Well what can I say. Probably the best time away on a bike ever! Was great having my mate Paddy as a wingman. We have had some bloody good laughs along the way.
So here goes with a ride report of sorts.........
Day 1. Saturday
Early start for Dover. 5am. Uneventful trip down but a bit cold. Get to the boat, first on and settle in for a cruise. Looking towards the French coast you can see the improvement in weather. 15 minutes after docking we are stopping to lose layers quick!! It's about 24c and even the wind is warm. Head on through Belgium towards Baxeum and our first overnight. Had a pit stop for fuel and drinks.
Arrived at the Oude De Smidse ( I never even spotted the irony!) and booked in and settled in for a few drinks and a rather nice meal.
Mustard Soup & a Beef Broth. Mustard Soup is a definite recommendation. It was lovely!
I had a Schnitzel and Paddy had something else! Hey!! I had got a few Amstels down me by then and started on a nice bottle of red wine!
And a really strange Ice cream cake. It was bits of everything!! But it tasted good!!
This was parked out the back of the restaurant. Belonged to one of the chefs
And we still can't figure out what this was about. :dontknow:
Day 2. Sunday
Was a bloody hard slog. Weather was baking. Having to stop every hour for more water and a rest made it hard going. But sitting in the slow lane of a motorway at 100mph+ was a surreal experience. Got to the hotel in the Harz about mid afternoon. Went out to dinner with the owner and his family.
Day 3. Monday
Finally a riding day proper. We went out with Simon the owner of the hotel. He had to take his Crossdresser in for service but the roads there were only a taster for the rest of our time there. While at the dealers we had some lunch
Currywurst. Well it would have been rude not to!
Then off for some riding. Great roads and the surfaces are super grippy. Had a nice pootle through the countryside.
A rare stopped moment. Simon our host next to Paddy. Not been off 2 wheels in 39 years and it shows. He made that 800 fly without making it look hard!
With good reason
Had a great day out with a good selection of roads.
Day 4. Tuesday
We had another guy ride with us today. Barrie with a Triumph America. We are doing the Harzburgring says Simon. Oh dear thinks I looking at the ground clearance on the America. But give him his due he hustled it around all day. A very long and demanding day all in all. You had to stay so switched on for the mix of roads that we were knackered by the time we got back.
Looking East from Torhaus (sp?) at the old observation towers where they watched them watching them watching them..........
Some cracking roads until the point where Simon indicated left and led us up a track even Tony would have thought twice about! Goat track was about right but it did lead to............
That night we were dropped off in town as we were late back and Patrick and I decided to have a mixed grill for 2. It was bloody enormous. Enough for 4 easily...
We had gone down with Barrie and Jane (Barries wife). At the end of the night we asked for a taxi back to the hotel. Keine Taxi came the reply. Great thinks I. Had a drink, knackered and a bloody 1.5 mile slog uphill at 10:30 at night. Nice!!!!! Then the landlord of the restaurant we were in instructs his wife to stick us all in his Audi and take us back. Result!!
Day 5 Wednesday
First really misty day we've had. But soon clears once we're off the mountain. Bill from a town near Tonbridge that ends in Heath but has no Heath arrives on an Aprillia Futura. Then it starts. Boy could he moan. Bought the bike on a whim of e-bay. It hasn't been cared for. It lived outside since the original owner bought it. Where does it sit now then? asks I. Out the back of my house under a cover comes the reply. So no change then. Set the tone really! Really funny in a non funny way though. Jane comes out with us too. So we do a few mountain roads when I asks how close are we to Kyffhausser Kurven. Great idea says our host so off we went. As good as I remember them but we didn't have time for the full Bad Frankenhause run. Just to the top and back down. I had the GoPro on so there may be some video eventually! Back to the hotel via the mountains to end what was a cracking last day there for Paddy and I. Down into the town that night very late and only found the Pizza restaurant open. But a cracking nice pizza it was. Lady asks if I wanted spicy pepperoni. Yes says I. About 3/4 of the way through I start to realise Pepperoni is actually green chilli and my mouth is objecting somewhat. In walks Bill, Barrie & Jane. Bill says my pizza looks nice but could he have a spicy one. I thought (like any self respecting caring biker would) I'll warn him that it's a bit hot! It came out 'You'll love it but it lacks a kick!'. Must have been the beer. He orders it extra spicy. We goes out for a breath of air and comes in to see Bill, sweat pouring off him and the lady owner doing her best to offer him milk through tears of laughter. No I'm fine says he and disappears off towards the toilet. Comes back refreshed and finishes the pizza. You weren't wrong about that pizza Matt says Bill. Funny funny man!
Bill and Paddy
Day 5
We leave the Harz and head Southwest towards Monschau. Some major motorway miles to do in the morning but we were rewarded with good weather and some cracking afternoon roads. Bill tagged along on his way back to Blighty. Got into Monschau, unpacked and headed for dinner.
Then drinks in Zum Haller. The best pub bar none. We met a nutty dutchman who had at some point used a little too much of the freely obtainable herbal tobacco. Made us laugh though as the thought of an Irishman (Paddy) who lives in Scotland travelling with an Englishman around Germany with a non english Cockney (Bill) blew his head and he went for a sit down.
Day 6. Friday
Waved goodbye to Bill. Had a mooch around Monschau as riding was the last thing on our minds after the previous nights frivolities! Was nice to have a morning off the bikes actually.
Then around 11:00 we were bored, so suited and booted I pointed the Satnav at some twisties. So began the BEST days riding of the entire holiday. Only 15 minutes from Monschau is the Ruhr See. The twisties around it are INSANE!!!! You could spend all day doing 4 particular roads there and would not get bored.
Then down to the Yachtclub for a cooling drink. And another bowl of goulash soup. A dish we had on a few nights and very nice. The view from the club wasn't brilliant but was good enough for lunch. :lol:
Then Paddy says 'Why don't we go to Luxembourg' Another country we've never done so off we goes. Never touched motorway all day and the roads were superb. Even the road that stopped in the middle of a river valley. Satnav said yes. The fact the tarmac just stopped and the only thing there was dirt didn't count! So turned around and found an alternative. But virtually every road we rode that day was brilliant. The drivers in Luxembourg seemed definitely Anti-Bike!! But the place was nice enough.
Well it was 27c!!!
We were looking at the tyres when we got back and Paddys rear looked strange. No real line around it. Right on the edge of the tread. And he also found out what toe-sliders do that day. All in all a perfect day out on a bike.
Day 7. Saturday
An easy ride to Brugges. To the hotel nice and early and a good afternoon off the bikes. Is a lovely town to stay and visit.
Too many of these bloody things about though!
Some sights...........
YumYum
Paddy gets refused the job!! Must have been the Jagermeisters!!!!
All in all a brilliant week with one of the best guys I know. All over WAY too quick and we're already planning next years jaunt. But we are staying near Monschau for the entire week. There is so much there that we haven't even touched.
And a little vid to peruse. More to follow when I get time to load them up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPC0I7ERp8&hd=1
So here goes with a ride report of sorts.........
Day 1. Saturday
Early start for Dover. 5am. Uneventful trip down but a bit cold. Get to the boat, first on and settle in for a cruise. Looking towards the French coast you can see the improvement in weather. 15 minutes after docking we are stopping to lose layers quick!! It's about 24c and even the wind is warm. Head on through Belgium towards Baxeum and our first overnight. Had a pit stop for fuel and drinks.
Arrived at the Oude De Smidse ( I never even spotted the irony!) and booked in and settled in for a few drinks and a rather nice meal.
Mustard Soup & a Beef Broth. Mustard Soup is a definite recommendation. It was lovely!
I had a Schnitzel and Paddy had something else! Hey!! I had got a few Amstels down me by then and started on a nice bottle of red wine!
And a really strange Ice cream cake. It was bits of everything!! But it tasted good!!
This was parked out the back of the restaurant. Belonged to one of the chefs
And we still can't figure out what this was about. :dontknow:
Day 2. Sunday
Was a bloody hard slog. Weather was baking. Having to stop every hour for more water and a rest made it hard going. But sitting in the slow lane of a motorway at 100mph+ was a surreal experience. Got to the hotel in the Harz about mid afternoon. Went out to dinner with the owner and his family.
Day 3. Monday
Finally a riding day proper. We went out with Simon the owner of the hotel. He had to take his Crossdresser in for service but the roads there were only a taster for the rest of our time there. While at the dealers we had some lunch
Currywurst. Well it would have been rude not to!
Then off for some riding. Great roads and the surfaces are super grippy. Had a nice pootle through the countryside.
A rare stopped moment. Simon our host next to Paddy. Not been off 2 wheels in 39 years and it shows. He made that 800 fly without making it look hard!
With good reason
Had a great day out with a good selection of roads.
Day 4. Tuesday
We had another guy ride with us today. Barrie with a Triumph America. We are doing the Harzburgring says Simon. Oh dear thinks I looking at the ground clearance on the America. But give him his due he hustled it around all day. A very long and demanding day all in all. You had to stay so switched on for the mix of roads that we were knackered by the time we got back.
Looking East from Torhaus (sp?) at the old observation towers where they watched them watching them watching them..........
Some cracking roads until the point where Simon indicated left and led us up a track even Tony would have thought twice about! Goat track was about right but it did lead to............
That night we were dropped off in town as we were late back and Patrick and I decided to have a mixed grill for 2. It was bloody enormous. Enough for 4 easily...
We had gone down with Barrie and Jane (Barries wife). At the end of the night we asked for a taxi back to the hotel. Keine Taxi came the reply. Great thinks I. Had a drink, knackered and a bloody 1.5 mile slog uphill at 10:30 at night. Nice!!!!! Then the landlord of the restaurant we were in instructs his wife to stick us all in his Audi and take us back. Result!!
Day 5 Wednesday
First really misty day we've had. But soon clears once we're off the mountain. Bill from a town near Tonbridge that ends in Heath but has no Heath arrives on an Aprillia Futura. Then it starts. Boy could he moan. Bought the bike on a whim of e-bay. It hasn't been cared for. It lived outside since the original owner bought it. Where does it sit now then? asks I. Out the back of my house under a cover comes the reply. So no change then. Set the tone really! Really funny in a non funny way though. Jane comes out with us too. So we do a few mountain roads when I asks how close are we to Kyffhausser Kurven. Great idea says our host so off we went. As good as I remember them but we didn't have time for the full Bad Frankenhause run. Just to the top and back down. I had the GoPro on so there may be some video eventually! Back to the hotel via the mountains to end what was a cracking last day there for Paddy and I. Down into the town that night very late and only found the Pizza restaurant open. But a cracking nice pizza it was. Lady asks if I wanted spicy pepperoni. Yes says I. About 3/4 of the way through I start to realise Pepperoni is actually green chilli and my mouth is objecting somewhat. In walks Bill, Barrie & Jane. Bill says my pizza looks nice but could he have a spicy one. I thought (like any self respecting caring biker would) I'll warn him that it's a bit hot! It came out 'You'll love it but it lacks a kick!'. Must have been the beer. He orders it extra spicy. We goes out for a breath of air and comes in to see Bill, sweat pouring off him and the lady owner doing her best to offer him milk through tears of laughter. No I'm fine says he and disappears off towards the toilet. Comes back refreshed and finishes the pizza. You weren't wrong about that pizza Matt says Bill. Funny funny man!
Bill and Paddy
Day 5
We leave the Harz and head Southwest towards Monschau. Some major motorway miles to do in the morning but we were rewarded with good weather and some cracking afternoon roads. Bill tagged along on his way back to Blighty. Got into Monschau, unpacked and headed for dinner.
Then drinks in Zum Haller. The best pub bar none. We met a nutty dutchman who had at some point used a little too much of the freely obtainable herbal tobacco. Made us laugh though as the thought of an Irishman (Paddy) who lives in Scotland travelling with an Englishman around Germany with a non english Cockney (Bill) blew his head and he went for a sit down.
Day 6. Friday
Waved goodbye to Bill. Had a mooch around Monschau as riding was the last thing on our minds after the previous nights frivolities! Was nice to have a morning off the bikes actually.
Then around 11:00 we were bored, so suited and booted I pointed the Satnav at some twisties. So began the BEST days riding of the entire holiday. Only 15 minutes from Monschau is the Ruhr See. The twisties around it are INSANE!!!! You could spend all day doing 4 particular roads there and would not get bored.
Then down to the Yachtclub for a cooling drink. And another bowl of goulash soup. A dish we had on a few nights and very nice. The view from the club wasn't brilliant but was good enough for lunch. :lol:
Then Paddy says 'Why don't we go to Luxembourg' Another country we've never done so off we goes. Never touched motorway all day and the roads were superb. Even the road that stopped in the middle of a river valley. Satnav said yes. The fact the tarmac just stopped and the only thing there was dirt didn't count! So turned around and found an alternative. But virtually every road we rode that day was brilliant. The drivers in Luxembourg seemed definitely Anti-Bike!! But the place was nice enough.
Well it was 27c!!!
We were looking at the tyres when we got back and Paddys rear looked strange. No real line around it. Right on the edge of the tread. And he also found out what toe-sliders do that day. All in all a perfect day out on a bike.
Day 7. Saturday
An easy ride to Brugges. To the hotel nice and early and a good afternoon off the bikes. Is a lovely town to stay and visit.
Too many of these bloody things about though!
Some sights...........
YumYum
Paddy gets refused the job!! Must have been the Jagermeisters!!!!
All in all a brilliant week with one of the best guys I know. All over WAY too quick and we're already planning next years jaunt. But we are staying near Monschau for the entire week. There is so much there that we haven't even touched.
And a little vid to peruse. More to follow when I get time to load them up!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpPC0I7ERp8&hd=1
