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Published: July 10th 2006
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In 2005,
Zak Keith was a restless and experienced backpacker, while Marion was a backpacker-virgin. We traveled thru S-E. Asia and loved it! Come 2006, we are both "moto-tour" virgins.
It was toss up between going to Asia again, or trying something entirely new, like motorbiking thru Europe. There is just something romantic according to Zak, about riding a horse... uhmm I mean bike, coming and going as you please, pending the weather and road conditions of course, and exploring the world on 2 wheels, but without having to peddle to death. Well, we might change our minds about it when we ride for hours along Autobahns, but all things being new to us for now, I think we're unjaded enough to really enjoy it.
Since we've never done this before, we're going to play it by ear, take it one day at a time, and see how far we get, how we feel. We have 3½ weeks (24 days), and somewhere along the 11 or 12--day point, we should probably think about turning back, or not adding to many demanding detours.
Being based in Stockholm, Sweden, our entry point into the continent is via Copenhagen, Denmark. Since we
don't intend to take any ferries to or from Sweden, leaving and entering Scandinavia takes about a 2-4 day chunk out of our 24 days.
(Post note Aug.3, 2006: A sensible alternative to getting to/from the continent is to break up the journey by taking a ferry from Sweden to Germany, or from Sweden to the UK and then down to Spain, etc. Ferry rides break up the journey, add variety, make the gruelling hours bearable, and most importantly give your sorry sore asses a break! We have our options open, but the "Plan A" so far, is to make it down to France by the 19th of July, linger for a few days at Marion's maternal grandparents. From there, maybe we'll do the Loire valley and Dijon, head eastward towards Switzerland and Austria, and then circle back north to Denmark & Sweden... OR... take a ferry or train across the channel to England. WE REALLY DON'T KNOW at this point.
Although zak has been riding for years, he hasn't owned a bike in almost 2 decades. It was a thrill getting into it again, picking out a 2nd-hand big-ass 1100cc bike, one that came complete with
hard leather saddle bags, comfortable front and back seats, in near mint condition.
Buyng the bike is just for starters -- there were a lot of other things to think about and spend money on, that come with bike tours or even simply riding a bike, like: helmets, motorcycle jackets, boots, bike tarp, bike alarm & installation, insurance, road maps, guidebooks, motorcycle luggage, authorized servicing/maintenance checks, intercom, emergency no's, tools, etc. We also had to investigate which countries are more difficult for moto-tour first-timers on the roads. For example, we found out that entering Switzerland through a winding mountain pass on bike is probably a bad idea unless you've traveled the roads before and know them well.
We'll be camping as much as possible, so we'll need tents, stoves, shovel, etc. It's like packing for a camping trip, but the main difference being there are fewer constraints on weight, and you don't have to carry all of your food supply with you. Having 80 to 100 litres of luggage space, which has to include not only the usual personal clothing, etc, but also motorcycle gear, and camping gear, we really don't have that much space in the end.
Our ambitious but tentative "Plan A" rough-guide itinerary is:
- Thurs 13/Jul - Öland, Sweden
- Fri 14/Jul - Copenhagen, Denmark
- Sun 16/Jul - Lübeck, Germany
- Mon 17/Jul - Groningen, Netherlands
- Wed 19/Jul - Paris, France
- Thu 20/Jul - Bretagne, France
- Sun 23/Jul - Bloise, France
- Mon 24/Jul - Dijon, France
- Tues 25/Jul - Lausanne, Switzerland
- Wed 26/Jul - Lucern
- Thu 27/Jul - Inssbruk
- Fri 28/Jul - Lienz
- Sun 30/Jul Germany
- Wed 2/Aug Denmark?
- Thu 3/Aug Sweden
Well, let's just see what happens... maybe we'll get as far as South Sweden, and decide to turn back... who knows?!
POST NOTE: That WAS frickin' over-ambitious of us! Our packing list (no we didn't bring everything!)
MOTORCYCLE STUFF
- bike cover
- hard leather saddle bags + removable waterproof inner bags X 2
- rucksack
- emergency warning triangle (stores folded in plastic tube)
- map case
- flat compass that fits in map case
- magnifying glass
- monocular
- intercom + spare AAA batteries
- 2 X 1meter bungee cords
- tool kit
- spare fuses in bike's elec. compartment
- duct tape (flatten) + superglue
- cleaning brush, sponge, rag(s)
- tire repair kit (in special spray can)
- windshield/visor cleaner
- side-stand plate (for parking on soft ground)
SHARED EQUIPMENT + MISCELLANEOUS TOOLS
- camera, batt. + 1GB card + recharger
- MP3 player + recharger
- small umbrella (post note Aug 3, 2006: unused, removed from future list)
- sewing + leather mending kit
- camper’s mending kit
- SAS styled survival kit
- Laundry soap
- disinfectant baby wipes (post note Aug 3, 2006: hardly used, reduced size in future list)
- Disinfectant gel (post note Aug 3, 2006: unused, removed from future list)
- Post-its
- Padlock or combination lock
- Water bottle
- _ Oil/Sealant spray (leather/textile) (post note Aug 3, 2006: badly needed, leather dries up in heat and wind)
- _ rubber bands
CAMPING GEAR
- tent + fly sheet (post note Aug 3, 2006: will buy storm-proof Hilleberg, Fjällräven or McKinsey for future)
- air mattress X2 (post note Aug 3, 2006: check for leaks & replair before leaving)
- packing sacks/bags X5
- cord
- candle lantern filled + spare 9-hour refill
- water bag (3 liters)
- shovel (good for wild camping)
- hatchet (good for wild camping)
- hunting/Mora knife
- mosquito coils (use Asian-made, mozzies laugh at the Swedish ones)
- bug spray (if you camp near ants, etc)
KITCHEN
- camping Stove & pots (Swedish quality storm-proof)
- dish soap, sponge(s), towel
- matches/lighter/spark flint (post note Aug 3, 2006: flint much better, lights in rain)
- kettle (post note Aug 3, 2006: check for leaks & replair before leaving)
- cooking fuel bottle filled with alcohol
- freezer bags
- small bottle of kerosene (good for wild camping)
- Garbage/trash bags
PERSONAL MC GEAR
- key(s) + alarm remote
- Helmet
- Sunglasses
- Jacket + protective pads
- Boots
- Socks x 3p
- Scarf &/or neck warmer
- Gloves
- Fingerless gloves
PERSONAL CLOTHING & EQUIPMENT
- Fleece jacket/pullover
- Sweat shirt(s)
- Jeans
- T-shirts x 3
- Shorts
- Underwear x 3
- Socks x 3 (1 pair warm)
- Tennies/sandals
- Travel towel
- Washcloth
- Swim suit
- Hat/cap/sun visor
- Rain gear/poncho + rain gloves
- Fanny pack or daypack
- Earplugs
- Book(s)
- Wallet, Cash, Credit card(s)
- Notebook/Diary
- Paper & pencil/pen + hi-lighter
- Cell-phone + recharger
- Flashlight + extra batts +spare bulb
- Mess tin + mug + utensils
- Mosquito repellant
- Swiss army knife/pocket knife
- whistle
- Sleeping bag
PERSONAL HYGIENE & TOILETRIES
- Toilet paper in sealed bag
- Soap
- Shampoo
- Comb/Brush
- Shaving kit
- Contact lenses, solution+ case
- Dental floss
- Toothbrush & toothpaste
- Nail brush
- Deodorant
- Talc
- Kotex/Tampons
- Prescription medications
- Vitamins
INFORMATION & DOCUMENTS
- Passport/ID
- Visa(s)
- Registration papers
- Driver's License
- Vehicle/personal Insurance papers
- Medical Insurance papers
- Next of Kin and medical notice
- Phone List
- Travel guide(s)
- Maps
- Emergency & useful nos.
- Cash and coins for toll upon entering country
FOOD & BEVERAGE
- Dehydrated Food
- 3min. macaroni
- Soups
- Drink mixes
- Coffee mix & tea bags
- Salt & pepper
- Seasonings
- Paper towels
- Energy bars
FIRST AID (see next journal entry
Öland)
MISCELLANEOUS
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