See i am not the only mad one out there

Journeys end

Made to Roscoff. 6400 kilometres behind me.
There are two main reasons why I ride a motorcycle. The power that pushes you back in your seat as you open throttle and the bikes agility that gives you freedom.
I do not expect a non biker to understand what gives me pleasure to sit in the saddle for 13 days.
Ride to live and live to ride.

I think I have been with myself for too long. Yesterday riding the highway listening to Marillion felt like ice-skating. Weaving in and out from people pushing shopping trolleys. Brilliant!

Brest

Just entered Brest. Something familiar about this town

Tree tunnel

More of the family that now after fixing my tire is feeding me whiskey

Flat tire

I owe there folks for helping me fix my puncture and allowing me to camp in their garden. Merci

Andorra might be busy but it has a beautiful landscape.

Goodbye Andorra

Beautiful place

comments

Thank you for all the comments. I appreciate the interest, :)

France

Tomorrow I will start heading back to Roscoff.
This time through France I will take my time and see more of the country side.

So far the bike has been a dream. I eventually replaced the temperature guage.
It did not activate the radiator fan and thus my bike overheated.
I am still driving without the tmperature thermostat but perhaps that is a good thing as it is hot. I will refit that back when I get home.

Notes so far for the next long distance trip will be to probably get a smaller back sprocket and mount the GPS on the dashboard. Apart from that, I would not change a thing.

More on Andorra

What a strange place, not what I expected. Very busy and very built up. It consists of hundreds of car and motorbike shops and everything else expensive to buy.

Andorra is a small landlocked country in western Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is currently a prosperous country mainly because of tourism and its status as a tax haven. The people of Andorra are currently listed as having the highest human life expectancy in the world, at an average of 85 years at birth.[2] Andorra is the sixth smallest nation in Europe. Its name is thought to be derived from an ancient Basque tribe, the Andosinos, who are believed to have inhabited that region of the Pyrenees thousands of years ago.

Andorra

Within those mountains

Zen

Looking at my bike I decide that a bike not covered in oil, rust and bugs, is a tarr road bike. I did not get an off road for sunday cruises. More ´wisdom´ to follow.

Highway

Today was highway day. Jimi,jim and atomic rooster. Meditation to say the least. The primary reason for this trip is to ride my bike. Everything else is secondary. I have been riding my bike now for nine days, where i wanted and when i wanted in any direction. What can be more satisfying.:)

My smelly boots will have powder and new socks tomorrow.

Spain

Back in spain the castle hunt carries on.

Camping on my way to andora

Portugal

Lagos.

Spanish

I know enough spanish now to even fool the locals. Ironicaly i am about to enter portugal.

I promised myself not to pull a Euan McGregor on this trip so you only get the good news. It seems my over heating problem is fixed. Faulty thermostat. I pulled the bike apart and removed it. The bike will run cold but wont over heat. Thanks chris for the advice and instructions. Test run ok

No comment

On the mountain

The mediterranian sea

Malaga

Sometimes it seems as if the emails from my mobile does not come through, re the duplicate messages.

Yesterday, I was on my way to Granada and saw a huge mountain range with snow on the top. It seemed impossible as I was in blistering heat.
I changed route to Almeria to investige. there was no route over the mountain but there was this dirt road, which I took. Halfway up I flagged down a ranger and he basically indiucated to me to turn around and head back down.
One thing I try to avoid at all costs is u-turns so I said no, I want to go to Almeria, over the mountain. He said to me, no, turn round go down, follow me.
Keep in mind that I do not speak Spanish and the Ranger does not speak English.
Eventually I pulled out a map, he seemed relieved and shows me that the road does not go to Almeria.
It goes to Granada, I said that is fine, I will go to Granada but I am not turning around. After all I havce been on the dirt road for about an hour (that counts as 3 hours on a tar road).
I got another 3 wordfs from the ranger, distance, snow, dangerous.
He showed me a different route that will take me down the mountainb again without making a u-turn.
I thanked him, his wife, who was sitting in the heat of the car listening to our converation and moved on.

The road was endless, and I stopped at a fountain to get water as I prepared myself to sleep on the mountain that night.

I ended up in a hostel all safe and bike still intact.

I am currently in Malaga, internet cafe, waitingfor the bike to cool down. I must hunt down Alcazaba.

Then off to try and find a small town called Mijas, away from this city.

When riding like this you become completely alergic to cities, people and highways.
Sometimes though, they are unavoidable.

Lunch in spain.

3 euro for a glass of wine, tuna sandwich and olives.

There is too much to see in spain and too little time so morocco will take a back seat as i am not going to race through spain and portugal. I will see what i can strip from the bike today and in have a look what the spanish desert have to offer. So far the mountain area has been outstanding.

Test

It is a good thing i have a semi off road bike

Change of plan

There is just too much to see in Spain in only 2days so I have decided to leave Morocco for another day. Today or tomorrow I will head for the Spanish desert instead.

AIRE MECANO

Beautiful country and lots to see. Hopefully will make almeria tomorrow but win knows?

Sight seeing day. Went off road to not even one horse towns. Ancient old buildings.

Cuchillo.? Gracias senora

Zaragoza. Corriddas de toros.!

Soaking wet I enter spain.

I am almost at the spanish border. Camping for the night.

As i depart, ireland gives me a send off with rain.

Departure

All dressed up and everywhere to go. :)

Testing sms

Fully loaded and 5 days to go.











2 Nights ago,I remembered something important I forgot but and now neither Wendi or I can remember what it was.

Perhaps it was not that important.
I can upload text from my mobile to the blog, so I should be posting stuff here every day of my trip.

Stuff

Seeing that it looks as if I will be doing the trip by myself I have added a few more spares a camping stuff. Below is my latest list for those who are interested:
I am not too sure if everything will fit into the panniers yet.

I can not completely pack yet as this week I have to take the bike apart again to change the water with coolant in the radiator.
That means removing pipes and engine covers.

1. Air filter
2. Puncture kit, inner Tubes, 12v pump, Tire pressure gauge; Tireweld
3. Cable repair kit and clutch cable, clutch lever
4. Cable ties
5. Fuses, nuts and bolts
6. Extra Ignition key
7. Electrical cable
8. Manual
9. Camera and cable Memory cards, charger etc, GPS, phone
10. Torch
11. Maps and books, pens, guide/phrase books, translator
12. Compass
13. Earplugs
14. Matches
15. Passport
16. Drivers license/international
17. Vehicle registration
18. Travel insurance
19. EU Hospital card
20. Ferry tickets
21. Copies of above and emailed to myself and friends/family
22. Facet fuel pump; Fuel filters, fuel conditioner
23. STORMSURE REPAIR UNIT -
24. Lightweight two-man tent; Sleeping bag; plastic tent pegs
25. Tools
26. Spark plug remover
27. Chain repair kit, spare chain and front sprocket.
28. First Aid Kit
29. Leather gloves
30. Waterproof jacket and trousers
31. Helmet
32. head scarf
33. 3x Jeans
34. 5x T-shirt
35. Jumper
36. 5x Undies
37. 5x Socks
38. Leather boots
39. Swimsuit
40. Sunglasses
41. Shoes
42. Dishwashing liquid
43. Stove, kettle, tea, cutlery, mug, plate, pan, pot
44. Water can
45. 4x Locks; 2x chain & lock
46. Radiator coolant
47. bubble bags, black bags

Plan of action

After the breakfast run this morning someone asked me if I have my route planned for the Morocco trip.

"No",I relied. Apart from the Ferry I have nothing planned. That is the way it should be.
But some of the shaking heads obviously disagree with me.

So I have formulated a plan.

When I get to France I want to ride as fast and long as possible to get to Spain.
The first night I will have a look at a map and see where I want to go and what I want to see.
After that if there is enough time (I have made peace with the fact that I might run out of time) I will enter Morocco, head straight for the desert pitch my tent and have a cup of tea.

Then I will cruise to Marrakesh and buy something (not a rug) at the market and head for Portugal.
I want to find a beach with a bar and have a Portuguese beer. Perhaps have some wine at the wine estates and see a few places. Then back into Spain and into France where if time allows I will take a trip up the coast, have some French wine and head back to the Ferry.

There, now I have a plan.

Haircut

I got my hair cut, chain sprockets arrived. a €15 tent will have to do.

Me, Myself and I

My Morocco companion has pulled out of the trip due to work commitments, so I am by myself again.
Thanks to my sixth sense this did not come as a surprise to me but it does leave me with under 16 days to find someone else to join me.

No worry.

A few more notes to myself

1. Check out that oil leak Let sleeping dog lie.
2. Investigate possible faulty radiator cap. Let sleeping dog lie.
3. Remember to adjust lights for driving on the right side of the road.
4. fit new fuel pump to bike. Taking new fuel pump with me.
5. Check if you fit into small tent in garage.
6. Figure out a more secure way to lock those new expensive panniers
7. Do I need heat grips or will I get a nice spring? Trust the weather will be good.
8. What about up to Norway next? Later
9. Don't forget about missing bolt on pannier rack.
10. What is the difference between engine and gear oil? Thanks Janis.
11. I have to make a spare key

The Adventure look

I finally got the panniers on, and a home made headlight grill. Now the Africa Twin has the proper Adventure look.




Every 3 months or so 3/4 of us choose a spot in Ireland and then take the bikes for a spin.
Last weekend was one of them and a perfect time to test the bike.
We went to Kilkenny and then to Waterford where we attended a demo weekend of the Harley Davidson shop.

I got the chance to ride the Buell lightning 1200cc motorbike. (I skipped the Harley's)
A small, light and incredibly powerful piece of machinery and only €7000.
If only.



After Waterford we rode to Tramore where we booked into a hostel.
Ireland won the 6 nations rugby match that night.

We could not have asked for a better weekend, and it never rained!!

Panniers arrived

My panniers arrived!! Now to find time to fit them onto the bike.

Modifications Part 1

2 small modifications on the bike.



2 Cigarette lighter sockets.




I made a gap in the protective engine plate so that it is easier and quicker to remove the cover from the front sprocket and drive bar.

The list updated

List of things to do.

1) Put the bike back together again. I took my bike apart thinking I would understand it better if it is presented to me in smaller parts. It didn't and I am none the wiser. How it all works is still a mystery to me.
2) Get and assemble my panniers
3) Make some funky adjustments to the bike for water and stuff. not needed
4) Install a cigarette lighter socket. (to recharge things)
5) Learn a bit of Arabic. (I bought a phrase book)
6) Learn how to fix a puncture. (Can you believe that I have only once a had flat tyre in my life?)
7) Figure out what to take with me on the trip besides a tent.
8) Paper work
9) Book Ferry (I am waiting until the end of the month to see if I can find anyone do go with me)
10) What ever I forget to put on this list.

Departure date set

I got some good bad news today. The surgeon can only see me on the 28th of May to discuss the operation to remove my gall stone.
This means it is all go for the Morocco trip, gall stone or not here we come.
I booked my ticket for the Ferry today.

Departure date: 2 May 2009 from Cork to Roscoff (France)
Return date: 15 May 2009 from Roscoff to Cork

The Good and the Ugly

Well after the last post I finally manage to find someone that will ride that terrible long distance to Morocco with me, :)

He is a very nice guy called Sean on a shiny new BMW GS. Beautiful.
We had a talk and he is also does not like too much planning. So we have no time schedule (apart from the ferry), no specific destination (apart from trying to get to Morocco) and no specific route. He appreciates sleeping in a tent and is definitely not scared of riding long distance, the perfect partner.

I also find out that I have a gall stone infecting my body. So after this is treated it must be removed. This could set my departure date back a bit and that will bring me into serious Sahara heat.
No pain no gain I suppose.

Back to Basics

I took the bike to pieces, installed 2 cigarette lighter holders to charge the GPS, phone etc.
fiddled with inline fuses, drive shaft things, tighten chains etc.
The best is that I manage to put the bike back together without having spare parts left over.
Then disaster happened, two bikers came to visit had a look at my bike and gave me lots of advice.

They also ride the Africa Twin just newer models.

So now the bike is back into pieces and tomorrow I will fiddle with different parts. :)

More parts

Possible route

Bits and pieces

Zen

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

With this, we see the book details two types of personalities: those who are interested mostly in gestalts (classically romantic viewpoints, such as Zen, focused on being "in the moment", and not on rational analysis), and those who need to know details, the inner workings, mechanics (classic viewpoints with application of rational analysis, vis-a-vis motorcycle maintenance) and so on.

Random bike pictures

List of things to do.

1) Put the bike back together again. I took my bike apart thinking I would understand it better if it is presented to me in smaller parts. It didn't and I am none the wiser. How it all works is still a mystery to me.
2) Get and assemble my panniers
3) Make some funky adjustments to the bike for water and stuff.
4) Install a cigarette lighter socket. (to recharge things)
5) Learn a bit of Arabic.
6) Learn how to fix a puncture. (Can you believe that I have only once a had flat tyre in my life?)
7) Figure out what to take with me on the trip besides a tent.
8) Paper work
9) Book Ferry (I am waiting until the end of the month to see if I can find anyone do go with me)
10) What ever I forget to put on this list.

Motorcycle maintenance

My post of yesterday was actually written a few weeks ago when everything was ok.
Lately though I am experiencing a bit of anxiety for the first time in my life about a trip.

I am starting to worry about the reliability of the bike. I am use to old BMW's but now I have a Honda, the Africa Twin.



It is one of the most reliable bikes you can have to do a trip like this so why am I worried?

Perhaps because I now have sprockets and chains on a bike and not a shaft.
Perhaps because I am going to cross an ocean (Ireland to France), ride the length of three countries(France, Spain, Portugal), cross another ocean(water), to get to Morocco into a country where I do not know the language, thief's are rampant, bandits, suicidal trucks, desert, dirty fuel (that is to say if you can get unleaded) and doing this all by myself.

No that is not what is bothering me.

Perhaps it the fact that your main drive is worn? Nope

You have no clue how to fix your bike if it breaks down? Perhaps.
For years and years I have ridden a bike, hard without any mechanical knowledge. Perhaps I feel my lucky time has run out?

What to do but learn the art of motorcycle maintenance.
I feel better all ready.



The above picture is not my stuff but apparently an example of what I should be taking.
We will see.