Why do you like touring on the bike abroad?

Discussion in 'Touring' started by Si., Jan 31, 2014.

  1. Si.

    Si. God Like

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    Apart from the obvious of just getting away... what makes touring so attractive and makes you do it year after year? Roads? food? people? scenery?
     
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  2. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

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    Great thread Si...

    For me it's all of the above. And the crack with the lads makes it awesome, the roads, weather (most of the time) and scenery are just to die for…..not to mention that sense of adventure….. but the thing that really makes it special for me is one thing.

    No matter how good a track day, or ride out is, come the afternoon your mind switches to home and the reality of getting back for dinner, packing the van and trundling home to sort everything out for the next day at work....

    on tour, you have the best day ever, pull up, unload the bike, have a beer, dinner, few more beers, chat bikes, the great day you've had, the excitement of the day ahead.... knowing tomorrow you’re going to do it all again.

    only on tour do i ever feel proper chilled out and that I have gotten away from the rat race!
     
    #2 Jimbo Vills, Jan 31, 2014
    Last edited: Jan 31, 2014
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  3. djmrmagic

    djmrmagic Active Member

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    Same as Jimbo, eloquently said!
     
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  4. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

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    Ah thanks mate ;)
     
  5. sinewave

    sinewave God Like

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    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  6. thefirebloke

    thefirebloke Elite Member

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    Along with the obvious like the weather, the roads seem to be more twisty and some with "racetrack" surfaces. Our roads are in such a poor state! The food and wine is much more interesting, everyone likes to go out for a meal but when on holiday you can do it every night.
    You come back "a better rider" as in, you've just had a week or two fine tuning your ability.
    But I think what really makes it special are the guys you go out there with! I've been away with mates who had different ideas of what constituted " a great biking trip". It's so important to go with guys who want the same things from the trip ie; mileage per day, eating habits and similar riding abilities.
     
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  7. Si.

    Si. God Like

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    For me, it's the roads, and being on them as long as you want. 6+ hours a day = heaven. No work the next day, learn at your own pace, turn back on a good one, and do it better. Surfaces are superb...In Germany, we came across so much shell grip it was ace. Banter between other bikers from other countries is ace too. The best bit is the day before you go...the butterfly effect in spades. 9 days of biking heaven. And, it's cheaper/better than having a biking holiday here, and seems just "right" to do it.
    Great mates help too, having the same tastes, and seeing them improve is fantastic, improving yourself is even better. Weather, food, and scenery does it for me. Even if the weathers bad, the wet riding improves enormously. People seem to be friendlier. Having a little race with mates and blatting on autobahn is great fun. Turning up at the hotel and talking about the days riding over a glass of wine or a cole peroni, the roads, the twisties.....

    May can't come soon enough for me and the lads, it's just forking brilliant.
     
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  8. Mike07

    Mike07 Active Member

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    It's the one way thing with me, Jimbo said it well. It's the feeling like a little missile on its way to lands far away. For Adventure, and Camaraderie.
    Mike.
     
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  9. Garyb

    Garyb Moderator.
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    There can't be much more said than what has been already, is there?
    Of course Your all spot on with your observations.
    My first euro trip, well, I kind of knew how I wanted it to be, but as said, it's difficult to get peeps of simlar mindset to join in the idea, that was why I would have been as happy going it alone?
    I'm really pleased I didn't though, don't get me wrong, I like my own company, but the crack during down time certainly made for a better experience than being stuck to the sheets come 10pm of an evening!
    As you know only too well, I dropped lucky, I met like wise peeps who have a passion for riding bikes, relaxing, enjoying the culture of the country we visited and are also easy going, if not too pleasant on the eyes ;)
    It's a not to well a known fact but I had a couple of dark days towards the 3/4 stage of my first tour, but the company I choose to share my experience of a "lifetime" helped me through it, that, is a testament to choosing the right peeps to share the experience with paramount!
    If you want to get to know the real you, and how you can handle yourself on two wheels? Book a few days away, the confidence just grows and grows, and without trying to sound big headed, not only did I surprise myself, I also surprised a few more to boot.
    Needless to say, we're all booked again for this year. The numbers have grown, which for me is a testament to the quality we experienced.

    I think there's a thread somewhere? ;)
     
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  10. lambeth longshanks

    lambeth longshanks Active Member

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    Top thread.

    Ditto all the above.

    I love the attitude to bikes on the continent. They love us! They look out for us. They drive themselves into ditches to let us past.

    Meeting foreign motorcyclists is cool too. Camaraderie across language barrier - I love that!

    Being with mates is tops. Funny thing being on a bike with friends cos were not talking really. But when we stop and have a natter...superb. JUST SUPERB!

    I really appreciate the bike as a bike too. At the end of a tour I look at the bike and think that a 200kg lump of metal and plastic has carried me around all that way...what a vehicle!
     
    #10 lambeth longshanks, Jan 31, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2014
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  11. rob929rr

    rob929rr Active Member

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    Freedom and the sense of adventure. I've toured twice in Europe, once in a group and once on my own in 2013. Given the choice I prefer solo touring but that's not to say that going in a group isn't fun. It is, but for different reasons. Being in a group feels safer as you know you have support should things go wrong. Having a beer at the end of a ride and having a laugh talking about the day's events is great too. When I toured on my own I had the luxury of time and the ability to go where I wanted, when I wanted. I love scenery and taking snaps which I can do on my own. Not so easy in a group. Stopping in the black forest and sitting at the roadside looking out over the jaw dropping scenery is something I'll never forget.
     
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  12. cbr1

    cbr1 Active Member

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    i just like sleeping with different men :D and what u all said lol
     
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  13. Garyb

    Garyb Moderator.
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    Can I take it, that it wasn't just me that patted the bike and said thanks to her when I got home then Lambeth?

    Thank fcuk, I feel normal now :)
     
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  14. Garyb

    Garyb Moderator.
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    Who said anything about you getting any sleep, Bitch ;)
     
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  15. Jimbo Vills

    Jimbo Vills God Like

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    Ha ha!!!!!! I roll off the tunnel and slip on the m20 and EVERY time thank the old girl with a slap on the tank and a quiet word for making it and keeping me safe..... Those that know me well, know I often break things and myself (and sometime more ;) )so it isn't a small gesture trust me.

    It's a real sense of achievement to get back from your holi..... I mean tour!!! ;)
     
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  16. RepsolPaul

    RepsolPaul Well-Known Member

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    I haven't been on a bike trip/tour yet, (off to Mugello for Motogp with friends in June).

    But I have done 2 trips to classic Le Mans in a group in cars, after that I've always said, with the right people I'd even go fishing with them, even though I don't like fishing !!!

    The right people with an easy going, go with the flow attitude and up for a good laugh will make any trip a journey of a lifetime !!

    The wrong people will make it slow hard work, from eating, where you stay and do, years ago I went to America with 10 friends, 10 friends didn't come back lol
     
  17. abv

    abv Active Member

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    Everything Jim said but in this in particular

    And not just one day, you wake up for 5, 6, 7 mornings with nothing planned but riding great roads all day, never the same bend twice. All thoughts of the reality of life are left behind.

    It's pure escapism, but that's biking for me.

    [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
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  18. lambeth longshanks

    lambeth longshanks Active Member

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    So pleased to see I'm not the only one who pats my bike and talks to it!
     
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  19. Spudkent1

    Spudkent1 Active Member

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    I love the day after day rideing and no mobile phone so I don't no what's going on any were eles
     
  20. rewy..rr

    rewy..rr Active Member

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    All of the above

    The main thing that has always impressed me, is the far superior road surfaces in Europe, you very rarely see huge pot hole's, I like the lack of traffic on country roads and Autoroutes. I also like the attitude of the people, In France I have noticed that car drivers, pull over and move out of the way when they see you coming up behind them.

    When you stop for a coffee/food break, you are treated with respect, and not scum as we are viewed in this country, you normally get a group of people looking at the bike/s they have an interest in your bike (Not sure many of them have seen a Repsol blade or R1's) and want to know where you are going.

    From my experience, when checking into hotels, they will do what they can to ensure that your bike is parked in a secure area.

    Cheap wine/food, superb roads, brilliant views ,what more can you want, and if you get warm weather Biking heaven

    Roll on June, when I am doing France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and Switzerland
    .
     
    #20 rewy..rr, Feb 1, 2014
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2014
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