8th September 2015
Despite having three days to pack for this trip, I didn't really get organised until the last minute. Then I started running into little niggles - which became bigger as my departure time approached.
Firstly, I couldn't find the 'bra' that fits on my fuel tank so that I can zip my tank bag to it. In a complete mind-fuck, I did find an almost identical one that Mike Belch gave me a couple of weeks ago. I tried fitting it to the bike - something I have done a hundred times - and couldn't work out how it fitted. I even called Jorge - my Adventure Butler - who sent me the pictures of his bike, which confirmed I had the wrong part.
No problem - it'll be in the house somewhere. Problem is, the house has had rather a lot of upheaval since I last used it - plus I have a new cleaning lady who efficiently tidies stuff up. I turned the house upside down yesterday and couldn't find it.
I manage to do a bodge job on the one Mike gave me - the proper one will no doubt turn up when I'm looking for something else.
I then manage to spend at least two hours adjusting the dipped headlamp on the Adv for continental use. This should be a five minute job - but I ended up with most of the front end of the bike hanging off before I got it done...
I've been looking at the continental weather forecast for the last few days and on Sunday decided to book an hotel in Dijon, as all forecasts seem to give me a clear run from home to there - no forecast rain anywhere on route.
Can you hear a bell tolling?
New kit to try out! I have a new Arai XD4 crash helmet. I try this on early in the day, because my last one needed some severe surgery in the cheek pads, and I wanted timne to do this if necessary. To my mild surprise it fits fine - either I've lost weight or they've redesigned the cheekpads.
I think they've redesigned the cheekpads...
Late in the evening, once all my packing is complete, I try my new Daytona boots on for the first time. Can't get them zipped up :bluduh I have a high instep and the redesign of the boot with a short zip on the inside edge means I can't get them to fit. Luckily I have a pair of Sidi something or others, which fit OK.
I am eventually finished at about 21:30 and have a shower before turning in - I have set the alarm for 05:15 as a backstop, as I must be on the road for 06:00, and turn the light out - I'm knackered...
House isn't half quiet without my dog Marnie in it (took her to kennels yesterday morning).
Can't sleep. I try all the usual tricks, but just can't drop off. Eventually, at 02:30, I say "Bollocks to it" and switch the light back on.
I have another shower and get kitted up - walk outside - there's a soft drizzle falling - almost a mist...
I get the bike out of the garage...
...park the car on the driveway, finish getting kitted up, lock the house up and set off at about 03:10.
I've not bothered putting waterprooofs on - it's such a light rain that it just dampens the front of my gloves and mists my visor - that makes it unpleasant, as it also mists my glasses - hey-ho...
I'm soon on the A11 keeping up a good speed - just heavies on the road this early. I make it all the way to the Eurotunnel at Folkestone without putting a foot on the ground. I'm very early - I'm actually booked on the 09:50 train, but the automatic check in says I can go on the 06:20 for an extra £1. I insert my card and the transaction is completed. Really? One pound? It HAS to cost them more than that to administer the scheme, surely. Why not make it £3 or free?
I'm soon in the line of motorists queuing for the train...
...having the breakfast of champions...
We are quickly called forward and I am right at the front of the train - there are about three cars ahead of me...
We set off on the dot and arrive in Calais 35 minutes later - as advertised. I stop for some fuel, then start burning the miles (or, more accurately, kilometres) towards Dijon...
Hmm - so much for the forecast clear skies...
I don't think the rain has finished with me yet.
Sure enough, I pass through a short, cold shower, after which the day is dry...
Time for some breakfast, I think...
Le Spotted Dick...
French service stations take the sterile unpleasantness which one associates with this kind of place to a new level - I couldn't wait to get out of there...
The sun! Huzzah!
At my next fuel stop I swap the clear visor on my helmet for the tinted one...
...giving me an "anonymous world traveller" look - rather than the "ageing hamster who got it's head stuck in a Kinder egg" look I was achieving with the clear one...
I press on at a steady 140kph, pay a total of €28 in tolls (bargain) and arrive at the B&B at Dijon at about 14:00.
It seems my anonymous man of mystery look has got some traction...
I unpack the bike into my small, but perfectly formed, room - the internnet speed is amazing! It only downloads at about 28Mbps, but uploads at 69 - my pictures take less than a minute to upload...
I'm absolutely knackered - where to tomorrow?
Despite having three days to pack for this trip, I didn't really get organised until the last minute. Then I started running into little niggles - which became bigger as my departure time approached.
Firstly, I couldn't find the 'bra' that fits on my fuel tank so that I can zip my tank bag to it. In a complete mind-fuck, I did find an almost identical one that Mike Belch gave me a couple of weeks ago. I tried fitting it to the bike - something I have done a hundred times - and couldn't work out how it fitted. I even called Jorge - my Adventure Butler - who sent me the pictures of his bike, which confirmed I had the wrong part.
No problem - it'll be in the house somewhere. Problem is, the house has had rather a lot of upheaval since I last used it - plus I have a new cleaning lady who efficiently tidies stuff up. I turned the house upside down yesterday and couldn't find it.
I manage to do a bodge job on the one Mike gave me - the proper one will no doubt turn up when I'm looking for something else.
I then manage to spend at least two hours adjusting the dipped headlamp on the Adv for continental use. This should be a five minute job - but I ended up with most of the front end of the bike hanging off before I got it done...
I've been looking at the continental weather forecast for the last few days and on Sunday decided to book an hotel in Dijon, as all forecasts seem to give me a clear run from home to there - no forecast rain anywhere on route.
Can you hear a bell tolling?
New kit to try out! I have a new Arai XD4 crash helmet. I try this on early in the day, because my last one needed some severe surgery in the cheek pads, and I wanted timne to do this if necessary. To my mild surprise it fits fine - either I've lost weight or they've redesigned the cheekpads.
I think they've redesigned the cheekpads...
Late in the evening, once all my packing is complete, I try my new Daytona boots on for the first time. Can't get them zipped up :bluduh I have a high instep and the redesign of the boot with a short zip on the inside edge means I can't get them to fit. Luckily I have a pair of Sidi something or others, which fit OK.
I am eventually finished at about 21:30 and have a shower before turning in - I have set the alarm for 05:15 as a backstop, as I must be on the road for 06:00, and turn the light out - I'm knackered...
House isn't half quiet without my dog Marnie in it (took her to kennels yesterday morning).
Can't sleep. I try all the usual tricks, but just can't drop off. Eventually, at 02:30, I say "Bollocks to it" and switch the light back on.
I have another shower and get kitted up - walk outside - there's a soft drizzle falling - almost a mist...
I get the bike out of the garage...
...park the car on the driveway, finish getting kitted up, lock the house up and set off at about 03:10.
I've not bothered putting waterprooofs on - it's such a light rain that it just dampens the front of my gloves and mists my visor - that makes it unpleasant, as it also mists my glasses - hey-ho...
I'm soon on the A11 keeping up a good speed - just heavies on the road this early. I make it all the way to the Eurotunnel at Folkestone without putting a foot on the ground. I'm very early - I'm actually booked on the 09:50 train, but the automatic check in says I can go on the 06:20 for an extra £1. I insert my card and the transaction is completed. Really? One pound? It HAS to cost them more than that to administer the scheme, surely. Why not make it £3 or free?
I'm soon in the line of motorists queuing for the train...
...having the breakfast of champions...
We are quickly called forward and I am right at the front of the train - there are about three cars ahead of me...
We set off on the dot and arrive in Calais 35 minutes later - as advertised. I stop for some fuel, then start burning the miles (or, more accurately, kilometres) towards Dijon...
Hmm - so much for the forecast clear skies...
I don't think the rain has finished with me yet.
Sure enough, I pass through a short, cold shower, after which the day is dry...
Time for some breakfast, I think...
Le Spotted Dick...
French service stations take the sterile unpleasantness which one associates with this kind of place to a new level - I couldn't wait to get out of there...
The sun! Huzzah!
At my next fuel stop I swap the clear visor on my helmet for the tinted one...
...giving me an "anonymous world traveller" look - rather than the "ageing hamster who got it's head stuck in a Kinder egg" look I was achieving with the clear one...
I press on at a steady 140kph, pay a total of €28 in tolls (bargain) and arrive at the B&B at Dijon at about 14:00.
It seems my anonymous man of mystery look has got some traction...
I unpack the bike into my small, but perfectly formed, room - the internnet speed is amazing! It only downloads at about 28Mbps, but uploads at 69 - my pictures take less than a minute to upload...
I'm absolutely knackered - where to tomorrow?
