Ady's European Tour

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MT Pocket
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by MT Pocket » Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:56 pm

13th cont'd. Must have been a Friday because a few miles down the road going round Lake Como I rear-ended a grounds maintenance truck, the driver got out, saw I was in absolute shock and shook my hand to calm any nerves of his reaction - despite me smashing off his foglight! I dont know whether I'd been looking at my Tomtom or some girls arse at the time :P but the whole thing shook me up, I have never done that. Coming away from Como Lakeside going through the tunnel and out the other side and 'thunk'. That'll be a seizure then, ooo bugger. End-ex as they say.
I got recovered to a centre and camped down the road at the most run down of sites that bore the sights of destruction of a previous nights' downpour, the facilties hadn't been touched for 30yrs+ a real come down from the previous night. All time low I'm afraid to say. Not sure what to do.

14th Como, holiday area so decided to fly home n fetch the van rather than hire there. I'll cut the next bit down honest! Train across Milan at rushour is interesting I'd say! Got chatting to an old couple on the train to Reading from Gatwick, realy interesting - he was on national service at Boscombe Down when they tested the 'Flying Bedstead' - the precursor to the Harrier jumpjet. I had plans to drive on to Andorra and still do the Twinshock Trailfinder as I'd loaded Piglet into the van but once down to Switzerland I was knackered and so very nearly smashed into the rear of a stationary Mercedes, at that speed it would have affected about four cars in that queue I'd say.

International Rescue??
Image
The recovery didnt go all to plan, the van started playing up so had to replace fuel filter en-route and I got food poisoning on the way back.
Total recovery costs were about Ă‚ÂŁ700 but would have spent some of that getting back with the bike anyhow. Travel home was about Ă‚ÂŁ200, the rest being storage, ferry tickets and diesel. I got away luckily I think!!
A trip that I'll always remember, people I met too as I noticed that no-one chatted whilst I was stopped en-route with the van but bikes encourage sociable chat, I'll do it again but not on the MT thanks but don't let this saga put you off, it's a one-off I think.
People approach you with that great icebreaker - And this is a Harley???

Ady


Clock finish 13682kms
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MadStu
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by MadStu » Tue Jun 21, 2011 12:39 am

Brilliant read mate, thanks :) So even though it didn't quite finish the way that was planned, you still had a great adventure :D

Well done mate!

You got bike running again yet? ;)
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Ady's European Tour

Post by Thumper » Tue Jun 21, 2011 4:02 am

Well done Ady

As my flying instructor used to say "if you can walk away from it, you can call it a landing"

Glad you're back safely.

Thanks for posting your log, makes interesting reading. Makes me even more determined to take Thumper on an adventure...

Have a look at John P's trip on http://www.offonaweeride.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; he's had similar mechanical problems in Germany.

All the best

Ian
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ellrider
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by ellrider » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:42 am

Well done Ady,

As my riding instructor would say "I wouldn't ride THAT to Swansea (the next town)"

before my 4000 mile tour.
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by woodruff » Tue Jun 21, 2011 5:43 am

Thank Ady
Really enjoyed that, some bits more than you.
Does not put me off :D
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Roy W
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by Roy W » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:20 am

Inspirational ! :shock:
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denimjoe1
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by denimjoe1 » Tue Jun 21, 2011 11:34 am

great read,thanks for posting
well done
joe
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by ERNIE » Tue Jun 21, 2011 6:09 pm

Great Read Pity about the end
(a bit of a bridge to far)
well done
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bigfatcat
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by bigfatcat » Tue Jun 21, 2011 7:52 pm

Thanks for the report, a rivetting read.
It's clear the MT made your holiday (rather than spoiling it).
Who would have chatted to you if you'd been on a GS? (yawn)

I am readying myself for a similar journey in August. No firm route yet, & no other biker showing any interest in joining me, so will also be totally in my own hands. Can get by in pidgin French so path back maybe South-eastern France. However I have begged for ideas on another post and am keeping my options open. I doubt if I will do the Auschwitz/Dachau tour though as it would be too depressing. Slovakia looks amazing.

It is a great shame your bike has broken, I would be interested to know what failed & how I can check for it before I leave. Gradually increasing rattle + 'Thump!' suggests big end to me. A big shortcoming of the MT is no oil pressure warning (unscrewing the oil cap is not a good solution). I might investigate fitting something, if possible. I'm also following Pupster's epic to Moscow, he seems to be doing remarkably well (Gdansk), and it is always quite exciting to see when he's posted another report. Brave trip on a 500, let alone a 350!
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Minter
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Re: Ady's European Tour

Post by Minter » Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:24 pm

Brilliant!! When you planning your next one!! :lol:
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