Garmisch Tour 07 - Trip Report

[Paulbde]

During this year's trip to Garmisch, I decided to keep a diary.

On my return I promised to share my thoughts on the trip with everyone and also to help give a flavour of what we experienced.

It’s taken a while, but finally…..

Therefore, for your delectation, if you would like to read the report, please click on the link below:

http://www.ukgser.com/download/garm07.pdf

Please note, the file is reasonably big, and takes a little while to download, and due to all the picture is in PDF format.

When I looked to do the trip, I wanted to run a trip that was as good as an MSL, but without all the cost - something that I think we achieved, with the added bonus of loads of fun and friendships gained.

I hope you enjoy reading about the trip, and if you are interested, a 10-day tour to Italy is being planned now - watch this space.

PaulBDE

 

[Davy F]

Good job..


Does it always rain at Garmisch time ?

 

[Popeye]

Good write up Paul, always nice when someone takes the trouble to put pen to paper although it's also quite a nice way of re-living the trip whilst trying to come down off the high and adjusting back to "normal" life.

Interesting group dynamics by the sounds of things ! I have a couple of pals I ride with locally from time to time and sometimes it just doesn't work. Do you think a smaller group is better or was it the fact that you hadn't ridden together before that caused the problems. I guess aswell that with a group someone needs to be the leader and have a plan which may lead to others feeling that the trip is too rigid ?

Sounds like you had a great time though, well done.

 

[jaber]

Its almost as if?

I was there

Nice one Paul worth waiting for well done that man.

Some very odd people though

 

[Bryn]

Getting the message "Error on page" and a blank screen

 

[Beano]

Must say it brought back some smiles, it was a great trip Paul and well planned.

Pity you lost your pictures but hey you still got all your panniers.

Thanks for a great trip and meeting some new good friends.

Can you book some sun at the same place as Bryn did for the East mids event for next time

Thanks again

Beano

 

[GS TRV]

Quality write up

(makes a change to see someone who can spell)

 

[Shane]

Just off to the Black Forest tomorrow with Wifey for a week,hope we have better weather. Enjoyed your write up, perhaps i might bore you all with my screed on my return.
Sit tight.
Shane

 

[Major Gadget]

Garmisch

I was there

Nice one Paul worth waiting for well done that man.

Some very odd people though

How dare you you " Deviant" )

 

[Paul G (BHT)]

Getting the message "Error on page" and a blank screen

That's one of the problems with large PDFs... right click the link and then 'save link as' and save it to your PC.

Once down loaded it will open fine off your PC

 

[Bryn]

That's one of the problems with large PDFs... right click the link and then 'save link as' and save it to your PC.

Once down loaded it will open fine off your PC

Thanks Paul

 

[Bryn]

Now managed to open it

Nice report Paul Thanks for taking the time to organise the trip and to do an excellent write up...

I know Lyn and I didn't spend too much time with the group, but you were the inspiration for the trip,and in my opinion made it happen for us

Interesting to see the character analysis of the participants

Look forward to another european trip next year

Bryn &Lyn

 

[Bigdave]

Damn! Damn! Damn!

Baron had tried to convince me to come on this trip back in May - I now wish he had suceeded!

Definately on the trip list for 2008.

Well done Paul for a great write up and organisation.

 

[baronlebon]

Damn! Damn! Damn!

Baron had tried to convince me to come on this trip back in May - I now wish he had suceeded!

Definately on the trip list for 2008.

Well done Paul for a great write up and organisation.

Hey!He didn't do it all himself you know and it was my idea!!:lAnd he looks and acts like Mussolini,especially when choosing where to eat!!

Plenty more trips to come Dave for sure!

cheers Baron

 

[Paulbde]

Cedit where it's due

Additional credits as follows:

The Baron, for talking me into not going to Scotland and going to Europe instead, and also for sorting the big ships out.

Beano, top t-shirt supplier to the stars - and us.

Additional credit to the guys that took part in the trip, for having the guts to risk their holiday entitlement on a non-company expedition.

Also to the following top lads for voluntarily providing key info that helped to make the trip successful: themadprofessor, MickDB1, the UK Ducatti club.

Finally, one last big credit to Baron, who received endless phone calls from me to talk through details and help me keep perspective.

My thanks to all.

Hey!He didn't do it all himself you know and it was my idea!!:lAnd he looks and acts like Mussolini,especially when choosing where to eat!!

Plenty more trips to come Dave for sure!

cheers Baron

 

[Paulbde]

A few last thoughts on Garmisch 07

First of all, thanks for all the comments posted, and also thanks to everyone that has taken the time to download the file and have a read, I really enjoyed writing about the trip, and I hope you enjoyed the reading

As you probably know, when we started to look at the idea of a 2500 mile trip, it was my belief that we could create a trip that would be as good as a paid organised tour, that maximised the experience, and also was financially viable for everyone.

It was the right idea to have pre-planned routes, with plenty of points of interest to see, as well as to keep daily mileages to a level that everyone was comfortable with.

I do think next time, if people are wanting to participate in a trip with a group, then you must accept that we are riding as a crew, and that we have to cater for getting the whole crew from A to B, in one piece, and in an enjoyable manner.

If people want to explore other routes from A to B they should do, as long as they remember we are all participating in a group experience and we are all in it for each other.

Sat Nav is always contentious when people ride at different paces. What we did this year was to work with pre-planned routes.

The Mapsource file with all routes and waypoints was provided to each person with a sat nav – along with a basic road book for everyone detailing the general route.

It is far more relaxing to be able to ride without having to keep stopping for a map-read, and having places of interest to see – it’s to easy to miss great places.

Personally, I like the idea of experiencing cultures and places, as well as seeing things of beauty and interest - a trip where I spend everyday on the motorway is of no interest.

With regard to group dynamics, everyone is different, and as long as we remember we are on holiday – having an experience that is different to what we get everyday, then people will ultimately get on – the more you ride as a crew – the closer you become.

This year we camped – and the next trip will also include sleeping in tents. However we will look to include a few hotel nights as well, but at the same time we will continue to focus on keeping the trip costs to a minimum.

For the people that have read the posts and the trip reports, I would like to say that we had a blast!

We did a massive trip, which went all over Europe, and cost less than 600 pounds each, including all the fuel and beer etc (something which would have been at least double with an MSL type company)

Personally, I really enjoyed planning the trip, it was a lot of work but very rewarding – especially when you see how much others enjoyed what we did.

I am keen to do another trip, and I hope that the people that have read about Garmisch 07 are interested in coming on the 08 tour.

Please remember, all the work to stage the trip is voluntary, and the only costs to you are ferry’s, fuel, beer and hotels etc – the trip itself – the planning, routes, map books organisation etc is free.

Finally….

I would love to do the next trip with a larger number of riders, so if you fancy a great time riding your bike through great places – with good company (allegedly) then please respond when the post for the 08 tour goes up – I would love to see you riding with us.

Regards to all

PaulBDE

 

[Paulbde]

If anybody wants to do this trip

If you fancy doing a trip to Garmisch, and you like the sound of what we got up to, then contact me and i will be happy to send you all the route planning files, mapsource tracklogs and accomodation details - that way you can have your own Garmisch experiance without the planning pain.

Good riding

Paul

 

[Paulbde]

Sequel to Garmisch 07 - Italia 08

Ladies and Gentlemen,

following on from the Garmisch Tour, we will again run a trip in 08, this time into Italy - visiting all the right places and having a play in the mountains to boot!

The trip will take place in June 08

If you liked the Garmish ride report, and you would like to know more about Italia 08, then please keep checking this section for updates.

Full trip information will be posted prior to Christmas.

Regards

PaulBDE

 

[Paulbde]

Italia 08 is here!

Hi all

As mentioned in previous posts, we have been cooking up another trip, the Italia 08 planning is now complete with all the trip information to be found here:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1228266#post1228266

This trip is open to everyone, so if your interested, read the thread, download the trip info, and get in touch, this trip is going to be fantastic!

Regards

PaulBDE

Ladies and Gentlemen,

following on from the Garmisch Tour, we will again run a trip in 08, this time into Italy - visiting all the right places and having a play in the mountains to boot!

The trip will take place in June 08

If you liked the Garmish ride report, and you would like to know more about Italia 08, then please keep checking this section for updates.

Full trip information will be posted prior to Christmas.

Regards

PaulBDE