There are some things that people do, which, if you analysed them, don’t make much sense. They fall into the category of, ‘If you have to ask, there is probably no point in me trying to explain it.’ Here are three examples:
1) Motorcycling. It can be cold, wet and slightly uncomfortable.
2) Camping. It can be cold, wet and slightly uncomfortable.
3) Taking black and white photographs on film with a 70-year-old camera is another one, but the reasons are obviously slightly different.
People who understand, and don’t need to ask, should appreciate my ongoing tale of a European trip which features all three of these activities.
Planning for a trip is really important these days if you don’t want to have it ruined by a chance encounter with bureaucracy. I am willing to admit that I am not big on planning, but I did spend several evenings researching, to make sure that I had all the right bits of paper before I left (more about this in the final instalment).
My journey started with the 80-mile ride to Folkestone. I set off early on June 25 to catch the 10:45 Shuttle, which meant getting there by 09:45. Getting up early is not something that comes naturally to me but setting off early does mean the roads are enjoyably quiet. If only dawn could be a bit later in the day!
The Enfield and I soon settle down and enjoy the views over the Weald of Kent. The most complicated part of the journey was navigating the twists and turns of the Eurotunnel terminal, but I am soon through the automated check-in and leaning casually against the rail car wall, along with several other bikers who had arrived on a variety of bikes, all much larger than the Bullet.
Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
Chad gets a track day surprise when BMW's R 12 nineT turns out to be surprisingly fun on track
Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
