Benhur
Registered user
I had arranged this trip in November last year for a group of us to head over to have a go on the B500. Unfortunately I had a skiing accident in December which left me with a very dodgy left knee.
The lads didn't want to go on the trip without me and because I was concerned that my GS would be a bit too heavy I decided to buy another bike. I settled on a TDM 900.
In the meantime I saw Den's K1 and decided I wanted it so picked it up and rode it home with no problems.
The evening before the trip was spent in the pub. I was convinced to take the K1 home to Germany - so after a quick call to the RAC to check I was covered for breakdown assistance we repacked 2 people's stuff into the GS panniers and we were ready for the off.
Day 1 - to Verdun
Our two bikes packed and ready:
Meeting up with the rest of the gang:
Our first stop was on the A5 for breakfast:
I was not allowed to park with the rest of the group - a K1 is definitely a "love it or loathe it sort of bike"
After a major blatt down the M20 we made it to the tunnel:
Arriving in Calais we checked to see when we needed the first petrol stop. One lad on a fireblade suggested he had a range of about 20 miles. We headed out and 52 miles later we stopped for fuel, the fireblade was coughing and spluttering by the time we stopped but any argument was prevented by this:
The thing about a GSA is that although the big tank means that fuel stops are few and far between, it becomes a bit of a chore if you happen to fill it up with diesel! Fortunately one of the lads had seen a £3 syphon tube in TKMax and thought it worth chucking in his kit. A quick tank drain, a bit of smoke and we were off again.
After 489 miles we arrived at our first stop just outside Verdun:
30 euros a night and a cracking dinner and lots of beer.
Day 2 - to Seebach
The morning was cold and foggy so we decided to go to the Ossuary at Verdun. A truly amazing place which I recommend to anyone who is passing through the area:
We then headed off in the general direction of Seebach, some cracking roads along the way and wonderful weather until we arrived at Pension Williams where we stayed for two nights.
The next morning we all headed out for a go on the B500:
The K1 was truly in its element here and I had a real giggle!
In the afternoon my friend, who was riding my GS, and I headed out again for another blast. It was absolutely fantastic fun with very little traffic and wonderful weather. On the way back into Seebach I was admiring the view of our hotel when I realised I was very deep into a bend and travelling rather too fast! I pulled on the brakes, got it all horribly wrong - too much front brake then locked the back wheel which skidded and the next thing I knew I was lying on the road. Fortunately my mate managed to avoid me but I was bloody lucky.
Anyway the rest of the boys arrived and between us we managed to get the bike out from under the ARMCO and I rode it back to the hotel. The RAC were called and because the bike was leaking oil and water it had to be taken to a garage as you aren't allowed to leak anything onto German roads.
So, I had managed a grand total of 780 miles before my lack of concentration screwed up my bike and my trip.
I banged my head so my helmet is scrap, my jacket sleeve is pretty well torn (elbow armour has got gouged too) and the back of the jacket is very scuffed. So, although I need a new helmet my jacket is now very cool! I reckon I was doing around 30mph when I came off - I now look at the scooter boys with absolute dread - without the armour and back protector I would have been flayed.
The RAC arranged a hire car so my journey continued in a Mercedes A Class.
Day 4 - Chateau Tromcourt:
Day 4 was spent like this:
I arrived at the hotel first - again a 30 euros a night place but it was really nice and different!
We spent the evening in town at a place which we decided was a gay bar, but the food was very nice!
Day 5 - to Calais
My mate on my GS decided that he had done enough riding and fancied a change. It was actually a cunning plan to get me on a bike again which was much appreciated. So he drove to Calais and I rode.
We dumped the car and I then rode pillion back home:
The bike was at a BMW garage in Germany, but is now home. The story of the return of Frank will be told by another member on here - a story well worth waiting for!
Next time I will stick to the Ardennes. As for the B500 - the general consensus was that it was good to have done it but, personally, the A7 is probably better!
Anyone heading out in this direction then I cannot recommend Pension Williams strongly enough - not only the lifts to the steakhouse but all of the help and advice in sorting out my bike was truly fantastic - David and Angela - thanks muchly!
The lads didn't want to go on the trip without me and because I was concerned that my GS would be a bit too heavy I decided to buy another bike. I settled on a TDM 900.
In the meantime I saw Den's K1 and decided I wanted it so picked it up and rode it home with no problems.
The evening before the trip was spent in the pub. I was convinced to take the K1 home to Germany - so after a quick call to the RAC to check I was covered for breakdown assistance we repacked 2 people's stuff into the GS panniers and we were ready for the off.
Day 1 - to Verdun
Our two bikes packed and ready:
Meeting up with the rest of the gang:
Our first stop was on the A5 for breakfast:
I was not allowed to park with the rest of the group - a K1 is definitely a "love it or loathe it sort of bike"
After a major blatt down the M20 we made it to the tunnel:
Arriving in Calais we checked to see when we needed the first petrol stop. One lad on a fireblade suggested he had a range of about 20 miles. We headed out and 52 miles later we stopped for fuel, the fireblade was coughing and spluttering by the time we stopped but any argument was prevented by this:
The thing about a GSA is that although the big tank means that fuel stops are few and far between, it becomes a bit of a chore if you happen to fill it up with diesel! Fortunately one of the lads had seen a £3 syphon tube in TKMax and thought it worth chucking in his kit. A quick tank drain, a bit of smoke and we were off again.
After 489 miles we arrived at our first stop just outside Verdun:
30 euros a night and a cracking dinner and lots of beer.
Day 2 - to Seebach
The morning was cold and foggy so we decided to go to the Ossuary at Verdun. A truly amazing place which I recommend to anyone who is passing through the area:
We then headed off in the general direction of Seebach, some cracking roads along the way and wonderful weather until we arrived at Pension Williams where we stayed for two nights.
The next morning we all headed out for a go on the B500:
The K1 was truly in its element here and I had a real giggle!
In the afternoon my friend, who was riding my GS, and I headed out again for another blast. It was absolutely fantastic fun with very little traffic and wonderful weather. On the way back into Seebach I was admiring the view of our hotel when I realised I was very deep into a bend and travelling rather too fast! I pulled on the brakes, got it all horribly wrong - too much front brake then locked the back wheel which skidded and the next thing I knew I was lying on the road. Fortunately my mate managed to avoid me but I was bloody lucky.
Anyway the rest of the boys arrived and between us we managed to get the bike out from under the ARMCO and I rode it back to the hotel. The RAC were called and because the bike was leaking oil and water it had to be taken to a garage as you aren't allowed to leak anything onto German roads.
So, I had managed a grand total of 780 miles before my lack of concentration screwed up my bike and my trip.
I banged my head so my helmet is scrap, my jacket sleeve is pretty well torn (elbow armour has got gouged too) and the back of the jacket is very scuffed. So, although I need a new helmet my jacket is now very cool! I reckon I was doing around 30mph when I came off - I now look at the scooter boys with absolute dread - without the armour and back protector I would have been flayed.
The RAC arranged a hire car so my journey continued in a Mercedes A Class.
Day 4 - Chateau Tromcourt:
Day 4 was spent like this:
I arrived at the hotel first - again a 30 euros a night place but it was really nice and different!
We spent the evening in town at a place which we decided was a gay bar, but the food was very nice!
Day 5 - to Calais
My mate on my GS decided that he had done enough riding and fancied a change. It was actually a cunning plan to get me on a bike again which was much appreciated. So he drove to Calais and I rode.
We dumped the car and I then rode pillion back home:
The bike was at a BMW garage in Germany, but is now home. The story of the return of Frank will be told by another member on here - a story well worth waiting for!
Next time I will stick to the Ardennes. As for the B500 - the general consensus was that it was good to have done it but, personally, the A7 is probably better!
Anyone heading out in this direction then I cannot recommend Pension Williams strongly enough - not only the lifts to the steakhouse but all of the help and advice in sorting out my bike was truly fantastic - David and Angela - thanks muchly!
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At least you're happy to tell the tail though.
