It was a long ride in rather poor weather for the last day in fact 820k and I was well worn. It was worth the effort however.
Saint Malo is a very quaint seaside fort city on the french coast.
I had ridden 18,000 km.
We had riden from East to West, from Sea to Sea. The ride was complete.
From there we rode north to view Mont St Michael.
So our last night was spent in Poix de Picardy.
The next day I rode on to Belgium where I left nzl07 to start the North South journey on nzl04.
Motorcycle Traveller.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Last day of tour to end in Munich
Left Passua and sadly TJ had a mechanical failure. He left on a tow truck never to be seen again. Our guide and escort never asked where he was and he has never heard from them. Does all this sound like I am pretty disappointed to have spent a great deal of money on an escorted and managed tour....you bet I am.
Sadly there were just too many failures to ever suggest that anyone should ride with Globe Riders.
However we were in Munich and then to the BMW days as they were called which were a total disappointment. That capped off a disappointing tour.
To that I must hastily add.
There was no way I could have done it alone.
I was able to ride to places not otherwise availabe, ie China.
Despite a bad itinerary there were some wonderful days riding.
I went to places I never believed I would ever see.
So I owe a huge thankyou to those who shared the road with me particularly Tom Reiter who now works in Russia, becausw without his part in the tour it would have indeed been a total disaster.
As it was it was memorable. So a big thanks to the rebel riders.
nzl07
Sadly there were just too many failures to ever suggest that anyone should ride with Globe Riders.
However we were in Munich and then to the BMW days as they were called which were a total disappointment. That capped off a disappointing tour.
To that I must hastily add.
There was no way I could have done it alone.
I was able to ride to places not otherwise availabe, ie China.
Despite a bad itinerary there were some wonderful days riding.
I went to places I never believed I would ever see.
So I owe a huge thankyou to those who shared the road with me particularly Tom Reiter who now works in Russia, becausw without his part in the tour it would have indeed been a total disaster.
As it was it was memorable. So a big thanks to the rebel riders.
nzl07
Tuesday to Passau
Tom and I went to the Austerlitz battlefield where Napoleon beat the Austrians and the Russians ( despite the Russians claim never to have lost- didn't know about this battle).
After seeing the hilltop battle site, it is amazing how much turned on such a small battle field. It almost compares to a rugby match. One place at one time, and one winner. Same thing at Waterloo and Hastings. and Bannochburn.....
The ride thereafter was long but what a ride through cornfields, sunflowers, vegetables, just a great ride.
As we neared the Austrian border it became hillier with more vinyards and prettier, until we reached the Danube. What a wonderful trip down the river. Castles, churches and to top it off sausages and sauerkraut for lunch.
So we ended up in Passau. Why Passau ? Still don't know.
nzl07
After seeing the hilltop battle site, it is amazing how much turned on such a small battle field. It almost compares to a rugby match. One place at one time, and one winner. Same thing at Waterloo and Hastings. and Bannochburn.....
The ride thereafter was long but what a ride through cornfields, sunflowers, vegetables, just a great ride.
As we neared the Austrian border it became hillier with more vinyards and prettier, until we reached the Danube. What a wonderful trip down the river. Castles, churches and to top it off sausages and sauerkraut for lunch.
So we ended up in Passau. Why Passau ? Still don't know.
nzl07
Monday 29 June Krakow to Brno
Away from Krakow looking for backroads. Sadly the GPS led us up a dead end with a river in our path so we backed out. The good part was that we were in very attractive countrside.
A lot of side roads later we found the motorway, which would you know was closed, so another route was found courtesy of a local on a motorbike. Once again, more stunning villages and countryside.
So we were late and missed the 7 pm meal time so we ate alone, again. The reservations I have about group riding as now becoming a problem. We paid for these meals and were told to make the most of the riding opportunities but now we seem to be getting punished for our actions. Goat Riders indeed !
nzl07
A lot of side roads later we found the motorway, which would you know was closed, so another route was found courtesy of a local on a motorbike. Once again, more stunning villages and countryside.
So we were late and missed the 7 pm meal time so we ate alone, again. The reservations I have about group riding as now becoming a problem. We paid for these meals and were told to make the most of the riding opportunities but now we seem to be getting punished for our actions. Goat Riders indeed !
nzl07
Friday Lviv to Krakow, Poland
Border days are allways difficult but this one passed smoothly if slowly. The difference was immediate. Poland was "landscaped". What a delightful ride through picturesque countryside. It was a main road ride but not a bad one as wel had a decent ride of 350k to do after the border that we got through at 1.30pm.
Krakow is an old royal city and we had two nights here.
Day two was a walking round the city which was fine except the group left two of us behind so we did a walk through the square which was full of activity and music. Great fun amongst some magnificent old buildings.
We went to Auschwitz that afternoon. Not my cup of tea as I know that man is really an animal with very few interests other than greed but I was shaken. The writings on the walls claimed this should not happen again, which made me even more disappointed because it still is happening......different methods different people but the same outcome. Of course we will never learn. The same reason there is a banking crisis is the same reason there was an Auschwitz. Greed. What I have seen round the world as I travel is the result of greed. A race of peoples in South America wiped out by the Spanish. All over Europe peoples are just obliterated. No wonder there are walls erected to keep the occupants safe, our present civilisation (ie the last 3000 odd years) have been spent fighting for territory. Now we have torn down the barriers. East has moved to the west and the south and everywhere else as well so what is "national interest" ? Who cares about what happens as long as the people with no welfare are moving to countries that have welfare the greater the risk of calamity because how can the few support the many. So me culture becomes dominant.
What to do ?
So we were in the city that had seen so much wrong doing, so much war, and so many people died in vein. The final footnote was the shock that so many people had been railroaded from round Europe to die here.
A very old and wonderful city yet with such a sobering record. There has been fighting here for many many years.
However after spending 3 nights here for what could have been done in two is disappointing having rushed through so much on the way.
nzl07
Krakow is an old royal city and we had two nights here.
Day two was a walking round the city which was fine except the group left two of us behind so we did a walk through the square which was full of activity and music. Great fun amongst some magnificent old buildings.
We went to Auschwitz that afternoon. Not my cup of tea as I know that man is really an animal with very few interests other than greed but I was shaken. The writings on the walls claimed this should not happen again, which made me even more disappointed because it still is happening......different methods different people but the same outcome. Of course we will never learn. The same reason there is a banking crisis is the same reason there was an Auschwitz. Greed. What I have seen round the world as I travel is the result of greed. A race of peoples in South America wiped out by the Spanish. All over Europe peoples are just obliterated. No wonder there are walls erected to keep the occupants safe, our present civilisation (ie the last 3000 odd years) have been spent fighting for territory. Now we have torn down the barriers. East has moved to the west and the south and everywhere else as well so what is "national interest" ? Who cares about what happens as long as the people with no welfare are moving to countries that have welfare the greater the risk of calamity because how can the few support the many. So me culture becomes dominant.
What to do ?
So we were in the city that had seen so much wrong doing, so much war, and so many people died in vein. The final footnote was the shock that so many people had been railroaded from round Europe to die here.
A very old and wonderful city yet with such a sobering record. There has been fighting here for many many years.
However after spending 3 nights here for what could have been done in two is disappointing having rushed through so much on the way.
nzl07
Wed 25th and 26th in Lviv
Our route was to Kiev but it involved a long ride, a night in a hotel, followed by another long ride to another Hotel. All that way to say I went to Kiev seemed not such a good idea so the rebels went direct to Lviv. A long ride but a good one. Unfortunately we had to do the morning leg on the motorway, which are all the same..... but after lunch of Borsch and Sashlika the road improved and until we got sunset strike it was a very good ride.
We were staying at the Hotel Opera, which was opposite the Opera House. This time I was lucky and was able to see the Mariage of Figaro. What fun.
Thursday was then a lay day and most enjoyable too. We were travelling at the time of the European Football Cup and Russia was playing again so the town stopped for the game. Russia lost to the delight of the Ukrainians.
Lviv is a pretty city.
nzl07
We were staying at the Hotel Opera, which was opposite the Opera House. This time I was lucky and was able to see the Mariage of Figaro. What fun.
Thursday was then a lay day and most enjoyable too. We were travelling at the time of the European Football Cup and Russia was playing again so the town stopped for the game. Russia lost to the delight of the Ukrainians.
Lviv is a pretty city.
nzl07
Tuesday Yalta to Odessa
Left the city on the Black Sea which is surrounded by a mountain range. It was a beautiful morning with wild cloud scenes over the mountains. On the ride out of the town it became apparent what an attractice city it was. Back along the picturesque road we entered on, then into the hills and over a spectacular range to a plateau. That was less interesting however we were soon in Odessa.
This is an "old town" with some magnificent buildings. We stayed at the Motzart Hotel which co-incidentally was across the road from a most elegant old Opera House, which our guide was unaware was there. So we did not go to the Opera. Nor did Motzart visit Odessa apparently.
The locals were friendly and the city was very pleasant. Old tree lined streets and an old cathedral.
nzl07
This is an "old town" with some magnificent buildings. We stayed at the Motzart Hotel which co-incidentally was across the road from a most elegant old Opera House, which our guide was unaware was there. So we did not go to the Opera. Nor did Motzart visit Odessa apparently.
The locals were friendly and the city was very pleasant. Old tree lined streets and an old cathedral.
nzl07
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