Cortina
I hope Cortina will have recovered from your visit by the time I get there
I also hope the Glock will have had it's damage repaired
Good report
A culinary tour of Europe - 8 countries in 8 days!
- Thread starter Nutty
- Start date
First Lake Garda - now Cortina
I hope Cortina will have recovered from your visit by the time I get there
I also hope the Glock will have had it's damage repaired
Good report
Nutty, enjoying your ride report, the scenery and food pics bring your trip to life. Recognise some of our favourite destinations and pass roads. You got a good mix in there. Sorry to hear about your friends tumble. Main thing is he is ok. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Here it's just started tipping it down as I plan a sneaky few days away with the Mrs next week on the bikes. Somewhere local ish. Now where's me maps and waterproofs.
Day Seven - San Lorenzo to the Black Forest, Germany
Mark was keen to get up early, and make some repairs to his bike today, so a quick breakfast was had (more meat, bread and cakes!), and he headed down to the parking garage, while I caught up on some emails.
By the time I got downstairs, his bike was taped up, and he was ready to go. I strapped the bag on my bike, and we were off.
As we needed to make up some miles today, we had to do a few hours on the motorway, but the weather was nice, and the scenery was stunning, so as the motorways aren't as dull as the ones here in the UK, it wasn't a problem.
We stopped at the services just before Lake Constance to fill up with petrol, and while we were there, noticed an impressive restaurant, offering a huge range of fresh salads, and fresh food. So, this was our lunch stop.
Once off the motorway, we rode alongside the Rhine for a few miles. This is on the Switzerland/ Germany border.
We then headed to Waldshut, into the Black Forest, and onto the well hyped B500. I'd had several people recommend the B500, so thought I'd see what all the fuss was about! It didn't disappoint. Fast, flowing roads, with a perfect road surface for bikes. You know that the Germans have designed this road down to the last detail, such as drain positioning/ manhole covers, camber angle.
We were trying to find Black Forest cake while we were there, but after trying several villages, looking for cafés, gave up as none of them had the special cake.
We weren't that hungry anyway, after the big lunch.
We stopped at this place at about 4pm, and as nice as the hotel looked, decided it was too early to stop for the day, so pressed on.
Along the way, we stopped at a few hotels, but they were either closed, or fully booked. There's always time for photos!
Time was now pressing on, and we were ready to stop for the day, and I had some urgent emails to reply to, so needed a wifi connection. Eventually, we found this place http://www.engel-gutach.com/site/index.php/en/ in Gutach.
The bikes were put in the garage, and we got our own rooms, for €40 each, including breakfast.
We went downstairs, and enjoyed a beer on the terrace. As I never drink beer, it made a nice change, and it slipped down nicely!
Cheers!
We then went in for dinner, which comprised of goulash (which was a meal in itself)
Then Wiener schnitzel, which was the size of a small dog! Even the people on the other table were amazed at the size of their portions, and were also taking photos of their dinner!
I was looking forward to trying the strudel, but after eating that thing above, there was no chance!
We then went for a walk, to try and walk it off, and make room for dessert, but it didn't make the slightest difference. We were STUFFED!
We popped into the other hotel, to see what that was like, and had a coupe of drinks there. When we got back to our hotel, they were just closing for the night, but the owner bought us a few drinks before closing for the night.
Mark was keen to get up early, and make some repairs to his bike today, so a quick breakfast was had (more meat, bread and cakes!), and he headed down to the parking garage, while I caught up on some emails.
By the time I got downstairs, his bike was taped up, and he was ready to go. I strapped the bag on my bike, and we were off.
As we needed to make up some miles today, we had to do a few hours on the motorway, but the weather was nice, and the scenery was stunning, so as the motorways aren't as dull as the ones here in the UK, it wasn't a problem.
We stopped at the services just before Lake Constance to fill up with petrol, and while we were there, noticed an impressive restaurant, offering a huge range of fresh salads, and fresh food. So, this was our lunch stop.
Once off the motorway, we rode alongside the Rhine for a few miles. This is on the Switzerland/ Germany border.
We then headed to Waldshut, into the Black Forest, and onto the well hyped B500. I'd had several people recommend the B500, so thought I'd see what all the fuss was about! It didn't disappoint.
Fast, flowing roads, with a perfect road surface for bikes. You know that the Germans have designed this road down to the last detail, such as drain positioning/ manhole covers, camber angle. We were trying to find Black Forest cake while we were there, but after trying several villages, looking for cafés, gave up as none of them had the special cake.
We weren't that hungry anyway, after the big lunch.We stopped at this place at about 4pm, and as nice as the hotel looked, decided it was too early to stop for the day, so pressed on.
Along the way, we stopped at a few hotels, but they were either closed, or fully booked.
There's always time for photos!
Time was now pressing on, and we were ready to stop for the day, and I had some urgent emails to reply to, so needed a wifi connection. Eventually, we found this place http://www.engel-gutach.com/site/index.php/en/ in Gutach.
The bikes were put in the garage, and we got our own rooms, for €40 each, including breakfast.
We went downstairs, and enjoyed a beer on the terrace. As I never drink beer, it made a nice change, and it slipped down nicely!
Cheers!
We then went in for dinner, which comprised of goulash (which was a meal in itself)
Then Wiener schnitzel, which was the size of a small dog! Even the people on the other table were amazed at the size of their portions, and were also taking photos of their dinner!
I was looking forward to trying the strudel, but after eating that thing above, there was no chance!
We then went for a walk, to try and walk it off, and make room for dessert, but it didn't make the slightest difference. We were STUFFED!
We popped into the other hotel, to see what that was like, and had a coupe of drinks there. When we got back to our hotel, they were just closing for the night, but the owner bought us a few drinks before closing for the night.
Nutty, enjoying your ride report, the scenery and food pics bring your trip to life. Recognise some of our favourite destinations and pass roads. You got a good mix in there. Sorry to hear about your friends tumble. Main thing is he is ok. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Here it's just started tipping it down as I plan a sneaky few days away with the Mrs next week on the bikes. Somewhere local ish. Now where's me maps and waterproofs.
Cheers Andrew.
We've been back over a week, so used to the weather again. Mark is ok, and he's nearly finished fixing his bike, so all is good.
Day Eight - Black Forest to Dinant, Belgium
During the night, we heard thunder and heavy rain, so I was expecting a deluge, and a day of wet riding. But, it wasn't so bad.
After breakfast, we packed up the bikes, and I noticed a police S Class Mercedes, followed by a police armoured truck, and another S Class, all with the blue lights on. Within about 2 minutes, we caught them up (they weren't going fast), and they were sat in traffic, making no attempt to go past. I made the decision to filter past, but said to Mark not to stop in the middle of the convoy. As I went past, the officers in all three vehicles were turned round in their seats, so they were obviously quite surprised to be overtaken by ze English!
We rode for a few miles, slowly getting away from the police convoy, then turned off, and they didn't follow, so we were relieved!
A German town.
Then, more Black Forest. I raced off ahead, and stopped to make myself more comfortable and then Mark turned up. I said that if he had a similar bike to mine, we could go down some fire tracks, but he was happy to wait, while I had my fun.
After a few minutes, I realised that I was far enough away to get into trouble if things went wrong, so turned back. We then went out of the Black Forest, and had a blast on the Autobahn. A quick check to make sure everything was strapped down, and we're off.
Part of the reason for no panniers was to go for a top speed run. It was a windy day, so I wasn't going to push my luck. On the first (and only) attempt, the GPS read 146mph, which was 2 better than last year, on the bent bike As it was windy, and traffic was building, I decided to quit while I was ahead. With no traffic, and less wind, I would say that 155mph would be achievable, but not today.
Once off the Autobahn, we stopped at Keuchingen for a quick sandwich, before carrying on to Luxembourg.
On leaving the town, traffic was heavy, and there were roadworks, but it wasn't moving. We rode to the front, and there was a lorry, which was too wide to get over the restricted bridge, so we just went around. With the volume of traffic, and nowhere for him to turn around, it would have been a long day for anyone sat in that traffic!
Sat nav programmed to now avoid motorways and tolls, it routed us straight through the middle of Luxembourg City. Luckily we had the intercom, as there were loads of traffic lights. To anyone watching me that day in the city, yes I did mean to step the back of the bike out and pull a supermoto style wheelie on that pedestrian crossing! Those while lines are slippery, even in the dry!
We stopped for petrol, and Marks bike then decided to play silly buggers with the alarm, so after getting all the office workers to look out the windows, and Mark throwing some toys out of his pram got the bike started, and pressed on.
We then got into Belgium, and were hit by gale force winds. Is Belgium always this windy?
After a while, we arrived at our hotel for the night http://www.casteldepontalesse.be which I booked the night before. This hotel is in the middle of nowhere, down some tiny back lanes, so is great if you want to stay somewhere off the beaten track.
As this was our last night, we wanted a bit of luxury, so bags dumped in the room, we went for a swim.
Cocktails were consumed in the bar before dinner, then on to the main event.
We were feeling risky tonight, so played menu roulette, and didn't know what we were going to get. We needn't have worried!
My pork
Chicken for Mark
And melting chocolate soufflé
I told them "less fruit, more chocolate", but they pretended not to understand. Luckily, Mark decided against licking his plate clean tonight.
A few drunk pictures, maybe a bit blurred!
A drunk arty shot
Back to the bar for a few last night celebratory libations, then off to bed.
During the night, we heard thunder and heavy rain, so I was expecting a deluge, and a day of wet riding. But, it wasn't so bad.
After breakfast, we packed up the bikes, and I noticed a police S Class Mercedes, followed by a police armoured truck, and another S Class, all with the blue lights on. Within about 2 minutes, we caught them up (they weren't going fast), and they were sat in traffic, making no attempt to go past. I made the decision to filter past, but said to Mark not to stop in the middle of the convoy. As I went past, the officers in all three vehicles were turned round in their seats, so they were obviously quite surprised to be overtaken by ze English!
We rode for a few miles, slowly getting away from the police convoy, then turned off, and they didn't follow, so we were relieved!
A German town.
Then, more Black Forest.
I raced off ahead, and stopped to make myself more comfortable and then Mark turned up. I said that if he had a similar bike to mine, we could go down some fire tracks, but he was happy to wait, while I had my fun.
After a few minutes, I realised that I was far enough away to get into trouble if things went wrong, so turned back. We then went out of the Black Forest, and had a blast on the Autobahn. A quick check to make sure everything was strapped down, and we're off.
Part of the reason for no panniers was to go for a top speed run. It was a windy day, so I wasn't going to push my luck. On the first (and only
) attempt, the GPS read 146mph, which was 2 better than last year, on the bent bike As it was windy, and traffic was building, I decided to quit while I was ahead. With no traffic, and less wind, I would say that 155mph would be achievable, but not today.Once off the Autobahn, we stopped at Keuchingen for a quick sandwich, before carrying on to Luxembourg.
On leaving the town, traffic was heavy, and there were roadworks, but it wasn't moving. We rode to the front, and there was a lorry, which was too wide to get over the restricted bridge, so we just went around. With the volume of traffic, and nowhere for him to turn around, it would have been a long day for anyone sat in that traffic!
Sat nav programmed to now avoid motorways and tolls, it routed us straight through the middle of Luxembourg City.
Luckily we had the intercom, as there were loads of traffic lights. To anyone watching me that day in the city, yes I did mean to step the back of the bike out and pull a supermoto style wheelie on that pedestrian crossing! Those while lines are slippery, even in the dry!We stopped for petrol, and Marks bike then decided to play silly buggers with the alarm, so after getting all the office workers to look out the windows, and Mark throwing some toys out of his pram got the bike started, and pressed on.
We then got into Belgium, and were hit by gale force winds. Is Belgium always this windy?
After a while, we arrived at our hotel for the night http://www.casteldepontalesse.be which I booked the night before.
This hotel is in the middle of nowhere, down some tiny back lanes, so is great if you want to stay somewhere off the beaten track.
As this was our last night, we wanted a bit of luxury, so bags dumped in the room, we went for a swim.
Cocktails were consumed in the bar before dinner, then on to the main event.
We were feeling risky tonight, so played menu roulette, and didn't know what we were going to get.
We needn't have worried!My pork
Chicken for Mark
And melting chocolate soufflé
I told them "less fruit, more chocolate", but they pretended not to understand.
Luckily, Mark decided against licking his plate clean tonight.A few drunk pictures, maybe a bit blurred!
A drunk arty shot
Back to the bar for a few last night celebratory libations, then off to bed.
Day Nine - Dinant to Home
We'd deliberately planned an easy ride today, as we knew last night would involve a lot of drinks and celebrating. Breakfast was the best of the week, with a full cooked offering, as well as fresh breads, pastries, fruits, meats, and cheeses. We filled up!
Once packed up, I had a chat with an American chap who had his Morgan shipped over from California, as he was taking part in the 2014 Mille Miglia, along with a few others, who were also staying in our hotel.
Mark and I said that if we couldn't do this trip on a bike, then an open top sports car would be a good alternative.
Bikes loaded up, off we went. It was due to rain all day today, so I thought I'd use it as a chance to test how waterproof the Rallye 4 suit is. Not a drop got in, and it was bone dry by the time I got home.
A quick stop so that Mark could waterproof himself!
Mark wanted to stop at a cemetery on the way out of Belgium, so we stuck to the back roads.
It was wet and windy, so we decided to jump on the motorway, and see if we could get an earlier train back. We got to Calais two hours early, so got bumped to an earlier crossing. Once I'd got my ticket back in my map pocket, there was a huge gust of wind, which nearly blew me, and the bike over, but luckily all that food made me stronger, so we stayed upright!
Once we got to Folkestone, after battling more winds for a few junctions down the motorway, I decided to route us down the back roads, with less wind. Although we'd just been round Europe, riding familiar roads on the Saturday, it seemed like we'd just been out for the day!
One last picture of the bikes, before getting home.
Look how clean it is. The Mudsling did its job!
So, 8 countries in 8 calendar days (9 days in the saddle), 2508 miles, consumed our bodyweight in food and drink, and what a trip it was.
Until the next time.
We'd deliberately planned an easy ride today, as we knew last night would involve a lot of drinks and celebrating.
Breakfast was the best of the week, with a full cooked offering, as well as fresh breads, pastries, fruits, meats, and cheeses. We filled up!Once packed up, I had a chat with an American chap who had his Morgan shipped over from California, as he was taking part in the 2014 Mille Miglia, along with a few others, who were also staying in our hotel.
Mark and I said that if we couldn't do this trip on a bike, then an open top sports car would be a good alternative.
Bikes loaded up, off we went. It was due to rain all day today, so I thought I'd use it as a chance to test how waterproof the Rallye 4 suit is. Not a drop got in, and it was bone dry by the time I got home.
A quick stop so that Mark could waterproof himself!
Mark wanted to stop at a cemetery on the way out of Belgium, so we stuck to the back roads.
It was wet and windy, so we decided to jump on the motorway, and see if we could get an earlier train back. We got to Calais two hours early, so got bumped to an earlier crossing.
Once I'd got my ticket back in my map pocket, there was a huge gust of wind, which nearly blew me, and the bike over, but luckily all that food made me stronger, so we stayed upright!Once we got to Folkestone, after battling more winds for a few junctions down the motorway, I decided to route us down the back roads, with less wind.
Although we'd just been round Europe, riding familiar roads on the Saturday, it seemed like we'd just been out for the day!One last picture of the bikes, before getting home.
Look how clean it is.
The Mudsling did its job!So, 8 countries in 8 calendar days (9 days in the saddle
), 2508 miles, consumed our bodyweight in food and drink, and what a trip it was.Until the next time.
Great report Rich, enjoyed the pics & story......
Great report, very thought provoking
Can't wait to get back, hopefully in Sept
Cheers, Rich
Can't wait to get back, hopefully in Sept
Cheers, Rich
Heading that way in the middle of June so a nice appetiser .
Nice pictures and write up.
.Nice pictures and write up.
Elvisto
Graham
That looks a great trip Richard, Brilliant pictures, thoroughly enjoyed the write up,
I'm sure you both had a great time, Thanks for sharing your holiday, G
I'm sure you both had a great time, Thanks for sharing your holiday, G
Great write up and piccies Nutty .... thanks
Fair got me getting the maps out again
Fair got me getting the maps out again
mcinlb
Registered user
Enjoyed your write up Nutty, covering most of these roads myself at the end of June(obviously in better weather)
A great wee taster ............
)A great wee taster ............
Great report Rich. Thoroughly enjoyed reading through it - cracking pix too. You'll have to hit the gym extra hard to work off all that lovely looking grub
Cheers Adam.
I went to the gym every day last week, and swam 6k. I'm doing the same this week, but aiming to swim 7-8k. It won't take long to burn that lot off!
Great write up and pix Rich, I enjoyed that
Well done old chap, very nice write up.. so many splendid places linked nicely together
Cheers Rob, I've learnt from the master.
D-MAN
Registered user
Hello Nutty GSER! Sound like and amazing trip! Great scenery, good food and a lot of saddle time - all right up my street. And I mean that literally as I am sure I saw you the other day (Wed, 21 May round 4pm) at Pease Pottage service station by A23. I was on a Red/Black/White 1200GS and even waved buy you guys seemed to be busy talking 
, probably planning your next trip
I am new to UKGSER as only got my GS a couple of weeks ago but I look forward to hooking up with people like yourselves who actually USE their bikes for what they were made for. Being fairly adventurous I dream of long trips (or short, for that matter) and would love to hear from anybody who's planning an excursion in any direction at some stage this year.
Stay Safe Ladies and Gents!
Respect
Darius
- all right up my street. And I mean that literally as I am sure I saw you the other day (Wed, 21 May round 4pm) at Pease Pottage service station by A23. I was on a Red/Black/White 1200GS and even waved buy you guys seemed to be busy talking , probably planning your next trip I am new to UKGSER as only got my GS a couple of weeks ago but I look forward to hooking up with people like yourselves who actually USE their bikes for what they were made for. Being fairly adventurous I dream of long trips (or short, for that matter) and would love to hear from anybody who's planning an excursion in any direction at some stage this year.
Stay Safe Ladies and Gents!
Respect
Darius
Hello Nutty GSER! Sound like and amazing trip! Great scenery, good food and a lot of saddle time
I am new to UKGSER as only got my GS a couple of weeks ago but I look forward to hooking up with people like yourselves who actually USE their bikes for what they were made for. Being fairly adventurous I dream of long trips (or short, for that matter) and would love to hear from anybody who's planning an excursion in any direction at some stage this year.
Stay Safe Ladies and Gents!
Respect
Darius
That wouldn't have been us, as we got back on the 10th May!
Maybe see you out and about, as I'm regularly over in West Sussex/ Kent for the day.
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