Midday Express - Istanbul on the hoof

[Guru Gora]

Regarding Nav.

My Nav 6 had it all on.

If in doubt, put a random hotel address in for each country, then zoom in to check mapping levels. Should be fine, but…….

In Morocco I made do with very very rudimentary mapping and used Lat and longs.

I would not see this as an issue.

If you need garmin sd cards let me know.

 

[Guru Gora]

Regarding Local Stuff

Be flex, be polite, be open to differences

Language, the Google translate app is fantastic.

You talk, it spits it out in language “x”

Or type and it does the same thing.

Food wise I always carry some energy bars and top up as I go.

Eating out locally, go for it, there’s nothing like eating a meal with a book and a map, programming in points on your GPS for next day.

 

[Guru Gora]

Finally, if I may, some top tips….

1. Remain flexible. What is a pain in the arse at the time, becomes a memory you will recall and smile at in years to come.

2. The only 2 rules at borders,

A. The man with the stamp wins.

B. Have your admin sorted before arriving at the booth. (See point 1 above too ). Even if you have your shit in one pile, Point A still applies.

3. Do not over complicate things, it causes anxiety and will detract from the trip. Start at A, aim to arrive at B, roll with the bit between.

As I said at start, this is how I do it, it may not be correct technically or indeed the most efficient way of dong things, but it’s always worked for me.

Summary,

Go prepared

Go simple

Go………

Enjoy.

Mark.

 

[Von Stolberg]

Finally, if I may, some top tips….

Go prepared

Go simple

Go………

mine are:

Bring spare keys (if poss swap them with any mate's on the same trip, so you cant lose them)
save the vehicle docs, tickets, bookings as pdf's on your phone and or ipad
bring waterproofs, puncture kit and a pump
Stay chilled and relaxed, it is a holiday after all

Thx GG, excellent Report, must be the homeward leg to come...

Expecting a new one soon

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

That's brilliant advice, thank you all for sharing your thoughts. In essence there's nothing to stop me hopping on the bike and heading off other than a small amount of preparatory work, the type of which I do for most foreign rides.

 

[Guru Gora]

Absolutely.

I also carry a picture of Von Stolberg with me.

A. It makes me feel more handsome when I look at it.

B. I can wave it at potential robbers to scare them off

PM me if you want to chat.

I’ll do an daily into this RR tomorrow

(Apols Rod )

 

[Von Stolberg]

(Apols Rod )

Cah-hoont !

 

[Guru Gora]

Jumping back into real time for a moment….

I followed the Von Stolberg express this weekend and came away unscathed, and having been briefed on cultural matters relating to the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Notice that my Guzzi is in front, Darwinism at its finest

Good weather , good times

Right..... where was I .........

 

[Guru Gora]

Day 20

Oradea to Kodice Eastern Slovakia

177 Miles

Light day today.

Started with finishing laundry on the BMW Dryer. Standard fit on the 2015 SE version.

Hi jacked a Ukrainian refugees dog for my once a trip dog shot.

The owner was a lady who had fled, leaving her husband behind to fight.

I kept in touch and she's now living safely in the UK.

Blasted into Hungary, no dramas, hopefully the last proper border I think. (They are now Schengen I think, so probably free ride through I guess).

Fabulous middle of nowhere roads just meandering towards the Ukrainian border, anticipating a left turn towards Kosice at some point.

The border at Zahony was eerily quiet, a few 4x4 well loaded headed out of Ukraine and the odd person bumbling about.

I explored ukraine for about 100 metres then blatted off west. (Obviously in 20 years this will morph into a bike tour through war ravaged country, battling off Wenger Group RT Bandits.)

Ended up at dead end in a lovely wooded area, no signage so just boxed around it.

Came to river crossing, with no money for fee as I was only planning to transit Hungary.

Happily, some bloke with big biceps the size of Bournemouth took a shine to my bike ,and changed me 1 euro for 500 Hungarian Bastardos.

Apollo 13 on a minute scale, something will always work out

I pay the ferryman, god knows how much and continue, I love these little metaphorical bumps in the road......

Crossed into Slovakia via a tiny mountain road so no checks. How formal the border is I have no idea.

Hotel basic but secure garage, I’d rather look after bike than me.

20 min walk downhill to old town.

Hate to sound “chav” but it’s a standard beautiful old town.

40 min walk back up to hotel, still roasting so sweating like a soldier at a spelling test.

Early night as I gained an hour. Im at Plus one now.

I recon Poland tomorrow......

Be safe all ….

 

[Guru Gora]

The RT dryer. Pants sorted.

And if you think the RT has road presence ..

This had joined us overnight.

Had breakfast with this touring couple then onwards.

 

[Guru Gora]

Do love a bit of boxing, and a mini adventure..

A bit like the river Kwai

 

[Guru Gora]

Jean Claude Van damme on video duty.....

 

[Guru Gora]

Nice to bump into Jean Claude Van Damme, v helpful chap.

Top trivia.......He was the original Predator don't you know.

Swap a go on bike for some money…… deal.

Safely across, I box round again and pick up a NW track.

 

[Guru Gora]

Hopefully the last formal crossing until the pending clusterfuck in the UK

I spot some of Putins hardware so pull up to get an accurate targeting grid …..

 

[Guru Gora]

So into town, and yet again it’s lovely ….

Hotel up a big hill so will get some steps in.

And more lovely …..

Been a great day so time for a zoolander …..

Neck stitches courtesy of Dr Stevie Wonder

 

[Guru Gora]

Map food and drink, I’m thinking Poland ….

 

[Dave56]

Absolutely loving this ride report. Thanks for taking the time to post, greatly appreciated.

 

[Guru Gora]

As ever, beautiful churches

And beautiful generally, I’d recommend this place for sure. Definitely worth a stop over.

And in supermarionation again …

 

[Guru Gora]

Cutie to finish today.

I sound like a broken record but….

Another great day.

Up the hill and to bed.

Tomorrows route looks a belter too …

 

[Guru Gora]

Absolutely loving this ride report. Thanks for taking the time to post, greatly appreciated.

V welcome Dave, Ive got a lot from others so Im glad to put the effort in.

Thank you.