OsloKarlskronaGydniaGdanskLodzKatowiceKrakowJazwskoKosiceAlesdCluj-NapocaSibiuBranBrasovSibiuTransfgranCurteadeArgeSibiuSugagNoavciBucurestiConstanta(Blacksea)NegruVodaMangaliaTargovishteSofiaNisBelgradeNoviSadBudapestBratislavaPragueVejleOslo
Tripdiary.
Hanover,Hamburg,Malm,Copenhagenetcjustrodebydidnotstoporspendtime.
Totatlkm:7380km(exceptferry)
Totaldays:17days
Countries:Norway,Sweden,Poland,Slovakia,Hungary,Romania,Bulgaria,Serbia,Czechrep,Germany,Denmark
02:27(4.8.21)
ViaLarvikferry
ViaGothenburgferry
OrrideviaCopenhagen
DecidewhenIwakeupinthemorning.
DecidedtorideallthewayviaCopenhagen.Idontneedtostresstocatchferryorgoearlierandwait.WaitingwithfriendsorfamilyisokbutIdontliketowaitalone.Andquetoferryinbothwaysinandout.Intheferryyoulookupanddown.No.Notforme.SIrodealltheway.
TheseroadsIhavetakenacouppleoftimessoveryeffectiveride.
Iamhappytobehomeandsadthatthetripisfinished.Alreadystartedtodreamthenexttrip.
OnlyincidentwaswhenTomtomgpsdoesnotwork,ItrytomountmySamsunggooglemapwhenIhadgouce.Itfallandglasgotcrack.OtherthanthisnodamagetomeormybestfrienGS12002008modelbike.TomtomshowedabandandedhouseareatwicewhenIsearchedforhotels.
WhenIrideIseethecarsnumberplateandseewhichcountryitsbelongAretheyonholidayorworkandsoonjusttothink.OnelatenightIcouldnotseethenumberplatesoIthoughtamIsotired
LaterIfoundIrodewithoutmyglasses.Luckilyglasseswereinmypocket,IusetoremovemyglasseswhenIseemobileformapsorhotels.
AlmostdangeroussituationhappeninSweden.Itwas130kmhroadandIthinkIwasridingalmist130kmh.Thecarinfrontofmestoppedbecausesomeonebeforehimstopped.Isawitverylatelyandputfullbrake.BMWheavybikestoppedwithouteventinyvibration.ThatswhyIlikethiseventhoughitslooklikeatracktorthanabike.
Sheismyfavourite.Brave,adventuristandgreatstoryteller.Watchhervdos.OncesheboughtaRoyalEnfieldbikeinIndiaandrodeallthewaytoEurope.
Ilearnedalotbutthepeoplearesameinallcountries.TheyareGOODandKIND!
LeavingPragueaftersomesightseeing.IhadbeentoPraguesomeyearsback.IpurposefullebookedtransitviaPragueandtook"Hoppin-out"bustour.Sothistimenotinterestedsomuch.Atthesametimemyheadistunedtoridehome.
AnywayItookacoupleofphotoes.Notlikeotherplacesherearesecuritytightened.Idontoknowwhy.Policedogs,bagcheckbeforeenteringmonuments.
Roderoundandroundandcouldnotpark.SoIparkedalmost1kmawayandwithallMCgearandcarryinghelmetwalked.Itwasnotfunso,Iquitquickle.1-2hourswentinPrague.
OnlyonceIstoppedtotakeapicture.ThenGermany.Germany,Ihadbeenmanytimes.Private,workandvolunteerworks.Atleast10times.EventhouhnoneofmyvisittoGermanyastouristsoyoucanactuallyenjoyandadmireartorarchitecture.
FurtherIgottwiceSMSaboutsomethingCoronainformation.IPraguealsoIgotbutwhenIregisteredalldetailthenitwasok.HereinGermanymanydetailandIamontherunsodidnotreaditcarefully.Ithoughtincaseofsomerutinechangesitwillbe2weeksisolation.SoIchoosedtonottostayinGermany.
SinceIstartedtoridefrompraguealmostafter13:00whenIenteredDenmarkitwasalmostmidnight.IthoughtsotodayIamgoingtousemytent.ButitsnotallowedtoputtentinDenmarkexceptcampingplaces.
WhenenteringdenmarkIdrovethroughthelanesallocatedtotrucks.Sotired.Thepolicelaughedandtoldmegetsomesleep.
SoIbookedahotelatVejleandreachedVejlearound01:30.WhenItookashowerthenonlyIrealizedhowtiredIam.IthoughtmayberodedirectlytoOsloifIcouldnotgetahotel.
IInGermanywhenridingonhighwaybenzinshowedtherange40km.GPSshowedthenextpetrolstationis12kmaway.SoIthoughtnoproblem.Buttheroadwasdiverted.SoIgotpanikk.Onthediversionroadtherewasapolicceman.Iaskedhimwhereistheclosetpetrolstation.HeshowedmeandaskedfromwhereIwasriding.ThenhesawthenumberplateandaskedNetherland(NL=Netherland,N=Norway).IsaidNorayandIshowedthissite.
Hewasimpressedandputhishandonmyshoulderandsupportedme.ThenIsaidIworkonPCsoIlovetoride.ThenheshowedhisfantasticnewPolicemotorbikeandsaidherideeverydayandsmiled.Anicepoliceman.
Todaysridewas950km.ViaHanover,Hamburg.Ididnotenterthecitejustrode.
FromPraguetoHamburg,temperaturewas23-25andsomeplacesheavyrain.Aftersunsatdowntemperaturewas12degreeswhenIreachedDenmark.FirsttimeIusedwoolpullover
LefyBudepastaround11:30.Itwasmorecrowdedandlotoftrafickthanyesterday.Pragueshasmanyoldarchitecutalyadmirablebuildinginharmony.ButIcouldnotstopandtakepicuturesandIaminahurrysoIjustleftjustlooking.
TooklunchnearMosonomagyarovar.Eventhislitteltownhasalottooffer.Butnotimetoexplore.
Around15:00reachedBratlislava,capitalofSlovakia.Niceandcalmcity,notmuchcrowded.
VerygoodweathertoridefromHungarytoSlovakia,23-28degreesC.IamnotroastedinsideMCjacketasIdidinRomania,BulgariaandSerbia.DecreaseintemperatuesaysthatIamgoingtowardsnorth.
EnteredCheckrepublic.IhadplantojusttakesomephotesinPragueandridefurther.BecauseIaminridingmode.ButjustIenteredPraguerainstartedheavily.Iwilnotrideintherainwhenthedaywassolong.Isayahotelalongmyroadandjustchecedinn.
AfterIcheckedinntherainstopped.Maybeitisgoodforsafety.WhenIenterdBulgariatheycheckedtheVaxinecard.ButhereIgotaSMStofilldetails.Eveninthehoteltheyaskedthevaxinecardbeforetheygavemearoom.
Someusuallayinginthebedanddrinkingbeerandupdatingthissite.
Nowthetemperatureis19here,untilnowIdidnotusedinnerwarmpartofthejacket.MaybetommorrowIhavetouseit.Andforthefirsttimein14daysIhavetorideintherain.YesterdayinHungaryitswasnotheavyrainbutthewindwasterrible.Treebranchesonthestreetandsoon.
TodayIcovered524km,nodiversiononhighway.
Nothingspecialplaned.Justgoingtoridetowardshome.LeavingBelgradetoday.TodayIhadnotmoodtosightseeing-Littlebithomesick.ButIhaveheardaboutNoviSadsojustenteredthecity.Ididnotsearchforattraction,justsignedandtookexitquickly.
A1highwayfromBelgradetoBudapestwasdivertedbeforeSubotica.Ittookextratime.AsinRomaniaandBulgariawhenthereisadiversionnosignstofollow.Soyouareonyourowntofinout.WhenA1isclosedIdontknowhowlongitsclosedsoItrytoreenterA1asfaraspossible.
ButsuddenlySerbia-HungaryboardercameatKelibija.Ittook30minonSerbiansideandanother30minutesinHunagarian(EU)side.TheycheckedifIhaveciagaratesandAlkohol.IhaveknowideaaboutthissonexttimeshouldbuyCigaratesandAlkoholfromSerbiaandenterHungarytoearnmoney.haha.Ihavenoplacetoputmythingsneither.
Allthesetookextratime.OtherwiseIhadanideatobein3EuropeanCapitalsonthesameday.Belgrad,Budapest,Bratislava.AfterhavingafishburgeratMCatBudapestrodetoseeHungarianparlimentbuilding.ItwassonicesoItookaVDOcallhometoshowthis.Somywifedidnotseehungarianparliment,shesaidyouareverytiredstayatBudapest.SomyBratislavaplanspoiled.Itwaslittlebitraintoo.
UntilnowtherideIenjoedmuchisatAvalaupanddown.ThehardestoneormoreskillneedenonewasatTransalpinawhenthetemperatureissohighwithluggageIconcentratedandridecarefullynottofall.
ButtodaynearTompawhereforsome5-10kmopenandwidearea.Itstartedtoblowheavily.MyNCwentfromlefttowrightandIwasnotsurewhereitwillgo.Itwasdifficultwithtopcoffert.SoIrodeat3rdgearandletcarstopassme.Sotodaywasthemostdangerousrideuntilnow.
StayingatBudapest.TommorrowIwillcontinuetowardshome.
403kmwastodaysride.Forgottocheck.Iwilupdatetommorrow.
Todaysruteapproximatly..
TodayIwentoseeAvalatower.ItwasmuchbetterthanIexpected.Theroaduptohillwasfantastic.Itsalmostlikeridingintropicalforestwithgoodroad.Someofthepathremindedmemylatefatherwherewebothrodeliketheseroads.AfterAvalatowerIwentonfurtheronRoad149justtoseerealSerbiaawayfromHighways.ItrytoputthepathbutafterAvalanotsurewhichwayItook.SometimeIchoosesometimesmybikechooses.Ithasalsosoullikedogschooseswhichwaytogo.
Latestcomments
24.07|06:16
Interesting.Keepridingandwriting
Sharethispage
Just71kmwastodaysride.Butenjoyedsittingundertreesandrestaurentnearthetower.
ThisiswhatIwroteinTripadviser.
MorethanexpectedAnmeldelseavAvalaTowerAnmeldtigrGoogle-oversettingIrodemotorbiketothisplace.Whenridingtototopofthemountantherearelotoftreesandverygoodnarrowroad.Feltlikeridingthrougathickjungle.Viewofsurroundingareaisfantastic.TheretwodifferencewhenIcompareEifeltowerorTorontotower,boththesesituatedinthecity.Avalatoweryourcanseegrrenytownsanditfeltmorenatural.Theothermainthingsurprisedmewasthattelescopeswerethere.Iwenttwiceroundwithoutlookingthse.BecauseIamusedtoputsomecoinsinallotherplacessoIdidnothadanycoinssoIjustignoredit.ButlaterIfounditwasforfree.:-)
Plantostartlittlebitearlierthanusual.ButIamaslowstarterinthemorning.
Startetat11:00.Choosedhighway.BecauseeventhehighwayyougetdiversionandGPSstruggletofindagain.ManyplacesonBulgariansideroadconstructionwasonandthediverseionroadswereverypoorcondition.OnSerbiansidetheA2roadwasinverugoodstandardasalldevelopedcities.TollwasfromSofiatoBelgradewas200+450Dinars.SinceItookanexitatNistoseethatcity.SomeaspectsofthiscityremindedmemyhometownJaffna.
IwasadvisedbackinNorwaybymyRomanianfriendsthatinRomaniadriversdriverecklesslyandBulgariaitsworst.ButInevereexperiencedthis.Therewereoneortwo,thoseyoucanfindalltheplaces.MaybeIbornanddrovemuchworserplacessoitwasnothingwronghere.
AlongA2andatthecheckpointatBulgaria-Serbia,therewerealotofGermanregisteredcars.LaterIfoundmostofthemaretravellingfromTurkeytoGermany.IdidnotaskbutIguessTurkswholiveinGermanyusetotravelbythisA2.
ThereisaRestaurentandrestplacecalledAlexander.Goodrestaurentwithalotoftrees.
Inthatheatpeoplesleepunderthetrees.SoIalsotoksomefoodandrestedonmyrubbermatunderthetreewithmany.
Todaysdrivinghadnotanyproblems.ButmyhotelIbookedwasnotasIexpectedorshowninthepictureatbooking.com.Theyshowedaluxarymercedsandsoldawrecttome.WhenIaskedtheysaidthisisyoubooked.TheysaidifIamnotsatisfiedthenIcouldcancel.Aftersolongridewithincoupleofhoursitwillbedark.IcouldfindaplacebutthenIhavetopackagainandgowithgearsandevrything.AntotherthingSerbiaisnotinEU.Idontknowsythatdifferentpoliticalquestion.Somytelephoneprovederhaddifferentruleshere,itslimiteddata.MaybeIshouldbuyextradata.ButIneverseenthisroom.Windowislikeprisomwindow,NexttoDiscoorsomethingfortunatelyloudmusicstoppedatmidnight.
Bookaapartmenthotel.Thereisonlyawatercookereventhatwithoutalock.IthinkthatIwillwritemyworstreviewlateronbooking.com,ifIhavethesamedisapointmentfeeling.
GPStimefromSofiatoBelgradis5hours,Iused7hourswithbreaksandsmallvisittiNis.
Todayridewas399km.
SerbianlandscapenearBulgarianboarder
11:00(Bulgariantime)Notstartedtoride.Nicehoteldidnotliketovacatesoon...
TodayIstartedtorideat12:00andreachedSofiaaround17:15.UsednormalhighwayGPSshoed4horsIused1hourand15minmorewithbreaks.SinceIdroveonhighwayIdidnothadtheopportunittomeetlocalpeopleandhaveasmallchat.Thispartofjourneyisveryinstructiveandinteresting.Ihadmanysomestories.Iwillshare2ofthemtoday.
Mostofhisadviseisjustcommonsenseandverypractical.Idoacceptmorethan90%ofhisoppinionandsomeIdoitonmyway.
WhathesaysridinginhotweatheristhatkeepthegearfullyclosedandhaveawetTshirtinside,youmayfeeluncomfortablebutyouwillnoedehydrate.Iclosedeverythingandhavesunshadeonmyhelmetandwhenyousweatitsbecomwetthenyouridethewindkeepuscooled.Butinthecitytrafickjamwindsdoesnothelp.
AndItookmanysmallbreakssay50-100kmandhadcoolfruitjuicesatpetrolstations.Thetwobottleofwatersinmypannieronecanmaketeaorcoffee,sohotwasit.
SinceIreachedSofiaearlierthanIusetodoinotherdestinations,Iparkedmybikeandwenonwalking.Iusedtoeatricealmosteveryday.Forthelast10daysIateonlylocalandstreetfood.SinceIhadtimetodaysearchedIndianrestaurentsinSofia.Foundoenvegetarianbutfeltomeseafoodormeatcouldhavebeenbetter.SolaterIwalkedtoTajMahalrestaurent.Riceandhotprawncurrywithbeer.
2kmfrommyhotelsobeereffectisfinsished.Bought2bottlesatlocalshop1,6bgn.Writingthispostwhileenjoyingbeer.
WhenIparkedatSofiacenterandsearchingaplacetostaytonight,3guysapproachmeandtalkedwithme.OnehasaYamahadragsterandheisalsoanentuasticrider.HehavemeacontactincaseIwanttogetservicedoneformybikeforabetterprice.InthatcaseIhavetowaitsometime.Myservicekmhaspassedalready.ButItakechanseandtaketheserviceinOslo.
IhaveseenthoseIplanedtoseTransalpina,TransfagarasanandBlacksea.Sotodaymyreturntripstarts.TherearemanycaountriesIcanchoosetoridethrougonmyreturnjourney.
ButIfIridethroughallitwilltakelongtimeandmy"visa"fromfamilyisnotenough.SoIhavetochoosesomeandtakeotherslateryears.
IcheckedthissitebeforeIstartedmytrip.TodayIenterdBulgariafromRomanianearNegruVoda.ButthisboarderisonlyforRomaniansandBulgarians.Theydonthavethesystemtocheckandcontrolotherpassportholders.Therewerelotoftrucksandcarswerewithverylongque.ImanagedtoenterthepointtobetoldthadIshouldgobackandenteratDurankolak.ItwasburningsunandIdidnoteatbreakfastorlunch,didnotfindasuitableplacetoeat.SoIaskedthemthatIamatransistpassengerwillnotstayandIamtiredandshouldIreturnIaskedpolitely.TheofficeralsopolitelyrejectedmeandIunderstoodheisfollwoingthesystemandIrealizedIshouldalso.ThenwehadsomechatandwhenhegottoknowthatIhaveridingmorethan3000km.hejustsaiditsjust45kmtotakeotherroadforapersonrode3000kmitsnothing.ThenIretrunedwithsmallroads.ThatisbacktoNegruVodawhereIhadlunch.(Iwillupdatelateritsadifferentstory)viaCotuVaii,AraMangaliaandtoDurankulak.
Heretooaquenotsolongasearler.TheycheckedpassportandVehicleregitrationandletmeenter.Thennextis"Corona"checkpost.SoforthefirsttimeIproudlyshowedmyVaxinecertificate.Theycouldnotcheckitelectronicallybuttheacceptedmypaperversjon.
ItsfunnyinNorwayIwasalsoinvolvedorinformedthisapplicationwhichwasdevelopedinrecordspeed.
Sotodaymostofthetimewenonboarders.Butsome20-40kminRomaniansideandBulgariensidetherewerestraitroadwithtreesonbothsidesandsunflowerfieldsaslongasonecanseewasafantasticviews.Thereweresomerestplacesbutitshot.SoIpreferedtostopunderthetrees.
StayedatHotelIDOL.Positevlesurprised.Staff,facilities,parkingandrestaurent.it.
Iwillupdatewithimageslater.Technicalissues.
TodayIrode363km.formorethan10-15kmjustgravelroadsinceatconstruction.Itwouldhavebeenbettrwithoffroadtyresandwithoutluggage.Butonlongtripsoneshouldbepreparedtofaceunexpectedasexpectedones.
Last30-40kmtherewasaRoaddiversion.IdidnotnotiewhichroadIroad.Ididnotbuyanythingtofindfromtherecepttofindtheplace.
TodaysplanSomesightseeingatBucuresti...andtowardsnextcity.
Ididnothavebreakfastorlunch,ateabananan.Toohottoride.Tookoffthejacketandridelikelocalshere.IthoughtthatIcanbuysomesnacksandeatFoundabenchinthepark.
Hereatthesmallkiosktheysellonlyicecream.OkwhynotIcecreamasbrunch.Sittingonthebench,removedmcgearwillnotgooutonhotweather.
ThenIdecidedbettertorideonhighwaysotheairblowwillcoolme.GoodbyeBucharestnowIamattheBlackseaatConstanta.StarterfromNorthseaandtookferryoverBalticseaandonreturntripImayhavealookatAdriaticSeanifIamnottired.4seasin2-3weaks,notbad.
Todayskmisonly261km.Intheburningsun38-41degreesC.NowIreachedmynicetohavetarget.sofromtomorrowreturntripstarts.
IamridingDN67CTransalpintoday.(Transylvaniaisthenameoftheregion.)
TransalpinaismorecleanthanTransgafarasan.Roadstandedisalsogood.Therearemanygravelandforestroad.Ioftentemptedtoridethrougthose.Butwithheavyluggageand90%roadtyreandbikeisalsoheavyandIridraloneitsbettertokeeponnormalroads.Maybenexttime.TopoftheTransalpineisalmostflatgreenyareaa,youcanseeallmaountainanddalsandsheepsfaraway.Itwasverybeautiful,mypetrolshowed70kmrangeandheretoonoPetrolstations.ButlaterfoundonethatwasnotinTomtomGPSwithmanystairdogs.
AsmyearlierhostatSibiutoldmethatnottotaketheseroadsonSaturdaysorSundays.
Theviewwasfantastic.IcouldnottakeGoprovdoeventhouhIdeletedsome.Butthereareplentyofprofesionalvdosinthewww.ItjusttosayheiItookthis.Itsinmymemmorysonoproblematall.Butgotanotherproblem.Istartettosmelloilandlittlebitworried.WhenIstoppedonthetop,Isaytha0,5literoilearlermechanicgaveme,eventhouIsaidIdontwantthiswasintjhebag.Itleakedandallthethingsinthatbagyouknow..
Iamhappythattheoilsmellwasnotfromtheengine,butIhadatowelthere,itwasoily.m..Ihaditforruboffmysweatisometime,nowwithoilytowel.
Ihadtheopportunitytohelpafamily,theyneededatapetorapoversomeleaksintheircar.HecannotEnglishwellandIcannotRomanian.FirstIthoughthewasaskingrope,IhaditandIalwaystakeknife,torch,ropesandlighgterormatches.Survivalinsticnt.
ThenheshowedtheprolemthenIrealisedit.Ihadoneinsulationtapewithmeincasesomewireproblemonmybike.ThenIgaveittothem.
ItwasafamilywiththeirmotherinlawonthetopofTransalyna.HesaymynumberplateandaskedRodeyouallalonefromNorway,Isaidyes.
AndIsaidfamilywillnotroughtoutlikethis,helaughedandaskwhataboutfriends.Isaidthenitsdifferenttypeofcompromiseandadjustments.Itsmyholiday,mybikeandmytour.
AtthesamespotIsawacouplenotsoyoungorold.TheladycouldspeakEnglish.ThemanaskedmeIdianPakistaniIsaidIamTamilfromJaffna.
Shewaspluckingemptybottlesandbeercansalongtheroad.Eventhouhshewasatouristlikeme,butshedidnothaveplasticbags.Ilikedandloverherattitudetowardsthenature.IaskedhercouldyouthrowthisoilbottlesamewhereitssuitablebecauseIcouldnottakethiswithmybike.Irappeditwithtwoplasticbagsandgaveanotherbagtohertoputthetrashes.
Youseesometouriststhrowgarbageontheroadsomewerecleaning.
Todaysexperiencearelittlemore,Imaywritelater...
HereIrodewithheavysidecoffertsToday,Iamrealytired.Lastnightdidnotsleepwell.IhadetofinishsomebeerbotllesIbouhtatSibiu.AndsatisfiedwithTransfagarasanthatwasmytarget1.soIfeltliketargetaccomplished.AndIdidnotlikeitmuchinthesetypeofroadswithheavyluggagesoneachside.
SpentthenightatBucurestithecapitalofRomania.EventhougIlovenature,Itwasgoodtobeinabigcitytodaywithlotofpeopleandlights.
Todayskmis:443km
Todayisthebestrideever.Ahappyday.SinceIdreamedaboutthisruteforcoupleofyears.
Finallythedreamcomestrue..ItwasfantasticlikeNorway-Trollstigerbutmuchmoreintenseformanykm.Ifyoulovethenature,itsdifficulttorideeffectivly.Incaryoucantakepictureonthemoveitsnotpossibleforasolorider.Butbikerscanstopalmostwheneverewewant.
ForMCridersinthisrute.Threaremanyexperiencedguidesonthenet.Myhumbleadviceis.
1.Fyllbensinbeforeyoustart.Thereisnobensinstationformanykm.
2.Viewisfantasticsoridecarefully.
3.Duringholidayperiodalotoftrafikk,Impossiblewithcarwecanrideonthewhitelinebutbecarefull.
4.Theerearemanybikersexperiencemidleagedoroldagedriderslikeme.Theyareokandtherearemanystuntbikeronsportsbike,evenoneortwoHarleyDavidsonswithfemalepasangerrodereklesly.Tobebemaybe.Soyourideonyourskilllevelandrisklevel.
5.Thereareotheroppsitegenderattractionstooallovertheplacessowathouttheroadcurvesnotanyothercurves.
6.GPShelpedalottolookearlierhowsharpisthenextcurve.Sowecanadjustthespeedandthegearearlier.
Icouldnotuploadmoreimages.Butworkingonthatmatter.
Ishouldbuyanewmemmorycard.MyGoprochipisfull.Itsalsogood,becausewhenyouenjoythebeautiofnatureGoproisadisturbance.Thosemomentscanbestoredasmemmories.TransylvaniaoranyothermomentscannotbecapturedonmySamdsungphonecameraorGoPro.Itmayhelptorecall,thatall.
Rode293kmtoday.
PlanedtouseSibiuasbaseandridearoundhereinTransylvania.StayingwithintheoldcityofSibiu.Iwilljustwalkaroundheretoo.TodayjustloafedinSibiuandstartetalmostafter14:00thedaytour.Iknew"Dragulacastle"wassomewhereinTransylvania.SoIsearchedintheGooglemapmyfavouritesite.EveninmybreaksinworktimeIjustclickdifferentcountriesandvillagesanddreamaboutvisitingthem.
Sotodayvisitwasthere.JustvisitedMr.Dragula.Hisresidencewasclosedat18:00.Ithoughtitwasopenduringthenightbutactualyheishumanfriendlynowwithlotofrestaurentsandentertainmentwithlivemusic.Itslikeopenareafestival.
IparkedMCinmannedparkingplacewhereIcanleavemyjacketandhelmetatsafe.
IhaveacoupleofRumanianfriends,theyadviceaboutthieves,watchoutyourwalletsandmobile,butfortunatelyImeetonlynicepeoplehereinRumania.
IdontknowwhetheritsaspecialdayhereorpeoplewaitedforCoronalockout,IsawmanyhappilymariedpairandweddingseromonisattheChurchandprivatehouses.Peopleareinhappymood.
Itsasmallworld
Mysister(S)wholivesinCanadahasacolleaguewhoisfromRumania.SayMr.L.
SoShastoldthatherebrotherisinRumaniaandshowedthissight.HesaidhismotherlivesneartheareawhereIstayandwecontacedeachother.HeissuchaniceguythatheofferedthatIcanstaywithhermotherandseearoundthisplace.ItwassogenerousfromapersonInevermet.See,Igettoknowonlynicepeople.ButIalreadypaidfrombooking.commystayhere.MaybetommorrowIplantovisither.WehaveGoogletranslatersowemanage.
Justthinkingcatsordogsfromanypartoftheworldcancommunicatewitheachotherwithoutanyproblems.
Todaysrideis310kmwhereforapproximately3-4kmjustsmallstonesontheroad.Ihave90%roadtyrebutitwentsmoothe.HappythatIremovethesidecofferts(30kgboth)becauseIreturnedtosameplaceandIcannotdrideinsidethesmallportwhereIstaywithsidecofferts.Feltlikeabikenotlikeatractorwithsidecofferts.
Its10:39Romaniantime.Starttodrivenow.
AtCluj-Napoca.30°C.Lookatmychochcholate.
IamdoingwhatIlike.Igotengineoilwarningandoilburnsmell.Firstunexpectedincident.Askedatapetrolstaionaboutoilchange.Theyshowedmemechanicalgaragefortrucks.Theysearchedtlhenetandaskedmetowaitfor1hoursompersonwillarrivewithmcoil.Ihadgs1200catalogwithme.Theysaiditwillcost100€.Ididcothavecash100€.ButIgot100$whichIgotasbirthdaypresentfrommymum2yearsearlier.Ithelpedmetoday.Theyhelpemeasangels.Noregretthisincident.BecauseofthisImetwonerfulpeople.
AfterchangingoiltheycomandshowsomeniceroadsandacampingplacecalledCabanaCheileTurzii.Niceplacewithrestaurentsandwalkingpathsinmountainarea.
StayingatSibiu.Herethetemperatureisnothighasearlier.Verypleasantat23degrees.
Today330kmcoveredbothhighwaysandcountry/townroad.
TodayIcrossedSlovakiaviaKosiceandHungaryvianewhighways.JuststoppedinHungaryatPetrolstasjonandsmallrestplaces.
PolishsidenearSlovakianboarderwereveryfantastic.Differentcolourfulhouseswithlotogflowerandtrees.Verycleanandcalmenvironment.Verypeacefulllifestyle.
IregretthatIdidnotstopandtakemorephotoesandIdidnotliketotakeprivatehouseseither.
Intheseareastemperaturealsolike25-27degreesC.Iwentonaroadnearplshavealookatthewhereanoticeboard.GPSdoesnotshowthewaysneither.Somelocalsguidedmelater.
StayedatBonnavillaComplex.Niceplacewithrestaurent.JustalongE60.
Todaynohighways,notollroadsenjoingPolishsmalltowns.Manyendswith"wice"DzikoviceandrodethroJoworzno.Itsdifficulttoputamaptodaybecauseofspontantselctofroadsinremoteroads.ButIwilltrytorecollectlater.
NotmuchkmcoveredsinceIenjoyedthesmalltownsandvillages.
ThedogyinthepictureisCiapek.Itcameandsatnearme.Hadachatwiththeownerwhosaiditwasrescurdfromaconstructionsight.
Only203kmIrodetodaybecauserelaxedatniceplacesandspentsometimewithchattingwithrandompeopleandvisitingChurches.IloveChurches,temples,Mosquesandallreligiousbuildings.IamnotaGod()believerbutIadmirethearchitecture,history,spritualaspect,power,humanityandoppression,theseallstuffareconnectedwiththesemonuments.
StayedatNowalijkaRestauracja&Apartmenty.
Couldnotsleepwellinthecabinbecauseofmechinesound.Somemorebeerhelpedlittlebit.
Gydniaisaportcity.
Gdankisbeautifulwitholdbuildingsandchurches.Ihadbestomlethere.Ofcoursenextbesttomyomlet.
TookavisittoLodz.TrafickwhenIenteredtheplaceandwhenItookexit.Centerroadswereclosed,hotsuncouldnotseeasIwished.GPSandroadconstructiondoesnotwork.WasteoftimebutanywayIwouldhaveregretedifIdidnotvisit.
AfterLodztraficandroadconstructionuptoKatowice,nopetrolstationsorrestplacesasealier.
PositivexperiencewithpeopleInevermet.
Ataroundaboutonefellowcalledme"Hei".Ithoughtitstosomeoneelse,butheshoutedagain"HiMotorcycle",thenIreturned,apolishmanon40-50sshowedsomemcaccelaringmanuerswothhishandandgreetedverypleasantly.Maybehalvdrunkbutveryniceguy.Ihadbeenridingwithsmileonmyfaceforthalast150km.
Atarestplace,IaskedatruckdriverwhocannotunderstandEnglishandIcannotPolishwhetherthistapwaterisdrinkableHeunderstoodbuthewasnotsure.Sohewenttohistruckandcomewithanewwaterbottlegaveittome.
NightatMarysinDwor.Niceoldstylehotelwithrestaurentwithserviceminedstaff.
592kmonhighwaysandcityroads.
Nothingspecial.Almost28°Cthroughouttheholeday.Swedenisclosetomeandvisitedmanytimes.Sonotmanyphotoestaken.
ForMCridersasmallpieceofadvice.Theferryfloorcanbeslipery.
RodetoGteborgandviaOlofstrmtoKarlskrona.
640kmcoveredmostlyonhighway.
TodayismysonEran'sbirthday.Sowaiteduntiltodaytostartmytrip.
ThanksformyfamillywholetmetodowhatIwish.
OnlytommorrowIhavetocatchaFerry.Afterthatnostress.Nothingtocatchorstress.
IridesolongasIwishperdayandrestsolongasIwish.Offcourseholidaytimeislimited.
Madesomfinalcheckup,fulltank,luggage,tyrepresure,gpsandsoon.
IplanedtoridetoTrransylvaniainromanialastyear.Butpandemistoppedmyplan.MostoftenIamgoingtostayinbudjetplacesthroughappslikeairbnb,hotel.comorbooking.cometc.ButIcarryasmall"hotel"onmybike.
Because
1.Idonotneedtostresstoboookhotel,Icanwaittobookonthelastminute.
2.IncaseallhotelsarefullwhereIwanttostayortired.
3.Thereareniceandbeautifulplaesonthewaywherethereisnoplacestostay.
Idontlikeanyluggageshangingonmybikeratherthantwosidecoffertsandtopone.EvenIdontliketankbags.Eachtimeyoufillbenzin,youhavetoremoveandfix.Butthetentandmysleepingpadaremorethan40cminwidth.SonowayIcanputinsidecofferts.Soitsgoingtobeonthebackseatwithsomeriskofloosingit.
FortunatelyorunfortunatelyIlikesolo.Soloisfreedomyouknow...eventhoughmaybebouringsometimes.ThatswhyIhavethispagetosharewithfamily,relativesandfriends.
Leftcoffert:Sleepingbag,airpillow,campingtent(2kg),campcookingitems,sometoolstoadjustanythingsinceIamnotamechanictofixmajorproblems,Abuslock(1,5kg).Altogegther7.5kgm,itsfinethemaxkgforthiscoffertis10kg.
Wrightcoffert:Clothes,toiletitems,medicine,hikingshoe,extrapowerbankandcablesandlaptop.Shouldadjusttheweighttotheleftone.
Topcoffert:Water,andridingaccesories,snacks,averyoldpapermap,GoPro.AngIamnotgoingtopackitfull,incaseyouneedforsomething.IhaveaEuropemapwhichIboughtin1989.Istillhaveitincasemobileorgpstroubles.ThismaphasmarkedwithDDR,SU,Yugoslavia.Oldisgold:-).
Softluggage:Sleepingpadandtent.ItswaterproovebagboughtinBiltemafor150Krsomeyearsbackanditswortheachkr.Testedmanytimes.Perfect.Nexttimeshouldfindasmallsleepingpadwhichgoesinoneofthepanniers
Andfinallymostimportantluggageisontheriderseat.ItsmewithfullofenergyandwillpowertotorideMC.Thatsthemainthinktocarryonanytrips.
Aboutmygear.
Motorcycle:BMWR1200GS,2008model.IboughtthisbikeinStockholmin2017.Almost10yersoldbike.Butittotalkmofthisbikewaslessthan500km.WhenIsawtheadvertishment,itwashardtobelieve.ButwhenIwentthereitwasobviousthebikewasalmostnewandIboughtitwithoutanyhesitation.Thepreviousownerhadnotimetoridethisbikebecauseofhiscarcollections.Seetheimage.ThefirstdayIrodemorethan500kmfromStockholmtoOslo.EventhoughthetaxesandothercostsinregistrationinNorwayitwascheaperthanbyinghereinNorway.