Day 3 - Malta

Yoghurt and muesli for breakfast. We left Innsbruck past the olympic ski jump, respect to Eddie the eagle, must be mad or on the Jaegar. We took the E66 then the B99/E100. The road climbed then followed the side of the valley with lots of great bends. We headed south and crossed the border in to Italy with the sun shining and the temperature rising to 26C. Lunch in a village called Toblach Dobbiaco with the snow capped Dolomite mountains for a backdrop. Back in to Austria. Arrived in good time at Malta and met with a cold beer by our hosts John & Roslyn at the Gasthof Hochalmspitze (try saying that after a few beers (we did)). Survived two near miss's today. Following a lorry with boxes of lift components (won't say which but, they are one of my work suppliers and not the obvious one) and a piece of plastic wrapping flew off, which I had to duck. Later-on a ginger cat ran out in front of me. I missed it, not enough time to determine if 'it' was a him or a her. Garfield has one less life, I have 0.2mm less brake pads!

Last day with John, Gary & Marcus, off on own tomorrow. Thanks lads you've been great company (ps - Alli, Chris & Karen, they send their love) I know, I've slept with them !

Day 2 - Innsbruck

My tent deflated while we were at the bar! Re-inflated and it stayed up until 05:00hrs. I think I found the problem; a bit of the tent fabric was trapped under the valve. I’ll have to see if its cured next time I use it, otherwise its go and buy a conventional tent. For team photo, checkout next months SEB magazine.

We had a farewell breakfast with Dean and Rick of coffee, crossants, orange juice and croquet monsuire in the local French town square. We had a scenic ride in the morning sun through Germany. The roads where perfect with some superb twistys that got the brace of GS’s and Tigers at knee scraping angles (I’ll try and up load a movie I took). See if you can spot the hedgehog in the road.

We had lunch in a Bavarian truckers café, curry wurst and chips. We then continued East towards Bregens, Austria when the skys ahead turned to a threatening black and grey. We skirted along the periphery of the storm but eventually we got it. Mileeta behaved and seemed to enjoy being water cooled. My draggin jeans, however, did a good impression of a thursty sponge. We stopped before entering Austria to get our Vinettes (10 day road licence, heavy fine if caught without) We got a break from the rain and got properly kitted out in our waterproofs for the ride through the snow capped mountains and numerous tunnels to Innsbruke. Only 300 miles today but a milestone was achieved, Mileeta’s odometer trip over the 50,000 miles!

After a bit of a search, we found a modern hotel in Innsbruk (all though it is actually called ‘The Basic’ hotel) with a large room that sleeps four for 35 Euros each. Hot shower, a *late meal and a bed tonight.

*PS - even later for me, waiting for movie to upload :-(. Can't leave room because room key card keeps the power on and a time limit on WiFi use!

Day 1 - Strasbourg

Arrived at McDonalds at 02:30 to find my son Adam waiting to see us off. Recieved a text from my brother to say that he would not be joining us due to food poisoning. Marcus and Gary arrived first followed by Dean and Rick. We then got a phone call from John to say he had overslept. All part of the adventure. We left at 03:45, when I found a laminated photo with good wishes messages on my bike, nice touch.

We made good progress (as the police call it) to the Eurotunnel terminal, just in time to get our booked train. We had a great ride on the uncongested roads of France. The weather was dry but initially some mist which burnt off by the time we got to Reims. The temperature increased from 6 degrees to a peak of 30 degress throughout the day. We rode for 435 miles to a campsite (selected by TomTom) near Strasbourg. Six Euros for our pitches and dutch beer on tap. Bit of a technical problem with the inflation of my tent. The airbed inflater was not up to the jon and blew the fuse on my aux power socket outlet. We adapted my tyre compressor with a pipe from Ricks' tyre inflator kit to get tent erected. Supper was six times cheese burger and chips (with mayonaise). Beer and bed.

3 days to go!

Panniers are packed. None of the panniers are expanded, yet I seem to have lots of space left over. The right pannier is nearly full with my clothes but, the top box and left pannier are half empty. Oh well, more space for contraband. Bit worried though, I've been watching "Banged up abroad" on channel 5 (next one is this Thursday at 23:00hrs). It's a drama-documentary series telling the gripping real-life stories of travellers who find themselves incarcerated overseas. Then who can forget the gripping film "Midnight Express".

Gathering from the Facebook and text messages today, my fellow riders (and I) are getting excited about going. Let the adventure begin.

Austrian Draggin Gorilla

The first two nights accomadation are as yet unknown and dependant on where we end up in France or Germany. Our third night is booked at a biker hotel called Gasthof Hochalmspitze, located in the Malta Valley, part of the Hohe Tauern National Park, in the province of Carinthia.

My new Draggin Jean Cargo trousers arrived yesterday but only come in one length, long. A visit to Mum's and she made a brillant job of taking them up enough so that when walking they don't drag but, long enough to still give coverage when knees bent riding.

Also yesterday, used some shopping vouchers to purchase a Gorillapod. A Gorrilapod is a small camera tripod but has multiple jointed legs which can support the camera on different objects. The legs can even be manipulated to wrap around tubular objects. Not sure if it's strong enough to hold my compact digital camera on handle bars at speed but, might be OK for slow action shots.

Mileeta had her MOT test this evening and gave me a bit of scare. The headlight beam was way too low. Found the problem, dipped beam lever (for when loaded up) was set in the wrong position. All Ok and she passed. Then to post office to renew road tax. All legal.

Stimulating

Less than two weeks before I go! DVLA have just reminded me this morning that I've got to renew tax and get MOT on Mileeta.

The first leg of the trip will be three days riding through France, Germany to Austria with three of my Mid Life Rebel mates. I'm meeting up with them on Monday evening for pre-tour drinks and, if we get time, discuss arrangements. When I say discuss arrangements, it will be more like mutual prompts along the lines of "have you got..." or "are you taking...". Going to Austria is not very direct for my route but I'm sure the scenery will more than make-up for the extra miles of double back.

I'm also hoping this week to catch-up with my mate from Sicily who has unexpectedly returned to London on a work assignment. Hopefully his work here will be complete in time to meet up in Bari (the heel of Italy).

I've been suffering from the lurgy this week but I think I'm over the worst, still it makes you think about how all the best laid plans can be scuppered by ill health. First aid kit has been bolstered with a few more tablets, just in case. Fatigue is also a factor to consider but, should have enough time to sight see and chill on route. Night riding is a possibility. I've done this before and found that it is beneficial in a number of ways: cooler; no traffic; and you get the day to chill in the sun. It does require regular stops, redbull and coffee, and I wouldn't recommend it on technically challenging roads or if your not feeling 100%. I also got some stimulant for Mileeta too, just in case she needs a boost at altitude or has to drink cheap fuel or we happen across a nice straight, empty 1/4 mile ;-).

Hastings May Day Bank Holiday

For over 20 years 20,000 bikers have visited Hastings every May Day Bank Holiday Monday, so it would have been rude not to join them today (see http://www.bike1066.com/ ). I rode for the first time with both my brothers and my son, plus Dean (who shot the video) & his mate. Unlike the mods and rockers of the 60's, we managed not to end up in a fight (see http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/sussex/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8259000/8259830.stm ). Weather was ideal for riding, sunny with cool breeze. We left home early, to avoid the traffic and met at the cafe next to portslade BMW Motorrad. We had fish & chips on the sea front then, we returned home the scenic route via Battle (1066), Herstmonceux and through the leafy back lanes of West Sussex.