End of summer Europe 2015
 

Hi all. This is not a trip report as I don't have the time to write it all up at this stage. All I can say is me and the missis had a blast on our first trip to Europe.

We camped and traveled through Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland and then back through the south of France. About 3000 odd kilometers with 0 incidents except rain :aska[1]:on one day in Bern, Switzerland.

These are just a couple of snaps from our trip. I would have loved to take the bike off the tarmac and onto the ruff stuff a bit but couldn't really with my load and the missis on the back (lack the confidence for that still).

Waiting for the ferry
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...pszidloiae.jpg

First camp site in Ravine, France
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psranyhmpn.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psxfj05p0h.jpg http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...pskkxpu2yu.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psrvutzfbn.jpg

Breakfast/Brunch/Lunch like the French do it
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psfalufudw.jpg http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psgp1ayvqm.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psydmnosb8.jpg

Planning our route for the day.
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/l...psasr8elpp.jpg

Hahaha. Well, we both decided it's time for her to get her own motorcycle for a start. That has the added benefit of sharing all our gear and less load on the bikes. That said, we were comfortable two up and the bike had no problem with it.

I will also get a proper multi fuel stove. I took this penny can stove I made from a beer can and works well in the warmer weather. It does use a lot of fuel though.

Then a proper GPS connected via bluetooth to a headset in my helmet, although getting lost sometimes led us to very nice little towns and scenery.

I will also allow for either more days away so you can stay off the motorways and do more back roads (you get to experience so much more) or explore only one country at a time. This time we set out to visit a friend in Switzerland so we did all those countries because it was on the way.

Apart from that, I wouldn't change a thing.

Hey Pasta, looks like a good trip....I need to try my Tenere with a passenger, been a bit hesitant to so far. How does it feel at juniors and in traffic two up.? And what auxiliary lights are those....they look well positioned there. Steve

The Tenere definitely earning its keep on that trip.
I didn't know the French enjoyed a beer at breakfast?

Very nice indeed
Lucky for me, summer is on it's way down here in South Africa
Busy panning some trips
Will report on them

It takes some getting use to with two up and that load but after a while it was fine. The bike felt pretty solid, even around the bends but I did take it slow at first. Traffic I don't know but I don't think that should be an issue.

The auxiliary lights were on the bike when I bought them so I don't know what they are. Work very well though. I'll try and find out and let you know.

Yes you are correct. That might have been lunch or something. We were in such a baguette craze we had them every chance we could get. Most camp sites in France will have a fresh baguette ready for you for breakfast in the morning on request. Brilliant.

I miss that country. Where are you going from/to?

I live in Hermanus
Usually Cederberg trips, Seweweekspoort, Tankwa etc, etc
Lots of places nearby

Good on you Pasta, and 2 up all the way. Looked like a great trip. Thanks for sharing it with us. When you're again?

Thanks Jacques. We're planning our next trip for this time next year but can't decide yet where we want to go first. Croatia or South America. Probably doesn't matter either way.

If it's South America my wife will have to get her license first. Not doing 30 days two up.

I found the make of my auxiliary lights - http://www.ebay.com/itm/271982147340