Well, the trip finally took place last weekend. Three cars and two bikes (my 12GS and a Harris Magnum) via Hull to Rotterdam and two nights at the 'Ring.
What a crazy place! Arrived at just after 2pm on Friday. 'Ring open and seemingly quiet(ish) so decided to put my first lap in and get it over with. First two corners fine, I'm thinking this is easy, and then my first pear-shaped corner! Took things gingerly for a while and then spotted the first traffic behind me - two cars and a bike. Indicated right, the car followed me! Indicated left - the car followed me again! Indicated right again at which point all three overtook me on both the left and right hand side! Crazy.
Now feeling decidedly uneasy, and at which point the battery ran flat on my walkie talkie (bikes and cars all intercommed for the trip) which meant that I had an open loop and the sound of my very heavy, if somewhat scared, breathing ringing in my ears!
Then took the Bunchen (spelling?) curves. Bloody hell, that's steep!
Then heard the almightly sound of tires squeeling behind me and seconds later a 7 series black BMW shoots passed. Just rounding the next corner to see the 7 series bouncing off the left armcor straight across the track into the right armcor. Myself and two other bikes stopped. Check the driver, start slowing traffic, clearing the track etc. Driver fine, marshall turns up, so time to finish my lap. Now very much afraid of the Green Hell!!
Take a corner and realise that I'm on the start/finish straight. Car just starting to overtake on my left so, deciding that I had to overtake at least one vehicle, open her up for the last straight to finish my lap.
Get off the bike, head starts to bang, legs feel weak, need a drink and a cig'.
What an experience. What a crazy place.
If you haven't been, go. Great place, fantastic weekend, amazing vehicles to see (both cars and bikes). Just take it easy on the 'Ring itself - it can be an unfriendly place for first timers.
Will I go again - absolutely. Will I do another lap - absolutely (now that my blind panic has started to subside). Quite fancy the idea of picking up something like an R75/7 (saw a couple there) and pottering over for the weekend.
BTW, stayed at the Hotel am Tiergarten. Great location, good rooms, great food downstairs.
Regards, Will
What a crazy place! Arrived at just after 2pm on Friday. 'Ring open and seemingly quiet(ish) so decided to put my first lap in and get it over with. First two corners fine, I'm thinking this is easy, and then my first pear-shaped corner! Took things gingerly for a while and then spotted the first traffic behind me - two cars and a bike. Indicated right, the car followed me! Indicated left - the car followed me again! Indicated right again at which point all three overtook me on both the left and right hand side! Crazy.
Now feeling decidedly uneasy, and at which point the battery ran flat on my walkie talkie (bikes and cars all intercommed for the trip) which meant that I had an open loop and the sound of my very heavy, if somewhat scared, breathing ringing in my ears!
Then took the Bunchen (spelling?) curves. Bloody hell, that's steep!
Then heard the almightly sound of tires squeeling behind me and seconds later a 7 series black BMW shoots passed. Just rounding the next corner to see the 7 series bouncing off the left armcor straight across the track into the right armcor. Myself and two other bikes stopped. Check the driver, start slowing traffic, clearing the track etc. Driver fine, marshall turns up, so time to finish my lap. Now very much afraid of the Green Hell!!
Take a corner and realise that I'm on the start/finish straight. Car just starting to overtake on my left so, deciding that I had to overtake at least one vehicle, open her up for the last straight to finish my lap.
Get off the bike, head starts to bang, legs feel weak, need a drink and a cig'.
What an experience. What a crazy place.
If you haven't been, go. Great place, fantastic weekend, amazing vehicles to see (both cars and bikes). Just take it easy on the 'Ring itself - it can be an unfriendly place for first timers.
Will I go again - absolutely. Will I do another lap - absolutely (now that my blind panic has started to subside). Quite fancy the idea of picking up something like an R75/7 (saw a couple there) and pottering over for the weekend.
BTW, stayed at the Hotel am Tiergarten. Great location, good rooms, great food downstairs.
Regards, Will
![ring tyre[1].jpg](/community/data/attachments/17/17290-2d02221dda4b8550100d95c6c12343cb.jpg?hash=LQIiHdpLhV)
