Eastern Europe Trip

A lot has happened since my last blog entry, and I really will try to find the time to update it more frequently so you don’t have to plough through lots and lots of text to get back up to date…

First things first, following the last optimistic blog entry Tracy received the latest swab results and they were not good. The infection has returned which means that the small patch of unhealed skin remains as was, and she is unable to have the skin graft that is necessary to finally fix it, or the operation to free up the seized muscles in her elbow. This time the specialists have requested a further swab before deciding on the treatment, and so we’re once again waiting for the results, with everything crossed…

The first of the barbeques was an opportunity to catch up with our friends, many of whom we’d not seen for a long while. This involved a fair quantity of beer, lots of good conversation and some excellent food – just what we like! The second barbeque was a similar affair, this time round at Tracy’s brother’s house. Tracy went down to Haverhill on the Thursday, with Katie and Carlie, leaving me alone in the house for a couple of days. This would normally have been a great opportunity for me to put my feet up, eat too much and watch the footie…. But I had volunteered to sort out a new mobility scooter for my mum, which duly arrived early and so I packed it into my car and headed over to Blackpool. It was only after I’d assembled it that I realised I needed to get the controls modified so she could operate them effectively with her left hand (following her stroke she can’t use her right), so I needed to sort out getting that fixed… why is nothing ever simple?! On the Saturday I rode my bike down to join the fun, enjoying the 200 mile journey cross country and arriving on time mid afternoon. As it was Tracy’s youngest son’s birthday earlier in the week we’d bought him a rather nice BMX bike which I then spent a few minutes adjusting for him. But I think both Sean and he were more excited about getting to sit on my bike!






When we’d sorted out the bikes we popped round to Craig & Caz’ house for the Elsden family gathering, and once again had a few beers and some great food. Tracy’s mum spent a fair proportion of the time playing with the kids, including Sean, Archie (Caz’ nephew), Stephanie and Shannon (Tracy’s nieces)… I’ll make no further comment for fear of retribution (although I do have another photo I can use for future blackmail purposes…)…






When it came to time to take the boys back home, Tracy and I took the opportunity for a bit of a walk, with the boys riding their bikes. Before they could get going though, Tracy had pinched Sean’s bike and was off!






A New Adventure

Whilst all of this was going on, Tracy and I were discussing an opportunity that has arisen for me to pursue a new adventure. When we were first investigating the round-the-world trip, we attended a presentation given by a couple – Kevin and Julia Sanders – who run a company specialising in organising motorcycle expeditions. The one that had caught our eye was their Trans Americas expedition, which heads out from Anchorage in Alaska up to Prudhoe Bay in the Arctic Circle before heading all the way down through North, Central and South America to Ushuaia at the Southernmost tip of Argentina. This was going to be the basis of the Americas leg of our trip. Well, when I went to the NEC Bike Show last November I got talking to Julia about our plans and their next Trans Am expedition which is due to depart next July. It was fully booked, and at the time I was concerned about whether an organised “trip” would satisfy my desire for adventure – and whether or not I’d want to go without Tracy as it was already clear it was unlikely she’d want to go. Despite that, I gave her my details and asked to be considered if a place became available.

Well, it did. And after a lot of soul-searching and discussion with Tracy, who as always was massively supportive, I decided to go for it and book. Details of the trip can be found here, and I’ll post more details as preparations get underway. The first part of the preparations was last Thursday when I went down to Wales to meet some of the riders and spend a couple of days with them focusing on our riding and getting some advanced riding tips from Kevin, who also runs BMW’s road-skills training in the UK. Meeting up with a group of complete strangers who I know I’ll be spending 5 months with next year was a bit daunting, but my fears were completely unfounded as within a few minutes of arriving at the Abercrave Inn in Wales I was deep in conversation with people with like mind and a very strong common interest in motorcycles and travel…

The following day we headed to Touratech’s new building where we did some basic exercises in slow riding, braking control and general manoeuvring. It was like going back to school, but a relief that my bike control hadn’t deserted me through the recent months of little practice… The slow speed, full-lock U-turns on heavily laden bikes was at first very scary, but with a little practice and some tips from Kevin was great fun, and we were soon all riding round the tight course laid out in the car park with big grins on our faces…






Following lunch and a chat about cornering and group riding we headed out into the Brecon Beacons for an afternoons ride. Setting off in a big group of 15 bikes was a new experience for me, as I usually ride alone or with one or two other people. It was very enjoyable though, and my fellow expedition members all ride well. What was reassuring was that we quickly broke into a lot of different groups due to traffic controls, junctions, etc, and whilst we had a buddy system in operation to ensure we all stayed on the same route, it enabled us to ride our own ride, something that will be important if the expedition is not to be a “follow-me-leader coach-trip style” tour… Having said that, when we park up together we do look like a coach party of BMW GSes (and the pic below is only a small part of the group!)…






After another evening in the bar, getting to know everyone and discussion past adventures, the following morning was back to Touratech’s HQ to re-group and then off on another ride into mid-Wales. The weather had taken a turn for the worst, but despite spasmodic showers wasn’t too bad – I’m sure we’ll get worse on the Trans Am, despite Kevin’s promise of “no more than 10 days of rain in 5 months”... We had a great ride through some stunning scenery, culminating in the Elan Valley which despite the drizzle was simply spectacular. I’ve never visited this part of Wales before, but must come back again to explore when I’ve more time…






After a lunch stop it was time for me to say goodbye to my new-found friends and head off to meet Tracy at the campsite at Shardlow Marina. She was coming down with Colin and Helen, as we were going to watch the MotoGP races at Donington on the Sunday. I arrived within minutes of them having ridden over 650 miles since leaving home on Thursday, all of them very enjoyable.

After another evening in the pub (I could get used to this!) we got up early and I rode to the circuit to get us a pitch where we traditionally watch the races from. As Tracy had brought her new “blue card” disabled badge with her (to enable her to reduce the walking they would have to do) they were directed into the main disabled parking area. Which was on the opposite side of the circuit from where I’d secured a great vantage point and pitched the 2 fisherman’s canopy tents to protect us from the rain. And there was nowhere close for them to cross to join me, so they all had a long walk round the circuit, Tracy with her sore back, Helen limping as a result of the broken knee she acquired in March from a skiing fall, and Colin carrying a very heavy rucksack and coolbox filled with goodies… Unsurprisingly when they arrived we all fell asleep for an hour until the racing got underway – and Colin cooked us barbequed breakfast! The racing was great, and with a British GP winner for the first time in a great many years (Scott Redding won the 125cc race, becoming the youngest ever GP winner at just 15 yrs old!) it was a great day out. When the day was done, I made full use of the bike to get back to the campsite and shower before Tracy and the others had even made it out of the circuit in the car, and then we had another night in the pub followed by a meal in the Indian restaurant just down the road – which also provided lunch for the following day!

The Monday was supposed to be a ride home and then an afternoon’s work, but I needed to sort out mum’s scooter, so headed over to Blackpool and took the scooter to Preston where I got it modified and then back to Blackpool before finally getting home, knackered, at tea-time. After such a hectic weekend it was nice to sit and relax, and with Carlie staying at her sister’s new home it was lovely to sit listening to music and discussing life, the universe and everything…

And now it’s back to work to catch up for a few days before we head off to Paris for the week on Friday – and try not to dwell too much on the fact that we should have been setting off on our big adventure on Sunday, our 1st wedding anniversary…