tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13865137593418179302024-03-13T22:40:25.398-07:001 Planet 2 WheelsBy Oily Rag Adventures, a motorcycle journey into the back and beyond, a curiousity to see whats around the corner, to find extraordinary landscapes, experiences, and the ultimate ride.Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-74099053566972408982017-10-07T18:33:00.000-07:002017-10-07T18:33:27.741-07:00The Last Blast Across the Desert <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZO8PZ7WxEI/Wa-sz58COiI/AAAAAAAAEC4/Q87GQB8uaCknlmVKxjTkh89n4WQP8ICbwCLcBGAs/s1600/GOPR3721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QZO8PZ7WxEI/Wa-sz58COiI/AAAAAAAAEC4/Q87GQB8uaCknlmVKxjTkh89n4WQP8ICbwCLcBGAs/s640/GOPR3721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the photo above we are more than happy, it's taken us 2 weeks in Darwin to get to this point where our bikes are being released from the container. We had four bikes in the container, mine, Kevin's and Sylvia and Thomas bikes....a kiwi and three Swiss! After the two and a half week delay getting the bikes out of Timor we faced another 2 weeks in Darwin!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There were delays with generating the paperwork for quarantine, and we had unwanted hitchhikers on the outside of the container, a whole party of ants, Asian king snails and spiders, this created extra work for quarantine and delays for us. The inspection of our bikes was all done in half an hour and we were all go to go except for another issue with the paperwork which threatened to hold the bikes into the weekend. Fortunately the computer system was overrun manually and we were aloud to take our babies. What a process, the sailing from Timor to Darwin is only 3 days but all up including the cleaning time it took over 5 weeks in the end!!</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvpq9ifAN5E/Wa-uHFEHfQI/AAAAAAAAEDE/nYcAbyxcg74R4BMgxUmIDqKfyNQJvocNgCLcBGAs/s1600/GOPR3726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvpq9ifAN5E/Wa-uHFEHfQI/AAAAAAAAEDE/nYcAbyxcg74R4BMgxUmIDqKfyNQJvocNgCLcBGAs/s640/GOPR3726.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-colPysAr390/Wa-ubRfAF0I/AAAAAAAAEDM/gWpyA6WU_BUpiZdRggFJaBMwCIq3DqIvQCLcBGAs/s1600/GOPR3729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-colPysAr390/Wa-ubRfAF0I/AAAAAAAAEDM/gWpyA6WU_BUpiZdRggFJaBMwCIq3DqIvQCLcBGAs/s640/GOPR3729.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfywboNi1FE/Wa-toKHNUGI/AAAAAAAAEDA/KqaW40uA1JM0ns8exXpkntQMiy3oxcB1ACLcBGAs/s1600/GOPR3712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sfywboNi1FE/Wa-toKHNUGI/AAAAAAAAEDA/KqaW40uA1JM0ns8exXpkntQMiy3oxcB1ACLcBGAs/s640/GOPR3712.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While waiting for the bikes we took to the road as greybeard's to explore Kakadu!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0O9-C1YWFA/Wa-zAiuouMI/AAAAAAAAEDg/mVDsl-xOm9IExOZ7A1bDIU2V84k00vxgQCEwYBhgL/s1600/GOPR3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S0O9-C1YWFA/Wa-zAiuouMI/AAAAAAAAEDg/mVDsl-xOm9IExOZ7A1bDIU2V84k00vxgQCEwYBhgL/s640/GOPR3738.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the crowded roads of Indonesia the empty Aussie outback roads were a dream. This was the Tamani Track between Halls creek and Alice Springs.....600km between fuel and not much else for that matter but what a fun ride blasting down this!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Dk8KcNTf4/Wa-z1Lj-bgI/AAAAAAAAEDw/dNJC84CBYu8P-RzJQr1oTVP9Lgw54CQmgCLcBGAs/s1600/GOPR3732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b2Dk8KcNTf4/Wa-z1Lj-bgI/AAAAAAAAEDw/dNJC84CBYu8P-RzJQr1oTVP9Lgw54CQmgCLcBGAs/s640/GOPR3732.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crater near Halls Creek</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMdU_zV9suc/WdBt0oLTkaI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/vSiEoxdJUO0mmvPBIcs4V4VJNL2h5aQ6QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170705_080724856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMdU_zV9suc/WdBt0oLTkaI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/vSiEoxdJUO0mmvPBIcs4V4VJNL2h5aQ6QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170705_080724856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sadie the town camel trying to eat everything on the bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fKC5CygXlw/WdBtofjrREI/AAAAAAAAEZM/RxP1j0PACQI39dO4jjPfNz5zG_zvuTQFgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170704_131554612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1fKC5CygXlw/WdBtofjrREI/AAAAAAAAEZM/RxP1j0PACQI39dO4jjPfNz5zG_zvuTQFgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170704_131554612.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the phone to Safari tanks to order a new tank from the middle of the Tamani Desert, I'd already had one attempt of heading off down the Tamani Track with a patched up tank but it leaked so I headed back to the small Aboriginal town of Billuna rather than attempt a 600km run through the desert with a leaking fuel tank. I managed to get a hot spot for the cell phone and get a replacement tank dispatched to Adelaide were my mate Will would bring it up to meet me for the upcoming Simpson desert crossing. The second attempt down the Tamani and the tank started leaking again, this time I carried on and after another patch attempt in Alice Springs made it to Coober Peddy and the new tank!</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strike></strike><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZlxgwO0KWQ/WdBuAXWVNlI/AAAAAAAAEZU/MHP_TB_FMSwmx1GSsCCh-2ikjfdE46MWwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170709_093337245_BURST001_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GZlxgwO0KWQ/WdBuAXWVNlI/AAAAAAAAEZU/MHP_TB_FMSwmx1GSsCCh-2ikjfdE46MWwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170709_093337245_BURST001_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Was absolutely brilliant to meet up with Will again in Coober Peddy after 7 months....and he had a much needed fuel tank!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5Ee9OKNOCA/Wa-zPlSs-RI/AAAAAAAAEDo/wCz1VHgmxA8KzDJQGdur7NTFGsKHPk6NwCEwYBhgL/s1600/GOPR3750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--5Ee9OKNOCA/Wa-zPlSs-RI/AAAAAAAAEDo/wCz1VHgmxA8KzDJQGdur7NTFGsKHPk6NwCEwYBhgL/s640/GOPR3750.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heading out into the Simpson via Oddanata and the Pink Roadhouse. Feeling excited at this point as we are about to attempt an unsupported crossing of the Simpson Desert. It's no easy feat involving a 500 km stretch between Fuel and water on difficult sand riding.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uOx-3R5LZo/Wa-zIhP2DBI/AAAAAAAAEDk/evXmY01t6bQJKeOYL937GiieVAPE_HLIACEwYBhgL/s1600/GOPR3743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--uOx-3R5LZo/Wa-zIhP2DBI/AAAAAAAAEDk/evXmY01t6bQJKeOYL937GiieVAPE_HLIACEwYBhgL/s640/GOPR3743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiVzUC1CBD0/Wa-0patNhzI/AAAAAAAAED4/hwcQ5Kv6Mj0qaXeTFFKyQaXSDHAbKEdCQCLcBGAs/s1600/GOPR3756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiVzUC1CBD0/Wa-0patNhzI/AAAAAAAAED4/hwcQ5Kv6Mj0qaXeTFFKyQaXSDHAbKEdCQCLcBGAs/s640/GOPR3756.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Fitting new Tyre's at Mount Dare station, looking for any help possible to get through the sand!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r452jTZQidg/Wa-yYdrHfbI/AAAAAAAAEDY/s3z57ojKmY8IDj-5hDa80zu31TOkQmyQgCLcBGAs/s1600/G0293762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1600" height="324" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r452jTZQidg/Wa-yYdrHfbI/AAAAAAAAEDY/s3z57ojKmY8IDj-5hDa80zu31TOkQmyQgCLcBGAs/s640/G0293762.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kiKfD8brXA/Wa-0NX_rDKI/AAAAAAAAED0/GpcS1RRMPDQ1rBEcQzwGOentgFh4l2toQCLcBGAs/s1600/GOPR3768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kiKfD8brXA/Wa-0NX_rDKI/AAAAAAAAED0/GpcS1RRMPDQ1rBEcQzwGOentgFh4l2toQCLcBGAs/s640/GOPR3768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Will, we're in now, no turning back!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With 47 litres of fuel and 22 litres of water on board the bike was heavy, a mistake and loss of momentum would result in trouble, with lots of struggling and fuel consumption to get up and moving again. The key was to keep moving as fast as possible at all costs which at times was not so easy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIgtPHxphfU/Wa-1WZc1chI/AAAAAAAAEEA/uLUsfufX90gx4N405_OrKQxNMj8ro63GwCEwYBhgL/s1600/GOPR3783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RIgtPHxphfU/Wa-1WZc1chI/AAAAAAAAEEA/uLUsfufX90gx4N405_OrKQxNMj8ro63GwCEwYBhgL/s640/GOPR3783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I wasn't worrying about what might go wrong out here it was an absolute blast riding in the sand, the challenging riding and the remoteness providing a real highlight and a fantastic last adventure on the way home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRTKGmis7o0/WdBvAl9kp_I/AAAAAAAAEZg/yKZJ_UfkeeghVF116EcxSekjF19QnLT-QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170714_094324773_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LRTKGmis7o0/WdBvAl9kp_I/AAAAAAAAEZg/yKZJ_UfkeeghVF116EcxSekjF19QnLT-QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170714_094324773_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French Line in the Simpson Desert is simply a straight line bulldozed across the desert perpendicular to the dunes. Theres over a 1000 that need to be crossed!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMKkkqoXXsE/WdBvPprTelI/AAAAAAAAEZk/C53YcXEy5XUvDQ-LtKWVZ8R6AhICGnkrwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170714_100242928_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NMKkkqoXXsE/WdBvPprTelI/AAAAAAAAEZk/C53YcXEy5XUvDQ-LtKWVZ8R6AhICGnkrwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170714_100242928_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehc5sVqGxTY/WdBtTErgjmI/AAAAAAAAEZI/MUAhmWKHvDodItFf9jfV0pHzH4UGKA_9QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170714_104401112_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ehc5sVqGxTY/WdBtTErgjmI/AAAAAAAAEZI/MUAhmWKHvDodItFf9jfV0pHzH4UGKA_9QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170714_104401112_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Happy to be on the top of Big Red, the last and biggest dune we crossed...it was an epic ride!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugLvW-CdL_M/WdBtFf9WZpI/AAAAAAAAEZE/zjWmcSG7re0dEkvbpZaTpFLzOvc55mJ7QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170714_104330066_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ugLvW-CdL_M/WdBtFf9WZpI/AAAAAAAAEZE/zjWmcSG7re0dEkvbpZaTpFLzOvc55mJ7QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170714_104330066_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-4dseT9gio/WafCoHBx8dI/AAAAAAAAECI/qX-DpH4Cz-wyMZZtkQ6xyBWD_t6lGKR4ACLcBGAs/s1600/G0013797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-4dseT9gio/WafCoHBx8dI/AAAAAAAAECI/qX-DpH4Cz-wyMZZtkQ6xyBWD_t6lGKR4ACLcBGAs/s640/G0013797.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Feeling pretty happy after a successful crossing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbriB4AOaZ8/WdCAtJrtK-I/AAAAAAAAEaU/OTCw3eFRYH0Slkky-JOIq1HzakwtBmJ9ACLcBGAs/s1600/cleaning%2Bin%2Bsydney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NbriB4AOaZ8/WdCAtJrtK-I/AAAAAAAAEaU/OTCw3eFRYH0Slkky-JOIq1HzakwtBmJ9ACLcBGAs/s640/cleaning%2Bin%2Bsydney.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The second big cleaning mission in Sydney, thankfully this time round the dirt came off a little easier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynCmXscDAxo/WdBviMFHwLI/AAAAAAAAEZo/c10vs-G2UpMBccqFbAkvrwlQu25H7XhcwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_20170807_153059830_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynCmXscDAxo/WdBviMFHwLI/AAAAAAAAEZo/c10vs-G2UpMBccqFbAkvrwlQu25H7XhcwCEwYBhgL/s640/IMG_20170807_153059830_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Re united in Auckland, I arrived at the airport in the early morning and had the customs paper work and MPI quarantine inspections done and was on my way by 4 in the afternoon, a far cry from Darwin were this process took 2 weeks.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAo00ESJZ3c/WdBvyY1BFOI/AAAAAAAAEZs/c1vTgM496fACOqVSe73H4DQa4LfT2t_DwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170814_115006582_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAo00ESJZ3c/WdBvyY1BFOI/AAAAAAAAEZs/c1vTgM496fACOqVSe73H4DQa4LfT2t_DwCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170814_115006582_HDR.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
Some short cuts on the way down the North Island, delaying the inevitable, the final few days on the road!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJcUW7R9cMg/WdBv955ldGI/AAAAAAAAEZw/RPGRD1OyA78HdBPYOEBahfqT-PgkHRs9ACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170817_110400864_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJcUW7R9cMg/WdBv955ldGI/AAAAAAAAEZw/RPGRD1OyA78HdBPYOEBahfqT-PgkHRs9ACLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170817_110400864_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQA7YJ2Ejxo/WdBwJslIhWI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/MVeP7R87jp4lkt3Ls9HLp4H5KbjqkUYhQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170817_110831667_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQA7YJ2Ejxo/WdBwJslIhWI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/MVeP7R87jp4lkt3Ls9HLp4H5KbjqkUYhQCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170817_110831667_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PN2oSdCKfEQ/WdBwT3A1gCI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/pITGz0IDfII01L13BFIcTBG5GvBebOt8QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170817_123204623_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PN2oSdCKfEQ/WdBwT3A1gCI/AAAAAAAAEZ4/pITGz0IDfII01L13BFIcTBG5GvBebOt8QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170817_123204623_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNuCHZOTP9g/WdBw64nay2I/AAAAAAAAEaA/tbbzoh-T9N01Rqu7epWAD7mw4pWuZI25QCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_20170817_115943094_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vNuCHZOTP9g/WdBw64nay2I/AAAAAAAAEaA/tbbzoh-T9N01Rqu7epWAD7mw4pWuZI25QCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_20170817_115943094_HDR.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calling in at the longest place name in the world</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6YIVZgbF5I/WdCAfMleR1I/AAAAAAAAEaQ/Vg8nNVFgbicI42PBqoP8m_wx0Ls22Fy_ACLcBGAs/s1600/arriving%2Broots%2Bbar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M6YIVZgbF5I/WdCAfMleR1I/AAAAAAAAEaQ/Vg8nNVFgbicI42PBqoP8m_wx0Ls22Fy_ACLcBGAs/s640/arriving%2Broots%2Bbar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And this is it, arriving in my home town of Takaka to a great little welcoming party. It was an emotional time. Almost 6 years after I crated the bike and sent her over to South America its back at home. 3 years of ride time and 160 000km on the DR which has done amazingly well. So many places, people, and great experiences.</div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-37274824997579092842017-06-01T23:19:00.001-07:002017-06-01T23:19:22.108-07:00Into Indo<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aFDyuyBRwM/WPSJjtKKk1I/AAAAAAAAD6Y/MjdKWE1Xg_gqFVb-BOZgc0ZnBQMAIPMDACLcB/s1600/GOPR3121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div>
It's taken a while to get round to posting this chapter. The time frames for travelling through indo were looking a little tighter than ideal, Indonesia is not small, the rush combined with I guess you could say a fading enthusiasm for blogging has meant that it just hasn't happened. It's a bit of a shame because i simply can't post everything worthwhile now, too big a job!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Part of the rush was driven by the fact that the document for the motorcycle was about to expire, I wanted to be in Australia to do the extension. After a skype interview in Sumatra I also got a job back home and a start date along with it. It was a bit rushed, but in a way I was happy to do this, I was starting to miss home.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First up after landing in Medan, Sumatra was to get some work done on the bike, new fork seals and fork oil, along with a new shock bearing. I only had about 6 weeks to ride Sumatra, Java, Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, and onto Timor from where it is possible to ship to Darwin. Indonesia does have some great riding, but it comes with a catch, its called traffic. With 240 million people kicking about the traffic is a bit much at times. There are places where its thin and this is great, i think my favorite place was the island of Flores, partly because there is not much traffic and partly because at this point I decided to miss the container ship I was aiming for and catch the next one. It meant that it would be real tight with the documents but should be ok and it gave me a bit more time to explore the more interesting side roads.</div>
<div>
<a class="OYKEW4D-ic-a" href="javascript:void(0);" kind="click">
</a>
<div class="OYKEW4D-ic-f">
<a class="OYKEW4D-ic-a" href="javascript:void(0);" kind="click"><span class="OYKEW4D-ic-c OYKEW4D-Y-a"><br /></span>
</a></div>
<a class="OYKEW4D-ic-a" href="javascript:void(0);" kind="click">
</a></div>
<div>
Shipping from Timor Leste to Darwin is a popular option with overland travelers as it's a natural route from South East Asia to Australia with the shortest amount of shipping and the most riding/driving. However, like a lot of shipping it's not reliable and with a dwindling volume since the UN pulled out of Timor it's even more unreliable. It means that bikes might not even load as scheduled if there is insufficient cargo.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I thought I had eliminated these risks when at the office of SDV in Dili, they could do a "full container load" that would load, the price was good for a full 20 foot container when shared with Kevin, a fellow bike traveller on a KTM 690. We spent a week of full on cleaning to get the bikes looking spotless and hopefully satisfy the demands of the Australian Border force who have extremely strict requirements with bikes coming from SE Asia.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was all looking good, we were in the process of strapping down the bikes in the container when someone comes out of the office and says " the schedule has changed" We head into the office to see what the deal is, next sailing in 3 weeks, wtf !! and are met with varying stories, it's clear that the real reason is avoided, but when I suggested that the ship didn't bother to dock and carried on to Darwin from Singapore they confirmed it. The boat was already delayed and stopping to put our container on and 3 others was just not worth it so they steamed on past!! Buggers. We left and went and drunk some beer in disbelief.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes things happen for a reason, you just have to roll with it and make the most of the situation. It had taken many emails but I had just managed to get bike document extension process under control, with this delay that was now not possible, but fortunately I could now get a new document sent from NZ. Also, it would now be possible to join the Horizons Unlimited travellers meeting on the nearby Island of Sumbawa which was awesome. I had time to visit a few places that I rushed through earlier, time to put my feet up for a bit, and time to write up this here blog. Right now the bikes are about to load for the second time...not holding my breath though!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rt64fcwjuuY/WPMRZPW2thI/AAAAAAAAD3U/k9A0RD47HecLcxvyHIyjvukzq1LiRbo_ACLcB/s1600/GOPR2601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rt64fcwjuuY/WPMRZPW2thI/AAAAAAAAD3U/k9A0RD47HecLcxvyHIyjvukzq1LiRbo_ACLcB/s640/GOPR2601.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pressing a new bearing into the shock linkage with a vice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1H24qDX1Kck/WPMRzg7aRYI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/N1xkwBU70Do9AnFO-_MyI439lvs76TztwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1H24qDX1Kck/WPMRzg7aRYI/AAAAAAAAD3Y/N1xkwBU70Do9AnFO-_MyI439lvs76TztwCLcB/s640/GOPR2598.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New fork seals and much needed fresh oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gO-SI-N_R-I/WPMSEW0AkWI/AAAAAAAAD3c/ZBLYE5DD2yYCLCDzeHS9oBKSnH7PEfHNACLcB/s1600/GOPR2620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gO-SI-N_R-I/WPMSEW0AkWI/AAAAAAAAD3c/ZBLYE5DD2yYCLCDzeHS9oBKSnH7PEfHNACLcB/s640/GOPR2620.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes things don't go as planned...slippery log and the rear end went sideways down the bank. After removing all the bags and dragging the bike up a truck turned up and cut the log!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oeBq5yy46IM/WPMSXMzd7kI/AAAAAAAAD3g/1deF7hC-QHAsshaT9GBlFfuxYMWez3H_wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oeBq5yy46IM/WPMSXMzd7kI/AAAAAAAAD3g/1deF7hC-QHAsshaT9GBlFfuxYMWez3H_wCLcB/s640/GOPR2642.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of biker clubs in indo, mostly suped up scooters and the like</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIEhux4t_30/WPMSsaGEb6I/AAAAAAAAD3k/iPf9X-qOuTQs82pUXsfHCb84_h_8h4BfwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MIEhux4t_30/WPMSsaGEb6I/AAAAAAAAD3k/iPf9X-qOuTQs82pUXsfHCb84_h_8h4BfwCLcB/s640/GOPR2645.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rPw1bWE8EA/WPMS_ICoxuI/AAAAAAAAD3o/_XPVBG-T6OgQ32P3zMZ9QUk3_zZVnzqXQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7rPw1bWE8EA/WPMS_ICoxuI/AAAAAAAAD3o/_XPVBG-T6OgQ32P3zMZ9QUk3_zZVnzqXQCLcB/s640/GOPR2666.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the equator, back in the better half!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyzpeSfIVdY/WPMTUBrbciI/AAAAAAAAD3s/eDnQzuBFk1Y_RCfQPt_2lI16EGvv--nWACLcB/s1600/GOPR2675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyzpeSfIVdY/WPMTUBrbciI/AAAAAAAAD3s/eDnQzuBFk1Y_RCfQPt_2lI16EGvv--nWACLcB/s640/GOPR2675.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvA_l3indYw/WPMTgnM4eOI/AAAAAAAAD3w/iIM8RDInOzoQOxpEGEvTOH0lPmaR4fZHACLcB/s1600/GOPR2690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wvA_l3indYw/WPMTgnM4eOI/AAAAAAAAD3w/iIM8RDInOzoQOxpEGEvTOH0lPmaR4fZHACLcB/s640/GOPR2690.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students wanting to practice there English</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHuBz8J4iqk/WPMT0uoteAI/AAAAAAAAD30/jug9ddkVbk8loJPimLmQlDYK8ilaAhfwQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHuBz8J4iqk/WPMT0uoteAI/AAAAAAAAD30/jug9ddkVbk8loJPimLmQlDYK8ilaAhfwQCLcB/s640/GOPR2695.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haven't camped much in Indo but this spot was hard to pass up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZofOU3_DpyE/WPMUDItJpyI/AAAAAAAAD34/iMNVS2Un9Qg6C5pQCZeu7dKlj0-FWNvXACLcB/s1600/GOPR2716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZofOU3_DpyE/WPMUDItJpyI/AAAAAAAAD34/iMNVS2Un9Qg6C5pQCZeu7dKlj0-FWNvXACLcB/s640/GOPR2716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stayed at Rickys Beach house, what a spot, surf and then beers and guitars at night. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_On9ikZMw/WPMUO5qVzXI/AAAAAAAAD38/EnQb90iPwi8-SU6WMSYPEjBXWBIhdzwVgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TC_On9ikZMw/WPMUO5qVzXI/AAAAAAAAD38/EnQb90iPwi8-SU6WMSYPEjBXWBIhdzwVgCLcB/s640/GOPR2718.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice riding on the south coast of Sumatra</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG1HVp2WdHU/WPMUYiQXbmI/AAAAAAAAD4A/kPhl30SOwu8FODV5FLdQTNS6wbUZlifOgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oG1HVp2WdHU/WPMUYiQXbmI/AAAAAAAAD4A/kPhl30SOwu8FODV5FLdQTNS6wbUZlifOgCLcB/s640/GOPR2724.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXp2T8stA-o/WPMUlG-DxBI/AAAAAAAAD4E/0CzvT99htwElOkbBziPVlHqpaDVDiG02gCLcB/s1600/GOPR2738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DXp2T8stA-o/WPMUlG-DxBI/AAAAAAAAD4E/0CzvT99htwElOkbBziPVlHqpaDVDiG02gCLcB/s640/GOPR2738.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitebait!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0Od8_igWY0/WPMUy5cvCUI/AAAAAAAAD4I/7XcXFyeFlek7tIub6OJDFkLOxTaBiNYXQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a0Od8_igWY0/WPMUy5cvCUI/AAAAAAAAD4I/7XcXFyeFlek7tIub6OJDFkLOxTaBiNYXQCLcB/s640/GOPR2743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziX2auCiR9g/WPMVEzvmnJI/AAAAAAAAD4M/9bR2-DI8qhM1L2lWUBIuzGZkdoXOuev2wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ziX2auCiR9g/WPMVEzvmnJI/AAAAAAAAD4M/9bR2-DI8qhM1L2lWUBIuzGZkdoXOuev2wCLcB/s640/GOPR2757.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uGFgg0vKMT4/WPMVWhH8klI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/gz1ls-UqNeUNplXAcGFkpHA1Q_vfXcOHQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uGFgg0vKMT4/WPMVWhH8klI/AAAAAAAAD4Q/gz1ls-UqNeUNplXAcGFkpHA1Q_vfXcOHQCLcB/s640/GOPR2769.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rubber trees, Indonesia produces a large amount of rubber</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFtaBOzOkXw/WPMV0c09_BI/AAAAAAAAD4U/5iwGdl-ddOEuPip79jHkxJW58G2hR4e9wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AFtaBOzOkXw/WPMV0c09_BI/AAAAAAAAD4U/5iwGdl-ddOEuPip79jHkxJW58G2hR4e9wCLcB/s640/GOPR2774.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_poLgF9Rlo/WPMWgl4VfOI/AAAAAAAAD4c/CVbY55-LIAIA-52A_VCMHTeMO9kv6Ue9ACLcB/s1600/GOPR2782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_poLgF9Rlo/WPMWgl4VfOI/AAAAAAAAD4c/CVbY55-LIAIA-52A_VCMHTeMO9kv6Ue9ACLcB/s640/GOPR2782.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun trails to access coffee plantations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KItXTkeDg1M/WPMXGZgaAfI/AAAAAAAAD4k/PPjK_NLnIZ8fIyARUEzJPr1PJftQCFgVwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KItXTkeDg1M/WPMXGZgaAfI/AAAAAAAAD4k/PPjK_NLnIZ8fIyARUEzJPr1PJftQCFgVwCLcB/s640/GOPR2781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq3n2qCRD9s/WPMYZc7AgnI/AAAAAAAAD4w/Og1l55pkaDEhqsvOe-TcGMgq5Al0CRAUACLcB/s1600/GOPR2812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq3n2qCRD9s/WPMYZc7AgnI/AAAAAAAAD4w/Og1l55pkaDEhqsvOe-TcGMgq5Al0CRAUACLcB/s640/GOPR2812.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7X_CjXjyvE/WPMYu0Q4wgI/AAAAAAAAD40/aPvUycjsPywBX-2oRoVPk_lFikiMaLR5wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K7X_CjXjyvE/WPMYu0Q4wgI/AAAAAAAAD40/aPvUycjsPywBX-2oRoVPk_lFikiMaLR5wCLcB/s640/GOPR2832.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grri9OFjtWU/WPMZDh7AMGI/AAAAAAAAD44/T57UmB01jTUqj7qzLVU8TJBIIEDYK4B_wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-grri9OFjtWU/WPMZDh7AMGI/AAAAAAAAD44/T57UmB01jTUqj7qzLVU8TJBIIEDYK4B_wCLcB/s640/GOPR2880.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was lucky enough to witness this green turtle laying eggs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InJPpGEEpAE/WPSMc4M6YCI/AAAAAAAAD68/XueY0kGqdHcn8zyw09G4nYlRaGWNyxT6ACLcB/s1600/GOPR2855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-InJPpGEEpAE/WPSMc4M6YCI/AAAAAAAAD68/XueY0kGqdHcn8zyw09G4nYlRaGWNyxT6ACLcB/s640/GOPR2855.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The eggs are safely held here until they hatch and are released to the ocean</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQCr2j8lSS4/WPMZWDuvGtI/AAAAAAAAD48/UDjPbgTQJTglwcegt8qcGaJZtGounxoIgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQCr2j8lSS4/WPMZWDuvGtI/AAAAAAAAD48/UDjPbgTQJTglwcegt8qcGaJZtGounxoIgCLcB/s640/GOPR2904.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Impressive loads on these log haulers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UptTdkWZ2Vs/WPMZv8z_qoI/AAAAAAAAD5A/J2CBS2s1xwUapjPasaP17ezpDx_yI36agCLcB/s1600/GOPR2919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UptTdkWZ2Vs/WPMZv8z_qoI/AAAAAAAAD5A/J2CBS2s1xwUapjPasaP17ezpDx_yI36agCLcB/s640/GOPR2919.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9EX9BwFF_s/WPMZ_nqNXwI/AAAAAAAAD5E/3KDzbds-6eMu1fp-4JwXwcSJlbxVUN4MgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K9EX9BwFF_s/WPMZ_nqNXwI/AAAAAAAAD5E/3KDzbds-6eMu1fp-4JwXwcSJlbxVUN4MgCLcB/s640/GOPR2939.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Sand Sea on volcano Bromo, Java</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nu4pz_ffGE/WPMaNDdTd4I/AAAAAAAAD5I/e-Rzt0mtipccE6piWKKRaL0ibQ-pSPQ7ACEw/s1600/GOPR2941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Nu4pz_ffGE/WPMaNDdTd4I/AAAAAAAAD5I/e-Rzt0mtipccE6piWKKRaL0ibQ-pSPQ7ACEw/s640/GOPR2941.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVqfHJ7GUes/WPSE1dBDfoI/AAAAAAAAD5c/-kRGkrhKYok4a3o2bCI_GfG5rT3zHd9qgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rVqfHJ7GUes/WPSE1dBDfoI/AAAAAAAAD5c/-kRGkrhKYok4a3o2bCI_GfG5rT3zHd9qgCLcB/s640/GOPR3016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bkz4Xhots08/WPSFJ4D-hDI/AAAAAAAAD5g/CWZowOr3iBo8OjVYBcBeHCWBgb8d2GyugCLcB/s1600/GOPR3040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bkz4Xhots08/WPSFJ4D-hDI/AAAAAAAAD5g/CWZowOr3iBo8OjVYBcBeHCWBgb8d2GyugCLcB/s640/GOPR3040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had a crack at leaving the mountain on this single track, turned out to be access tracks to vege farms, had to back track out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcz17VkCAZw/WPSFbJwkpGI/AAAAAAAAD5k/PH8bypHXPGAIZjKpjePQlCO4NGtoecxDgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcz17VkCAZw/WPSFbJwkpGI/AAAAAAAAD5k/PH8bypHXPGAIZjKpjePQlCO4NGtoecxDgCLcB/s640/GOPR3041.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turning the fully loaded bike on narrow tracks on step hillsides was not so simple!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrCU1E-3CGI/WPSF0TdMcJI/AAAAAAAAD5o/fqkDM3zO3lMZ12JpccAuCeaok2UOGFd_gCLcB/s1600/GOPR3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrCU1E-3CGI/WPSF0TdMcJI/AAAAAAAAD5o/fqkDM3zO3lMZ12JpccAuCeaok2UOGFd_gCLcB/s640/GOPR3046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMHutYEaNIw/WPSGFLD-WVI/AAAAAAAAD5s/nq-pI1GjHz8Mxug0O9-Gs5e8-NYzCQjmACLcB/s1600/GOPR3051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AMHutYEaNIw/WPSGFLD-WVI/AAAAAAAAD5s/nq-pI1GjHz8Mxug0O9-Gs5e8-NYzCQjmACLcB/s640/GOPR3051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great riding...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJB9RmOb7Ic/WPSGWHFMkTI/AAAAAAAAD5w/kbn_3f-0u10SGkRNMdIMLsOlNrhnD6hCwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJB9RmOb7Ic/WPSGWHFMkTI/AAAAAAAAD5w/kbn_3f-0u10SGkRNMdIMLsOlNrhnD6hCwCLcB/s640/GOPR2999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk3CREfRWro/WPSGrAt_eNI/AAAAAAAAD50/XjonEMVYQ9g3jsAI_5HPpgo1Vhgg_dIRACLcB/s1600/GOPR3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk3CREfRWro/WPSGrAt_eNI/AAAAAAAAD50/XjonEMVYQ9g3jsAI_5HPpgo1Vhgg_dIRACLcB/s640/GOPR3064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing through the island of Lombok</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnpyfqxOguY/WPSHQHarKhI/AAAAAAAAD58/KaF5sx87ClgwY1YSy80uosZfQyvXmnjFACLcB/s1600/GOPR3069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnpyfqxOguY/WPSHQHarKhI/AAAAAAAAD58/KaF5sx87ClgwY1YSy80uosZfQyvXmnjFACLcB/s640/GOPR3069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
@<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XdewI9kCNA/WPSHjXzY-TI/AAAAAAAAD6A/YgwgQpu5u3IfyRv83Z2FYorwz0vE0CZKwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5XdewI9kCNA/WPSHjXzY-TI/AAAAAAAAD6A/YgwgQpu5u3IfyRv83Z2FYorwz0vE0CZKwCLcB/s640/GOPR3080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 day boat trip out to the Komodo Islands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtMaj15F9JA/WPSH5KRKHjI/AAAAAAAAD6E/Zay3dBZgaP4jWuN_TJBoBw9vVO8rroN3ACLcB/s1600/GOPR3082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NtMaj15F9JA/WPSH5KRKHjI/AAAAAAAAD6E/Zay3dBZgaP4jWuN_TJBoBw9vVO8rroN3ACLcB/s640/GOPR3082.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHBiaVpaP4A/WPSIVXNen6I/AAAAAAAAD6I/VYrOB-2LN8cUpK7LnTY7c65mRYURAxorwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fHBiaVpaP4A/WPSIVXNen6I/AAAAAAAAD6I/VYrOB-2LN8cUpK7LnTY7c65mRYURAxorwCLcB/s640/GOPR3112.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEoUveWfzQ8/WPSI3Wp3YAI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/XGnHgJuqzP8ad5y_-zBBkoydgwBALD_jACLcB/s1600/GOPR3115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KEoUveWfzQ8/WPSI3Wp3YAI/AAAAAAAAD6Q/XGnHgJuqzP8ad5y_-zBBkoydgwBALD_jACLcB/s640/GOPR3115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aFDyuyBRwM/WPSJjtKKk1I/AAAAAAAAD6Y/MjdKWE1Xg_gqFVb-BOZgc0ZnBQMAIPMDACLcB/s1600/GOPR3121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7aFDyuyBRwM/WPSJjtKKk1I/AAAAAAAAD6Y/MjdKWE1Xg_gqFVb-BOZgc0ZnBQMAIPMDACLcB/s640/GOPR3121.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shame about all the rubbish in Indonesia....it's a massive problem here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGHGurbC-YY/WPSJ3mQZQaI/AAAAAAAAD6c/XTDpQkxC9LkzyIIfQyRYHd0Wx7x2CRqBgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGHGurbC-YY/WPSJ3mQZQaI/AAAAAAAAD6c/XTDpQkxC9LkzyIIfQyRYHd0Wx7x2CRqBgCLcB/s640/GOPR3116.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzypjkCy5Vs/WPSKHgyQt4I/AAAAAAAAD6g/OS-z0_Vrj0weY-AKaMdkQY-Z4iMDCzAaACLcB/s1600/GOPR3122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bzypjkCy5Vs/WPSKHgyQt4I/AAAAAAAAD6g/OS-z0_Vrj0weY-AKaMdkQY-Z4iMDCzAaACLcB/s640/GOPR3122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdxqzBJQ2Vk/WPSKZ9fP6vI/AAAAAAAAD6k/pkpgQRNtCRcIAmWol1lq2PYmJ3d9oNO_ACLcB/s1600/GOPR3143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdxqzBJQ2Vk/WPSKZ9fP6vI/AAAAAAAAD6k/pkpgQRNtCRcIAmWol1lq2PYmJ3d9oNO_ACLcB/s640/GOPR3143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FavOEXjA78/WPSKznRpH7I/AAAAAAAAD6o/_fmRizX-L40oeSzhy15u6uB5WfiLdfDgwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7FavOEXjA78/WPSKznRpH7I/AAAAAAAAD6o/_fmRizX-L40oeSzhy15u6uB5WfiLdfDgwCLcB/s640/GOPR3169.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iqefKE3B09Y/WPSLGC86XhI/AAAAAAAAD6s/-r8FJ68es6wDQm1njIqLlwVXxkPCPI58gCLcB/s1600/GOPR3178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iqefKE3B09Y/WPSLGC86XhI/AAAAAAAAD6s/-r8FJ68es6wDQm1njIqLlwVXxkPCPI58gCLcB/s640/GOPR3178.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mObSZhXPcU0/WPSLkWsZ2zI/AAAAAAAAD6w/AlDL1-JVqCAFh9bNNcFOYX4oql5uCSouwCLcB/s1600/photo%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mObSZhXPcU0/WPSLkWsZ2zI/AAAAAAAAD6w/AlDL1-JVqCAFh9bNNcFOYX4oql5uCSouwCLcB/s640/photo%2B2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A big Komodo Dragon, their saliva is so nasty if they mange to give you a nip you will probably be dead in a few days!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HX5J0jjerzU/WPSLzuN3vKI/AAAAAAAAD60/lrRPRwQ_4Q8A3P4hQjHwZp5O0ldAlaL9QCLcB/s1600/photo%2B1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HX5J0jjerzU/WPSLzuN3vKI/AAAAAAAAD60/lrRPRwQ_4Q8A3P4hQjHwZp5O0ldAlaL9QCLcB/s640/photo%2B1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Cwgvq3FXU/WSuwlsfo_YI/AAAAAAAAD7U/gwQDX8piwHcLAoCilszcUPDJ0_wTSlB8ACLcB/s1600/GOPR3261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s3Cwgvq3FXU/WSuwlsfo_YI/AAAAAAAAD7U/gwQDX8piwHcLAoCilszcUPDJ0_wTSlB8ACLcB/s640/GOPR3261.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Island of Flores was my favorite in Indonesia, very little traffic and great riding!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8OyaLFg2YY/WSuxFDkMeJI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/yfKxyBVPgcgqGO4AbgdUBIr_ERsZ-riQwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1600" height="326" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q8OyaLFg2YY/WSuxFDkMeJI/AAAAAAAAD7Y/yfKxyBVPgcgqGO4AbgdUBIr_ERsZ-riQwCLcB/s640/GOPR3266.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kowRPcP6nI/WSuxknc8bjI/AAAAAAAAD7g/e9_21QiWeG4_dwikRlHS7GKFH4SaDi3KgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8kowRPcP6nI/WSuxknc8bjI/AAAAAAAAD7g/e9_21QiWeG4_dwikRlHS7GKFH4SaDi3KgCLcB/s640/GOPR3284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6UZOOVHxQ74/WSux2EmTYxI/AAAAAAAAD7k/pAzBg1-1vfkDBREv76WMYI8be3LCmKAtQCLcB/s1600/GOPR3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="796" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6UZOOVHxQ74/WSux2EmTYxI/AAAAAAAAD7k/pAzBg1-1vfkDBREv76WMYI8be3LCmKAtQCLcB/s640/GOPR3293.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfrTsRAFz7Y/WSuyE4xyHRI/AAAAAAAAD7o/MnYyuz4PW04q6QpHmU87FFaCiHYI4jb5wCLcB/s1600/GOPR3323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="672" data-original-width="1600" height="268" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfrTsRAFz7Y/WSuyE4xyHRI/AAAAAAAAD7o/MnYyuz4PW04q6QpHmU87FFaCiHYI4jb5wCLcB/s640/GOPR3323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJdquaZuWvQ/WSuyrhkU7YI/AAAAAAAAD7w/iBWIW_KD9zcSSlOZvpBpbfU_0R7MNbV3ACLcB/s1600/GOPR3337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mJdquaZuWvQ/WSuyrhkU7YI/AAAAAAAAD7w/iBWIW_KD9zcSSlOZvpBpbfU_0R7MNbV3ACLcB/s640/GOPR3337.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCrBFDOAfmI/WSuzzFWZewI/AAAAAAAAD78/3R2ea_sTfb0wGIflKB281QLTWxPrQB6sgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCrBFDOAfmI/WSuzzFWZewI/AAAAAAAAD78/3R2ea_sTfb0wGIflKB281QLTWxPrQB6sgCLcB/s640/GOPR3349.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO8fQv9yEr0/WSu0JO6ZG-I/AAAAAAAAD8A/iAAJViUEDDwwL9C-M-fHGrtEY09lm0WcwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO8fQv9yEr0/WSu0JO6ZG-I/AAAAAAAAD8A/iAAJViUEDDwwL9C-M-fHGrtEY09lm0WcwCLcB/s640/GOPR3361.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This village was a bit out of the way, entailed a difficult stretch of single track to get there, the village people didn't really know what to think of me turning up on my bike, the kids scattered like wild deer, but by the time I left the whole village was out having a look!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBA3h4tA3rA/WSu0pq9QT2I/AAAAAAAAD8I/aW4uTk-Bi3051MQkdur9b_5cQlXqq-IBwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OBA3h4tA3rA/WSu0pq9QT2I/AAAAAAAAD8I/aW4uTk-Bi3051MQkdur9b_5cQlXqq-IBwCLcB/s640/GOPR3387.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling at Koca beach for a couple of days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jp5A1GUGpQ4/WSu07d4fIoI/AAAAAAAAD8M/qt_0EBo_kwkQipTPdHDW7G9FGKIdHyfSgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jp5A1GUGpQ4/WSu07d4fIoI/AAAAAAAAD8M/qt_0EBo_kwkQipTPdHDW7G9FGKIdHyfSgCLcB/s640/GOPR3399.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPT1VKGFz-k/WSu1QS2rzZI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/F5GmoJzRSUcKUcIlHb7XV8UWjTf68eP7wCLcB/s1600/GOPR3409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPT1VKGFz-k/WSu1QS2rzZI/AAAAAAAAD8Q/F5GmoJzRSUcKUcIlHb7XV8UWjTf68eP7wCLcB/s640/GOPR3409.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h36_Tb6QrWk/WSu1tZKaHxI/AAAAAAAAD8U/veXrud79gLsdRebroSn7vI-MrftHRugxACLcB/s1600/GOPR3426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h36_Tb6QrWk/WSu1tZKaHxI/AAAAAAAAD8U/veXrud79gLsdRebroSn7vI-MrftHRugxACLcB/s640/GOPR3426.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYSRr9FxCk0/WSu2CfM2sPI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/P8lY7flPMHMu5j9p8E6HHCzXNuh-BoebQCLcB/s1600/GOPR3434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYSRr9FxCk0/WSu2CfM2sPI/AAAAAAAAD8Y/P8lY7flPMHMu5j9p8E6HHCzXNuh-BoebQCLcB/s640/GOPR3434.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a road through here at some point!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGLzep0rDsk/WSu2neZT1MI/AAAAAAAAD8g/JooacFV92f40aSTfynr9lN7KXdudCWXYACLcB/s1600/GOPR3483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cGLzep0rDsk/WSu2neZT1MI/AAAAAAAAD8g/JooacFV92f40aSTfynr9lN7KXdudCWXYACLcB/s640/GOPR3483.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSmI0O3zPTg/WSu3BvETbyI/AAAAAAAAD8k/kvq7mq5q1-AWiF8oY5ewfyLYicf1D-rFgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSmI0O3zPTg/WSu3BvETbyI/AAAAAAAAD8k/kvq7mq5q1-AWiF8oY5ewfyLYicf1D-rFgCLcB/s640/GOPR3465.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick scramble up volcano Egon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luTXEmydy6E/WSu5uQY4x0I/AAAAAAAAD8w/wYaNqNNfa7AG42TJMXJOz8NkobxvTPctwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-luTXEmydy6E/WSu5uQY4x0I/AAAAAAAAD8w/wYaNqNNfa7AG42TJMXJOz8NkobxvTPctwCLcB/s640/GOPR3504.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The round the world Ct riders, Tom, Matt, and Liam. Dili, Timor is a bit of a trap and meeting point for fellow overlanders as it is the jumping point between Asia and Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UIghZRFMG2Q/WSu59L0jPMI/AAAAAAAAD80/62vF3bW3GqwWr4FreL9FJ8kquajZRDmPwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1600" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UIghZRFMG2Q/WSu59L0jPMI/AAAAAAAAD80/62vF3bW3GqwWr4FreL9FJ8kquajZRDmPwCLcB/s640/GOPR3507.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Massive job of cleaning the bikes to please the Australian Border Force. Spent a whole week cleaning the bike and gear</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WX8dC859jwQ/WSu6IXZUe_I/AAAAAAAAD84/mxowAUFHIvYvMrbq-PTtFtd0WsejSVpnACLcB/s1600/GOPR3511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WX8dC859jwQ/WSu6IXZUe_I/AAAAAAAAD84/mxowAUFHIvYvMrbq-PTtFtd0WsejSVpnACLcB/s640/GOPR3511.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVrOWWMc55M/WSu6UvUkadI/AAAAAAAAD88/fs1iacOhZ5g9UzwiMpdBNAZlB-_Y8clOgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVrOWWMc55M/WSu6UvUkadI/AAAAAAAAD88/fs1iacOhZ5g9UzwiMpdBNAZlB-_Y8clOgCLcB/s640/GOPR3512.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8Lb29GhbkE/WSu6xOWOuDI/AAAAAAAAD9A/CM9fJXQJ7FIqg0LYToghJXnfZ7Mbl8EiwCLcB/s1600/GOPR3521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s8Lb29GhbkE/WSu6xOWOuDI/AAAAAAAAD9A/CM9fJXQJ7FIqg0LYToghJXnfZ7Mbl8EiwCLcB/s640/GOPR3521.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A day off cleaning and a little outing in Dili</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3VhK1aqe50/WSu7BN6A6pI/AAAAAAAAD9E/qPeKk4v-OAc5VYAgsOq3dYViHY9-2pRAACLcB/s1600/GOPR3528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1301" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3VhK1aqe50/WSu7BN6A6pI/AAAAAAAAD9E/qPeKk4v-OAc5VYAgsOq3dYViHY9-2pRAACLcB/s640/GOPR3528.JPG" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFK12paBXRg/WSu7Nz7KEAI/AAAAAAAAD9I/GZY49rscXdwpk35s08HrGTtbhNudIrXUgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFK12paBXRg/WSu7Nz7KEAI/AAAAAAAAD9I/GZY49rscXdwpk35s08HrGTtbhNudIrXUgCLcB/s640/GOPR3529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-dMStJS72E/WSu7hQA0ZqI/AAAAAAAAD9M/FyM7ACdSL0kjFryZRUOurBnI2DfEq1N8gCLcB/s1600/GOPR3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="940" data-original-width="1600" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-dMStJS72E/WSu7hQA0ZqI/AAAAAAAAD9M/FyM7ACdSL0kjFryZRUOurBnI2DfEq1N8gCLcB/s640/GOPR3532.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8qYagNMVVw/WSu73qZWSrI/AAAAAAAAD9U/p0CRB1pRC9gtgZElTrNk-5swdFWdta5vACLcB/s1600/ford%2Bpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i8qYagNMVVw/WSu73qZWSrI/AAAAAAAAD9U/p0CRB1pRC9gtgZElTrNk-5swdFWdta5vACLcB/s640/ford%2Bpic.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antonio and the crew and Ford in Dili were a fantastic help allowing us to freely use their workshop and cleaning bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Om8g-XoO9d4/WSu7sWnwonI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/bfh_F8FeUoYpRcXRkswh_VABV06Ew_mKwCEw/s1600/GOPR3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Om8g-XoO9d4/WSu7sWnwonI/AAAAAAAAD9Q/bfh_F8FeUoYpRcXRkswh_VABV06Ew_mKwCEw/s640/GOPR3534.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading bikes in the container, at this point we had just found out that we had a 3 week delay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HvZCuOyMlMo/WS-lqcFkskI/AAAAAAAAD-s/0Oe1pkS_vuYHSMtpWFouXAicmQ2MMQSJwCLcB/s1600/hu%2Bindo2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="654" data-original-width="960" height="436" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HvZCuOyMlMo/WS-lqcFkskI/AAAAAAAAD-s/0Oe1pkS_vuYHSMtpWFouXAicmQ2MMQSJwCLcB/s640/hu%2Bindo2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an awesome time at the Horizons Unlimited travellers meeting on the Island of Sumbawa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0qULpxhc8M/WS-l5ZtVt_I/AAAAAAAAD-w/VvrYHctoLvsG9L2ElwZwqQU76yIkfgSUgCLcB/s1600/hu%2Bindo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m0qULpxhc8M/WS-l5ZtVt_I/AAAAAAAAD-w/VvrYHctoLvsG9L2ElwZwqQU76yIkfgSUgCLcB/s640/hu%2Bindo3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And how cool to meet up with these guys again!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8be9an46ZtE/WS-jzmTIJGI/AAAAAAAAD-g/az_Z_Po8a78Ip6TmgnWdYhp6IzogboamgCLcB/s1600/hu%2Bindo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="635" data-original-width="960" height="422" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8be9an46ZtE/WS-jzmTIJGI/AAAAAAAAD-g/az_Z_Po8a78Ip6TmgnWdYhp6IzogboamgCLcB/s640/hu%2Bindo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some biker legends from the left is Jeffrey Polnaja, event organizer and 420 000km round the world rider, and all round great guy, next is Ted Simon, the man himself no explanation needed, and then a bunch of other legends in the making!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvWknscfUfs/WS-ezxuuBLI/AAAAAAAAD9o/nE-paCd6qdwJB56vEw7377cwO4KXRjaqQCLcB/s1600/GOPR3560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1516" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvWknscfUfs/WS-ezxuuBLI/AAAAAAAAD9o/nE-paCd6qdwJB56vEw7377cwO4KXRjaqQCLcB/s640/GOPR3560.JPG" width="606" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2_lm-cCbuQ/WS-f0aTXeqI/AAAAAAAAD90/8FVxFvAo__IzLdobE-lbRg4HnmdNTaLGACLcB/s1600/GOPR3586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X2_lm-cCbuQ/WS-f0aTXeqI/AAAAAAAAD90/8FVxFvAo__IzLdobE-lbRg4HnmdNTaLGACLcB/s640/GOPR3586.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the poor Dr locked up in the shipping container I rented a scooter to explore parts of Lombok</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoK6MUZgtdE/WS-glwaM--I/AAAAAAAAD98/4OlEYz7hA7oAp7gB-7xJs2-2GgfDsGnjgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoK6MUZgtdE/WS-glwaM--I/AAAAAAAAD98/4OlEYz7hA7oAp7gB-7xJs2-2GgfDsGnjgCLcB/s640/GOPR3592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W9wFW1BH8s/WS-g4b7swoI/AAAAAAAAD-A/L8l5NiMNB3s_dPymlE3TsMfEuDk5LAeyQCLcB/s1600/GOPR3612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5W9wFW1BH8s/WS-g4b7swoI/AAAAAAAAD-A/L8l5NiMNB3s_dPymlE3TsMfEuDk5LAeyQCLcB/s640/GOPR3612.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and found some time climb mount Rinjani</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecYx2ysvkpk/WS-hQgQPV_I/AAAAAAAAD-E/ykKtpXs1Kyskl5tSfPc0owp1qhDb1ZL7wCLcB/s1600/GOPR3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ecYx2ysvkpk/WS-hQgQPV_I/AAAAAAAAD-E/ykKtpXs1Kyskl5tSfPc0owp1qhDb1ZL7wCLcB/s640/GOPR3630.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaMngVv6_YM/WS-hmgxnxkI/AAAAAAAAD-I/iW_bYOeIKXEL0KTVgIHKm3MjYBb9VTMXQCLcB/s1600/GOPR3633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XaMngVv6_YM/WS-hmgxnxkI/AAAAAAAAD-I/iW_bYOeIKXEL0KTVgIHKm3MjYBb9VTMXQCLcB/s640/GOPR3633.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weather was a bit rough, but a good camp fire went a long way to help things out</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50Fc7LHrNaQ/WS-h69EC7FI/AAAAAAAAD-M/mH3Au0a7qMg68w9FTe359-qrg4T5KqSSACLcB/s1600/GOPR3648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1400" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50Fc7LHrNaQ/WS-h69EC7FI/AAAAAAAAD-M/mH3Au0a7qMg68w9FTe359-qrg4T5KqSSACLcB/s640/GOPR3648.JPG" width="558" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's sad to see so much rubbish about, these kids wanted me to pay them as guides, I didn't need a guide so employed them to help me clean up a whole bunch of rubbish from the track. There's so much crap about it's all a bit overwhelming, but together we actually had a good time and made a small difference, just hope the attitude here begins to change.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdZkNew79NM/WS-ifIgit3I/AAAAAAAAD-U/rG07D-tFxowspAbR6oWjJG1WlGHrbuqpgCLcB/s1600/GOPR3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QdZkNew79NM/WS-ifIgit3I/AAAAAAAAD-U/rG07D-tFxowspAbR6oWjJG1WlGHrbuqpgCLcB/s400/GOPR3651.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some one just got a down trowl much to someones amusment!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-87006200939596182342017-03-15T08:26:00.000-07:002017-03-15T08:26:15.595-07:00Thailand, not just nice beaches<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_C9Dz7M_xM/WMOIjs-_kAI/AAAAAAAAD1c/MF0dA33NLlU9QdIFLINq60IrxkyJ-nZ5gCLcB/s1600/GOPR2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_C9Dz7M_xM/WMOIjs-_kAI/AAAAAAAAD1c/MF0dA33NLlU9QdIFLINq60IrxkyJ-nZ5gCLcB/s640/GOPR2544.JPG" width="640" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
I have to say it was with some relief that we got ourselves stamped into Thailand. With all the changes happening last year it was hard to know how it would work out, at times it looked like Thailand was going to be out of the question with new laws to do with foreign vehicles.<br />
<br />
As it turned out our applications for temporary import of foreign vehicles was submitted just one week before the change to compulsory guiding which is now the only way in, very expensive and not really the way independent overlanders like to travel. With Myanmar already doing this it's now a major hurdle on the way through S E Asia.<br />
<br />
Our Temp imports gave us 1 month which I thought would be sufficient, as it turned out there was a heap of great riding (on and off road) to be done in the far North up around Pai and of course some fairly unique and interesting beaches in the south meaning that we over stayed 1 day and got fined as a result, but hey it was worth it.<br />
<br />
On entering Malaysia we decided not to get the Carnet Stamped, its optional at the land borders so why complicate things when you don't need to right? Well later I was to find out that when shipping out of Malaysia, not just shipping in you HAVE to have the carnet stamped. so this is not a great situation, There's lots of money riding on the carnet, everything has to be done right to retrieve the bond on the completion of the trip...a missing entry stamp could be a big problem. <br />
<br />
I try to confirm that the document needs to stamped, I think about heading back to the border to see if I can get an entry stamp, and i contact the AA in NZ to see for sure what the consequences of no entry stamp mean. Turns out that no exit stamp could be a big problem but no entry should be ok as i have proof the bike has left. So with that advice i have a missing entry stamp, will have to wait and see what happens there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35R1J59C3HA/WMNvxMjxNzI/AAAAAAAADyQ/_FKdOTz5k0sTcPcdhPIhSFmRqcwqdJFPwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-35R1J59C3HA/WMNvxMjxNzI/AAAAAAAADyQ/_FKdOTz5k0sTcPcdhPIhSFmRqcwqdJFPwCLcB/s640/GOPR2163.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roads in Thailand are great for bikes, often narrow concrete slabs and often just straight up and down the hill....very steep and a lot of fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TCiyNDWbBQ/WMNw0hyKAvI/AAAAAAAADyc/YkPqJd9gXp8N0XQLM8YJzW2xxlOw-lglgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9TCiyNDWbBQ/WMNw0hyKAvI/AAAAAAAADyc/YkPqJd9gXp8N0XQLM8YJzW2xxlOw-lglgCLcB/s640/GOPR2161.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First night camping for a while, nice spot but to Nora's horror some nasty ants had a feeding frenzy on the floor of her tent and pretty much destroyed it!! Mine escaped with just half a dozen or so holes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-6uxMdzaTw/WMNxQXEQerI/AAAAAAAADyg/dlabIAp1_aAG26M9ItzW9YTaNTzb0LmqACLcB/s1600/GOPR2171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J-6uxMdzaTw/WMNxQXEQerI/AAAAAAAADyg/dlabIAp1_aAG26M9ItzW9YTaNTzb0LmqACLcB/s640/GOPR2171.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading for Pai in the distance and after alot of pavement riding we found some terrific dirt roads that had us smiling.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wH6_b6Y27so/WMNzcBfEa3I/AAAAAAAADy4/dIQ7BNbVNqMIDu0op9tIutsyO5DbhY3OACLcB/s1600/GOPR2180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wH6_b6Y27so/WMNzcBfEa3I/AAAAAAAADy4/dIQ7BNbVNqMIDu0op9tIutsyO5DbhY3OACLcB/s640/GOPR2180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to get to a road just a couple of k's over there somewhere!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTSpLRRat5s/WMNybiPvZzI/AAAAAAAADyw/KfWnDQHGu-s6-2H3g5r8kIUY2qgGq-DKQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTSpLRRat5s/WMNybiPvZzI/AAAAAAAADyw/KfWnDQHGu-s6-2H3g5r8kIUY2qgGq-DKQCLcB/s640/GOPR2181.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure if the big bike riders were too impressed with me for bringing them into here!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HywRAi5zswM/WMN0nZFWFoI/AAAAAAAADzI/C0u6aduyWAcpllsKV2HsQpLpM0O1bm7OACLcB/s1600/GOPR2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HywRAi5zswM/WMN0nZFWFoI/AAAAAAAADzI/C0u6aduyWAcpllsKV2HsQpLpM0O1bm7OACLcB/s640/GOPR2192.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of concrete on the steeper sections of road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZovXIPLFn4/WMN3JxKf5jI/AAAAAAAADzU/s6o-L6i9d_wHB96a9ECiOmLaBb_5I3azACEw/s1600/GOPR2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DZovXIPLFn4/WMN3JxKf5jI/AAAAAAAADzU/s6o-L6i9d_wHB96a9ECiOmLaBb_5I3azACEw/s640/GOPR2234.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was fun to check out this old Huey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9vTVwezjpA/WMN4TTMgCiI/AAAAAAAADzg/O20vs-DAUnYMggiviuSBuN9lWWMP3su1wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9vTVwezjpA/WMN4TTMgCiI/AAAAAAAADzg/O20vs-DAUnYMggiviuSBuN9lWWMP3su1wCLcB/s640/GOPR2246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ReqBTr66gtc/WMN5neR7pNI/AAAAAAAADzw/3ZVewiwVUF0BcqQfCsfddQWAebPGT6QMQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ReqBTr66gtc/WMN5neR7pNI/AAAAAAAADzw/3ZVewiwVUF0BcqQfCsfddQWAebPGT6QMQCLcB/s640/GOPR2239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7g4RWDvv1Y/WMN7KKvcZOI/AAAAAAAADz8/WE4VE5BXabYG_cG_w6o0AehJBqzOp5L2ACLcB/s1600/GOPR2249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K7g4RWDvv1Y/WMN7KKvcZOI/AAAAAAAADz8/WE4VE5BXabYG_cG_w6o0AehJBqzOp5L2ACLcB/s640/GOPR2249.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some nice obstacles out on a day ride from Pai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_tOW3L_ZEE/WMPtaZLrtgI/AAAAAAAAD2w/5oKvWquLca42HNpTTBgZp3FAFF1Dg8aQQCLcB/s1600/G0232402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v_tOW3L_ZEE/WMPtaZLrtgI/AAAAAAAAD2w/5oKvWquLca42HNpTTBgZp3FAFF1Dg8aQQCLcB/s640/G0232402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWI91-tyN88/WMN9xfb58kI/AAAAAAAAD0I/7EVqYezWXIQRO9Z8zkljmg9cPJR5DawEQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWI91-tyN88/WMN9xfb58kI/AAAAAAAAD0I/7EVqYezWXIQRO9Z8zkljmg9cPJR5DawEQCLcB/s640/GOPR2447.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Johannes having some fun on the little Honda CRF 250 rental bike. There is some fantastic off road tracks here in the north of Thailand, the loamy soil being perfect for tearing around on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdeaHP4WAI4/WMN-r19HsYI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/HuxqC5c1cGcNJE3XJRXXQBS06U0dBqQfACLcB/s1600/GOPR2456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdeaHP4WAI4/WMN-r19HsYI/AAAAAAAAD0Q/HuxqC5c1cGcNJE3XJRXXQBS06U0dBqQfACLcB/s640/GOPR2456.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lod Cave, not far from Pai</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBJWTpuaevM/WMOAt2yyNsI/AAAAAAAAD0c/n3l8e93OzDAYDn0iMHOj36EzDoiISP0vACLcB/s1600/GOPR2476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rBJWTpuaevM/WMOAt2yyNsI/AAAAAAAAD0c/n3l8e93OzDAYDn0iMHOj36EzDoiISP0vACLcB/s640/GOPR2476.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found this awesome little spot in the hills to spend the night. It was on the edge of a corn plantation, I met the owner who was sorting some irrigation and although there was some difficulty communicating he was super friendly and let me sleep in his little shack up high on the hillside. Nice!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5srtflTHz8Q/WMOBrNII00I/AAAAAAAAD0k/mdH-uORZQHc9b8wls80sE0rKwb1QSId9QCLcB/s1600/GOPR2475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5srtflTHz8Q/WMOBrNII00I/AAAAAAAAD0k/mdH-uORZQHc9b8wls80sE0rKwb1QSId9QCLcB/s640/GOPR2475.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELgOZ68FTGY/WMODNjCfKzI/AAAAAAAAD00/sLTPfswe2poBFtsj-1pFhThDfzqn2JZzgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ELgOZ68FTGY/WMODNjCfKzI/AAAAAAAAD00/sLTPfswe2poBFtsj-1pFhThDfzqn2JZzgCLcB/s640/GOPR2489.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and then later that day went from the country hills to Bangkok!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85-u0RgLSn0/WMOFGEG_86I/AAAAAAAAD1E/aAsuuhsk7rYHeD0RPBcJxvyjplOUsU1OwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-85-u0RgLSn0/WMOFGEG_86I/AAAAAAAAD1E/aAsuuhsk7rYHeD0RPBcJxvyjplOUsU1OwCLcB/s640/GOPR2486.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12p5fkyC0xo/WMOIEUFH3TI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/AV4rDIPKxIQ5eBTp7DknvvBKjRAd29tfwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-12p5fkyC0xo/WMOIEUFH3TI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/AV4rDIPKxIQ5eBTp7DknvvBKjRAd29tfwCLcB/s640/GOPR2492.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Krabi I'd arranged to have a parcel from NZ sent with a few Diabetic supplies and some parts to rebuild the forks and replace a worn shock bearing </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_C9Dz7M_xM/WMOIjs-_kAI/AAAAAAAAD1c/MF0dA33NLlU9QdIFLINq60IrxkyJ-nZ5gCLcB/s1600/GOPR2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w_C9Dz7M_xM/WMOIjs-_kAI/AAAAAAAAD1c/MF0dA33NLlU9QdIFLINq60IrxkyJ-nZ5gCLcB/s640/GOPR2544.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beaches and limestone islands around Krabi are spectacular</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LYTY-fT2IZ4/WMOJGTY2X2I/AAAAAAAAD1k/rqzbplvgVt8TwdqVUtfQgiX1JnUX0cM4QCLcB/s1600/GOPR2549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LYTY-fT2IZ4/WMOJGTY2X2I/AAAAAAAAD1k/rqzbplvgVt8TwdqVUtfQgiX1JnUX0cM4QCLcB/s640/GOPR2549.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but also a very popular tourist location</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGjgxj902FE/WMPpySJim8I/AAAAAAAAD2A/ZrGkMJ6MjcMok-JivqH0qHPtBdiSDUCHwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGjgxj902FE/WMPpySJim8I/AAAAAAAAD2A/ZrGkMJ6MjcMok-JivqH0qHPtBdiSDUCHwCLcB/s640/GOPR2560.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Penang, Malaysia. Time to say goodbye to Johannes and Nora, we'd ridden all the way from Kathmandu together and it was once again great to have some company. I was heading directly from Penang to Indonesia, Nora was to spend more time in Malaysia before heading over to Indonesia and Johannes was heading back to Thailand for a month. Thank you guys, I had a great time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span id="goog_83774126"></span><span id="goog_83774127"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MeWalYkMw_k/WMPqny-6CeI/AAAAAAAAD2I/PG_EB9Ty7wYxJ1WZfGnp2QeuW54zluiJgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MeWalYkMw_k/WMPqny-6CeI/AAAAAAAAD2I/PG_EB9Ty7wYxJ1WZfGnp2QeuW54zluiJgCLcB/s640/GOPR2562.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading over to the mainland on the ferry with Mr Lim to drop the bike off at the port</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ_3DkNXUDU/WMPrL4gPwcI/AAAAAAAAD2M/HmyeuejxhS8SgApO6KS2lVstZocgJ6S2wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mZ_3DkNXUDU/WMPrL4gPwcI/AAAAAAAAD2M/HmyeuejxhS8SgApO6KS2lVstZocgJ6S2wCLcB/s640/GOPR2570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the "onion boat", one of just a few known ways of getting a motorcycle from Malaysia to Indonesia. It brought over 100 tons on veges, it is completely wooden hull!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr-XqMoKFvE/WMPreijUUcI/AAAAAAAAD2U/1zmIQWudZRIp85dbMGz1HvRisbRlg1FbQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr-XqMoKFvE/WMPreijUUcI/AAAAAAAAD2U/1zmIQWudZRIp85dbMGz1HvRisbRlg1FbQCLcB/s640/GOPR2572.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wikDTuRKp48/WMPr55aEUXI/AAAAAAAAD2c/HpFJo0gtPs0LUfKdYjG4XiWAPVjFeJBmACLcB/s1600/GOPR2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wikDTuRKp48/WMPr55aEUXI/AAAAAAAAD2c/HpFJo0gtPs0LUfKdYjG4XiWAPVjFeJBmACLcB/s640/GOPR2576.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZ40Z28nnyQ/WMPsYGsybrI/AAAAAAAAD2k/IK55rx6-C88e-5AZ93r7trGVE8PrGu3fQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WZ40Z28nnyQ/WMPsYGsybrI/AAAAAAAAD2k/IK55rx6-C88e-5AZ93r7trGVE8PrGu3fQCLcB/s640/GOPR2583.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Lim was really awesome with the shipping, thanks Mr Lim!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-69682352499176422402017-02-01T02:54:00.001-08:002017-02-01T02:54:25.466-08:00Good as Gold, South East to Myanmar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After completing more visa applications ( Thailand and India) back in Kathmandu I headed for the tourist town of Pokhara near the popular Annapurna sanctuary for a bit of R and R. It's a pretty lakeside town and less hectic than Kathmandu and a good place to put your feet up for a bit and enjoy some good food and accommodation for very little expense.<br />
<br />
It's also a good starting point for a ride up into the Mustang area bordering Tibet. Unfortunately you need an expensive 500 us dollar permit to get right up high near the border but there is still lots of unbelievable riding before this and here I managed to find some great tracks up high in the Himalaya mountains.<br />
<br />
One last visa (thank god) for Myanmar to collect in Kathmandu and then it was time to hit the road south east through Nepal and Eastern India to make the Myanmar border in time for the compulsory tour that is necessary to enter with a foreign vehicle. To keep costs as low as possible for this I teamed up in Kathmandu with fellow riders Johannes on a KTM 950 from Austria and Nora on a Suzuki 650 V Strom from the Netherlands. After an enjoyable 3 months in Nepal it was time to get some serious k's done.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5qulenxSXQ/WI2AAlXhbgI/AAAAAAAADrM/v7LNHQ0M8GUuXXnU3T1xp6jJE1rpDVobACLcB/s1600/GOPR1716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5qulenxSXQ/WI2AAlXhbgI/AAAAAAAADrM/v7LNHQ0M8GUuXXnU3T1xp6jJE1rpDVobACLcB/s640/GOPR1716.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic riding up high in the Mustang area </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xgAki6gqs0Q/WI19X1msFjI/AAAAAAAADqo/ecLi9oapRcY-LuyRyDfZaYqXSe2z7gMzACLcB/s1600/GOPR1651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xgAki6gqs0Q/WI19X1msFjI/AAAAAAAADqo/ecLi9oapRcY-LuyRyDfZaYqXSe2z7gMzACLcB/s640/GOPR1651.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hearts and tears moto tours in Pokhara were super helpful and basically gave me there workshop to carry out some maintenance, new rear wheel bearings and clean air filter, and got to check out some more very cool Enfields!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxoN2EbUkLU/WI199FlgkKI/AAAAAAAADqw/k0Yey22ouoYzdtIYns4ZInz6uwvrF927wCLcB/s1600/GOPR1659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hxoN2EbUkLU/WI199FlgkKI/AAAAAAAADqw/k0Yey22ouoYzdtIYns4ZInz6uwvrF927wCLcB/s640/GOPR1659.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying heading into the Mustang with Rohith from India on his Royal Enfield Bullet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRgVL-LNbSU/WI1-PBujYWI/AAAAAAAADq0/aOqTJoaRUi08c9qGTBbfXUm_tmH4tZQ5ACLcB/s1600/GOPR1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IRgVL-LNbSU/WI1-PBujYWI/AAAAAAAADq0/aOqTJoaRUi08c9qGTBbfXUm_tmH4tZQ5ACLcB/s400/GOPR1661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ivi__oWnY6w/WI1_DxaHXjI/AAAAAAAADq8/S2EQyd2erE4yOliAI7QcVLBMes9dENrXgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ivi__oWnY6w/WI1_DxaHXjI/AAAAAAAADq8/S2EQyd2erE4yOliAI7QcVLBMes9dENrXgCLcB/s640/GOPR1676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tyCZHOjx0I/WI2BWdrv0TI/AAAAAAAADrc/XKxqiUk89LUIv_Xs5JszxpCpLRJXFS7CwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7tyCZHOjx0I/WI2BWdrv0TI/AAAAAAAADrc/XKxqiUk89LUIv_Xs5JszxpCpLRJXFS7CwCLcB/s640/GOPR1720.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Been a while since I found riding as good as this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDHbxRUSZP8/WI1_pGRmDJI/AAAAAAAADrE/GgqByOCDn9kMz3mKcYj5y3Gl_sGlRboRACLcB/s1600/GOPR1712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nDHbxRUSZP8/WI1_pGRmDJI/AAAAAAAADrE/GgqByOCDn9kMz3mKcYj5y3Gl_sGlRboRACLcB/s640/GOPR1712.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It came to and end sooner than I'd hoped though, after spending a heap of time carefully negotiating a section of solid ice similar to this just back around the corner this one had too much grade and would have been impossible to get back up...the ride ended here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwTfMExU87w/WI2B4rq3ZSI/AAAAAAAADrk/UWaQiIbleysdHQSD53FycE17gCdRBPSRgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TwTfMExU87w/WI2B4rq3ZSI/AAAAAAAADrk/UWaQiIbleysdHQSD53FycE17gCdRBPSRgCLcB/s640/GOPR1727.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base for a couple of nights...the town of Kagbenny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgVzzO0XYs/WI2CsEby-vI/AAAAAAAADrs/zYcBcrUO4PwnqY0FDOtNgJ_dx7htrx3LwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SJgVzzO0XYs/WI2CsEby-vI/AAAAAAAADrs/zYcBcrUO4PwnqY0FDOtNgJ_dx7htrx3LwCLcB/s640/GOPR1743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I meet Brigitte form Switzerland blasting about on a 250 Enduro, we had a great time together on the roads back out to Pokhara </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xyokYfzN-Y/WI2DYmZ2HfI/AAAAAAAADr0/PRW9nIHY5EswbqVOUAI5zKhRqDVZ_JcKACLcB/s1600/GOPR1747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--xyokYfzN-Y/WI2DYmZ2HfI/AAAAAAAADr0/PRW9nIHY5EswbqVOUAI5zKhRqDVZ_JcKACLcB/s640/GOPR1747.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVSI10Whklw/WI2D9XqLUSI/AAAAAAAADr8/cbILmDAQdv4V_4zsGZ-63OyFRK4jbZgmACLcB/s1600/GOPR1766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hVSI10Whklw/WI2D9XqLUSI/AAAAAAAADr8/cbILmDAQdv4V_4zsGZ-63OyFRK4jbZgmACLcB/s640/GOPR1766.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mG8mJRDZyU/WI2E1WS2a4I/AAAAAAAADsE/jH70a6m7yjA3MX1rigze2Psa394LJqG7gCLcB/s1600/GOPR1783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mG8mJRDZyU/WI2E1WS2a4I/AAAAAAAADsE/jH70a6m7yjA3MX1rigze2Psa394LJqG7gCLcB/s640/GOPR1783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5Z356UBBQc/WI2FXTn9D-I/AAAAAAAADsI/09dbYkMN-k0oOe4FXDf-w9jiPhDDsv8BACLcB/s1600/GOPR1799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5Z356UBBQc/WI2FXTn9D-I/AAAAAAAADsI/09dbYkMN-k0oOe4FXDf-w9jiPhDDsv8BACLcB/s640/GOPR1799.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out of Kathmandu with Johannes and Nora</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6FEhBuNg0E/WI2e-MQ83AI/AAAAAAAADxg/bAf6Ys-zFNUoFOs_ibCI2nTfxSCyvyBVQCLcB/s1600/IMG_0097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d6FEhBuNg0E/WI2e-MQ83AI/AAAAAAAADxg/bAf6Ys-zFNUoFOs_ibCI2nTfxSCyvyBVQCLcB/s640/IMG_0097.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calling in at Smoking Joe's Kathmadu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx-qTAruAAY/WI2F8_EY_VI/AAAAAAAADsQ/TqwPGtxlgcIzYySk7G6Uti5cF0O91TwKgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx-qTAruAAY/WI2F8_EY_VI/AAAAAAAADsQ/TqwPGtxlgcIzYySk7G6Uti5cF0O91TwKgCLcB/s400/GOPR1803.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QYVuMFa2a0/WI2GcinXaVI/AAAAAAAADsY/amM2h-yUqNw6JnVjvzFnjmQGoQdlHWMzACLcB/s1600/GOPR1819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7QYVuMFa2a0/WI2GcinXaVI/AAAAAAAADsY/amM2h-yUqNw6JnVjvzFnjmQGoQdlHWMzACLcB/s640/GOPR1819.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far North East India </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56rcsp_2Qg0/WI2G0N7Xo8I/AAAAAAAADsg/NyHNDHSahpAr87bYgT6SbqPy_tAtbZPYwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-56rcsp_2Qg0/WI2G0N7Xo8I/AAAAAAAADsg/NyHNDHSahpAr87bYgT6SbqPy_tAtbZPYwCLcB/s640/GOPR1823.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3lqSglP6ku8/WI2HVMPNlsI/AAAAAAAADso/dq3JrH3WCx473MYsDjuDfty1n3qLXFimACLcB/s1600/GOPR1831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3lqSglP6ku8/WI2HVMPNlsI/AAAAAAAADso/dq3JrH3WCx473MYsDjuDfty1n3qLXFimACLcB/s640/GOPR1831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remote village where things are done the old Traditional way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwnf2UtEggI/WI2HnXZEpDI/AAAAAAAADsw/0AnYM2-bjLAXcr29VTGypytUyNKoRHlWACLcB/s1600/GOPR1839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zwnf2UtEggI/WI2HnXZEpDI/AAAAAAAADsw/0AnYM2-bjLAXcr29VTGypytUyNKoRHlWACLcB/s640/GOPR1839.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaqCk-WTgPs/WI2H5WBIEXI/AAAAAAAADs4/SzClurXAV6UyROmQFAx76NPUcmWd-Lr0gCLcB/s1600/GOPR1841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eaqCk-WTgPs/WI2H5WBIEXI/AAAAAAAADs4/SzClurXAV6UyROmQFAx76NPUcmWd-Lr0gCLcB/s640/GOPR1841.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nk9PjF_d6k/WI2ajscLZVI/AAAAAAAADxI/EWbatVNp29UAiM5bojJ-BrO5Syjv7UiSACLcB/s1600/IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nk9PjF_d6k/WI2ajscLZVI/AAAAAAAADxI/EWbatVNp29UAiM5bojJ-BrO5Syjv7UiSACLcB/s640/IMG_0111.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entertaining the local school kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4sRr53K1YM/WI2INwM0ZyI/AAAAAAAADtA/IdyyOFFHbqIaAqlJ32hppBmCt8r8b1YPACLcB/s1600/GOPR1848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4sRr53K1YM/WI2INwM0ZyI/AAAAAAAADtA/IdyyOFFHbqIaAqlJ32hppBmCt8r8b1YPACLcB/s640/GOPR1848.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-08iuA9ICDfk/WI2Ibh29NvI/AAAAAAAADtI/v30eKNYFnKEnp0JdWH8BYtR04Yf_WZWlACLcB/s1600/GOPR1851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-08iuA9ICDfk/WI2Ibh29NvI/AAAAAAAADtI/v30eKNYFnKEnp0JdWH8BYtR04Yf_WZWlACLcB/s640/GOPR1851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YAT7DB_vbUI/WI2JC2_iQhI/AAAAAAAADtU/qbAwDt4iwJIbfaDrkubjMO8b9Dh_bElxwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YAT7DB_vbUI/WI2JC2_iQhI/AAAAAAAADtU/qbAwDt4iwJIbfaDrkubjMO8b9Dh_bElxwCLcB/s640/GOPR1853.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M C hosted us for the night at his biker club house, great hospitality</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ge1bFQJOppc/WI2Iq7BjvzI/AAAAAAAADtM/4kYH-obyDuwp_93YPWbHLByX0jBCarRzACLcB/s1600/GOPR1858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ge1bFQJOppc/WI2Iq7BjvzI/AAAAAAAADtM/4kYH-obyDuwp_93YPWbHLByX0jBCarRzACLcB/s640/GOPR1858.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not in too much of a hurry to clean up the roads here in India</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Obkayl8dnM/WI2J8ZS-WsI/AAAAAAAADts/dEQkPWvr9z0yvwM0q1KeXhy8VXdmLAVHQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Obkayl8dnM/WI2J8ZS-WsI/AAAAAAAADts/dEQkPWvr9z0yvwM0q1KeXhy8VXdmLAVHQCLcB/s640/GOPR1861.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJbiWRj7-qw/WI2JVTjXAiI/AAAAAAAADtc/w4o_kuEWGF0HjKSbdR5cxk8ARiVHGhS2wCLcB/s1600/GOPR1865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJbiWRj7-qw/WI2JVTjXAiI/AAAAAAAADtc/w4o_kuEWGF0HjKSbdR5cxk8ARiVHGhS2wCLcB/s640/GOPR1865.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found a good place to change my engine oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbVV7kq_l-Q/WI2JqgTMW0I/AAAAAAAADtk/OKZ1NZ0qbucTF_J7ASR52f7KwlJi-093wCLcB/s1600/GOPR1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hbVV7kq_l-Q/WI2JqgTMW0I/AAAAAAAADtk/OKZ1NZ0qbucTF_J7ASR52f7KwlJi-093wCLcB/s640/GOPR1875.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doesn't take too much to form a crowd in India!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8q1AVRni6IE/WI2KURGgtzI/AAAAAAAADt0/5pO-SOAriKMk5EdPkx2zwaSquGoXqUvIACLcB/s1600/GOPR1880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8q1AVRni6IE/WI2KURGgtzI/AAAAAAAADt0/5pO-SOAriKMk5EdPkx2zwaSquGoXqUvIACLcB/s640/GOPR1880.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RLxRZfqqVw/WI2KkFW-VHI/AAAAAAAADt8/dz8eTS_TTuU3KtZ3Fk0CaNULjqkd37_CwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5RLxRZfqqVw/WI2KkFW-VHI/AAAAAAAADt8/dz8eTS_TTuU3KtZ3Fk0CaNULjqkd37_CwCLcB/s640/GOPR1891.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very common to see major overhauls going on on the side of the ride here </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szdM-ohuwLI/WI2KxnPGe0I/AAAAAAAADuA/BE_3-1qLs04VQ1J_7SYsPYAEE3ACS-TcQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szdM-ohuwLI/WI2KxnPGe0I/AAAAAAAADuA/BE_3-1qLs04VQ1J_7SYsPYAEE3ACS-TcQCLcB/s640/GOPR1897.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dN4PaJlXLI4/WI2K_wGR96I/AAAAAAAADuI/KzDy2RH-BowRBJ4j92yNjwC7-BGVzcA1wCLcB/s1600/GOPR1900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dN4PaJlXLI4/WI2K_wGR96I/AAAAAAAADuI/KzDy2RH-BowRBJ4j92yNjwC7-BGVzcA1wCLcB/s640/GOPR1900.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slightly unusual traffic in Myanmar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4W2VwKzL-M/WI2LbRvkU2I/AAAAAAAADuQ/x2YK-RYIb40hacyEBor78ofgus4zkOJQgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j4W2VwKzL-M/WI2LbRvkU2I/AAAAAAAADuQ/x2YK-RYIb40hacyEBor78ofgus4zkOJQgCLcB/s640/GOPR1905.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrXu-LJD404/WI2Lwpj_rTI/AAAAAAAADuY/GfuYAtfKZ1gcfYD-WFnRX9Nfl8esmzY1wCLcB/s1600/GOPR1927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DrXu-LJD404/WI2Lwpj_rTI/AAAAAAAADuY/GfuYAtfKZ1gcfYD-WFnRX9Nfl8esmzY1wCLcB/s640/GOPR1927.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce8RvE6dDYA/WI2M0mumiGI/AAAAAAAADuo/E5PTvbs-f2UMMid5wVI5dM7pZ4vN8o_2ACLcB/s1600/GOPR1943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ce8RvE6dDYA/WI2M0mumiGI/AAAAAAAADuo/E5PTvbs-f2UMMid5wVI5dM7pZ4vN8o_2ACLcB/s640/GOPR1943.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAxgKNg3p3o/WI2NF8NUDpI/AAAAAAAADus/UiyJO8OdXDUVrj_Ntu5WtvTzAgjYPXSaACLcB/s1600/GOPR1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CAxgKNg3p3o/WI2NF8NUDpI/AAAAAAAADus/UiyJO8OdXDUVrj_Ntu5WtvTzAgjYPXSaACLcB/s640/GOPR1948.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNfWHzyQ6dU/WI2Nnmb1XyI/AAAAAAAADu0/nYudW4WQ010ImBUV3qJAxZcGhCZYod_pACLcB/s1600/GOPR1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNfWHzyQ6dU/WI2Nnmb1XyI/AAAAAAAADu0/nYudW4WQ010ImBUV3qJAxZcGhCZYod_pACLcB/s640/GOPR1953.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vdt4EhHHQ8/WI2OdC7h3YI/AAAAAAAADvA/fkxnwf8jyY8Om5fgslYXtIGPJjbP0z1OgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Vdt4EhHHQ8/WI2OdC7h3YI/AAAAAAAADvA/fkxnwf8jyY8Om5fgslYXtIGPJjbP0z1OgCLcB/s640/GOPR1963.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tallest standing Buda in the world!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C2QsmnsELs/WI2O1UiRh2I/AAAAAAAADvE/9kT9IwnNYwwtxUg_udxfN2vxdOW3kGaTwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7C2QsmnsELs/WI2O1UiRh2I/AAAAAAAADvE/9kT9IwnNYwwtxUg_udxfN2vxdOW3kGaTwCLcB/s640/GOPR1973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balloons at Bagan at sunrise, there's over 2200 temples here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KyR2lnlE5hE/WI2PZKvQ7yI/AAAAAAAADvM/8qgFLg8NiG0bKYTLl4jSTembfxkwXa7CQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KyR2lnlE5hE/WI2PZKvQ7yI/AAAAAAAADvM/8qgFLg8NiG0bKYTLl4jSTembfxkwXa7CQCLcB/s640/GOPR1992.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and lots of Buda's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bm0lMSX0HZY/WI2QjrPeYNI/AAAAAAAADvc/dVFVtcK8V2ck0oIvknF7ppAfaJv0XOeiQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bm0lMSX0HZY/WI2QjrPeYNI/AAAAAAAADvc/dVFVtcK8V2ck0oIvknF7ppAfaJv0XOeiQCLcB/s640/GOPR2019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCNs3QiYUms/WI2RvsO9sVI/AAAAAAAADvo/tjPJZIc0e_QvrcQqi3ie2PEz2pXti_CdwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NCNs3QiYUms/WI2RvsO9sVI/AAAAAAAADvo/tjPJZIc0e_QvrcQqi3ie2PEz2pXti_CdwCLcB/s640/GOPR2045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat trip on Inle lake was a highlight</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7dshHYAKpt8/WI2SAFSytnI/AAAAAAAADvs/lMh08y2f7LQkEVyv_neSz1SOgsm1h0u7ACLcB/s1600/GOPR2062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7dshHYAKpt8/WI2SAFSytnI/AAAAAAAADvs/lMh08y2f7LQkEVyv_neSz1SOgsm1h0u7ACLcB/s640/GOPR2062.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgqOAnvzU54/WI2ST5umVNI/AAAAAAAADvw/ZkgIK5XpWxovVDV9xkyCvPHBzJ5_43zrwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgqOAnvzU54/WI2ST5umVNI/AAAAAAAADvw/ZkgIK5XpWxovVDV9xkyCvPHBzJ5_43zrwCLcB/s640/GOPR2093.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">swamp excavators!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfts1BsopkQ/WI2UrwwZl4I/AAAAAAAADwg/V4iM96HgH0g1EoSY_pPeD5x0Qq_3K5qiwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfts1BsopkQ/WI2UrwwZl4I/AAAAAAAADwg/V4iM96HgH0g1EoSY_pPeD5x0Qq_3K5qiwCLcB/s640/GOPR2070.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAECyrpOFz4/WI2Sl7OapYI/AAAAAAAADv4/fpj-o5ILgisoLyRROOtYFimGyDMyU9n6wCLcB/s1600/GOPR2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAECyrpOFz4/WI2Sl7OapYI/AAAAAAAADv4/fpj-o5ILgisoLyRROOtYFimGyDMyU9n6wCLcB/s640/GOPR2086.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nora checks out the long neck people for size </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dc1EMSnW5fA/WI2TI-7NgCI/AAAAAAAADwA/zw6-4eByGkYxnjNuTQ1O6K9V19OV59QGACLcB/s1600/GOPR2055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dc1EMSnW5fA/WI2TI-7NgCI/AAAAAAAADwA/zw6-4eByGkYxnjNuTQ1O6K9V19OV59QGACLcB/s640/GOPR2055.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New luggage carrying system</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COtM7iXzJ2M/WI2eptRkoFI/AAAAAAAADxY/OPzVxbSoNrUH5Rj6xMoiuYMuGg7JnS_ewCLcB/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-COtM7iXzJ2M/WI2eptRkoFI/AAAAAAAADxY/OPzVxbSoNrUH5Rj6xMoiuYMuGg7JnS_ewCLcB/s640/IMG_0164.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of old fashioned transport here in Myanmar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Obkayl8dnM/WI2J8ZS-WsI/AAAAAAAADts/dEQkPWvr9z0yvwM0q1KeXhy8VXdmLAVHQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKtKo6PfX_M/WI2TV3hQJBI/AAAAAAAADwI/ohXmVExY7h0xn0wwqs-IUAbw27t44M5gwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xKtKo6PfX_M/WI2TV3hQJBI/AAAAAAAADwI/ohXmVExY7h0xn0wwqs-IUAbw27t44M5gwCLcB/s640/GOPR2099.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sugar cane being processed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anOieBfBNdg/WI2TkS7UV3I/AAAAAAAADwM/DP4pp6qCfogncvumHUbs489NrgpRJG1WACLcB/s1600/GOPR2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-anOieBfBNdg/WI2TkS7UV3I/AAAAAAAADwM/DP4pp6qCfogncvumHUbs489NrgpRJG1WACLcB/s640/GOPR2100.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dqDOIvnSGk/WI2Tz0WJysI/AAAAAAAADwU/7-c4wyqTAbMLugJ7J3o3tJkHpI9IA4qAgCLcB/s1600/GOPR2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dqDOIvnSGk/WI2Tz0WJysI/AAAAAAAADwU/7-c4wyqTAbMLugJ7J3o3tJkHpI9IA4qAgCLcB/s640/GOPR2101.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vfts1BsopkQ/WI2UrwwZl4I/AAAAAAAADwg/V4iM96HgH0g1EoSY_pPeD5x0Qq_3K5qiwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEZsVqpjsXU/WI2eS268EiI/AAAAAAAADxU/dJa86ccPW5AT0S2kOqGqOICpb2hJM_f9gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cEZsVqpjsXU/WI2eS268EiI/AAAAAAAADxU/dJa86ccPW5AT0S2kOqGqOICpb2hJM_f9gCLcB/s640/IMG_0156.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They are a little obessed with gold in Myanmar, this temple has 9.5 ton of gold plating!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIGZ9IysNuk/WI2VNeyfAbI/AAAAAAAADwk/qVe7ikIbGNUuIrbqDhwzP-uIjU57fGq-gCLcB/s1600/GOPR2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zIGZ9IysNuk/WI2VNeyfAbI/AAAAAAAADwk/qVe7ikIbGNUuIrbqDhwzP-uIjU57fGq-gCLcB/s640/GOPR2110.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and this is the famous Golden Rock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8Be9alkRRY/WI2W1WusWbI/AAAAAAAADw8/mV4j-HH7xYINj-R2iIAsUUfpZ9P7wwPTwCLcB/s1600/GOPR2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8Be9alkRRY/WI2W1WusWbI/AAAAAAAADw8/mV4j-HH7xYINj-R2iIAsUUfpZ9P7wwPTwCLcB/s640/GOPR2148.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MyusVRChTZs/WI2VmXVgghI/AAAAAAAADws/Ph-j-x9h6KMJgsIBNjzdZrwyoaeANDrxQCLcB/s1600/GOPR2137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MyusVRChTZs/WI2VmXVgghI/AAAAAAAADws/Ph-j-x9h6KMJgsIBNjzdZrwyoaeANDrxQCLcB/s640/GOPR2137.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-31133222913935835652016-12-07T01:57:00.001-08:002016-12-07T01:57:58.514-08:00Everest Expedition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
After 5 months on the road I was due for a break and Kathmandu was a interesting place to hang out for a while. It just so happened to be the ideal time to be in Nepal and explore the Himalaya's, the weather being crisp and clear in the hills following the monsoon season. So the plan was to ditch the bike and go for a hike.<br />
<br />
The only downside to this was my travel buddies for the last 2 months would be continuing and leaving me behind. It was sad to see them off as we had had a terrific time together since we joined forces in Kyrgyzstan. The other not so good thing with this plan was that a later crossing of Thailand could be a risky proposition as the government are proposing to make changes to the policy regarding foreign vehicle entry which means a compulsory guide will be required, likely with a very high price tag and no freedom of movement. Not good news at all. But I knew I would regret not having a peak up close at the biggest mountains on earth, it had to be done.<br />
<br />
I had done no research or preparation for a hike in Nepal, I was unsure of where I should spend some time, until I just happened to bump into a work colleague from NZ on the busy streets of Kathmandu. Mark who had just finished a trek gave me some useful pointers and the decision was made to head for the Three Passes Route and Everest base camp, roughly a three week hike taking in the best of the Everest region.<br />
<br />
I had three options to get to the trail, most people fly into the mountain air strip at Lukla and go from there, It's a busy place with many hundreds of people coming in mainly in guided groups. A few hardy individuals hike an extra 5 days to get to Lukla after being dropped off at the trail head in Jiri by jeep. Mark had mention that they had seen jeeps part way into Lukla so with that info and with a motorbike at my disposal I took a rather unconventional approach to base camp and rode as far as possible on jeep trails.<br />
<br />
With the weather being perfect I was rewarded with incredible views of the big peaks<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1YtPeO85aU/WEefncATFqI/AAAAAAAADm0/Mf7MVqWxHig3vlb5OmZeHvgpa6mOk4iEgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W1YtPeO85aU/WEefncATFqI/AAAAAAAADm0/Mf7MVqWxHig3vlb5OmZeHvgpa6mOk4iEgCLcB/s640/GOPR1274.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day with the lads in our roof top "penthouse" room in Kathmandu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndkbNTUcQs8/WEefUrZtgOI/AAAAAAAADmw/MJhPgJZ6O4M7vW_J9YDoe0fESF8fK1iWgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ndkbNTUcQs8/WEefUrZtgOI/AAAAAAAADmw/MJhPgJZ6O4M7vW_J9YDoe0fESF8fK1iWgCLcB/s640/GOPR1268.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">there's lots of temples and stuff like that in Kathmandu....I found this bike wreckers more interesting!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWEMhq0zHds/WEegGLLsGyI/AAAAAAAADm4/YRo7ZxOlBe8MFVGEnvbD6D8vm7QS_58pACLcB/s1600/GOPR1272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWEMhq0zHds/WEegGLLsGyI/AAAAAAAADm4/YRo7ZxOlBe8MFVGEnvbD6D8vm7QS_58pACLcB/s640/GOPR1272.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDAMBVd-DXA/WEegkHpSpfI/AAAAAAAADm8/sn44ustxcQUdt_VVWhbcm_iFnWYjUrbFQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zDAMBVd-DXA/WEegkHpSpfI/AAAAAAAADm8/sn44ustxcQUdt_VVWhbcm_iFnWYjUrbFQCLcB/s640/GOPR1286.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monkey's watching us have lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PEBDFJdYQY/WEe12QSFxGI/AAAAAAAADo4/_LhOSd3yZ6EQlTPz_p4l4OP2thQlu7FZwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--PEBDFJdYQY/WEe12QSFxGI/AAAAAAAADo4/_LhOSd3yZ6EQlTPz_p4l4OP2thQlu7FZwCLcB/s640/GOPR1610.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About 2 days of riding from Kathmandu to the hiking trail, this is when I love the bike....got to see some beautiful places a bit off the beaten path that not many foreigners see</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja016hLFkwY/WEe2Stp30vI/AAAAAAAADo8/PMZi8blgfFUzUV70I4u0t5IpZDRiE9_ZwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja016hLFkwY/WEe2Stp30vI/AAAAAAAADo8/PMZi8blgfFUzUV70I4u0t5IpZDRiE9_ZwCLcB/s640/GOPR1608.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids love the bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82p62j9WbzI/WEe2rSXgrpI/AAAAAAAADpA/Cw_6P_P13pc2Kn7LvQR2lCHWPE4c7IiFACLcB/s1600/GOPR1614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82p62j9WbzI/WEe2rSXgrpI/AAAAAAAADpA/Cw_6P_P13pc2Kn7LvQR2lCHWPE4c7IiFACLcB/s640/GOPR1614.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I stayed here the night in a very small village with Grandma, and her extended family. They run a small goods store, the hospitality was incredible. The people give so much and they have very little.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sj5MTa8A-Uw/WEe3ZKuBdNI/AAAAAAAADpE/974Lx1ZVM4stQDHZqUc6CDvUzcKQGFo9ACLcB/s1600/GOPR1603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sj5MTa8A-Uw/WEe3ZKuBdNI/AAAAAAAADpE/974Lx1ZVM4stQDHZqUc6CDvUzcKQGFo9ACLcB/s640/GOPR1603.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puncture number 1 on the route to base camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX3PkeazbFo/WEe4OX4bdHI/AAAAAAAADpI/9FtnEOd_NPQrMDpDQDa0JQml8zFQ14WFgCLcB/s1600/GOPR1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PX3PkeazbFo/WEe4OX4bdHI/AAAAAAAADpI/9FtnEOd_NPQrMDpDQDa0JQml8zFQ14WFgCLcB/s640/GOPR1619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Puncture number 2 on the way to base camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUkmzlp3PME/WEe4u3TpkKI/AAAAAAAADpQ/1jtmfOUYThgFUik6N8Hz0Xd_ElPum4wRQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUkmzlp3PME/WEe4u3TpkKI/AAAAAAAADpQ/1jtmfOUYThgFUik6N8Hz0Xd_ElPum4wRQCLcB/s640/GOPR1626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the time of the second puncture and I was also told that the route was not possible....this time the GPS was right and it delivered a full day of very remote and interesting roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_NSbwyRan4/WEe5f3kKXCI/AAAAAAAADpY/Bz-pULsvyAwDNzqHxoEbrXrY7cZnn6YfACLcB/s1600/GOPR1589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m_NSbwyRan4/WEe5f3kKXCI/AAAAAAAADpY/Bz-pULsvyAwDNzqHxoEbrXrY7cZnn6YfACLcB/s640/GOPR1589.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the further in and things were getting rough, and......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYU6z21CaCU/WEeg_Q_q-5I/AAAAAAAADnA/1K72HQOKgJk8qs1RDC1Rgj6lKcYUhY7EwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vYU6z21CaCU/WEeg_Q_q-5I/AAAAAAAADnA/1K72HQOKgJk8qs1RDC1Rgj6lKcYUhY7EwCLcB/s640/GOPR1297.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eventually I found the point where only four legged transporters could continue</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPF15a3vMJA/WEe1Et5hH0I/AAAAAAAADo0/cIjJDuxiEEMgCqiEKN9p0LmLUKS18QuXQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPF15a3vMJA/WEe1Et5hH0I/AAAAAAAADo0/cIjJDuxiEEMgCqiEKN9p0LmLUKS18QuXQCLcB/s640/GOPR1575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Friendly owners at the Taksindu lodge who allowed me to store the bike on there property while out hiking, don't think they had seen to many foreign bikers in here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9eeNx_qrvtw/WEehYuN7XRI/AAAAAAAADnE/vIy0IEJHkrwEjHqh2KU0harzBgdWZo6sQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9eeNx_qrvtw/WEehYuN7XRI/AAAAAAAADnE/vIy0IEJHkrwEjHqh2KU0harzBgdWZo6sQCLcB/s640/GOPR1347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVQOragBLXU/WEeh5mREbDI/AAAAAAAADnI/3eP8SgimaUgb3DhAnA0jHubciTdDXY3AQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVQOragBLXU/WEeh5mREbDI/AAAAAAAADnI/3eP8SgimaUgb3DhAnA0jHubciTdDXY3AQCLcB/s640/GOPR1355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xp_27cgBa0/WEeiF8TAI5I/AAAAAAAADnM/v9Jtqu_rl5U6PFmJrXQdc3VQq3580WkLwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0xp_27cgBa0/WEeiF8TAI5I/AAAAAAAADnM/v9Jtqu_rl5U6PFmJrXQdc3VQq3580WkLwCLcB/s640/GOPR1338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part way in and a acclimatisation walk up to the Hillary memorials above Namche. Reaching heights of 5500 meters you have to go up slow or risk altitude sickness.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k32yCFFdp0/WEe0KoIuAaI/AAAAAAAADos/XpP6ngWz5mA9q3NEjoylYg16UgvhDGAEwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k32yCFFdp0/WEe0KoIuAaI/AAAAAAAADos/XpP6ngWz5mA9q3NEjoylYg16UgvhDGAEwCLcB/s640/GOPR1571.JPG" width="640" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKRpl6bsTPw/WEemVBnk86I/AAAAAAAADnY/kkU3K4lpbUsHHV_WiJ_3XMLEiIrAQJyywCLcB/s1600/GOPR1432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLrBCiL4t5Y/WEepDp_y2MI/AAAAAAAADno/uOzPhwDxCFYih8cVJbZqmDXexpyXSNBaQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GLrBCiL4t5Y/WEepDp_y2MI/AAAAAAAADno/uOzPhwDxCFYih8cVJbZqmDXexpyXSNBaQCLcB/s640/GOPR1419.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6G4ggtxZTzo/WEeuMtNWdvI/AAAAAAAADn8/R9O9XeVa8uE__PgkA1qGMfFnPfywDidngCLcB/s1600/GOPR1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6G4ggtxZTzo/WEeuMtNWdvI/AAAAAAAADn8/R9O9XeVa8uE__PgkA1qGMfFnPfywDidngCLcB/s640/GOPR1469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everest base camp is a very popular hike, Yaks are used to get products in to meet the consumer demands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVOcdyGXsuE/WEeureUJ5fI/AAAAAAAADoA/JQk7flWdZjstIEPyC7ue8wg95ASczzeWQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVOcdyGXsuE/WEeureUJ5fI/AAAAAAAADoA/JQk7flWdZjstIEPyC7ue8wg95ASczzeWQCLcB/s640/GOPR1484.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the Three Passes hike with Virgine from Belgium</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sq01WrcqSSg/WEevX9OTEkI/AAAAAAAADoM/CaV8i6x4ugElmj0nsQJr1H4bfjz4BTr_QCLcB/s1600/GOPR1499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sq01WrcqSSg/WEevX9OTEkI/AAAAAAAADoM/CaV8i6x4ugElmj0nsQJr1H4bfjz4BTr_QCLcB/s640/GOPR1499.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At one point we had to cross a glacier, no crampons and a slight incline made for slow going....socks over the boots added a surprising amount of traction to get us up and over the small rise!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASGtMw8SuJg/WEev7AyiOYI/AAAAAAAADoQ/P12yrMCMDSYxE36zzwaG6_XO5VzcsC66wCLcB/s1600/GOPR1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASGtMw8SuJg/WEev7AyiOYI/AAAAAAAADoQ/P12yrMCMDSYxE36zzwaG6_XO5VzcsC66wCLcB/s640/GOPR1507.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shit shed!!! with no wood dried Yak crap is burnt for heating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kONR-GoQPS4/WEewpzN3WWI/AAAAAAAADoY/W75kss_8iN0FoMSXyoQG2fytNju1yqnoACLcB/s1600/GOPR1511.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kONR-GoQPS4/WEewpzN3WWI/AAAAAAAADoY/W75kss_8iN0FoMSXyoQG2fytNju1yqnoACLcB/s640/GOPR1511.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There used to be a massive glacier here not too long ago! Now it looks a bit like a mine site!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leK8CC3NeLk/WEexX_4KX9I/AAAAAAAADoc/O-chq8ef884kb5MdIkaNGLKp3q21sxoZACLcB/s1600/GOPR1523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-leK8CC3NeLk/WEexX_4KX9I/AAAAAAAADoc/O-chq8ef884kb5MdIkaNGLKp3q21sxoZACLcB/s640/GOPR1523.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible weather every day and incredible views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLtlbcUDZmA/WEexycwWD7I/AAAAAAAADog/Ct4mHXlZQwMrS3jQSioZB8QcME-MkndCQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lLtlbcUDZmA/WEexycwWD7I/AAAAAAAADog/Ct4mHXlZQwMrS3jQSioZB8QcME-MkndCQCLcB/s640/GOPR1540.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was lucky to have the company of a couple of lovely ladies, Virgine and Silke</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urBT57i_XFA/WEe6ndQFbhI/AAAAAAAADpg/T1YqXWf-oVQpHpzz9Hgx6Ir_HK447NycACLcB/s1600/GOPR1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urBT57i_XFA/WEe6ndQFbhI/AAAAAAAADpg/T1YqXWf-oVQpHpzz9Hgx6Ir_HK447NycACLcB/s640/GOPR1561.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzTi-BvtJqI/WEeyJNtI9OI/AAAAAAAADok/LoaYy2bndGgOlEhg42smKyUlUvZF0_UBACLcB/s1600/GOPR1553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pzTi-BvtJqI/WEeyJNtI9OI/AAAAAAAADok/LoaYy2bndGgOlEhg42smKyUlUvZF0_UBACLcB/s640/GOPR1553.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very humble man, our host for a night Phurba Sherpa has summited Everest 10 times!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--k32yCFFdp0/WEe0KoIuAaI/AAAAAAAADos/XpP6ngWz5mA9q3NEjoylYg16UgvhDGAEwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKRpl6bsTPw/WEemVBnk86I/AAAAAAAADnY/kkU3K4lpbUsHHV_WiJ_3XMLEiIrAQJyywCLcB/s1600/GOPR1432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKRpl6bsTPw/WEemVBnk86I/AAAAAAAADnY/kkU3K4lpbUsHHV_WiJ_3XMLEiIrAQJyywCLcB/s640/GOPR1432.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The BIG one, Everest in the centre, Lhotse to the right</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPF15a3vMJA/WEe1Et5hH0I/AAAAAAAADo0/cIjJDuxiEEMgCqiEKN9p0LmLUKS18QuXQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-urBT57i_XFA/WEe6ndQFbhI/AAAAAAAADpg/T1YqXWf-oVQpHpzz9Hgx6Ir_HK447NycACLcB/s1600/GOPR1561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br /></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-1846619944109801362016-11-03T06:14:00.002-07:002016-11-03T06:26:35.858-07:00High roads on the Himilaya<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D-hMK5izg0/WBXjsT4w2NI/AAAAAAAADk8/ptGxS12gLjQHJU7x2htzYb_L5BJxI6a3QCEw/s1600/GOPR0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D-hMK5izg0/WBXjsT4w2NI/AAAAAAAADk8/ptGxS12gLjQHJU7x2htzYb_L5BJxI6a3QCEw/s640/GOPR0413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the bike back up and running after repairing the spark plug threads I was stoked to be heading for Tajikistan and the fabled Pamir Highway and Bartang valleys. These are the places that have been on the to do list ever since researching a trip through central Asia. To keep it short it did not disappoint, this area contained some of the best riding I've ever done.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
With the loop through Tajikistan complete it was time to head east in Kyrgyzstan to meet up with fellow riders Toon, Will, and Los whom I'd organized through horizons unlimited to meet and share the high cost of the compulsory tour through China. We had a 4 day tour that would basically just transit us through to Pakistan as cheaply as possible.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
China proved to be not that enjoyable for us, lots of time mucking about getting paper work and baggage checked and not much time riding. We had to contend with stupid rules such as not allowing motorbikes to enter gas stations to be refuelled, instead we had to transport the fuel to the bikes in large tea pots!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The reward was the Karakorum Highway in Pakistan which is simply surrounded by stunning mountains. However the road is now fairly well maintained and not as challenging as it once was. the mountains and people of Pakistan was a real enjoyable experience and it was a shame not to have had more time here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our first taste of congested city traffic came in Lahore and was a good warm up for the craziness of the Indian traffic. The Wagah crossing from Pakistan to India went without incident, although the changing of the guard ceremonies were cancelled due to the recent increase in fighting between the two countries in the Kashmir region.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In India we headed for Leh and the worlds highest motorable road, the traffic and windy roads making our progress predictions no where near close, the ride took 3 times as long as we had thought. But it was well and truly worth it...another incredible ride here.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPY4XZ8S1QU/WBXmMdJE-HI/AAAAAAAADlc/4ge9b-SevmIVs6NdgGt5Al-XwbrWTYG0wCLcB/s1600/GOPR0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dPY4XZ8S1QU/WBXmMdJE-HI/AAAAAAAADlc/4ge9b-SevmIVs6NdgGt5Al-XwbrWTYG0wCLcB/s640/GOPR0299.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Osh, Kyrgyzstan, I got some help to make a adapter to allow the standard M10 plug to Thread into the new M12 thread in the head. Used a cut down M12 plug to make the adapter, worked out pretty good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lR-BTN1uUJ8/WBXhowmT8_I/AAAAAAAADkQ/-9zjcUlh-YkGLZ5_Evv6VSzzEaQ_XikLgCEw/s1600/GOPR0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lR-BTN1uUJ8/WBXhowmT8_I/AAAAAAAADkQ/-9zjcUlh-YkGLZ5_Evv6VSzzEaQ_XikLgCEw/s400/GOPR0479.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The M10 plug with the M12 adapter </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5UZUPUQcqwE/WBXl2kQ_R-I/AAAAAAAADlU/1WlzZnkM860pGJp39FmMJGgfZfTdDdOZQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5UZUPUQcqwE/WBXl2kQ_R-I/AAAAAAAADlU/1WlzZnkM860pGJp39FmMJGgfZfTdDdOZQCLcB/s640/GOPR0311.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading for the Pamir Highway, acclimatization camp at 2800 meters</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zE3VuCZcGXo/WBXlnNdZNwI/AAAAAAAADlM/mP1xAcuNHPQ6k-ehuOfTMUE6nqlPlCgRwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zE3VuCZcGXo/WBXlnNdZNwI/AAAAAAAADlM/mP1xAcuNHPQ6k-ehuOfTMUE6nqlPlCgRwCLcB/s640/GOPR0315.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pamir mountains and Tajikistan in the distance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5_ZrxFxRxQ/WBXlOIi5ifI/AAAAAAAADlI/uVNGNq1Qfr4msVX9NN3m6wJFo9MpHosYwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u5_ZrxFxRxQ/WBXlOIi5ifI/AAAAAAAADlI/uVNGNq1Qfr4msVX9NN3m6wJFo9MpHosYwCLcB/s640/GOPR0327.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bumped into a couple of Kiwi bikers up on the Pamir, unfortunately some bike problems on the KLR </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRAJol-C9Mc/WBXk2DXsbzI/AAAAAAAADlA/KBwTKizPS_gQ7G3YpeT3U5OwK8nq9FOpACLcB/s1600/GOPR0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VRAJol-C9Mc/WBXk2DXsbzI/AAAAAAAADlA/KBwTKizPS_gQ7G3YpeT3U5OwK8nq9FOpACLcB/s640/GOPR0366.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading down the Wakan valley, over the river is Afghanistan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQebBICAq0M/WBXkftU_OjI/AAAAAAAADk4/tHMDpv-aXI4Y_Q7MpmC_wQiCH9hKDRIWgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="364" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rQebBICAq0M/WBXkftU_OjI/AAAAAAAADk4/tHMDpv-aXI4Y_Q7MpmC_wQiCH9hKDRIWgCLcB/s640/GOPR0399.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my favourite rides....the Bartang valley in Tajikistan. 270 km of remote roads, great stuff.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-607Ml6FLTfU/WBXkO99X9uI/AAAAAAAADk0/mOjgPKImOLwAhIlj5VRQMX2SBSJ6lawdACLcB/s1600/GOPR0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-607Ml6FLTfU/WBXkO99X9uI/AAAAAAAADk0/mOjgPKImOLwAhIlj5VRQMX2SBSJ6lawdACLcB/s640/GOPR0402.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bartang river is often over the road, I had an easy ride with the river being low</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pmAdC7k3gw/WBXkBOUNZZI/AAAAAAAADkw/SsvOtJFrw0AXlp76Xr5yx4VSHm014zIzgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--pmAdC7k3gw/WBXkBOUNZZI/AAAAAAAADkw/SsvOtJFrw0AXlp76Xr5yx4VSHm014zIzgCLcB/s640/GOPR0406.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">riding late into the evening, enjoying some beautiful sights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D-hMK5izg0/WBXjsT4w2NI/AAAAAAAADks/kOcKxZGy8VsVn-wGP7oERk4XgR-Wv6CaACLcB/s1600/GOPR0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9D-hMK5izg0/WBXjsT4w2NI/AAAAAAAADks/kOcKxZGy8VsVn-wGP7oERk4XgR-Wv6CaACLcB/s640/GOPR0413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XKcCciC5to/WBXjQEbTWAI/AAAAAAAADkg/R8PZQF7ZDGsKxU6OAaQLw4DuzMNxF6rRwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8XKcCciC5to/WBXjQEbTWAI/AAAAAAAADkg/R8PZQF7ZDGsKxU6OAaQLw4DuzMNxF6rRwCLcB/s640/GOPR0415.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spent the night here with some friendly locals, arrived in the dark and woke to some great views</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wyID-xKKOfo/WBXi40jD2hI/AAAAAAAADkY/RXQEKOZTm3YkPH28SDPFXl91C_l6N-mDQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wyID-xKKOfo/WBXi40jD2hI/AAAAAAAADkY/RXQEKOZTm3YkPH28SDPFXl91C_l6N-mDQCLcB/s640/GOPR0417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a public holiday and early in the morning the evenings feast was being prepared</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hIFxAu5GZCw/WBXifuycRWI/AAAAAAAADkU/YjU3HailDHYbKEOqRUFbbEtsV1rwj0ZuQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hIFxAu5GZCw/WBXifuycRWI/AAAAAAAADkU/YjU3HailDHYbKEOqRUFbbEtsV1rwj0ZuQCLcB/s640/GOPR0429.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing up out of the upper Bartang valley </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B6Y6A_BtfjI/WBXiEofsLkI/AAAAAAAADkM/YiRqtSIX28Qk2Q8G6PTHRyAlpH81byb3gCLcB/s1600/GOPR0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B6Y6A_BtfjI/WBXiEofsLkI/AAAAAAAADkM/YiRqtSIX28Qk2Q8G6PTHRyAlpH81byb3gCLcB/s640/GOPR0469.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fast riding back up at 4000 meters in the Pamir mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0WNuNAccVY/WATj6eKqVGI/AAAAAAAADfo/LaO4xeODFB4hVn9riN2FnwcN9xiI7ylVQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k0WNuNAccVY/WATj6eKqVGI/AAAAAAAADfo/LaO4xeODFB4hVn9riN2FnwcN9xiI7ylVQCLcB/s640/GOPR0496.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Kyrgyzstan I meet up with Toon, Los, and will for the trip through China</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILkSsnHjKTo/WBcfp0bq5pI/AAAAAAAADls/WXctLwaTvDYWzdp06wjQqbWQP43VRVVegCLcB/s1600/DSC_3232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILkSsnHjKTo/WBcfp0bq5pI/AAAAAAAADls/WXctLwaTvDYWzdp06wjQqbWQP43VRVVegCLcB/s640/DSC_3232.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The band of 650's heading for Torugart Pass and China</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUonS_Oytf0/WATkg2qY69I/AAAAAAAADfs/gVAj8b6UFQoKBvwY1QjT4eybxjiiO0dggCLcB/s1600/GOPR0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mUonS_Oytf0/WATkg2qY69I/AAAAAAAADfs/gVAj8b6UFQoKBvwY1QjT4eybxjiiO0dggCLcB/s640/GOPR0512.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road between Kashgar and the Pakistan border</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0thD5L3WDI/WATlJv1F6DI/AAAAAAAADfw/qRkmAeo5VC00wkSo5AEp9yZqT9-GtB9kACLcB/s1600/GOPR0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0thD5L3WDI/WATlJv1F6DI/AAAAAAAADfw/qRkmAeo5VC00wkSo5AEp9yZqT9-GtB9kACLcB/s640/GOPR0638.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Pakistan the trucks are like no others!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UgdmSPziTPw/WATlg2YzULI/AAAAAAAADf4/8PHJgGmtvGAzeyxohZ_qLgiL7zggFuNegCLcB/s1600/GOPR0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UgdmSPziTPw/WATlg2YzULI/AAAAAAAADf4/8PHJgGmtvGAzeyxohZ_qLgiL7zggFuNegCLcB/s640/GOPR0552.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving China and Entering Pakistan at Khunjerab Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOsB7_o-ml4/WBcgFJp6RaI/AAAAAAAADlw/6VXuPreMmx4feyutgvvW7yUclM3AqkYhACLcB/s1600/DSC_3356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mOsB7_o-ml4/WBcgFJp6RaI/AAAAAAAADlw/6VXuPreMmx4feyutgvvW7yUclM3AqkYhACLcB/s640/DSC_3356.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy to be out of China!!!! Toon from the Netherlands on the left and Will and Los to the right from the UK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-NExJ8uS6E/WATmCTpc9hI/AAAAAAAADf8/EuGsnR3l5OElMQHZq5FEsQ0gnxDQfXQVwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l-NExJ8uS6E/WATmCTpc9hI/AAAAAAAADf8/EuGsnR3l5OElMQHZq5FEsQ0gnxDQfXQVwCLcB/s640/GOPR0677.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Karakorum highway was a highlight, spectacular scenery. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSPzEgSIX4I/WBs6tLq1b_I/AAAAAAAADmE/ufu-zYN0AHoqdr6G_9biJdPYozO9UU22QCLcB/s1600/DSC_3431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BSPzEgSIX4I/WBs6tLq1b_I/AAAAAAAADmE/ufu-zYN0AHoqdr6G_9biJdPYozO9UU22QCLcB/s640/DSC_3431.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cruising on the Karakorum Highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mgcvRyv-yw/WATmUZfd_SI/AAAAAAAADgA/tAMlV5lpy_MQniu5gqDDvfTzEYhoFLboQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3mgcvRyv-yw/WATmUZfd_SI/AAAAAAAADgA/tAMlV5lpy_MQniu5gqDDvfTzEYhoFLboQCLcB/s640/GOPR0699.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vO562rqkb5U/WATmopNKgvI/AAAAAAAADgE/-c2lf5FYJEAF1Mh-ltWfCoJXZGWeNoxTQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vO562rqkb5U/WATmopNKgvI/AAAAAAAADgE/-c2lf5FYJEAF1Mh-ltWfCoJXZGWeNoxTQCLcB/s640/GOPR0745.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyT2W1tpBT4/WAToDVeiQ2I/AAAAAAAADgU/pte8RDmQoLkW8_wFYkfzCZs7zSkkfaxbACLcB/s1600/GOPR0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OyT2W1tpBT4/WAToDVeiQ2I/AAAAAAAADgU/pte8RDmQoLkW8_wFYkfzCZs7zSkkfaxbACLcB/s640/GOPR0781.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the coolest bridges I've ridden...the approach was through the tunnel seen in the back ground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CpqlRX_pQ4/WATogJNdDPI/AAAAAAAADgY/L5hYppnKoBsuLEIoTtLICI-VUOeOyn0DwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--CpqlRX_pQ4/WATogJNdDPI/AAAAAAAADgY/L5hYppnKoBsuLEIoTtLICI-VUOeOyn0DwCLcB/s640/GOPR0838.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry Meadows Road in Pakistan. It features on the "dangerous roads dot org" website and is well worthy of being ranked near the top.....in fact it's the most scarcest road I've ridden yet with massive vertical drops off the side of a narrow, steep and rough carriage way. Bloody awesome!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDD2o4gawvc/WA2GonT474I/AAAAAAAADgo/lVEUpyDOdB4k0-dCzRp4n4fllFp35BJXgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TDD2o4gawvc/WA2GonT474I/AAAAAAAADgo/lVEUpyDOdB4k0-dCzRp4n4fllFp35BJXgCLcB/s640/GOPR0914.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_MfPC6gsIkQ/WA2SK5FRM1I/AAAAAAAADg4/ycgT56l3joI0wKNtQ7qi3pUYWLDejAE6ACLcB/s1600/GOPR0926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_MfPC6gsIkQ/WA2SK5FRM1I/AAAAAAAADg4/ycgT56l3joI0wKNtQ7qi3pUYWLDejAE6ACLcB/s640/GOPR0926.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-qA3zVVmbg/WA2TBfOhZKI/AAAAAAAADg8/u-j1ZP9XfuM4XXKLFftIvz-LHVTy6a5kQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a-qA3zVVmbg/WA2TBfOhZKI/AAAAAAAADg8/u-j1ZP9XfuM4XXKLFftIvz-LHVTy6a5kQCLcB/s640/GOPR0944.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfz6yB8A_Bs/WA2Udr5XREI/AAAAAAAADhI/msXrAypsCDswjVRxzZWAKb7Pggj08XrQACLcB/s1600/GOPR0811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mfz6yB8A_Bs/WA2Udr5XREI/AAAAAAAADhI/msXrAypsCDswjVRxzZWAKb7Pggj08XrQACLcB/s400/GOPR0811.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost as scary as the fairy Meadows ride was getting shaved!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLrklX6TOtg/WA2V5WhIsLI/AAAAAAAADhQ/7hpLVMm9GLkiVSl4jmdRZ0macFaRxB5tQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tLrklX6TOtg/WA2V5WhIsLI/AAAAAAAADhQ/7hpLVMm9GLkiVSl4jmdRZ0macFaRxB5tQCLcB/s640/GOPR0961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Pakistan the people are friendly, the kids curious. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqAOZPr_mZI/WBXVFbFKjMI/AAAAAAAADh4/72NnWVGUHoURoTNRmQMg9PhL8VCoyGsxgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qqAOZPr_mZI/WBXVFbFKjMI/AAAAAAAADh4/72NnWVGUHoURoTNRmQMg9PhL8VCoyGsxgCLcB/s640/GOPR0976.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sampling some roadside sugarcane , shortly after entering India</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw_mJUDWTHc/WBXVWALqV7I/AAAAAAAADh8/2YOlMskHw1IYByPCHxSRmg_H52zB07jcwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uw_mJUDWTHc/WBXVWALqV7I/AAAAAAAADh8/2YOlMskHw1IYByPCHxSRmg_H52zB07jcwCLcB/s640/GOPR0980.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div>
<span id="goog_129779260"></span><span id="goog_129779261"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rH0Ej5UYOi4/WBXVs_FvA-I/AAAAAAAADiA/KHcMw10Gfm85ZrLJv36lQkH0a8bswYyWgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="558" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rH0Ej5UYOi4/WBXVs_FvA-I/AAAAAAAADiA/KHcMw10Gfm85ZrLJv36lQkH0a8bswYyWgCLcB/s640/GOPR0993.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The First Royal Enfield shop we pass and we call in for a closer look at the bikes and the staff are very welcoming</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYLznkQqu-A/WBXWGa6JkUI/AAAAAAAADiI/Zf8zm7OFNJ0yMFrg9gxIgHRWppOlf9LXACLcB/s1600/GOPR1023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QYLznkQqu-A/WBXWGa6JkUI/AAAAAAAADiI/Zf8zm7OFNJ0yMFrg9gxIgHRWppOlf9LXACLcB/s640/GOPR1023.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great landscapes on road to Leh, Kashmir</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wmqni6jrzw/WBXWaS8adWI/AAAAAAAADiQ/i3w1Nuh34kwFynTRpNofnxqS4gRacqMiACLcB/s1600/GOPR1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--wmqni6jrzw/WBXWaS8adWI/AAAAAAAADiQ/i3w1Nuh34kwFynTRpNofnxqS4gRacqMiACLcB/s640/GOPR1032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pushing on to Pang and passing a 5000 meter pass in the dark, good fun on the rough road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hAqMcRlp8E/WBXXVOQ5VkI/AAAAAAAADic/fEfSGsEG3RI3X59LgxMknlDGn_LFBAt2ACLcB/s1600/GOPR1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hAqMcRlp8E/WBXXVOQ5VkI/AAAAAAAADic/fEfSGsEG3RI3X59LgxMknlDGn_LFBAt2ACLcB/s640/GOPR1036.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of time up at 4000 meters on the Manali to Leh road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UfGXAsBnSow/WBXZPeSil5I/AAAAAAAADis/RuGOj_ukxjAZaou4ix6hTnZoeliHQG1ZwCLcB/s1600/GOPR1080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UfGXAsBnSow/WBXZPeSil5I/AAAAAAAADis/RuGOj_ukxjAZaou4ix6hTnZoeliHQG1ZwCLcB/s640/GOPR1080.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to go here...the highest motorable road in the world, just up beyond Leh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUUBXogfQP8/WBXZiMBPPHI/AAAAAAAADiw/Wa_JFIScEQApGqglCvNo-zXDcVjZbY5oACLcB/s1600/GOPR1075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUUBXogfQP8/WBXZiMBPPHI/AAAAAAAADiw/Wa_JFIScEQApGqglCvNo-zXDcVjZbY5oACLcB/s640/GOPR1075.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Royal Enfield Bullet 500, like these bikes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBjRUqCvDlc/WBXZzelsC-I/AAAAAAAADi0/n189y8uhT9MyVl8r74cWmb6YmOpEksleACLcB/s1600/GOPR1095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hBjRUqCvDlc/WBXZzelsC-I/AAAAAAAADi0/n189y8uhT9MyVl8r74cWmb6YmOpEksleACLcB/s640/GOPR1095.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Far north of Kashmir, the Chinese border is just to the north and the disputed line of control with Pakistan a little way to the west....this is as far as you can go in Northern India</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4FrPQys2Ao/WBXaPCOOr4I/AAAAAAAADi8/fdOZtZLJxw0u192piE0d65neHGn6SQuOQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t4FrPQys2Ao/WBXaPCOOr4I/AAAAAAAADi8/fdOZtZLJxw0u192piE0d65neHGn6SQuOQCLcB/s640/GOPR1116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible geography on the road to Leh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSKPI_1tzrg/WBXbGVwby-I/AAAAAAAADjE/Ei9MLpGWbbgGUsYPLVSN0gBfiLcCh3ZfACLcB/s1600/GOPR1147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pSKPI_1tzrg/WBXbGVwby-I/AAAAAAAADjE/Ei9MLpGWbbgGUsYPLVSN0gBfiLcCh3ZfACLcB/s640/GOPR1147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing about with our Indian friends on the Manali to Leh highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-RYnPpE_oM/WBXdo65UPBI/AAAAAAAADjU/FPJU_ZhHlrQQuKa8CzobXoPr65DkRyncQCLcB/s1600/GOPR1180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-RYnPpE_oM/WBXdo65UPBI/AAAAAAAADjU/FPJU_ZhHlrQQuKa8CzobXoPr65DkRyncQCLcB/s640/GOPR1180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rough roads take there toll on the many trucks on the route, this one is slowly blending into the surroundings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ4VUw3jEFE/WBXeSBbXWNI/AAAAAAAADjY/5mdhYy0itUAii34SpppFj3yi5EjYBDVegCLcB/s1600/GOPR1216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ4VUw3jEFE/WBXeSBbXWNI/AAAAAAAADjY/5mdhYy0itUAii34SpppFj3yi5EjYBDVegCLcB/s640/GOPR1216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We passed through many hill top villages in the mountainous Himachal Pradesh region of India, and were often the centre of attention</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUCfkKTN37M/WBXfP8iT29I/AAAAAAAADjk/gnntACMmSvMSjPK8B5zgI8ElsY3KQpX3QCLcB/s1600/GOPR1225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DUCfkKTN37M/WBXfP8iT29I/AAAAAAAADjk/gnntACMmSvMSjPK8B5zgI8ElsY3KQpX3QCLcB/s640/GOPR1225.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The staff at Aahana wilderness retreat near the Corbet National Park gave us an amazing send off. We spent two nights here after the owner decided to host us at no cost! The resort is high end, we ate like kings and we were treated like celebrities, we hung out and dined with the owner most of the time who was keen to hear about our travels. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-9jEExXLps/WBXfs82bzkI/AAAAAAAADjs/jAZwC-38ujwImj8AJQHyElr2qEkvfIBUACLcB/s1600/GOPR1243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P-9jEExXLps/WBXfs82bzkI/AAAAAAAADjs/jAZwC-38ujwImj8AJQHyElr2qEkvfIBUACLcB/s640/GOPR1243.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toon having some fun in the mud in Nepal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mFNoDn0iSxw/WBXhCKIbwsI/AAAAAAAADj8/4uJWM9_fLcshMq_dn8psl_-EBgJZu2AIACLcB/s1600/GOPR1263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mFNoDn0iSxw/WBXhCKIbwsI/AAAAAAAADj8/4uJWM9_fLcshMq_dn8psl_-EBgJZu2AIACLcB/s640/GOPR1263.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out some of the many temples in the city of Kathmandu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-26784606652125369752016-09-06T09:09:00.000-07:002016-09-06T09:09:07.508-07:00Georgia, the Caspian and Kazakhstan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv7lbZUO-mg/V8uw2wAHIlI/AAAAAAAADds/CCYpzt0L1m87pkusJfmrIepIhaOIh0t5ACLcB/s1600/2016-08-07%2B13.57.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv7lbZUO-mg/V8uw2wAHIlI/AAAAAAAADds/CCYpzt0L1m87pkusJfmrIepIhaOIh0t5ACLcB/s400/2016-08-07%2B13.57.54.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
Crossing from Turkey to Georgia</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-UgcSTt8Y0/V8uxMTqiXRI/AAAAAAAADdw/8tbIJyUQnpkhf4LcfQL6qaNMZutodm4uACLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B09.09.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-UgcSTt8Y0/V8uxMTqiXRI/AAAAAAAADdw/8tbIJyUQnpkhf4LcfQL6qaNMZutodm4uACLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B09.09.43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDxMrURxlio/V8uxXe7DboI/AAAAAAAADd0/f3s13siePLYDcQuI8a9qL4uEttxJrMTqgCLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B09.40.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oDxMrURxlio/V8uxXe7DboI/AAAAAAAADd0/f3s13siePLYDcQuI8a9qL4uEttxJrMTqgCLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B09.40.07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't get away from these guys after I mentioned "Rugby". It's only 1030 am but I can't leave without a drink!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKD-6TA8XwI/V8uxjG2R17I/AAAAAAAADd4/VcM0pd2VQR8F7FlOtrrO6zlm34gdi6r6wCLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B11.38.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CKD-6TA8XwI/V8uxjG2R17I/AAAAAAAADd4/VcM0pd2VQR8F7FlOtrrO6zlm34gdi6r6wCLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B11.38.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcnN-EtijWI/V8uxy8GoE_I/AAAAAAAADd8/pHuKpntVcogohJu8QEkh-I31nhg4LiIsQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B12.02.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RcnN-EtijWI/V8uxy8GoE_I/AAAAAAAADd8/pHuKpntVcogohJu8QEkh-I31nhg4LiIsQCLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B12.02.19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Georgia has some great mountain riding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAMNiX8PZ64/V8ux8NE4s9I/AAAAAAAADeE/EcOcOrZOCXQ2CX2XxggrzweP-mqzo0WCwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B15.37.43%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAMNiX8PZ64/V8ux8NE4s9I/AAAAAAAADeE/EcOcOrZOCXQ2CX2XxggrzweP-mqzo0WCwCLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B15.37.43%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the old Kamaz trucks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoEuLsU9WHk/V8uyRNqIBlI/AAAAAAAADeI/2EHrO71_9vMy-qlBL_1OFVWgFOD2jovSgCLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B16.48.15%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoEuLsU9WHk/V8uyRNqIBlI/AAAAAAAADeI/2EHrO71_9vMy-qlBL_1OFVWgFOD2jovSgCLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B16.48.15%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was pretty amazing little ride here up into the mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyN7H-2xqls/V8uyajGy8HI/AAAAAAAADeM/KEP7r822frILS3ijXcHYQzVRDJH-PPjKQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B16.50.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tyN7H-2xqls/V8uyajGy8HI/AAAAAAAADeM/KEP7r822frILS3ijXcHYQzVRDJH-PPjKQCLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B16.50.07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH1YToTuNr4/V8uy-XBCYhI/AAAAAAAADeU/mwnYLtDxrsYJfD_NgI71O3w0QhvsVN8zQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-09%2B16.58.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kH1YToTuNr4/V8uy-XBCYhI/AAAAAAAADeU/mwnYLtDxrsYJfD_NgI71O3w0QhvsVN8zQCLcB/s640/2016-08-09%2B16.58.45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IctTpwdQ3-I/V8uzMqS73vI/AAAAAAAADeY/Ye7sZj9JzucJooNiuU5r6Yivo0d01yckQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-11%2B06.38.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IctTpwdQ3-I/V8uzMqS73vI/AAAAAAAADeY/Ye7sZj9JzucJooNiuU5r6Yivo0d01yckQCLcB/s640/2016-08-11%2B06.38.26.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad place to camp, although I did end up in the middle of a thunderstorm at 3 am!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xT9__HHlLUk/V8uylAU0ljI/AAAAAAAADeQ/j4mUN04iShwwCpE1Dzt1dYKclIj4goGGQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-28%2B13.21.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqyN5FM97yo/V8uzZ8zlIVI/AAAAAAAADec/HHIukN6Rzz4kaCcdiZ4yTcRh-LCVfylcQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-11%2B07.35.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uqyN5FM97yo/V8uzZ8zlIVI/AAAAAAAADec/HHIukN6Rzz4kaCcdiZ4yTcRh-LCVfylcQCLcB/s640/2016-08-11%2B07.35.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUpKUAuCZ5Y/V8uzlsyQvKI/AAAAAAAADeg/Q86VJ7BruXc72Wk89xD5KrkDrG_6r1oYwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-10%2B17.50.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cUpKUAuCZ5Y/V8uzlsyQvKI/AAAAAAAADeg/Q86VJ7BruXc72Wk89xD5KrkDrG_6r1oYwCLcB/s640/2016-08-10%2B17.50.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great hosts at a gust house in Mestia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzVcWdeOgos/V8uzw8ibViI/AAAAAAAADek/mUpMiq56Cnwypt_MMCtZ83joy3oBSkoVgCLcB/s1600/2016-08-11%2B16.30.19%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rzVcWdeOgos/V8uzw8ibViI/AAAAAAAADek/mUpMiq56Cnwypt_MMCtZ83joy3oBSkoVgCLcB/s640/2016-08-11%2B16.30.19%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys gave me a hand getting a puncture fixed, turned into quite the social event</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsimbGoCR7E/V8ueYI0_sQI/AAAAAAAADcE/Ag-XL2oku-Eerh8J7k5ydZPa5prQvxpjQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsimbGoCR7E/V8ueYI0_sQI/AAAAAAAADcE/Ag-XL2oku-Eerh8J7k5ydZPa5prQvxpjQCLcB/s640/GOPR0063.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the road to Omarlo is right up there with the best, amazing country here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZJ2OwOnmiE/V8ue8cOk6eI/AAAAAAAADcI/Q30Th9O9jgcmMkzR6w63XMPttnw_gbt1ACLcB/s1600/GOPR0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wZJ2OwOnmiE/V8ue8cOk6eI/AAAAAAAADcI/Q30Th9O9jgcmMkzR6w63XMPttnw_gbt1ACLcB/s640/GOPR0073.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving Georgia and hoping for good luck with the Ferry across the Caspian Sea </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoDUfMnh72o/V8ugUSVidvI/AAAAAAAADcQ/NBmvUtjxuFIQO1gHp4tHNq2PsUCADxNhQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoDUfMnh72o/V8ugUSVidvI/AAAAAAAADcQ/NBmvUtjxuFIQO1gHp4tHNq2PsUCADxNhQCLcB/s640/GOPR0080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5QBVQAzoh4/V8ugtVHD2II/AAAAAAAADcU/hkp4nEhj3W8Z0sMvQ-DajpJK49nWSpWygCLcB/s1600/GOPR0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5QBVQAzoh4/V8ugtVHD2II/AAAAAAAADcU/hkp4nEhj3W8Z0sMvQ-DajpJK49nWSpWygCLcB/s640/GOPR0100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ferry turned out to be not to hard to get sorted, fair bit of waiting around and 3 false starts but got over to Kazakhstan...yippe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DngKcuB4MA/V8vCTNGxjJI/AAAAAAAADfE/mOzCutttxugyqu-a08vEol2halJ8IjsmACLcB/s1600/GOPR0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6DngKcuB4MA/V8vCTNGxjJI/AAAAAAAADfE/mOzCutttxugyqu-a08vEol2halJ8IjsmACLcB/s640/GOPR0102.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cycle crew that I shared a cabin with on the boat, Josh, Will, Chloe, Carlie, and Lou. Was really good to have some company for the crossing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qV0lOFszeWA/V8uhTR20SjI/AAAAAAAADcY/pxUnf1clmSoeuAeqTs8BlLmnlnE-8oMkQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qV0lOFszeWA/V8uhTR20SjI/AAAAAAAADcY/pxUnf1clmSoeuAeqTs8BlLmnlnE-8oMkQCLcB/s640/GOPR0122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRHV0gMteAg/V8uiMyUYXxI/AAAAAAAADcg/kDOdJeGxIEUHwiLXIHXZATl5Olf2cQHGQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FRHV0gMteAg/V8uiMyUYXxI/AAAAAAAADcg/kDOdJeGxIEUHwiLXIHXZATl5Olf2cQHGQCLcB/s640/GOPR0128.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western Kazakhstan turned into a unexpected highlight, the scale and remoteness is something else....this route proved too much for me on my own, difficult navigation, unclear fuel locations, sandy riding for what was probably going to be 250km and I didn't have the nerve for it on my own. Shame, as I think it would have been a epic trip across the top of the Aral Sea, instead I took a major detour to the north on what I thought would be good roads....more surprises there!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jve7wJGOOFw/V8uiwvgtw7I/AAAAAAAADck/JD5d6KbmjVcE2bK5xC0ucVPl_771W39-ACLcB/s1600/GOPR0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jve7wJGOOFw/V8uiwvgtw7I/AAAAAAAADck/JD5d6KbmjVcE2bK5xC0ucVPl_771W39-ACLcB/s640/GOPR0140.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't take your eyes off the road here!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhqcX21J97U/V8ujP3w7mkI/AAAAAAAADcs/Tz5hwHvNo98t0BLrD_t_fAJFzV17xvfrwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yhqcX21J97U/V8ujP3w7mkI/AAAAAAAADcs/Tz5hwHvNo98t0BLrD_t_fAJFzV17xvfrwCLcB/s640/GOPR0145.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kazakh motorway!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFVoUF8gfak/V8ujqByCSQI/AAAAAAAADcw/xd5H7of3stU6qB-SsypO_s0oLIqnjiHswCLcB/s1600/GOPR0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LFVoUF8gfak/V8ujqByCSQI/AAAAAAAADcw/xd5H7of3stU6qB-SsypO_s0oLIqnjiHswCLcB/s640/GOPR0152.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And not surprisingly you see a lot of this on the road sides</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHOiqMhTXbU/V8ukIoRgvBI/AAAAAAAADc0/WLwVQUj0MZsHzgl6ecXaeKYwN6hL0h9-ACLcB/s1600/GOPR0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VHOiqMhTXbU/V8ukIoRgvBI/AAAAAAAADc0/WLwVQUj0MZsHzgl6ecXaeKYwN6hL0h9-ACLcB/s640/GOPR0174.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh bread for lunch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkGWda-eyuw/V8uk3rJiL_I/AAAAAAAADc4/BHGRAYNlY9o7FhUpRZaZKCEqRMTFVydIACLcB/s1600/GOPR0189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZkGWda-eyuw/V8uk3rJiL_I/AAAAAAAADc4/BHGRAYNlY9o7FhUpRZaZKCEqRMTFVydIACLcB/s640/GOPR0189.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out to the Aral sea for a look</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LapFPbTI6-Y/V8uz9simXUI/AAAAAAAADeo/_XPLqpKPjb0kdPCQTQHqGPRFyIwO5vvcACEw/s1600/2016-08-28%2B11.18.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LapFPbTI6-Y/V8uz9simXUI/AAAAAAAADeo/_XPLqpKPjb0kdPCQTQHqGPRFyIwO5vvcACEw/s640/2016-08-28%2B11.18.55.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.....and no, this is an optical allusion, there are no bends in the roads out here!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s29C0h4udwc/V8ulvumVFcI/AAAAAAAADc8/_GOoM7F2kS8tYEbMylVN-z31zkFDWomdQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s29C0h4udwc/V8ulvumVFcI/AAAAAAAADc8/_GOoM7F2kS8tYEbMylVN-z31zkFDWomdQCLcB/s640/GOPR0195.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Aral Sea is an interesting place, once the 4th largest lake in the world it is now only 10 percent of it's original size. Irrigation systems put in place in the 60's are to blame, once supporting a large fishing industry the old boats are now stranded in the desert miles from the sea!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xT9__HHlLUk/V8uylAU0ljI/AAAAAAAADeQ/j4mUN04iShwwCpE1Dzt1dYKclIj4goGGQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-28%2B13.21.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xT9__HHlLUk/V8uylAU0ljI/AAAAAAAADeQ/j4mUN04iShwwCpE1Dzt1dYKclIj4goGGQCLcB/s640/2016-08-28%2B13.21.22.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnsfHsvVlqQ/V8uoTf-xKWI/AAAAAAAADdI/1WS6H4E5mMUzex4tu7uosZB0PExkN6YJQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnsfHsvVlqQ/V8uoTf-xKWI/AAAAAAAADdI/1WS6H4E5mMUzex4tu7uosZB0PExkN6YJQCLcB/s640/GOPR0210.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ulQPP9yzMec/V8uo5WG8OpI/AAAAAAAADdM/LBP3va0_ooQ95fs9Tg7Z-oqkJRmZjowtACLcB/s1600/GOPR0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ulQPP9yzMec/V8uo5WG8OpI/AAAAAAAADdM/LBP3va0_ooQ95fs9Tg7Z-oqkJRmZjowtACLcB/s640/GOPR0220.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Captain....I think we've run aground!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U97Ochov4ZU/V8up-jOcwkI/AAAAAAAADdU/NeyCy6npNcghHAAq1KwGE0IVLcZZspA8wCLcB/s1600/GOPR0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U97Ochov4ZU/V8up-jOcwkI/AAAAAAAADdU/NeyCy6npNcghHAAq1KwGE0IVLcZZspA8wCLcB/s640/GOPR0205.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I rode on along the old sea bed for about 10km and eventually found the sea</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opz89LXeLyo/V8uq8ul7pfI/AAAAAAAADdc/FOICGoAXTb84gsd2HiFPVpTvfECdyJaQwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opz89LXeLyo/V8uq8ul7pfI/AAAAAAAADdc/FOICGoAXTb84gsd2HiFPVpTvfECdyJaQwCLcB/s640/GOPR0238.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seemed a little out of place out in the desert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHrrEqxpCc/V8u0aHHBNSI/AAAAAAAADew/n9vPL0P_lNIpWckMxe5mKIAQ9UMO6ynSgCLcB/s1600/2016-08-28%2B18.14.44%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OdHrrEqxpCc/V8u0aHHBNSI/AAAAAAAADew/n9vPL0P_lNIpWckMxe5mKIAQ9UMO6ynSgCLcB/s640/2016-08-28%2B18.14.44%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out in the Kazakhstan Steppe is the Baikonyr space launch Cosmodrome. the oldest and largest on the planet, I was hoping that it might be possible to visit the museum here but it's all off limits without prior approval!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JazqxPUHFno/V8u0ks2VXmI/AAAAAAAADe0/x2lA3fs3Iu0EktMC_J7VeOWCrlddPUrywCLcB/s1600/2016-08-30%2B10.45.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JazqxPUHFno/V8u0ks2VXmI/AAAAAAAADe0/x2lA3fs3Iu0EktMC_J7VeOWCrlddPUrywCLcB/s640/2016-08-30%2B10.45.18.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I pulled up outside the Cosmodrome I heard a sickening noise from my engine, sounded like the cam chain was shot or something real bad. Turned out that one of the spark plugs ( the dr although single cylinder actually has two plugs) was loose and bouncing around in the head and leaking air, amazingly at higher rpm the motor run fine and I had not detected the problem until stopping. A closer look revealed the bad news that the plug threads in the head where shot...not at all good and I just happen to be fairly remote in this small town. Frustratingly I new there was probably a hole heap of rocket engineers nearby with all sorts of high-tech tools but it was all of limits. I had a difficult decision...I could epoxy the plug back in and get the bike running again but that would potentially wreck any chances of replacing the plug later, not a good option, in the end I managed to find a good mechanic who tapped the thread out to a 12mm and made an adaptor to take the original 10mm plug, not ideal either but at least we got the bike running and I was able to nurse it 1500km to Osh and try and get a replacement plug or better adaptor made.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-2941007346305304672016-08-14T06:11:00.000-07:002016-08-14T06:11:16.110-07:00Visa headaches<br />
It's taken a bit of time to get onto this next post, not a lot of great travel pics to share....just a lot of stress and time obtaining visa's, well trying to obtain that is. I'd been considering sending the passport back home to get the Russian visa but had decided it to be a bit risky and not a good idea but when the people at the Chinese consulate in both Bratislava and Vienna said it was not possible to obtain a visa with out residency also the better solution once again seemed to be to send the passport.<br />
<br />
It took a bit of time to track down DHL shipping but eventually got the passport and applications nervously sent off to NZ, 5 days to get there and a couple of weeks for the processing had me guessing it should be back in 3, maybe 4 weeks. I can live with that but it's going to put me behind a bit and just have to careful and not travel about too much with out the passport. You don't usually get asked for a passport at the European (Schengen Area) borders but you MIGHT.<br />
<br />
During the first few days of tracking the package looks good.....BUT then it's being held by customs for an "inspection". Another day goes bye and still it's being held. I ring DHL and they say to wait, it's out of their control. I try to ring customs in Frankfurt and they have no record of it! I ring DHL again and say that they need to provide an explanation as to why it's being held, I don't get anything and so it goes on.<br />
<br />
At least while all this is happening I am lucky to have the help of Daniel who lives in Bratislava and is giving me a place to sleep on his couch. He takes a few days off work and we head to the mountains in the North of Slovakia. It's great to get out of the city and do some good hikes but I struggle to stop worrying about the passport. Have I lost this passport? am I going to get deported? All sorts of bad outcomes are rolling about in my mind.<br />
<br />
After the hiking I decide to head over to Vienna which is very close to Bratislava, when I was there last at the Chinese Consulate I also visited the New Zealand Embassy just around the corner to ask for some advice about acquiring these visa's. Mark who works their was very helpful at the time but had no solution and advised against sending the passport, So it was with great reluctance that I went back and told him about my problem but I figured it was the best thing to do and I was probably going to have to report it lost and try and get a new passport anyway. Mark was really helpful again and understood the situation I was in, made a few phone calls to London and also Frankfurt and within a couple of days the passport had been released and returned to the senders address as instructed by me.<br />
<br />
So I did get the passport back in a total of 3 weeks but was back to square one with no more visas!! And there was no explanation to why it was held. What a screw up, but at least I had my passport back and there was a chance that the trip could still be completed. The stupid thing is if I had of just stayed in NZ for an extra week and a half I would have obtained the Russian visa there! You know the saying a stitch in time saves nine....it's now constantly in my head.<br />
<br />
With passport back in hand it's time to get going east and try and make up some lost time. While waiting I had received an email from the Chinese Consulate in Bucharest confirming that they would process a Visa for non residents, but I wasn't holding my breath. I enjoyed Romania last year and it would be a direct route through to Turkey so would help gain some time. I did a late night season with Daniel working on new tires and chain and sprockets for the big KTM 950, the plan being that we would ride together to Bucharest, get the visa application underway and then he would return to Bratislava. And the Transalpina and Transfargarason roads just happen to be on the way, last year I did these but some sections were in near zero visibility so great to have a second chance.<br />
<br />
After completing the Transalpina the previous day we're making good progress and looking like making the Chinese Consulate well before they close at 11;30 am. But we did not count on what would be some of the worst traffic jams' I've ever seen and the last 10km taking over an hour to complete in horrible mid 30 degree heat. We round the last corner with some time to spare to find a big line up of people down the street.....I guess this is the right place then!! The guards inform us that I'm not likely to make it through the door before the shut off at 11:30 and recommends coming back an hour before they open tomorrow at 8 am.....oh well, another day lost.<br />
<br />
But the good news was the application was accepted and processed in 3 days and was good to pick up after one last ride with Daniel over the Transfargarason road to Sibiu. The only downside was dealing with the horrendous traffic getting back in to the city to collect! Now all I need is the Azerbaijan E visa which was being processed with out the passport, so things were at last looking more promising!<br />
<br />
The ride continued SE across the border to Bulgaria and out to the sea side city of Varno on the Black Sea coast South of the Danhue river delta. Then south onto the border crossing to Turkey which was going well, a bit slow with a lagre line up of cars but I was progressing through ok up until the very last part where I had to provide some green card insurance (3rd party). I was expecting this, my insurance for Europe did not cover Turkey but I new it was possible to buy at the border.....I wasn't expecting the 90 euro bill though for 15 days, I only intended to be in turkey for a week. <br />
<br />
A guy who I talked to back on the Bulgarian side said it would be cheap. I'm not too happy about this, shit I only paid 140 euro for 3 months in all of Europe. So I decide to ride back through the border controls and no mans land to Bulgaria to try and obtain some cheaper insurance, a decision that proved fruitless and cost another 3 hours or so of being processed back into Turkey, and I had to pay the 90 euro! <br />
<br />
My first impressions of turkey were good, a nice winding road through tree clad hills made a good change from the flat land of southern Romania and Bulgaria. The first people I meet were very helpful, the ride through Istanbul was uneventful...If I had of been right on schedule with my initial planning I would have ridden into the recent military coup...sometimes things work out for the best I guess.<br />
<br />
The city of Istanbul looked like an interesting place as I travelled through the center and across the Bosphorus Strait, it's the largest city in Europe and 7th in the world with 14 million people and a part of me wanted to stop and check it out. Even making good progress on the motorway it seemed to take a couple of hours to traverse the city limits, thank god they don't have the traffic jams like Bucharest!!<br />
<br />
You often see plenty of disintegrated truck tires that have peeled off the wheel lying about on the road sides and I always thought that it would not be a good thing to be along side one of these trucks when they let go. Well approaching Istanbul I had a close call, a truck just in font and along side in the slow lane didn't loose a tire but all of a sudden tried to slow and swerve to miss a tire that had just come off a truck ahead of it. The truck was not able to avoid the tire and clipped it, flinging this massive piece of rubber straight across into my lane. Luckily I was able to slow and swerve to avoid hitting it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WO1L7QSLjwk/V6Idy_AUCTI/AAAAAAAADX0/CQ1F6SOFNe0OxaEXllZysQE6DKkSwvYWgCLcB/s1600/2016-07-30%2B15.19.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WO1L7QSLjwk/V6Idy_AUCTI/AAAAAAAADX0/CQ1F6SOFNe0OxaEXllZysQE6DKkSwvYWgCLcB/s400/2016-07-30%2B15.19.49.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very happy to see this after the failed courier attempt!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
You don't really realize just how dependent you are on your bike when you are in unfamiliar territory until it stops going like it should. Just recently I've been noticing a random miss fire or two but haven't been able to pin point just what might be causing the issue. It's a bit of a concern, it shouldn't do it at all and if it gets worse, well you might have a major problem.<br />
<br />
So I decide to drop the tank off and change the jetting, I've been meaning to do this anyway and maybe find out what's going on. With the DR you don't usually need to remove the carburettor to do this, just loosing the boot clamps and tilting gives enough access and getting the boots back on is a little fiddly and not so easy.<br />
<br />
In doing this I see that the adapter ring to allow the aftermarket carb to fit is loose....maybe there is air sneaking in through there, that would put the fuel mix out. After finding out that an epoxy glue is the best way to refix I head down to a auto repair area on the out skirts of the small Turkish town that I staying at. I already have some good JB weld two pot epoxy that I've been carrying around in case of cracked engine cases, I just need some brake cleaner, a little sand paper and Ideally a workshop to do the repair in.<br />
<br />
There's not a lot of English spoken in these parts and I have trouble explaining what the issue is and the local mechanic that I'm dealing with wants to go ahead and find the problem himself by starting the bike and revving the shit out of it. He tries communicating and I can't understand and then I realise he is asking if it is a two stroke or 4 stroke....shit, shit, any decent mechanic would easily determine from just a glance that it's a 4 stroke, but I guess they don't see too many bikes like these here. Really, all I want to do is remove the carb myself so start removing the tank, he wants to help which is understandable...it's his workshop after all but he's all rip shit and bust and I have to try and tell him to back off and let me do it. At that moment I just want to pack up and go somewhere quiet and do the job myself!!!<br />
<br />
I feel really bad about telling him to get his hands off my bike, he just wants to help. I am a bit particular and fussy when it comes to my bike, and for good reason too. Guess I'm thinking that it's absolutely critical to get this work done carefully, when you work on things if you don't get it right you can make things worse real quick...and a problem here, at this point of the trip could be disastrous....and I know this bike a hell of a lot better than he does!<br />
<br />
I head back down to the workshop the following morning after allowing the glue to set overnight and not quite knowing what to expect...I just hope that the mechanic has not tried to be super helpful and put everything back together, I get shivers down my spine at the thought! But it's all good, everything is as I left it and I go about reassembling the bike. It's tricky getting these carbs back in and the mechanic sees me struggling a bit and can't help himself but insist that he puts it in.....reluctantly I let him have ago and he too has difficulty but with the both of us and the extra pair of hands we get it in and it's a happy ending. <br />
<br />
With the bike back up and running I've had enough of the flat roads and head for the hills and find my first dirt road in a while, it's nice to be back on some interesting roads. It takes a couple of hours to traverse the ranges and by the time I find a place to stay in Terme out on the coast of the Black Sea it's getting late. The owner of the Hotel is hanging about with some friends and offers to buy my dinner, then he manages to say "you're coming with us" in his limited English! He just brought me dinner so although a tad tired it would be rude to decline so I jump in the Panel van with him and a few mates, these guys have a bit of a "gangster" feel about them and I wonder where we are heading, maybe off on a drug run? maybe off to a brothel? <br />
<br />
We cruise through the broken streets of the city, past a rally about the recent coup and after a while I get asked " do you like ice cream" We pull up outside an ice-cream shop and have ice cream and lemonade and then return to the hotel and I hit the hay after a long day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3RRB0KgGws/V7BsA61LTWI/AAAAAAAADbg/hcCdrHOtF-INgpgsQRuzJLhGi_G0qrRcwCLcB/s1600/2016-07-08%2B15.07.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3RRB0KgGws/V7BsA61LTWI/AAAAAAAADbg/hcCdrHOtF-INgpgsQRuzJLhGi_G0qrRcwCLcB/s400/2016-07-08%2B15.07.45.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some great hiking in the Tatra mountains of Slovakia with great friend Daniel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z5IwUxguww/V6JBPIfo3eI/AAAAAAAADYQ/yRUAikx4nC0yjIqJrPvowdIcMksMjfOGACLcB/s1600/GOPR0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Z5IwUxguww/V6JBPIfo3eI/AAAAAAAADYQ/yRUAikx4nC0yjIqJrPvowdIcMksMjfOGACLcB/s640/GOPR0266.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vienna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPwDak2Tkmw/V6JB0kbfF0I/AAAAAAAADYY/G5hbpFWIk4QfcmCVemWGqEQpgqTMWMF0ACLcB/s1600/GOPR0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPwDak2Tkmw/V6JB0kbfF0I/AAAAAAAADYY/G5hbpFWIk4QfcmCVemWGqEQpgqTMWMF0ACLcB/s640/GOPR0275.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7nQ0jA0UEc/V6JGgDXUuYI/AAAAAAAADYo/XWEialA7kXALHCxYpcoPB5hSB1SvdMUCACLcB/s1600/2016-07-15%2B21.19.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7nQ0jA0UEc/V6JGgDXUuYI/AAAAAAAADYo/XWEialA7kXALHCxYpcoPB5hSB1SvdMUCACLcB/s640/2016-07-15%2B21.19.23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RtH_UjQe61U/V6JGsmDEIOI/AAAAAAAADYs/ANEjLopSgSg_XxbHKVD2vfzpZc3zKB5uQCLcB/s1600/2016-07-15%2B21.59.23%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RtH_UjQe61U/V6JGsmDEIOI/AAAAAAAADYs/ANEjLopSgSg_XxbHKVD2vfzpZc3zKB5uQCLcB/s640/2016-07-15%2B21.59.23%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">celebrating in Bratislava with the world's best rated Gin and tonic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWuycEN98Vk/V6JHAdIsuII/AAAAAAAADY0/GSLJ7FnE8DAwSzHHcdSqym-kwOfez24RACLcB/s1600/2016-07-21%2B13.03.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWuycEN98Vk/V6JHAdIsuII/AAAAAAAADY0/GSLJ7FnE8DAwSzHHcdSqym-kwOfez24RACLcB/s640/2016-07-21%2B13.03.25.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chainsaw man in Austria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amWd_nYxeJY/V6JJVZ-TqeI/AAAAAAAADZI/TFLirqFemMoifWFMOEKmK8c9g58X8SdDgCLcB/s1600/2016-07-24%2B19.00.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amWd_nYxeJY/V6JJVZ-TqeI/AAAAAAAADZI/TFLirqFemMoifWFMOEKmK8c9g58X8SdDgCLcB/s640/2016-07-24%2B19.00.17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice day up on the top of the Transalpina, Romania</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAF9k6RPUbk/V6JJjplukvI/AAAAAAAADZM/-oJDao_n38c6oq5SCyCt-XGmo9sokuPsQCLcB/s1600/2016-07-26%2B19.23.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="166" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HAF9k6RPUbk/V6JJjplukvI/AAAAAAAADZM/-oJDao_n38c6oq5SCyCt-XGmo9sokuPsQCLcB/s640/2016-07-26%2B19.23.44.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and the Transfargarason was great also despite a few showers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gLRlDfA0_fI/V6JI4qtVy0I/AAAAAAAADZE/y9axgk7GAuI4hbVxCklkgh3aMvek9YbmQCLcB/s640/2016-07-24%2B17.12.49.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WO1L7QSLjwk/V6Idy_AUCTI/AAAAAAAADX0/CQ1F6SOFNe0OxaEXllZysQE6DKkSwvYWgCLcB/s1600/2016-07-30%2B15.19.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQgP5j0WLvU/V6I-7pI19HI/AAAAAAAADYE/ZPvI_FhMwp88Y_-03h8RsZ_jrv83frlsgCLcB/s1600/2016-07-26%2B19.24.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gQgP5j0WLvU/V6I-7pI19HI/AAAAAAAADYE/ZPvI_FhMwp88Y_-03h8RsZ_jrv83frlsgCLcB/s640/2016-07-26%2B19.24.40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuS3zEQlsAI/V6JJ4bj4KyI/AAAAAAAADZU/TM4QwyR_bZg1kqlysFXHnx8pvj8Yi9RGwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-01%2B11.05.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vuS3zEQlsAI/V6JJ4bj4KyI/AAAAAAAADZU/TM4QwyR_bZg1kqlysFXHnx8pvj8Yi9RGwCLcB/s640/2016-08-01%2B11.05.07.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Turks were a very friendly and welcoming people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJcmkPGiJrk/V6JKM8_nWvI/AAAAAAAADZc/pOWBIMJQc3QPj6KU39Ac9hSwandnDVmiwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-01%2B14.14.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mJcmkPGiJrk/V6JKM8_nWvI/AAAAAAAADZc/pOWBIMJQc3QPj6KU39Ac9hSwandnDVmiwCLcB/s640/2016-08-01%2B14.14.32.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crappy photo but a significant spot here, just crossed the Bosporus straight and officially exiting Europe and into Asia. The view from the bridge was spectacular with a massive Turkish flag flying beneath after the recent coup attempt. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVvhsfnIA1A/V7Blg792XPI/AAAAAAAADbQ/h5CVh17LT6Yanblnnm5dRCXRZu1aN9LBACLcB/s1600/2016-08-04%2B09.35.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVvhsfnIA1A/V7Blg792XPI/AAAAAAAADbQ/h5CVh17LT6Yanblnnm5dRCXRZu1aN9LBACLcB/s640/2016-08-04%2B09.35.54.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The carb repair crew</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVUtymu_-DM/V7BcIZeb-tI/AAAAAAAADaU/nmEiiHHcln0sJtsFTT41olb4G_ONi9FXwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-04%2B12.10.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VVUtymu_-DM/V7BcIZeb-tI/AAAAAAAADaU/nmEiiHHcln0sJtsFTT41olb4G_ONi9FXwCLcB/s640/2016-08-04%2B12.10.03.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of roadside tea supplies which were actually really good in the mid 30 degree heat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lAD3xM9sz0/V7BcUE5DX5I/AAAAAAAADaY/RbToZ9fvUPonTSkp_n_w7c6EZM_JvgpcACLcB/s1600/2016-08-04%2B18.12.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5lAD3xM9sz0/V7BcUE5DX5I/AAAAAAAADaY/RbToZ9fvUPonTSkp_n_w7c6EZM_JvgpcACLcB/s640/2016-08-04%2B18.12.01.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q4DrPaIVNQ/V7Bckq8_1WI/AAAAAAAADak/ITeyAEl-Al4voZvHUtOwH0_jjycTwYtYwCEw/s1600/2016-08-04%2B19.05.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q4DrPaIVNQ/V7Bckq8_1WI/AAAAAAAADak/ITeyAEl-Al4voZvHUtOwH0_jjycTwYtYwCEw/s320/2016-08-04%2B19.05.24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pzwD0PqZFk/V7BfPzOov9I/AAAAAAAADa4/RgS0lGub5z0HcuC3eF4pAdehRf4sYJdSACLcB/s1600/GOPR0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pzwD0PqZFk/V7BfPzOov9I/AAAAAAAADa4/RgS0lGub5z0HcuC3eF4pAdehRf4sYJdSACLcB/s640/GOPR0277.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best Turkish kebab I've ever had!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhd4shfB-gs/V7BeC0vpXSI/AAAAAAAADas/0qEP9AI0mucKWMTqmUabX-xCKGSPfeWWACLcB/s1600/GOPR0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mhd4shfB-gs/V7BeC0vpXSI/AAAAAAAADas/0qEP9AI0mucKWMTqmUabX-xCKGSPfeWWACLcB/s640/GOPR0282.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A curious local came out to say hi when I stopped here for a photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSMBmo5z03Q/V7BesCr8j3I/AAAAAAAADaw/jEr4JVEhyKEWR_hiz2hamuxuda2R8L-bQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q4DrPaIVNQ/V7Bckq8_1WI/AAAAAAAADac/CahH2V4UlDscjLTImmA9jwfuzm3hlJhTgCLcB/s1600/2016-08-04%2B19.05.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q4DrPaIVNQ/V7Bckq8_1WI/AAAAAAAADac/CahH2V4UlDscjLTImmA9jwfuzm3hlJhTgCLcB/s640/2016-08-04%2B19.05.24.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more help from some locals....getting directions to a hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9hGpTuHKDQ/V7Bc5LPtPuI/AAAAAAAADag/T1CTjY8zZDEK6-L6W89Ja6mSZUiiLet-ACLcB/s1600/2016-08-06%2B17.16.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g9hGpTuHKDQ/V7Bc5LPtPuI/AAAAAAAADag/T1CTjY8zZDEK6-L6W89Ja6mSZUiiLet-ACLcB/s640/2016-08-06%2B17.16.06.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2UEd78525Ck/V6YyiQ8B9mI/AAAAAAAADZw/Ib9ID-i9-nUA4FXXNU0DrJe-5wwDqEfTQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2UEd78525Ck/V6YyiQ8B9mI/AAAAAAAADZw/Ib9ID-i9-nUA4FXXNU0DrJe-5wwDqEfTQCLcB/s640/GOPR0314.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The D915 road was a great end to my time in Turkey. It was at one point rated the worlds most dangerous road but as I unexpectedly found out the best bit is currently closed and looks to me as if it will not be reopened. The good news is that you can still negotiate your way through the rocks and boulders on a motorbike!! And I think there was plenty more great roads in this area, could have spent another week exploring!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2JOm5qzMB4/V7BbZ3ChWVI/AAAAAAAADaE/lK-jtF360e029ZFk4lHZkASFlZZj-PHpACLcB/s1600/2016-08-06%2B11.43.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2JOm5qzMB4/V7BbZ3ChWVI/AAAAAAAADaE/lK-jtF360e029ZFk4lHZkASFlZZj-PHpACLcB/s640/2016-08-06%2B11.43.40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7m1CLjv6BfA/V7Bbi-x2ykI/AAAAAAAADaI/7QR1T-R57ScKAsd8i7AyUdU8RIPxoqrIwCLcB/s1600/2016-08-06%2B13.02.17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7m1CLjv6BfA/V7Bbi-x2ykI/AAAAAAAADaI/7QR1T-R57ScKAsd8i7AyUdU8RIPxoqrIwCLcB/s640/2016-08-06%2B13.02.17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovYmFI8iEcM/V7BbwzlhXwI/AAAAAAAADaM/nODoRrZ4JckTWcQHkOYh3QOySE85CaJZQCLcB/s1600/2016-08-06%2B14.04.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovYmFI8iEcM/V7BbwzlhXwI/AAAAAAAADaM/nODoRrZ4JckTWcQHkOYh3QOySE85CaJZQCLcB/s640/2016-08-06%2B14.04.57.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSMBmo5z03Q/V7BesCr8j3I/AAAAAAAADaw/jEr4JVEhyKEWR_hiz2hamuxuda2R8L-bQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSMBmo5z03Q/V7BesCr8j3I/AAAAAAAADaw/jEr4JVEhyKEWR_hiz2hamuxuda2R8L-bQCLcB/s640/GOPR0305.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-37737420313778733762016-07-15T06:49:00.000-07:002016-07-16T04:41:22.380-07:00The AlpsIt's my first day on the road heading south to France, it takes a bit to get back into the swing of things, there's a lot playing on my mind as I set off down the road and I'm finding it hard to enjoy the riding, I've plotted a nice back roads route through the interesting German country side but my thoughts are on the large amount of work still required to allow me to travel through my intended countries. At one point I see a large Ski Jumping complex off to the distance on the side of a hill and immediately think of Eddie the Eagle again and then I realise that this is the place where he first attempted his jumping, it brings a smile to my face and I rip down the road with a new sense of optimism. Hell, if he can make it to the Olympics then maybe there is a chance I might just pull off this trip!!<br />
<br />
I never did have a good look around central Europe and the Alps while here last summer so the plan was to have a quick look through France and Italy, head south for a bit before the big journey East. This would also enable me to catch up with the Valloire moto team, Patrick and PJ whom I rode with in Morocco last year. A couple of big days on mainly small roads and I make it to Patricks place high in the French Alps in the ski village of Valloire. <br />
<br />
The next day Patrick and PJ take me out on a great loop taking in several high passes....the alps really do have some beautiful mountains and is a road bikers dream with lots of curvy roads everywhere. The DR has the cobb webs well and truly blown out trying to hang with Patrick on this 160 hp KTM 1190!!! Really enjoyed catching up with the boys again and also talking about the fun times in Morocco last year. I get a few tips on a loop south to the coast to take in the local highlights and set off once again with a heavily loaded bike at a more leisurely pace.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHVOGn1lVDc/V3J7UAt55QI/AAAAAAAADRY/bzaP_6XOMhU6Cm01QuBFmjRnBSqe6wKkwCLcB/s1600/2016-06-13%2B15.09.05%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VHVOGn1lVDc/V3J7UAt55QI/AAAAAAAADRY/bzaP_6XOMhU6Cm01QuBFmjRnBSqe6wKkwCLcB/s640/2016-06-13%2B15.09.05%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many great roads crossing the border with Italy and France</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwrTKKio-bc/V3J7GpZa2PI/AAAAAAAADRQ/WNQYxIPcUDEISf5JysXj5m0pgOY5ohSpgCLcB/s1600/2016-06-13%2B13.38.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AwrTKKio-bc/V3J7GpZa2PI/AAAAAAAADRQ/WNQYxIPcUDEISf5JysXj5m0pgOY5ohSpgCLcB/s400/2016-06-13%2B13.38.43.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out with Patrick and PJ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_DejYO2YoY/V3J-pCh-0PI/AAAAAAAADTQ/dhjj7jhjUUMXakCXeRaCuhDfmRsLCXnwwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_DejYO2YoY/V3J-pCh-0PI/AAAAAAAADTQ/dhjj7jhjUUMXakCXeRaCuhDfmRsLCXnwwCLcB/s640/GOPR0114.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5A65w_9UJY/V3J6-UIORpI/AAAAAAAADRI/NqeTkzcO16I_r9Ly7w98KTKf4kcrnXMQwCLcB/s1600/2016-06-14%2B08.44.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5A65w_9UJY/V3J6-UIORpI/AAAAAAAADRI/NqeTkzcO16I_r9Ly7w98KTKf4kcrnXMQwCLcB/s640/2016-06-14%2B08.44.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick off to work in the morning with his Ural Sidecar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ0apmUpTVQ/V3J8qOeb0-I/AAAAAAAADR8/mAlR09WilWYSoM46tStMIIu7neF4d9X5wCLcB/s1600/2016-06-14%2B12.27.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ0apmUpTVQ/V3J8qOeb0-I/AAAAAAAADR8/mAlR09WilWYSoM46tStMIIu7neF4d9X5wCLcB/s640/2016-06-14%2B12.27.29.jpg" width="640" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2tj9giBjwA/V3J81eBNBnI/AAAAAAAADSI/BNPYAgZMWrsRtG5kYs3a57KnPg4FcMZzgCLcB/s1600/2016-06-14%2B17.09.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y2tj9giBjwA/V3J81eBNBnI/AAAAAAAADSI/BNPYAgZMWrsRtG5kYs3a57KnPg4FcMZzgCLcB/s640/2016-06-14%2B17.09.34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The grand canyon of France, Verdon I think it's called</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8n1MOxiCBw/V3J_BCoZhqI/AAAAAAAADTc/uoit8ZVymFg3di2gbpkXL1LtKC5hyirsgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q8n1MOxiCBw/V3J_BCoZhqI/AAAAAAAADTc/uoit8ZVymFg3di2gbpkXL1LtKC5hyirsgCLcB/s640/GOPR0139.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8taTFhvzI5Q/V3J8jijPjVI/AAAAAAAADR0/hqId1quBHP06SR5w9AYMpH2bzhGT63hqQCLcB/s1600/2016-06-15%2B15.14.04%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8taTFhvzI5Q/V3J8jijPjVI/AAAAAAAADR0/hqId1quBHP06SR5w9AYMpH2bzhGT63hqQCLcB/s320/2016-06-15%2B15.14.04%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick ride through Monte Carlo to check out all the posh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh0NxJPRMCM/V3J_QBr6ShI/AAAAAAAADTo/Ahaow6idh0wCr6UK4KsvAtpSjaf33BDTwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh0NxJPRMCM/V3J_QBr6ShI/AAAAAAAADTo/Ahaow6idh0wCr6UK4KsvAtpSjaf33BDTwCLcB/s640/GOPR0147.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like finding old roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6j304sttG-4/V3J_jTqbaLI/AAAAAAAADT0/nmOXS8tjXT09C12EFdjg0gL7SHNitbVoQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6j304sttG-4/V3J_jTqbaLI/AAAAAAAADT0/nmOXS8tjXT09C12EFdjg0gL7SHNitbVoQCLcB/s640/GOPR0154.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....And narrow ones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With summer heat and busy plains to the south I decide to head east right in the highlands of the alps and cross the border with Italy several times, it's all fantastic riding and the mountains here continue to impress, as does the friendliness of the people. One particular day after enjoying a great day of riding I decide it's time to find some place to camp and think that the small city down in the valley should have something. But it's getting a bit late and can't find anything. I decide to get something to eat and then freedom camp somewhere. I find a pizzeria which is not really ideal food for a diabetic but what the hell it's late, it's raining and I'm hungry! I get stuck into a massive pizza after winding the insulin pen off the scale and then have to administer another dose when beer turns up on my table courtesy of a large family of Italians who seem to be impressed to find a kiwi biking around their home town.<br />
<br />
It's still raining outside when I leave the restaurant and decide to head back up the hill a little ways to a nice looking picnic area that I spotted on the way into town, it's a little out of the way and thinking if I setup this late and leave early I'm not likely to have any issues camping. Arriving back at the site it looks really nice, only thing is it's now overrun with a bunch of people who have set up bush party, big tarp with generator and massive big speaker system. My Idea of a nice peaceful sleep here is not going to happen, I think about it for a second, turn off the bike, head over to the tarp and attempt to communicate, more beer is offered and helps. Turns into a interesting but late night, the group being a super nice lot who have all moved over from Romania for a better quality of life! I guess that really is the fun part about travelling without a plan, it's funny just where you end up sometimes!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3Xzh0Qs_ew/V3pje4-fdSI/AAAAAAAADVA/_T1TgP67_0EINxM2AATTaVtfZXZ3ie2PACLcB/s1600/2016-06-18%2B22.59.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U3Xzh0Qs_ew/V3pje4-fdSI/AAAAAAAADVA/_T1TgP67_0EINxM2AATTaVtfZXZ3ie2PACLcB/s400/2016-06-18%2B22.59.34.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNjwo4OiuCA/V3J429xf9wI/AAAAAAAADQ8/G0zIOIVuBDoBAEYb-yuxzv1Uo4M6nKRwwCLcB/s1600/2016-06-19%2B10.05.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wNjwo4OiuCA/V3J429xf9wI/AAAAAAAADQ8/G0zIOIVuBDoBAEYb-yuxzv1Uo4M6nKRwwCLcB/s320/2016-06-19%2B10.05.21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's about 8 in the morning and the sound system is up and running after just a few hours sleep!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bsyJeHXbkR0/V3pk0OQeDNI/AAAAAAAADVM/T_9nCwNtxb8P9tcXdTIBuy7hMTdq3WQgQCLcB/s1600/2016-06-19%2B10.01.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bsyJeHXbkR0/V3pk0OQeDNI/AAAAAAAADVM/T_9nCwNtxb8P9tcXdTIBuy7hMTdq3WQgQCLcB/s400/2016-06-19%2B10.01.58.jpg" width="400" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40RY-H8JolU/V3pmIbaQhZI/AAAAAAAADVY/86hAE2JsxcMbNL_26vzp2qCEgMlrVjKogCLcB/s1600/2016-06-19%2B15.04.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-40RY-H8JolU/V3pmIbaQhZI/AAAAAAAADVY/86hAE2JsxcMbNL_26vzp2qCEgMlrVjKogCLcB/s640/2016-06-19%2B15.04.22.jpg" width="640" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9n_U3yUr3Qg/V3J8E2cc3uI/AAAAAAAADRk/Uh9AbwvZqhgkYvSWOv81IujWnnVm0B_xACLcB/s1600/2016-06-19%2B15.21.32%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9n_U3yUr3Qg/V3J8E2cc3uI/AAAAAAAADRk/Uh9AbwvZqhgkYvSWOv81IujWnnVm0B_xACLcB/s320/2016-06-19%2B15.21.32%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little frustrated as the super reliable Dr refuses to start on the roadside in Italy. I decided to take the tank off to fix a seeping oil line and managed to snag an electrical connector under the seat, took a while to find it and a while to get the tank on and off a few times!<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcPCxuYUj1U/V3qk-FA7fKI/AAAAAAAADWE/xl6cxm0bajw8EqP7CscD7NYK0VIBZ7-pACLcB/s1600/2016-06-23%2B15.04.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VcPCxuYUj1U/V3qk-FA7fKI/AAAAAAAADWE/xl6cxm0bajw8EqP7CscD7NYK0VIBZ7-pACLcB/s400/2016-06-23%2B15.04.57.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bit of wear and tear, large zip tie should hold things together until I find a welder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MJ937p72vY/V3J8XZ4skXI/AAAAAAAADRs/M3MvRS3nh80B2Cu7RcyvrN_J_nIt0OtVgCLcB/s1600/2016-06-18%2B16.29.27%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0MJ937p72vY/V3J8XZ4skXI/AAAAAAAADRs/M3MvRS3nh80B2Cu7RcyvrN_J_nIt0OtVgCLcB/s640/2016-06-18%2B16.29.27%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great riding in Italy, this road traversed a ridge up at 2000m</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1e_Cpyaxqw/V3J_x1dPyuI/AAAAAAAADT8/A_lIfaYAy_IWutyb3_1ll-FoEqkroC1DACLcB/s1600/GOPR0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D1e_Cpyaxqw/V3J_x1dPyuI/AAAAAAAADT8/A_lIfaYAy_IWutyb3_1ll-FoEqkroC1DACLcB/s640/GOPR0172.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The ride east has me crossing back and forth between Italy and Switzerland. It's all good riding but down in the valleys it's getting really hot and not so enjoyable when held up amongst the traffic. Damn traffic, don't like traffic much!! When pulling up late in the evening at a restaurant I'm fortunate to meet Rachel and Franko and a few other friends having a beer outside in the shade.<br />
<br />
I get a few stares as the obvious foreigner approaches but they are a welcoming lot and Rachel speaks good English. It doesn't take much persuading to accept Rachel's offer of a place to stay so I'm led out of town and up into a steep sided valley. After a kilometre or so of rough dirt road we park up outside an old church and then walk over an ancient stone arch bridge and into a village that was abandoned many years ago.<br />
<br />
The houses are small and multi-storeyed and clustered together with narrow pathways between, it's all constructed in stone, with old timbers supporting the roofs. The stone work is impressive and the rock has been split into massive flat slabs for roofing and steps. Rachel has restored a house here made up of two small cabins with lofts and basements, one has a massive open fireplace. It's all very cool, and I find the whole village amazing. There are about 4 or 5 houses out of a dozen or so that have been or are in the process of being fixed up.</div>
<div>
<br />
The village was abandoned when local inhabitants made up a false report that the above hill side was unstable and the whole village unsafe...all this so they could get given some more profitable land out in the flat lands down valley. Rachel who spent most of her working years wondering about the mountain tops as a geologist found this place and was the first to re occupy for next to nothing! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJ0apmUpTVQ/V3J8qOeb0-I/AAAAAAAADR8/mAlR09WilWYSoM46tStMIIu7neF4d9X5wCLcB/s1600/2016-06-14%2B12.27.29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9dBtIc2aGU/V3J9QVR58PI/AAAAAAAADSk/fWweeCSpjsk5WFz2hm0DxPIeZ5m6AXyMgCLcB/s1600/2016-06-21%2B18.58.16%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B9dBtIc2aGU/V3J9QVR58PI/AAAAAAAADSk/fWweeCSpjsk5WFz2hm0DxPIeZ5m6AXyMgCLcB/s640/2016-06-21%2B18.58.16%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ancient village of Veglio where I was fortunate to have stayed a few days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujCr-JhqoYc/V3J9H5wolYI/AAAAAAAADSc/QlZpBB98aUc0q-EZgN5cRnmbl8hp2ItuQCLcB/s1600/2016-06-21%2B18.54.21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ujCr-JhqoYc/V3J9H5wolYI/AAAAAAAADSc/QlZpBB98aUc0q-EZgN5cRnmbl8hp2ItuQCLcB/s640/2016-06-21%2B18.54.21.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPoiqtKsbOI/V3J9axQilII/AAAAAAAADSs/wNcYR-fogusoyuN2ZWKdeXjOYLOX2aAIwCLcB/s1600/2016-06-21%2B19.01.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPoiqtKsbOI/V3J9axQilII/AAAAAAAADSs/wNcYR-fogusoyuN2ZWKdeXjOYLOX2aAIwCLcB/s640/2016-06-21%2B19.01.00.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3SfE1DpZ1k/V3pnavyi3jI/AAAAAAAADVk/O2_SgtpoSlsDpy-BfS1OUYOH7PJ-lpGIwCLcB/s1600/2016-06-21%2B10.51.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h3SfE1DpZ1k/V3pnavyi3jI/AAAAAAAADVk/O2_SgtpoSlsDpy-BfS1OUYOH7PJ-lpGIwCLcB/s640/2016-06-21%2B10.51.32.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giCJ0GN17cs/V3qkp_vK9BI/AAAAAAAADV4/1jhBnXcMen8BFNGdr31VKokY_B94dvJsQCLcB/s1600/2016-06-21%2B19.03.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-giCJ0GN17cs/V3qkp_vK9BI/AAAAAAAADV4/1jhBnXcMen8BFNGdr31VKokY_B94dvJsQCLcB/s640/2016-06-21%2B19.03.08.jpg" width="480" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fSIWXHAKzo/V3J8_luhoBI/AAAAAAAADSQ/j6YqfLhUDfMNg4gGPRYIJmLqu2Ph1bQpACLcB/s1600/2016-06-21%2B17.06.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6fSIWXHAKzo/V3J8_luhoBI/AAAAAAAADSQ/j6YqfLhUDfMNg4gGPRYIJmLqu2Ph1bQpACLcB/s400/2016-06-21%2B17.06.42.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Franko and his Fiat Panda, He ripped around in it like a rally driver. During the following days I saw many Fiat Panda's on the roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvfL9NNjxk4/V3qkfck7plI/AAAAAAAADV0/dlNcQpL4I-sBeHhsoD8N112vOucV_OMmACLcB/s1600/2016-06-21%2B18.29.51%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mvfL9NNjxk4/V3qkfck7plI/AAAAAAAADV0/dlNcQpL4I-sBeHhsoD8N112vOucV_OMmACLcB/s400/2016-06-21%2B18.29.51%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoxjini6A5U/V3qkxu1CgJI/AAAAAAAADV8/Jk3oo3VR5tIiftW7-_CcruTmaARNgCrgACLcB/s1600/2016-06-22%2B10.44.21%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoxjini6A5U/V3qkxu1CgJI/AAAAAAAADV8/Jk3oo3VR5tIiftW7-_CcruTmaARNgCrgACLcB/s400/2016-06-22%2B10.44.21%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel, a very lovely lady who kindly offered a small cabin to use for a few days in the old Village of Veglio. Had a really enjoyable couple of days break from riding, a couple small walks, checked out the wonders of the old village, sampled some fondue and a traditional spirt made from the root of an alpine plant, and had some great chats about unusual New Zealand birds!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKqV01psp2U/V3J9jcz3jUI/AAAAAAAADS0/ClwUKGrwofE4C9gqVrliNgjbPF2-44B8gCLcB/s1600/2016-06-22%2B11.09.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eKqV01psp2U/V3J9jcz3jUI/AAAAAAAADS0/ClwUKGrwofE4C9gqVrliNgjbPF2-44B8gCLcB/s640/2016-06-22%2B11.09.34.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ones for sale.....would love to have something like this back home to muck about with.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2YH2zKSAtE/V3qo4jfYoqI/AAAAAAAADWk/ssIMbl3yWFwoCIgGEM4z5ZJ-hkpFFLHjQCLcB/s1600/2016-06-23%2B08.03.55%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2YH2zKSAtE/V3qo4jfYoqI/AAAAAAAADWk/ssIMbl3yWFwoCIgGEM4z5ZJ-hkpFFLHjQCLcB/s400/2016-06-23%2B08.03.55%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enrico and Carlo, fellow bikers from Italy, shared a camp with them during there loop through Italy and France</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfQpGp18l5Q/V3J9y9FRhPI/AAAAAAAADS8/LRtaRmsXhH4zoWbO4lfnEYYt1MRonlhWgCLcB/s1600/2016-06-22%2B11.18.31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wfQpGp18l5Q/V3J9y9FRhPI/AAAAAAAADS8/LRtaRmsXhH4zoWbO4lfnEYYt1MRonlhWgCLcB/s640/2016-06-22%2B11.18.31.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
A small town on the way to the village of Veglio</div>
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKXJng-_cdE/V3J97d088_I/AAAAAAAADTE/8-HLRnOPd6U-fr5E0IiX-Ea9cczUEUgjACLcB/s1600/2016-06-23%2B15.10.22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hKXJng-_cdE/V3J97d088_I/AAAAAAAADTE/8-HLRnOPd6U-fr5E0IiX-Ea9cczUEUgjACLcB/s640/2016-06-23%2B15.10.22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching the Dolmiti National Park, Italy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWUBJ8BJQ_k/V3qlGOmrFCI/AAAAAAAADWI/RKN7sV1d7r8N-agoRcEp28kSA-_rlQ11wCLcB/s1600/2016-06-24%2B12.19.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qWUBJ8BJQ_k/V3qlGOmrFCI/AAAAAAAADWI/RKN7sV1d7r8N-agoRcEp28kSA-_rlQ11wCLcB/s640/2016-06-24%2B12.19.46.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out on a day hike in the Dolomite's, quite a spectacular area of mountains here! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wS3icVSGJuk/V3qlLkRcGNI/AAAAAAAADWM/MWH7kr4eOxoazipoN6R8mK2CJu7i_QtUgCLcB/s1600/2016-06-24%2B19.07.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wS3icVSGJuk/V3qlLkRcGNI/AAAAAAAADWM/MWH7kr4eOxoazipoN6R8mK2CJu7i_QtUgCLcB/s640/2016-06-24%2B19.07.40.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from base camp, not bad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
After the hiking in the Dolomites I head for Bratislava in Slovakia to visit good friend Daniel. The plan is to have a catch up and also obtain some of the remaining visa's that I require. It's now under three months before I enter China so it's possible to apply, I find the consulate ok but they don't accept applications that day, I have to come back tomorrow. Ok, no problem I can do that. "What do I need" I ask through the speaker phone at the locked gate just to make sure I have everything ready.... "just a photo and the letter of introduction".....great I have everything then......"and a residency card or work contract, judging by your accent you are not from here" ......WTF!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Didn't see that one coming, the Chinese embassy in New Zealand had told me that it would be no problem to apply outside of NZ. So now I can add China to the list of problem visa's along with Russia ....shit. It's a bit of a worry, maybe I can get it closer to China in Central Asia? There is some less desirable route alternatives to Russia but the China visa is essential! The whole trip is now up in the air!!</div>
<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyUP87NS_Zg/V4OjF8G-CBI/AAAAAAAADW0/5LUkV6TAsRYu1_jH8eJOTUBnTWOXyTCBACLcB/s1600/2016-07-06%2B16.15.05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vyUP87NS_Zg/V4OjF8G-CBI/AAAAAAAADW0/5LUkV6TAsRYu1_jH8eJOTUBnTWOXyTCBACLcB/s400/2016-07-06%2B16.15.05.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel and his KTM 950 in Bratislava</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRayU0ANb_4/V3qlRopmYRI/AAAAAAAADWU/wAQoqOPogH4uU6CZWfVOW28AuGVQuQAEgCLcB/s1600/2016-07-01%2B12.17.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRayU0ANb_4/V3qlRopmYRI/AAAAAAAADWU/wAQoqOPogH4uU6CZWfVOW28AuGVQuQAEgCLcB/s400/2016-07-01%2B12.17.51.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Peter and his son Peter Junior. Peter is a friend of Daniel's and works a small auto shop just around the corner, super great guy. He welded up the pannier racks and helped to get a few bits and pieces for the bike sorted. Both his son and twin daughter were diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 3 and interestingly both developed the disease just after some vaccination shots. We spent some time talking about diabetes and comparing our medical devices, both the kids run pumps and continuous glucose meters but unfortunately only one per family is funded by the government. I can't help but think about the challenges that these to kids are facing, I just hope that for them seeing me out travelling will maybe help give them some encouragement and maybe with a improvement in modern technology things will get easier.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6j304sttG-4/V3J_jTqbaLI/AAAAAAAADT0/nmOXS8tjXT09C12EFdjg0gL7SHNitbVoQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-8708885289007588872016-06-10T12:01:00.000-07:002016-06-10T12:31:22.471-07:00Europe to NZ, this ones gong to be interesting!I'm on the plane, Auckland - Singapore - Frankfurt, It's all feeling very real now, the last few months of frantic organizing is over. I should be excited and happy, I'm off on a trip of a life time but I'm not. Instead I'm thinking what the heck am I doing? The enormity of what I'm about to undertake is hitting home, maybe I'm under prepared for this one? I've got a fair bit of experience at this now but there is going to be a new level of challenges to face on this leg.<br />
<br />
I try to sit back and enjoy some in flight entertainment in the form of Eddie the Eagle the movie. It's toward the end and I get all emotional all because Eddie has just overcome some challenges and realizing his dream of Ski jumping at the Olympics. I think about it for a bit and realize that Eddies story resonates with me on a few levels, he's out following his dreams against the norms, he has the loving support of his mum but his dad just wants him to get a real job, but in the end this dad is as proud as can be. The last few weeks of saying good bye to everyone has been bolted, and now on my own on the plane it comes out. I am lucky to have such a great family and friends, and such a great place to call home in Golden Bay. I will miss it all.<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_265283744"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2y5NoEirywc/V1sBZRKAmtI/AAAAAAAADOc/7FNYNszoRC89w6L4NtYLcoHbo8aiBRV6ACLcB/s1600/2016-05-26%2B11.42.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<span id="goog_265283745"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2vm_JvDnJg/V1sBotXoZTI/AAAAAAAADOk/bwRvISrn5MkzDpWdeECVIQ-KDU4B5ZmowCLcB/s1600/2016-05-22%2B15.42.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2vm_JvDnJg/V1sBotXoZTI/AAAAAAAADOk/bwRvISrn5MkzDpWdeECVIQ-KDU4B5ZmowCLcB/s640/2016-05-22%2B15.42.01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UZcT-MfPyA/V1sB3sS5ACI/AAAAAAAADOs/HPlSL2SEJmQ_lisF6zcmEM9afn89XnviwCLcB/s1600/2016-05-17%2B10.33.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8UZcT-MfPyA/V1sB3sS5ACI/AAAAAAAADOs/HPlSL2SEJmQ_lisF6zcmEM9afn89XnviwCLcB/s640/2016-05-17%2B10.33.48.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some people think I'm a bit crazy doing what I'm doing leaving the bay and also a job where I sometimes get paid to ride in some pretty fantastic places!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2y5NoEirywc/V1sBZRKAmtI/AAAAAAAADOc/7FNYNszoRC89w6L4NtYLcoHbo8aiBRV6ACLcB/s1600/2016-05-26%2B11.42.24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2y5NoEirywc/V1sBZRKAmtI/AAAAAAAADOc/7FNYNszoRC89w6L4NtYLcoHbo8aiBRV6ACLcB/s640/2016-05-26%2B11.42.24.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
This summer I considered staying back at home for longer, giving myself a bit more time to enjoy being in NZ and also get on top of the mountain of visa's and bits and pieces that would be required for my planed route. I procrastinated for a while and then decided to just go for it this year, that meant I had 8 visa's to get plus a document for the motorcycle called a Carnet de Passage. The visa's are a pain, some have restrictions such as limited time between issue and entry dates which means on a big trip you have to procure some on the road, and then some countries make it hard to get outside your home country so it all gets a little messy, and they all require your passport so you can only do one at a time! Another thing is that you have to commit to time frames which is something that I'd rather not do and is also difficult to predict.<br />
<br />
A number of factors came into play when deciding on this route. One thing that I had decided is that this was likely to be the last big trip for a while. It's been an amazing experience so far but I feel that I don't want to be doing this too much longer, there are other things that I'd like to pursue, this journey has been my focus for the last 5 years, I've put everything into it. And simply put it costs money and I wont have much by the end of this leg.<br />
<br />
There are places like Africa, Eastern Russia and Mongolia that would be great to see by motorcycle but if I have a choice this is it; Eastern Europe- Central Asia- South East Asia- Indonesia- Australia - New Zealand. I look forward to riding into my home town and pulling up for a beer! So this is the rough plan for 2016-2017:<br />
<br />
Germany, France, Italy, Croatia, Albania, Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand<br />
<br />
I arrive in Frankfurt airport and have no problems getting myself onto the "Ice" train and proceed to get propelled towards Heidelberg at 200km/hr, it's easy as I did this last year so everything is familiar. Arriving at Stefan Knopf's motorcycle business I find the Dr in the courtyard out to greet me, all my packages are here except the one that was ordered from the US- that requires a custom duty to be paid, rather than go straight to bed and recover from the 10 plus 12 hour back to back flights I have to go straight to the customs office to pay the duty, a day later and the parcel would have been sent back to the US, that was lucky! I was expecting to have to get a new battery, I still have the original and it's been stored several times now but after a little cranking the bike was up in running...sweet!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2KlatdWYaI/V1sDBKiodbI/AAAAAAAADPI/xgQSvqRVDaciZU5AKZDpg4GTTED8LgycgCLcB/s1600/2016-05-22%2B12.37.02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K2KlatdWYaI/V1sDBKiodbI/AAAAAAAADPI/xgQSvqRVDaciZU5AKZDpg4GTTED8LgycgCLcB/s640/2016-05-22%2B12.37.02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So that's the route.... should be easy!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_MuYOIgFxU/V1mauoP-1PI/AAAAAAAADNM/2swRxzg0zrYCEiqGo6F9OAq61NupLnRhwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_MuYOIgFxU/V1mauoP-1PI/AAAAAAAADNM/2swRxzg0zrYCEiqGo6F9OAq61NupLnRhwCLcB/s640/GOPR0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The next few days are spent striping down the bike and replacing worn out components, a quick inspection at the end of last years trip meant that I had pre ordered and also brought a bunch of parts on the plane so hopefully had everything on hand to get straight into it. Major jobs included;<br />
<br />
New fork seals and oil<br />
Re greased rear swing arm bearings<br />
New SS brake lines and disc's front and rear<br />
New clutch plates and disc's plus new cable<br />
New chain slider on swing arm<br />
<br />
The fork seals proved to be a bit of a hassle as I had to find a hard wear store and build a tool to disassemble the forks. I was going to replace a seeping head gasket but found one head stud to be loose so have just re torqued and will keep an eye on it and replace later if needed, bit reluctant to open it up if not really needed, like the old saying goes... if it isn't broke don't fook with it. Interestingly, after 112000km the old clutch looked like new and probably shouldn't fooked with it too but I guess it's good to know that it IS new now. It's hard to say how much to do here while I have a good workshop as I'd rather not have to fook with the bike in outback Kazakhstan!!<br />
<br />
I quite like working on motorbikes, but often it stresses me out a bit....did I torque that nut right?....is it going to explode? etc etc. I didn't get to see much of Heidelberg last year so enjoy a break from wrenching and do a little walk about the old town and castle with local lass Rebekka.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeumygKgyIg/V1mYrQtLfWI/AAAAAAAADMQ/iSRYJLjKZXwfVhQSMDBa9qrPt-0UzoVxgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DeumygKgyIg/V1mYrQtLfWI/AAAAAAAADMQ/iSRYJLjKZXwfVhQSMDBa9qrPt-0UzoVxgCLcB/s640/GOPR0014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4saKuPHITQ/V1mZCFZlIqI/AAAAAAAADMY/SYKvDRbL3wUMr1LIfnHalpiKeJhSbGFigCLcB/s1600/GOPR0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X4saKuPHITQ/V1mZCFZlIqI/AAAAAAAADMY/SYKvDRbL3wUMr1LIfnHalpiKeJhSbGFigCLcB/s640/GOPR0039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRfWDngkNeA/V1mcLJ_Nc4I/AAAAAAAADN8/gnRaxfKWKdcq-4wKc37Fm-BsrXYbqE_OgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRfWDngkNeA/V1mcLJ_Nc4I/AAAAAAAADN8/gnRaxfKWKdcq-4wKc37Fm-BsrXYbqE_OgCLcB/s640/GOPR0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Clutch going in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6HsFTkpL4o/V1mZT8i-LmI/AAAAAAAADMk/cPmsQzy3pUcNtDigXU2m0YZVeRfoIauOACLcB/s1600/GOPR0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F6HsFTkpL4o/V1mZT8i-LmI/AAAAAAAADMk/cPmsQzy3pUcNtDigXU2m0YZVeRfoIauOACLcB/s640/GOPR0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwmI7Smy8Ow/V1mZoQZN4vI/AAAAAAAADMw/tsPBd7R8G7g7TTSLtXqyOky825kqTcznQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwmI7Smy8Ow/V1mZoQZN4vI/AAAAAAAADMw/tsPBd7R8G7g7TTSLtXqyOky825kqTcznQCLcB/s640/GOPR0038.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New fork seals, the oil that came out of here was bad!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E209gIS8qfU/V1mZ4Ps7OiI/AAAAAAAADM4/xL8M0KvwfvEsl3DtOmpIZc8MaQwRcwo-wCLcB/s1600/GOPR0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E209gIS8qfU/V1mZ4Ps7OiI/AAAAAAAADM4/xL8M0KvwfvEsl3DtOmpIZc8MaQwRcwo-wCLcB/s640/GOPR0019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a bit of work to get some fresh grease into the swing arm and linkages</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQYFB5w86dg/V1mco51JPWI/AAAAAAAADOI/0BODS-IHTxkfeTVsNENzy4zr9F42ikJfQCLcB/s1600/GOPR0050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pQYFB5w86dg/V1mco51JPWI/AAAAAAAADOI/0BODS-IHTxkfeTVsNENzy4zr9F42ikJfQCLcB/s640/GOPR0050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New racing stripe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Turns out I spend a whole week in Heidelberg, Stefan's place has been great for getting started this year, it was a bit of a mission getting back here last November in the snow but I knew it would be worth it. It's been great to have the workshop to use, nice camping out the back of the property and the best thing is you are meeting and hanging out with a whole heap of bike travellers all coming in to collect and drop of their bikes for travelling. lots of great People<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ebAjkE-PEw/V1sCMk_Jh6I/AAAAAAAADO0/_YhI1eBVUHYozy7faVtGS6H8yZdhToJWgCLcB/s1600/2016-05-30%2B19.24.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ebAjkE-PEw/V1sCMk_Jh6I/AAAAAAAADO0/_YhI1eBVUHYozy7faVtGS6H8yZdhToJWgCLcB/s400/2016-05-30%2B19.24.56.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out Heidelberg Castle with Rebekka</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-px9loSHonkE/V1lSAiwmRwI/AAAAAAAADL0/s8KHnnGgNig2sPvE1nQEQjcRr3cG_kPxwCLcB/s1600/DSC07145.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-px9loSHonkE/V1lSAiwmRwI/AAAAAAAADL0/s8KHnnGgNig2sPvE1nQEQjcRr3cG_kPxwCLcB/s640/DSC07145.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whisky and pizza!! ....with Peter and Beatie who are running the property while Stefan is away and another Stefan plus Pete and Jerry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ATf0c8DISg/V1sKYsUBKNI/AAAAAAAADP4/fLlDoQTNSYEPT_nmPd1mm8LVITRua6ECACLcB/s1600/2016-06-06%2B09.34.34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ATf0c8DISg/V1sKYsUBKNI/AAAAAAAADP4/fLlDoQTNSYEPT_nmPd1mm8LVITRua6ECACLcB/s640/2016-06-06%2B09.34.34.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Me with Beatie, Gina and Jerry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3rjfWD5Cz0/V1maSKvUAlI/AAAAAAAADNE/jE91c1-OzrkfWYe-G9TzOaUPrYDdMiJegCLcB/s1600/GOPR0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z3rjfWD5Cz0/V1maSKvUAlI/AAAAAAAADNE/jE91c1-OzrkfWYe-G9TzOaUPrYDdMiJegCLcB/s640/GOPR0045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really Enjoyed Pete, such a cool dude....he's making some last minute adjustment to "Bike Friday" before heading out on a tour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlfwmL6Bacs/V1sVTFRYbhI/AAAAAAAADQI/nC--V5yeDbAfp-yr2efN9BBy_vI7RIw7QCLcB/s1600/2016-06-04%2B10.04.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlfwmL6Bacs/V1sVTFRYbhI/AAAAAAAADQI/nC--V5yeDbAfp-yr2efN9BBy_vI7RIw7QCLcB/s640/2016-06-04%2B10.04.38.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonnie and Tim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Next on the to do list once the bike was up and running was to have a crack at the remaining visa applications that I need. Of most concern is the Russian visa, I had a go at getting this on the way out of NZ in Wellington but unfortunately came up short, I was not able to get the short processing time for the area I was intending to visit due to a higher level of security, and I had only just realized that this one could be difficult to obtain outside of ones country of residence.<br />
<br />
With Frankfurt not too far up the road with a Russian Consulate and also Kazakhstan Consulate I decide to Have a look sooner rather than later, first enquires indicated that I would need to prove German residency to apply for the Russian visa here, but I wanted to check for sure. I knew this was not going to be fun or easy, I find the Russians easily enough with the wizardry that is my GPS, but I'm already hot and not enjoying the traffic. There's a queue out side the embassy with a guard, I show him my documents and tell him I'd like to apply for a tourist visa, he doesn't understand and although most young Germans speak some English it appears to be mainly Russian people queued and no one speaks English! Eventually a nice young lady translates for the guard and it becomes obvious that I need to go online in German and make an appointment and come back another time....just to probably be told that I have to have residency here. Not worth the hassle at the moment.<br />
<br />
So I bring up the Kazakh consulate on the GPS and hit "go to". As I suspected things are a bit more laid back here, no queue and lucky the lady behind the counter speaks a little English and within a few minutes I'm filling in a application form, no need to go download an online form or anything like that, just good old fashioned hand written form, only thing is I'm a little under prepared and have not revised my route and need to indicate which areas I will be travelling, I tell the lady behind the counter I will need to go off and find my maps/or internet, she then gives me some small maps that don't have enough detail and eventually comes out with a massive framed wall map that they must have hanging in the back office just for me to have a look at! A nice change from the Russian consulate and thanks to the very helpful staff I have an application underway straight away and should have it ready for pick up in three days. I feel a bit happier to be making some progress.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uBxkkRpitXc/V1sCflb2O9I/AAAAAAAADO8/9oDXOHOWlOUUrj4miW0nxyTzBI-dgbpJwCLcB/s1600/2016-06-06%2B09.45.45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uBxkkRpitXc/V1sCflb2O9I/AAAAAAAADO8/9oDXOHOWlOUUrj4miW0nxyTzBI-dgbpJwCLcB/s640/2016-06-06%2B09.45.45.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry and Gina from Alaska, met these guys here last year also. Super nice couple and they have being coming over riding every year for ages!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZNYe6Q1QEU/V1lTp6OBriI/AAAAAAAADMA/-AN0AS36xLIBYg_Nu7dHLI8QIoreWXM7gCLcB/s1600/GOPR0083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZNYe6Q1QEU/V1lTp6OBriI/AAAAAAAADMA/-AN0AS36xLIBYg_Nu7dHLI8QIoreWXM7gCLcB/s640/GOPR0083.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blasting about in downtown Frankfurt, the evenings where nice, the daytime too hot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VY3lQpS2fPc/V1mbrSlbL2I/AAAAAAAADNw/byky_Fb1cQQe2m-_FoS675k1cujs7_0KACLcB/s1600/GOPR0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VY3lQpS2fPc/V1mbrSlbL2I/AAAAAAAADNw/byky_Fb1cQQe2m-_FoS675k1cujs7_0KACLcB/s640/GOPR0077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M22DBVhjvNQ/V1sIFRg67dI/AAAAAAAADPc/r74fYbIfhhM3D3IOxUQvJ8G5LeibNj5CgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M22DBVhjvNQ/V1sIFRg67dI/AAAAAAAADPc/r74fYbIfhhM3D3IOxUQvJ8G5LeibNj5CgCLcB/s640/GOPR0085.JPG" width="640" /></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apozKCIUZxU/V1sIg2OHXhI/AAAAAAAADPk/cb564uJUcxgwa7jwcLXTMLkVQgwJv7NQACLcB/s1600/GOPR0088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-apozKCIUZxU/V1sIg2OHXhI/AAAAAAAADPk/cb564uJUcxgwa7jwcLXTMLkVQgwJv7NQACLcB/s640/GOPR0088.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kazakhstan Consulate were very helpful, I had the visa after 3 days for a very reasonable 35 euro.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aFs99fEME60/V1mbGdahTEI/AAAAAAAADNY/xye77ztuMB4VVTQuMqV_g24LTbkJ89LSwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aFs99fEME60/V1mbGdahTEI/AAAAAAAADNY/xye77ztuMB4VVTQuMqV_g24LTbkJ89LSwCLcB/s640/GOPR0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... some sexy bikes kicking around in town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M22DBVhjvNQ/V1sIFRg67dI/AAAAAAAADPc/r74fYbIfhhM3D3IOxUQvJ8G5LeibNj5CgCLcB/s1600/GOPR0085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWjcev5poOw/V1mbaOxb-tI/AAAAAAAADNk/Z-SYf13Milcd9YLQOxdjBe1SitNdk49ZwCLcB/s1600/GOPR0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kWjcev5poOw/V1mbaOxb-tI/AAAAAAAADNk/Z-SYf13Milcd9YLQOxdjBe1SitNdk49ZwCLcB/s640/GOPR0071.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-67967245613657577502016-02-04T02:31:00.001-08:002016-02-04T10:46:42.961-08:00Morocco the movie<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y2vIyrcRsvM" width="480"></iframe><br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-67877659569913008712016-01-01T22:14:00.000-08:002016-01-01T23:06:26.618-08:00Magical Morocco<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvqW4ydmk_Q/Vmyx298X33I/AAAAAAAADAw/JY9REvS0tTw/s1600/patricks%2Bdune%2Bshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jvqW4ydmk_Q/Vmyx298X33I/AAAAAAAADAw/JY9REvS0tTw/s640/patricks%2Bdune%2Bshot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Erg Chebbi dunes near the border with Algeria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was in two minds to try and fit a trip over to Morocco in during this season or not, sometimes it's best to cover less ground and spend more time in fewer places meaning you can really have a good look around. As it turned out visa requirements meant I had to spend some time out of Europe.... so Morocco was on. I discovered I could get a 3 day ferry directly from Italy to Tanger for a reasonable price of 150 euro and would save time riding in Europe.<br />
<br />
So it was a very fast trip from Croatia and across the top of Italy to the ferry at Livorno, accidentally passing by a leaning tower on the way. I was hoping to arrive early and try and find somewhere to watch the All Blacks win the Rugby world cup but the correct ferry terminal was hard to locate and took for ever and together with looking at leaning towers I ran out of time. The 2nd day on the ferry was rough, in fact it was the roughest day in 6 months and as a result I was sick as a dog. On arriving at the port I was pretty tired and I still had to plan a route through Morocco so the plan was to find a backpackers, park up for a day or two, get some sleep, catch up on the blog and research a route through the Atlas mountains and out to the Sahara desert. <br />
<br />
That plan went out the window though when another rider pulled up at customs on a rowdy old Yamaha after exiting another ferry. I got talking to Patrick, he was French and was riding with a couple of buddies. Before arriving in Morocco I was thinking it would be better to have some riding partners here so I asked straight up if I could tag along. Turned out to be a great opportunity for me, Patrick had been to Morocco a few times and new some great routes and we found some fantastic riding. Also for me it was a great change from riding solo and I really enjoyed the company and the fun of fooling about in a group.<br />
<br />
Morocco was for me one the best places I've ridden. Interesting culture/people and amazing landscapes. With the fun over and out of time I had to battle it out on motorways in winter conditions back up to Germany and park the bike back where I started 6 months and 30 000km earlier. And with that another chapter in the adventure has come to an end.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UfBo_el_iE/VoGvSv1CyxI/AAAAAAAADHE/OF-ZGzq4T4E/s1600/2015-11-06_09-33-54_271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2UfBo_el_iE/VoGvSv1CyxI/AAAAAAAADHE/OF-ZGzq4T4E/s640/2015-11-06_09-33-54_271.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PJ, Patrick, and Gwen. I met these French guys at the ferry port and they were happy for me to tag along. Had an absolute blast with these guys for a week of riding.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuXZ9pCzJ3o/VmyYsXglAYI/AAAAAAAAC_k/I87g8T3scH8/s1600/GOPR0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UuXZ9pCzJ3o/VmyYsXglAYI/AAAAAAAAC_k/I87g8T3scH8/s640/GOPR0165.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The French Fellas and there bikes, Gwen on the Triumph Tiger 800, PJ on the Bmw GS 800, and Patrick on the Iconic Yamaha XTZ twin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPnU8xdKGTc/VmyX0HLmXtI/AAAAAAAAC_c/HoL-PCC7G-E/s1600/GOPR0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPnU8xdKGTc/VmyX0HLmXtI/AAAAAAAAC_c/HoL-PCC7G-E/s640/GOPR0169.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1 and we were having fun, the low guards on all the big twins causing some problems in the sticky mud</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JVbqBM63xX8/VmyWskzX6aI/AAAAAAAAC_U/_HhKbGI6-BE/s1600/GOPR0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JVbqBM63xX8/VmyWskzX6aI/AAAAAAAAC_U/_HhKbGI6-BE/s640/GOPR0188.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the bikes going nowhere with locked up wheels it was time to give the locals some more entertainment!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYOOE8_31zc/VoGsAlmkMiI/AAAAAAAADGM/ekcT6vER-ho/s1600/2015-11-04_09-24-45_109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xYOOE8_31zc/VoGsAlmkMiI/AAAAAAAADGM/ekcT6vER-ho/s640/2015-11-04_09-24-45_109.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Blue town of Chefchaouen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DubjbZMgKVA/VoGsWhPxI3I/AAAAAAAADGU/oCZs_lT9h48/s1600/2015-11-04_14-41-35_150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DubjbZMgKVA/VoGsWhPxI3I/AAAAAAAADGU/oCZs_lT9h48/s640/2015-11-04_14-41-35_150.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The XTZ having a moment of malfunction, a broken electrical wire was the culprit and we were soon on the road again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3pzVxtpcero/VoGsjb2E1NI/AAAAAAAADGc/HSLdXb95XcQ/s1600/2015-11-05_08-13-16_728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3pzVxtpcero/VoGsjb2E1NI/AAAAAAAADGc/HSLdXb95XcQ/s640/2015-11-05_08-13-16_728.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out of one of Morocco's larger cities, Fes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9xwp48oJric/VoGs2bOz0oI/AAAAAAAADGk/JtHXfX8Z5Gk/s1600/2015-11-05_12-39-38_405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9xwp48oJric/VoGs2bOz0oI/AAAAAAAADGk/JtHXfX8Z5Gk/s640/2015-11-05_12-39-38_405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNvHRYP_Ylw/Vodzu5DQ6YI/AAAAAAAADKE/qYQylWDUfK4/s1600/pat%2Bgorge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNvHRYP_Ylw/Vodzu5DQ6YI/AAAAAAAADKE/qYQylWDUfK4/s640/pat%2Bgorge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc7jTAN3rFU/VoGtFs74mjI/AAAAAAAADGs/vq2pXgiy15E/s1600/2015-11-05_14-41-48_443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc7jTAN3rFU/VoGtFs74mjI/AAAAAAAADGs/vq2pXgiy15E/s640/2015-11-05_14-41-48_443.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C761SAD3ERM/VoGtRQi1k-I/AAAAAAAADG0/YdxY1PbyIMk/s1600/2015-11-05_15-41-49_550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C761SAD3ERM/VoGtRQi1k-I/AAAAAAAADG0/YdxY1PbyIMk/s640/2015-11-05_15-41-49_550.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick about to create some balloon characters for a family living remotely in the Atlas mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vdcEAvby-bM/VoGtil7pV6I/AAAAAAAADG8/Ng1A12D39UY/s1600/2015-11-05_15-42-20_428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vdcEAvby-bM/VoGtil7pV6I/AAAAAAAADG8/Ng1A12D39UY/s640/2015-11-05_15-42-20_428.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB2NnFZqNEs/VoGvn5vJDiI/AAAAAAAADHM/mi5QfpweWjI/s1600/2015-11-05_15-51-37_648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qB2NnFZqNEs/VoGvn5vJDiI/AAAAAAAADHM/mi5QfpweWjI/s640/2015-11-05_15-51-37_648.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUA7WSlzX38/VmyZoxdLJCI/AAAAAAAAC_s/J0fFmIhzBcs/s1600/GOPR0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bUA7WSlzX38/VmyZoxdLJCI/AAAAAAAAC_s/J0fFmIhzBcs/s640/GOPR0251.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planning on camping out in the desert I needed to find something to replace my stolen camping gear, a big rug, a mat and a puff jacket purchased from a market should do the trick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDR6hnKlWw0/VoGv_n9j-4I/AAAAAAAADHU/rcjb3XNidBc/s1600/2015-11-06_09-37-56_744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDR6hnKlWw0/VoGv_n9j-4I/AAAAAAAADHU/rcjb3XNidBc/s640/2015-11-06_09-37-56_744.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick's balloons were a hit with the local kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbh4SlCeOJQ/VmybHjMxB6I/AAAAAAAAC_0/YNFVnjGteUQ/s1600/GOPR0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gbh4SlCeOJQ/VmybHjMxB6I/AAAAAAAAC_0/YNFVnjGteUQ/s640/GOPR0315.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYiKvtCthb0/Vody5hQXScI/AAAAAAAADJ8/I-mMjWxzyNk/s1600/pat%2Bteam%2Bv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYiKvtCthb0/Vody5hQXScI/AAAAAAAADJ8/I-mMjWxzyNk/s640/pat%2Bteam%2Bv.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was an honour to ride with team Valloire for a week. Thanks Patrick, PJ and Gwen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4BQMK88ShQ/VmyyT8y0jOI/AAAAAAAADA4/irg7-eUDLdc/s1600/desert%2Bcamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o4BQMK88ShQ/VmyyT8y0jOI/AAAAAAAADA4/irg7-eUDLdc/s640/desert%2Bcamp.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daytime temps were hot and nights were chilly on the edge of the Sahara, but the rug proved to be nice and snug.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-vMImfuCSU/Vodz0DvrtJI/AAAAAAAADKQ/r3ndyTQyZBc/s1600/patrick%2Bcamping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2-vMImfuCSU/Vodz0DvrtJI/AAAAAAAADKQ/r3ndyTQyZBc/s640/patrick%2Bcamping.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddYc40n-pIo/VmycCFwb14I/AAAAAAAAC_8/TiWv6hXcMeI/s1600/GOPR0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ddYc40n-pIo/VmycCFwb14I/AAAAAAAAC_8/TiWv6hXcMeI/s640/GOPR0346.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyHIIK6awak/VoGwfUQSPGI/AAAAAAAADHg/TnFfYEjaaZQ/s1600/2015-11-07_06-57-11_838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NyHIIK6awak/VoGwfUQSPGI/AAAAAAAADHg/TnFfYEjaaZQ/s640/2015-11-07_06-57-11_838.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in the middle of now where people pop up and want to sell you something, usually fossils</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEvMrFb43yM/VoGwpeG9iuI/AAAAAAAADHo/GGMIQrMRn5A/s1600/2015-11-07_08-23-45_775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JEvMrFb43yM/VoGwpeG9iuI/AAAAAAAADHo/GGMIQrMRn5A/s640/2015-11-07_08-23-45_775.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play time in the Erg Chebbi dunes, a definite highlight of my riding to date</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2sZNwlcWXik/VoGwwVXUwGI/AAAAAAAADHw/4crM3DhIaQU/s1600/2015-11-07_08-27-50_13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2sZNwlcWXik/VoGwwVXUwGI/AAAAAAAADHw/4crM3DhIaQU/s640/2015-11-07_08-27-50_13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-uNOEASTSc/Vmy1oj1C-YI/AAAAAAAADBk/4MetU1bewRg/s1600/GOPR0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k-uNOEASTSc/Vmy1oj1C-YI/AAAAAAAADBk/4MetU1bewRg/s640/GOPR0045.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick finds a soft pile and buries the big Yamaha!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zZPVC3bKKEE/VoGw8O8EZdI/AAAAAAAADH4/zNKlDRTqXZg/s1600/2015-11-08_11-37-41_12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zZPVC3bKKEE/VoGw8O8EZdI/AAAAAAAADH4/zNKlDRTqXZg/s640/2015-11-08_11-37-41_12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRekC5qRzi8/VoGzKwTOZUI/AAAAAAAADIk/zcOX3GrVmbY/s1600/2015-11-08_14-02-10_251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JRekC5qRzi8/VoGzKwTOZUI/AAAAAAAADIk/zcOX3GrVmbY/s640/2015-11-08_14-02-10_251.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moroccan food is great, but.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zHKoxRaGYQ/VoGxHh5IXYI/AAAAAAAADIA/nU-dZMzQ0qA/s1600/2015-11-08_14-27-59_886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3zHKoxRaGYQ/VoGxHh5IXYI/AAAAAAAADIA/nU-dZMzQ0qA/s640/2015-11-08_14-27-59_886.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....too much good food and desert heat and it's time for a snooze</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIwCljj4Qs4/VoGxfYfOtOI/AAAAAAAADIQ/lNCwMA-gUbw/s1600/2015-11-08_17-25-33_845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIwCljj4Qs4/VoGxfYfOtOI/AAAAAAAADIQ/lNCwMA-gUbw/s640/2015-11-08_17-25-33_845.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Desert at dusk is something else</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cW3SLb5HHG0/VoGx8HA_qpI/AAAAAAAADIY/rbeHIInQW9s/s1600/2015-11-09_17-15-01_550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cW3SLb5HHG0/VoGx8HA_qpI/AAAAAAAADIY/rbeHIInQW9s/s640/2015-11-09_17-15-01_550.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slc5JDsOrNE/VoG7Q_YbYrI/AAAAAAAADJg/2WKtJeb5caY/s1600/GOPR0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-slc5JDsOrNE/VoG7Q_YbYrI/AAAAAAAADJg/2WKtJeb5caY/s640/GOPR0180.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rocky river bed terrain taking it's toll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTJft94XDLs/VoGyaLhHpAI/AAAAAAAADIg/RayToVwCSXI/s1600/2015-11-11_10-20-01_95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTJft94XDLs/VoGyaLhHpAI/AAAAAAAADIg/RayToVwCSXI/s640/2015-11-11_10-20-01_95.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional made rugs, you have to be very determined to NOT buy a rug in Morocco, they are experts at selling you something that you don't want!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEVo7hKqEWk/Vmyc2houlyI/AAAAAAAADAE/ZHscqfw_t4I/s1600/GOPR0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VEVo7hKqEWk/Vmyc2houlyI/AAAAAAAADAE/ZHscqfw_t4I/s640/GOPR0384.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A polished table top with fossils, I loaded the bike up with a small piece to bring home!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5UZLtW4Ghs/Vmy0Yu6Hc_I/AAAAAAAADBY/Vxs4vETYUgs/s1600/GOPR0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5UZLtW4Ghs/Vmy0Yu6Hc_I/AAAAAAAADBY/Vxs4vETYUgs/s640/GOPR0210.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had great time riding with team Valloire, as group you can tackle some really challenging stuff and have a heap of fun doing it. Here, I'm back on my own out in the desert, the pace is slower, my attention is more focused on my surroundings and my own thoughts rather than other people, it's a whole different but just as amazing experience and am super lucky to have had both here in Morocco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrHsbgvQus0/VmyfZa-CMAI/AAAAAAAADAQ/1OJ_vd3FPZw/s1600/G0020397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qrHsbgvQus0/VmyfZa-CMAI/AAAAAAAADAQ/1OJ_vd3FPZw/s640/G0020397.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having enjoyed the dunes so much I went back for more, but this time I was alone and had to be wary of getting stuck, I always had an escape route and never ventured far from the edge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Je4SeDV-gJY/VmygT3Bj_lI/AAAAAAAADAY/aUIZ8hhD-1U/s1600/G0040573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Je4SeDV-gJY/VmygT3Bj_lI/AAAAAAAADAY/aUIZ8hhD-1U/s640/G0040573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The landscape was incredible, the riding a challenge and a real hoot blasting about in the sand, this is some of the most fun I've ever had on 2 wheels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czra5YVGZDI/Vmy3FxEI_mI/AAAAAAAADB0/moGNNmKvcZk/s1600/G0030488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-czra5YVGZDI/Vmy3FxEI_mI/AAAAAAAADB0/moGNNmKvcZk/s640/G0030488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b32fezg1YQY/VmyhBkgC01I/AAAAAAAADAg/-g28Z_0xsJg/s1600/G0080944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b32fezg1YQY/VmyhBkgC01I/AAAAAAAADAg/-g28Z_0xsJg/s640/G0080944.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ylhBA2gslw/Vmy2VT8FprI/AAAAAAAADBs/fF0FxxqxL-k/s1600/G0040614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ylhBA2gslw/Vmy2VT8FprI/AAAAAAAADBs/fF0FxxqxL-k/s640/G0040614.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oK4lSG96LDw/VmyzsJPV8oI/AAAAAAAADBM/shsg_LUFbwY/s1600/GOPR0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oK4lSG96LDw/VmyzsJPV8oI/AAAAAAAADBM/shsg_LUFbwY/s640/GOPR0330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_2015020043"></span><span id="goog_2015020044"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XgkFIAeahE/VoG17PKfppI/AAAAAAAADIw/Ga9dYhxufdI/s1600/2015-11-12_15-15-25_135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8XgkFIAeahE/VoG17PKfppI/AAAAAAAADIw/Ga9dYhxufdI/s640/2015-11-12_15-15-25_135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the half worn 50/50 rear tire and the weight of the DR at time I sunk!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8O7yoPRh3E/VoG2KihfzRI/AAAAAAAADI4/CZIEiRhS7eE/s1600/2015-11-13_10-30-16_62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--8O7yoPRh3E/VoG2KihfzRI/AAAAAAAADI4/CZIEiRhS7eE/s640/2015-11-13_10-30-16_62.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These guys from Spain had some nice light enduro bikes which would have been the ticket in the dunes, I think they must have been impressed with just what I've ridden on the Dr650 over the years though.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fFD4SeSZjo/VmyzIIkVKLI/AAAAAAAADBE/5LWq9TcGkc4/s1600/GOPR0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1fFD4SeSZjo/VmyzIIkVKLI/AAAAAAAADBE/5LWq9TcGkc4/s640/GOPR0030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1216039850"></span><span id="goog_1216039851"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7g3THkzHF9s/VoG2lfH9EdI/AAAAAAAADJA/TGxcNkIaf7Q/s1600/2015-11-13_16-01-42_42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7g3THkzHF9s/VoG2lfH9EdI/AAAAAAAADJA/TGxcNkIaf7Q/s640/2015-11-13_16-01-42_42.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the earth buildings, cheap and they blend in with the surroundings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-305pvgJYVEk/Vmy4fPRb7dI/AAAAAAAADCA/Jaan64TSHnc/s1600/GOPR0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-305pvgJYVEk/Vmy4fPRb7dI/AAAAAAAADCA/Jaan64TSHnc/s640/GOPR0246.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bR7qtAN4Ed8/Vm01Ehk1oCI/AAAAAAAADCw/oOy-WPoTDds/s1600/GOPR0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bR7qtAN4Ed8/Vm01Ehk1oCI/AAAAAAAADCw/oOy-WPoTDds/s640/GOPR0247.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-VcLRiO25w/Vmy5eCytpAI/AAAAAAAADCM/xUlQKt-mSe8/s1600/GOPR0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9-VcLRiO25w/Vmy5eCytpAI/AAAAAAAADCM/xUlQKt-mSe8/s640/GOPR0267.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSLIKsboYAU/Vm0yBUuMbNI/AAAAAAAADCc/D6hvCJliYJk/s1600/GOPR0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSLIKsboYAU/Vm0yBUuMbNI/AAAAAAAADCc/D6hvCJliYJk/s640/GOPR0283.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaCwtIVYUuk/Vm0y9ioskdI/AAAAAAAADCk/vYSxJvDnoQI/s1600/GOPR0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EaCwtIVYUuk/Vm0y9ioskdI/AAAAAAAADCk/vYSxJvDnoQI/s640/GOPR0318.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spied a little village way up on a mountain and what looked like a road from a distance, turned out to be a Mule track and an interesting ride on a bike heavily loaded down with a big slab of fossil rock.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bR7qtAN4Ed8/Vm01Ehk1oCI/AAAAAAAADCw/oOy-WPoTDds/s1600/GOPR0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPRpDn8MxC0/Vm02Jz6cH5I/AAAAAAAADC8/NxO8mW_p1fw/s1600/GOPR0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mPRpDn8MxC0/Vm02Jz6cH5I/AAAAAAAADC8/NxO8mW_p1fw/s640/GOPR0328.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ve6HwLBOfA/Vm04BLPX6xI/AAAAAAAADDI/2IOsaiwgvc8/s1600/GOPR0076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2ve6HwLBOfA/Vm04BLPX6xI/AAAAAAAADDI/2IOsaiwgvc8/s640/GOPR0076.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKA_LpoFmeg/Vm05uKpjVhI/AAAAAAAADDU/j0sYU5YhrTE/s1600/GOPR0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKA_LpoFmeg/Vm05uKpjVhI/AAAAAAAADDU/j0sYU5YhrTE/s640/GOPR0066.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EDJ2puttWUQ/Vm09CMCddZI/AAAAAAAADD0/G5Ye8WFVrBA/s1600/GOPR0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EDJ2puttWUQ/Vm09CMCddZI/AAAAAAAADD0/G5Ye8WFVrBA/s640/GOPR0099.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've parked the bike in some interesting places but this small gaming and goods shop was different. The Owner, Rachid put me up for a night in his house above the shop, The kids challenged me at fuzz ball and I sampled some local moonshine with Rachid, a super nice guy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JugnEYb057E/Vm09t98YDxI/AAAAAAAADD8/VHYO_F1V7D0/s1600/GOPR0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JugnEYb057E/Vm09t98YDxI/AAAAAAAADD8/VHYO_F1V7D0/s640/GOPR0113.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gotta love the food in Morocco, lots of meat nicely seasoned and smoked!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoO1UZs75EA/Vm0-VEJKX5I/AAAAAAAADEE/6FijqKGHv1w/s1600/GOPR0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uoO1UZs75EA/Vm0-VEJKX5I/AAAAAAAADEE/6FijqKGHv1w/s640/GOPR0119.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urz2ddscDwo/Vm0-88uRfPI/AAAAAAAADEM/-VtM1rboPAM/s1600/GOPR0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-urz2ddscDwo/Vm0-88uRfPI/AAAAAAAADEM/-VtM1rboPAM/s640/GOPR0130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNZylvknhaM/Vm1FHCVVORI/AAAAAAAADFg/T2Y7hmJX39s/s1600/GOPR0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNZylvknhaM/Vm1FHCVVORI/AAAAAAAADFg/T2Y7hmJX39s/s640/GOPR0350.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Atlas mountains are just full of great little roads.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5-e8GOra6c/Vm1EhrOWVWI/AAAAAAAADFU/Y0w7D17kPCw/s1600/GOPR0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m5-e8GOra6c/Vm1EhrOWVWI/AAAAAAAADFU/Y0w7D17kPCw/s640/GOPR0360.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and curious kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGji-iJd8pU/Vm1D9ObKpcI/AAAAAAAADFM/9QATgkKprFM/s1600/GOPR0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QGji-iJd8pU/Vm1D9ObKpcI/AAAAAAAADFM/9QATgkKprFM/s640/GOPR0373.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk9rRFc3UDA/Vm1DSQ5bQVI/AAAAAAAADFA/9PRe9EhelzM/s1600/GOPR0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fk9rRFc3UDA/Vm1DSQ5bQVI/AAAAAAAADFA/9PRe9EhelzM/s640/GOPR0403.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KL2ZMnab94/Vm1CvEI3loI/AAAAAAAADE4/j_99T-OYQoE/s1600/GOPR0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3KL2ZMnab94/Vm1CvEI3loI/AAAAAAAADE4/j_99T-OYQoE/s640/GOPR0375.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee break in the trekking town of Imlil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NnwUdvZQlM/Vm1B2UludLI/AAAAAAAADEs/6nxU7xo2JCw/s1600/GOPR0465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0NnwUdvZQlM/Vm1B2UludLI/AAAAAAAADEs/6nxU7xo2JCw/s640/GOPR0465.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBwbQ1NST0A/Vm1BVjr6vLI/AAAAAAAADEk/Yr_A_OnhSzY/s1600/GOPR0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oBwbQ1NST0A/Vm1BVjr6vLI/AAAAAAAADEk/Yr_A_OnhSzY/s640/GOPR0439.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New roofing project, bamboo supporting clay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQZmVtOCZVA/Vm1AoLXYwoI/AAAAAAAADEc/Uhlx4D-w-QI/s1600/GOPR0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qQZmVtOCZVA/Vm1AoLXYwoI/AAAAAAAADEc/Uhlx4D-w-QI/s640/GOPR0448.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here comes the clay for the roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30oH_p1Zk98/VoG3CNqSZWI/AAAAAAAADJI/rjjfCi6TtD4/s1600/2015-11-16_13-06-49_965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-30oH_p1Zk98/VoG3CNqSZWI/AAAAAAAADJI/rjjfCi6TtD4/s640/2015-11-16_13-06-49_965.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final days in the Atlas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqRqBrZYfh0/VodBSxk4K-I/AAAAAAAADJs/lJ4IfVRA76w/s1600/GOPR0136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JqRqBrZYfh0/VodBSxk4K-I/AAAAAAAADJs/lJ4IfVRA76w/s640/GOPR0136.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Ride out of Morocco and over to Spain, bit sad to be leaving, could have had a week or so more time exploring the Fabulous desert terrain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VV8WCXBcEeQ/VoG3XDBkebI/AAAAAAAADJQ/H6HPye1VhZg/s1600/2015-11-19_14-36-16_603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VV8WCXBcEeQ/VoG3XDBkebI/AAAAAAAADJQ/H6HPye1VhZg/s640/2015-11-19_14-36-16_603.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rock of Gibraltar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kqSWqrfIsTE/Vm0_yNUXLNI/AAAAAAAADEU/MjiJVook6SU/s1600/GOPR0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kqSWqrfIsTE/Vm0_yNUXLNI/AAAAAAAADEU/MjiJVook6SU/s640/GOPR0163.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately these two cops were not friendly, I was pulled up and fined 200 Euros. 100 for listening to music via ear phones and 100 for a number plate that was not visible enough for their liking!!!! Their English was not good, they let me off on the ear phones but not the plate, thought they were a bit tough really on a foreign vehicle and reckon it was just my unusual No plate that got their attention and not the angle of it at all. I wasn't happy, I took a photo of them and they got very aggressive. In some countries I would have suspected this behaviour to be corrupt, they flipped open a credit card machine from one of the bikes and I had to pay or have my bike inpounded!! could have solved my winter bike storage I guess!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTLufcyWPnE/VoGq8iYK93I/AAAAAAAADFw/0qMNr9CBPEo/s1600/2015-11-24_09-52-50_247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dTLufcyWPnE/VoGq8iYK93I/AAAAAAAADFw/0qMNr9CBPEo/s640/2015-11-24_09-52-50_247.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding through France, time to add some winter modifications to fight off the cold temps, only a week prior I was too hot down in the Sahara!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FCYgvlFhng/VoGrOECaLvI/AAAAAAAADF8/Tu6V78Wyk9o/s1600/2015-11-25_15-12-20_974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4FCYgvlFhng/VoGrOECaLvI/AAAAAAAADF8/Tu6V78Wyk9o/s640/2015-11-25_15-12-20_974.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My last day on the road, started off in the snow, after several big, cold days on motorways I was glad to have arrived back in Heidelberg, Germany. Seems like more than 6 months since I set off from here back in May. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7nVtkFjxLM/VoGrrw-V8nI/AAAAAAAADGE/jU08I-lrOUc/s1600/2015-11-27_11-37-24_420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7nVtkFjxLM/VoGrrw-V8nI/AAAAAAAADGE/jU08I-lrOUc/s640/2015-11-27_11-37-24_420.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving the old girl a check over and making a note of things to fix or replace before storing for another winter.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kqSWqrfIsTE/Vm0_yNUXLNI/AAAAAAAADEU/MjiJVook6SU/s1600/GOPR0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-46317035305401464592015-11-18T14:15:00.002-08:002015-11-18T14:15:50.180-08:00Romania - Croatia<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAGosfrLJUY/ViddUQdLPYI/AAAAAAAAC6c/su2eE5SQLbE/s1600/2015-10-19_11-32-19_450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAGosfrLJUY/ViddUQdLPYI/AAAAAAAAC6c/su2eE5SQLbE/s640/2015-10-19_11-32-19_450.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spent a few days in the town of Sibiu and did a bunch of day rides, its the home of the Romanics extreme enduro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Ive just had great day riding through some back roads in Croatia, linked up a bunch off fun dirt roads and one that went through a National Park that I don`t think I was supposed to be on, whoops, with Autumn well and truely arrived everything was looking golden.<br />
<br />
It´s getting late in the day and I break out onto the highway just after passing a world war two memorial that has been pelted with bullets, I have about 80km to go to my destination of Zadar on the coast and I run out of gas and flip the fuel taps over to reserve, ok time to find a gas station. I ride for a bit and no sign of any gas stations and strolling ahead on the gps doesnt bring úp much in the way of towns but I can see that the gps is taking me to a major motorway and what appears to be a tunnel through a mountain range that I can see up ahead. The motorway also has a toll, first I try to avoid entering it but after talking to a lady at the booth in sign language it was really hard to determine where the next fuel was. With the tank getting low I reluctantly decide to take the direct route through the tunnel instead of taking what looks like a fun road up and over the range.<br />
<br />
With all the tunnels in Norway I was always thinking that it would really suck to have a break down in one, I´m about half way through this 6 km tunnel and the bike just splutters and stops, shit. Due to the amount of kms I´ve traveled since hitting reserve on the fuel tank I know there should be a decent amount of fuel left, I just have to blow through the fuel cap breather and push a little from the very bottom of the tank over into the carb, no worries. Only problem is is that there is a truck not too far behind me, I don´t have time to get the bike fired back up, there's a bunch of traffic coming the other way and the lanes are narrow in this tunnel, I can´t get the bike out of the lane as there is a concrete step up onto a narrow shoulder against the tunnel wall. I´ve got the indicators flashing which should stand out like dogs balls in the dark tunnel and signal to the truck that I have a problem, he has plenty of room to stop and wait for the oncoming traffic to pass, but the f....er dosen´t and just rolls on past me on the horn, all I can do is lean the bike into the wall and hope for the best.<br />
<br />
He sneaks past with out incident but I´m really pissed now, I could be up on the top of this mountain enjoying a fun road through kasrt outcrops lit up by a brillant full moon but instead I just about get run down by this truck. The bike fires back up and I´m off again and in no time up behind the truck, I give him some horn back but it barely makes a squeak under the roar of his engine in the tunnel, the best I can do is flip my super bright Squadron Led head light on full and aim it right at his big rear view mirror, that ought to piss him off in this dark tunnel!!<br />
<br />
Out of the tunnel I pass the truck, he gives me some more horn and I give him a few hand signals, the bike stops again, this time I have plenty of space to pull off the road, I do some more mouth to mouth on the fuel tank breather and resuscitate her as the truck fly's past again, I think he now realizes that I had a problem and was not having a picnic in the f...ing tunnel! I cruise down the hill and find a gas station, there was very little fuel left in the tank. good thing I didnt try and ride over the top. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HAGosfrLJUY/ViddUQdLPYI/AAAAAAAAC6c/su2eE5SQLbE/s1600/2015-10-19_11-32-19_450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFud69K4iJ8/VidWNYdMbRI/AAAAAAAAC28/HYvVjMzGlVA/s1600/2015-10-15_10-25-50_68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vFud69K4iJ8/VidWNYdMbRI/AAAAAAAAC28/HYvVjMzGlVA/s640/2015-10-15_10-25-50_68.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rest day at Hostel Zen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5xTruYrZ_U/Vi-eeDGeHlI/AAAAAAAAC8w/PA9vaeMDjRk/s1600/GOPR0393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5xTruYrZ_U/Vi-eeDGeHlI/AAAAAAAAC8w/PA9vaeMDjRk/s640/GOPR0393.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOfJB-au2_I/VidWZubVo-I/AAAAAAAAC3E/yO3Rj8k6FJo/s1600/2015-10-15_11-25-25_146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOfJB-au2_I/VidWZubVo-I/AAAAAAAAC3E/yO3Rj8k6FJo/s640/2015-10-15_11-25-25_146.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChZMWSpj60g/VidWvWGt3-I/AAAAAAAAC3M/R0pZNpLlwgU/s1600/2015-10-15_12-31-32_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChZMWSpj60g/VidWvWGt3-I/AAAAAAAAC3M/R0pZNpLlwgU/s640/2015-10-15_12-31-32_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VYDQdeROF0/VidXEvs5gPI/AAAAAAAAC3U/OV4QEx-Z5BQ/s1600/2015-10-15_12-59-52_330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3VYDQdeROF0/VidXEvs5gPI/AAAAAAAAC3U/OV4QEx-Z5BQ/s640/2015-10-15_12-59-52_330.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gps had me traveling through some sunflower feilds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIFW-AlUFQg/VidXRiRJWuI/AAAAAAAAC3c/LBiYu4Np7Ww/s1600/2015-10-15_14-48-17_415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KIFW-AlUFQg/VidXRiRJWuI/AAAAAAAAC3c/LBiYu4Np7Ww/s640/2015-10-15_14-48-17_415.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a few of these wells on the town streets, no running water in the homes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNtDJ-8IUo0/VidXco568EI/AAAAAAAAC3k/JAOkpqbqrnE/s1600/2015-10-15_14-57-15_547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RNtDJ-8IUo0/VidXco568EI/AAAAAAAAC3k/JAOkpqbqrnE/s640/2015-10-15_14-57-15_547.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6zKvdenuvE/VidXwcmft8I/AAAAAAAAC3s/yIeWWLseb6A/s1600/2015-10-15_15-01-31_303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6zKvdenuvE/VidXwcmft8I/AAAAAAAAC3s/yIeWWLseb6A/s640/2015-10-15_15-01-31_303.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of folks out on the street just watching the day go bye, they all seem quite happy and content</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-Ppdr_GNT4/VidYDprpvKI/AAAAAAAAC30/RCMMf4hEFiA/s1600/2015-10-15_15-04-24_263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O-Ppdr_GNT4/VidYDprpvKI/AAAAAAAAC30/RCMMf4hEFiA/s640/2015-10-15_15-04-24_263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another one for the Romanian Post collection</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6VNndlVmjc/VidYP8rh-3I/AAAAAAAAC38/zVNnjE-N7FQ/s1600/2015-10-15_15-18-27_477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y6VNndlVmjc/VidYP8rh-3I/AAAAAAAAC38/zVNnjE-N7FQ/s640/2015-10-15_15-18-27_477.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6yjunfBBmw/VidYh78kX1I/AAAAAAAAC4E/IMRVC6LYaw8/s1600/2015-10-15_15-37-09_733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--6yjunfBBmw/VidYh78kX1I/AAAAAAAAC4E/IMRVC6LYaw8/s640/2015-10-15_15-37-09_733.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSnHPj-hKys/VidYzKd2gYI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/t9EdiE4eO0s/s1600/2015-10-16_11-30-05_405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lSnHPj-hKys/VidYzKd2gYI/AAAAAAAAC4Q/t9EdiE4eO0s/s640/2015-10-16_11-30-05_405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the cheese here is good</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bi1NUrmOv_c/VidZD9ZyihI/AAAAAAAAC4U/6Kf4NSmj5n4/s1600/2015-10-16_12-21-21_612.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bi1NUrmOv_c/VidZD9ZyihI/AAAAAAAAC4U/6Kf4NSmj5n4/s400/2015-10-16_12-21-21_612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..... and the roads too, the Transfagarasan, Top Gears best road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBPj7gKRwyA/VidZQ9v7JhI/AAAAAAAAC4c/tfSHmHsVR8A/s1600/2015-10-16_12-42-57_209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBPj7gKRwyA/VidZQ9v7JhI/AAAAAAAAC4c/tfSHmHsVR8A/s640/2015-10-16_12-42-57_209.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDUTXGT_ogA/Vi-eEaRJ1NI/AAAAAAAAC8o/qvPaMNxw4us/s1600/GOPR0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDUTXGT_ogA/Vi-eEaRJ1NI/AAAAAAAAC8o/qvPaMNxw4us/s640/GOPR0423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0UgQMRXshvc/VidZe_cEsKI/AAAAAAAAC4k/nzFZBDTjEYw/s1600/2015-10-16_14-29-04_171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0UgQMRXshvc/VidZe_cEsKI/AAAAAAAAC4k/nzFZBDTjEYw/s640/2015-10-16_14-29-04_171.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzhTSHSv_Zo/VidZtggLLhI/AAAAAAAAC4s/g6b1a-wCDQw/s1600/2015-10-16_14-34-43_517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jzhTSHSv_Zo/VidZtggLLhI/AAAAAAAAC4s/g6b1a-wCDQw/s640/2015-10-16_14-34-43_517.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zbdyM9Gy-g/VidaBnfKGGI/AAAAAAAAC40/ymuqlHMNdUQ/s1600/2015-10-16_14-47-52_380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2zbdyM9Gy-g/VidaBnfKGGI/AAAAAAAAC40/ymuqlHMNdUQ/s640/2015-10-16_14-47-52_380.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and Dracula hangs out here somewhere too, though I did not see him, he probably would have had a feeding frenzy on my blood with its high sugar content!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcCzTJhPVb4/Vi-dlPpw2oI/AAAAAAAAC8g/YD7M8uM-tOU/s1600/GOPR0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pcCzTJhPVb4/Vi-dlPpw2oI/AAAAAAAAC8g/YD7M8uM-tOU/s640/GOPR0440.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCS_O4h053U/VidaOy1nWsI/AAAAAAAAC48/TrsFRFWlphw/s1600/2015-10-16_15-33-50_892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PCS_O4h053U/VidaOy1nWsI/AAAAAAAAC48/TrsFRFWlphw/s640/2015-10-16_15-33-50_892.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izNMk3j3U9s/VidadmbfU7I/AAAAAAAAC5E/IdDyyfco4-Q/s1600/2015-10-16_17-04-59_979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-izNMk3j3U9s/VidadmbfU7I/AAAAAAAAC5E/IdDyyfco4-Q/s640/2015-10-16_17-04-59_979.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Shepherd reckoned the road would lead me out, maybe on a horse, I had to backtrack out </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDYhiCXlVyU/Vidas5DkUbI/AAAAAAAAC5M/NFywNAsvlP8/s1600/2015-10-17_12-29-22_657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KDYhiCXlVyU/Vidas5DkUbI/AAAAAAAAC5M/NFywNAsvlP8/s640/2015-10-17_12-29-22_657.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of Romanias fine alpine roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tH1lAjGx_4k/VidbDb41LCI/AAAAAAAAC5U/8gcy9bcrGdk/s1600/2015-10-17_16-28-01_918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHYsKm2S0Eg/Vi-dF3xZu_I/AAAAAAAAC8Y/hARgMN1EqtE/s1600/GOPR0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iHYsKm2S0Eg/Vi-dF3xZu_I/AAAAAAAAC8Y/hARgMN1EqtE/s640/GOPR0461.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">had a good laugh with these country folk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FzvHPgAQpI/VidbVOjMxQI/AAAAAAAAC5c/4n5Pq7jSTDc/s1600/2015-10-18_12-44-54_58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FzvHPgAQpI/VidbVOjMxQI/AAAAAAAAC5c/4n5Pq7jSTDc/s640/2015-10-18_12-44-54_58.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sign of a good day out on the bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XhoWt412bc/Vidbhx5t7JI/AAAAAAAAC5k/yQUXZqVN3yA/s1600/2015-10-17_16-47-47_157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6XhoWt412bc/Vidbhx5t7JI/AAAAAAAAC5k/yQUXZqVN3yA/s640/2015-10-17_16-47-47_157.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and some not so well maintained signs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQcjf1nST4s/Vi-fpdkr7qI/AAAAAAAAC9A/ahSb0QxeKzI/s1600/GOPR0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bQcjf1nST4s/Vi-fpdkr7qI/AAAAAAAAC9A/ahSb0QxeKzI/s640/GOPR0477.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drFkrriPtJQ/Vi-h2PkWB9I/AAAAAAAAC9w/s4N8EZBM_YU/s1600/2015-10-18_14-28-24_251.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drFkrriPtJQ/Vi-h2PkWB9I/AAAAAAAAC9w/s4N8EZBM_YU/s640/2015-10-18_14-28-24_251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDkQg1t2M-E/VidbyFM5j1I/AAAAAAAAC5s/ZVM1QYyx8KY/s1600/2015-10-18_14-30-08_940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDkQg1t2M-E/VidbyFM5j1I/AAAAAAAAC5s/ZVM1QYyx8KY/s640/2015-10-18_14-30-08_940.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">traversing this ridge for an hour or so and made the summit below....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciW6URF3-fo/VidcHc0EbGI/AAAAAAAAC50/0zufZO5WOKs/s1600/2015-10-18_14-41-02_667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciW6URF3-fo/VidcHc0EbGI/AAAAAAAAC50/0zufZO5WOKs/s640/2015-10-18_14-41-02_667.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxDwa_qMaH0/VidcVn4pORI/AAAAAAAAC58/_3sCUGeGLco/s1600/2015-10-18_15-53-26_568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxDwa_qMaH0/VidcVn4pORI/AAAAAAAAC58/_3sCUGeGLco/s640/2015-10-18_15-53-26_568.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">found some fun skidder tracks to ride....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjqTuV8ZE54/VidciLA93GI/AAAAAAAAC6E/-hpp7BOk3gk/s1600/2015-10-18_16-07-52_59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mjqTuV8ZE54/VidciLA93GI/AAAAAAAAC6E/-hpp7BOk3gk/s640/2015-10-18_16-07-52_59.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..... and these fellas that made them. they put the billy on and we had a coffee in their mobile shack that they dragged around from camp to camp behind the skidder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mp8MLimAG2I/Vkz0rHewwhI/AAAAAAAAC-E/IyRzjG5MJOY/s1600/2015-10-18_16-34-26_189.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mp8MLimAG2I/Vkz0rHewwhI/AAAAAAAAC-E/IyRzjG5MJOY/s400/2015-10-18_16-34-26_189.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDYN3Mx2UVw/VidcyVesuvI/AAAAAAAAC6M/vIs-CX6QSCY/s1600/2015-10-18_16-45-24_529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UDYN3Mx2UVw/VidcyVesuvI/AAAAAAAAC6M/vIs-CX6QSCY/s640/2015-10-18_16-45-24_529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OveYkDIozpc/ViddClWZG6I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/GAzHdT7244U/s1600/2015-10-19_15-46-53_367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OveYkDIozpc/ViddClWZG6I/AAAAAAAAC6Y/GAzHdT7244U/s640/2015-10-19_15-46-53_367.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sibiu</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YGlzVmWfSiY/Vi-cnJeiiTI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/FdTEyDFVJKg/s1600/GOPR0504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YGlzVmWfSiY/Vi-cnJeiiTI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/FdTEyDFVJKg/s640/GOPR0504.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drFkrriPtJQ/Vi-h2PkWB9I/AAAAAAAAC9w/s4N8EZBM_YU/s1600/2015-10-18_14-28-24_251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaGrd5nG1zA/Vi-hhBvlxUI/AAAAAAAAC9o/ItAXVvfwxSo/s1600/2015-10-22_10-29-05_98.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaGrd5nG1zA/Vi-hhBvlxUI/AAAAAAAAC9o/ItAXVvfwxSo/s640/2015-10-22_10-29-05_98.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the nicest people I,ve met this year. Toma stayed at the hostel with me in Sibiu, he liked cooking and insisted on keeping me well fed.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9_eXTE9mFE/Vkz1ZyjadUI/AAAAAAAAC-M/iJGqdGA4P10/s1600/2015-10-22_10-00-43_491.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9_eXTE9mFE/Vkz1ZyjadUI/AAAAAAAAC-M/iJGqdGA4P10/s400/2015-10-22_10-00-43_491.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hostel also had its own bar next door with cheap beer, very handy after a hard days riding. During my 5 days staying here I saw many people in the bar and I,m sure I was the only one that didn,t smoke, there was a constant thick haze at all times, something of the past back in NZ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ge1AndKPTo/Vi-fIWQABoI/AAAAAAAAC84/w7MmkjWPSG0/s1600/GOPR0535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0Ge1AndKPTo/Vi-fIWQABoI/AAAAAAAAC84/w7MmkjWPSG0/s640/GOPR0535.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day on the road....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUTSEjXm5DQ/Vi9mousGYLI/AAAAAAAAC6w/_p6mpmc5r-o/s1600/GOPR0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AUTSEjXm5DQ/Vi9mousGYLI/AAAAAAAAC6w/_p6mpmc5r-o/s640/GOPR0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spied these bi planes out in the feild and went in for a closer look</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD673Bh-9_k/Vi-ZlczmNgI/AAAAAAAAC7I/U242YyBmFJA/s1600/GOPR0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xD673Bh-9_k/Vi-ZlczmNgI/AAAAAAAAC7I/U242YyBmFJA/s640/GOPR0006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3j4GX1BVcUY/Vi-Z7ZjQGII/AAAAAAAAC7Q/5RW2iF0iyXs/s1600/GOPR0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3j4GX1BVcUY/Vi-Z7ZjQGII/AAAAAAAAC7Q/5RW2iF0iyXs/s640/GOPR0024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don,t recall the name of this, but it was a sweet little bike that was for sale near the border with Serbia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BsClcgs458/Vi-aNZHkgeI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/AfHsEcUjYGk/s1600/GOPR0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2BsClcgs458/Vi-aNZHkgeI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/AfHsEcUjYGk/s640/GOPR0015.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I passed through the north of Serbia in a few hours, it was flat agricultural land and not particularly interesting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSh2XHGNVGk/Vi-ak93OVqI/AAAAAAAAC7g/2b0yPEAqIRI/s1600/GOPR0042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LSh2XHGNVGk/Vi-ak93OVqI/AAAAAAAAC7g/2b0yPEAqIRI/s640/GOPR0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a little gem of a road that I found in Croatia, It was covered in leaves, mainly do to the fact that vehicles were not permitted on it as it was national park so I realized afterwards!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJcnjds10kI/Vi-ZTgxMbMI/AAAAAAAAC7A/H6MULzF3Q8k/s1600/G0010078.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJcnjds10kI/Vi-ZTgxMbMI/AAAAAAAAC7A/H6MULzF3Q8k/s640/G0010078.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQCvZdqrXAE/Vi-g2bCdWII/AAAAAAAAC9Q/DL-n4r8AxxQ/s1600/2015-10-25_13-00-23_414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aQCvZdqrXAE/Vi-g2bCdWII/AAAAAAAAC9Q/DL-n4r8AxxQ/s640/2015-10-25_13-00-23_414.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">lots of evidence of recent wars in this part of the world. In some areas there is still a lot of mines and not the place to go off road riding!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LaGrd5nG1zA/Vi-hhBvlxUI/AAAAAAAAC9o/ItAXVvfwxSo/s1600/2015-10-22_10-29-05_98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tBnbvGphKM/Vi-hRnfKoWI/AAAAAAAAC9g/Cs-VZp11g50/s1600/2015-10-25_09-47-20_507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1tBnbvGphKM/Vi-hRnfKoWI/AAAAAAAAC9g/Cs-VZp11g50/s640/2015-10-25_09-47-20_507.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQpRCxcZtzA/Vi-hE_nC5UI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/9tSAi3IVAJI/s1600/2015-10-25_10-09-55_540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQpRCxcZtzA/Vi-hE_nC5UI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/9tSAi3IVAJI/s640/2015-10-25_10-09-55_540.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a gun fight went down on this corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPSOowgfBxE/Vi-gbzp00kI/AAAAAAAAC9M/hXSrCFixp90/s1600/2015-10-26_16-23-33_563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WPSOowgfBxE/Vi-gbzp00kI/AAAAAAAAC9M/hXSrCFixp90/s640/2015-10-26_16-23-33_563.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VOuauwU0WKQ/Vi-a8zZtzGI/AAAAAAAAC7o/Cofhaq-B-5c/s1600/GOPR0099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VOuauwU0WKQ/Vi-a8zZtzGI/AAAAAAAAC7o/Cofhaq-B-5c/s640/GOPR0099.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZpsFjVQ8Gs/Vi-bOSJkqYI/AAAAAAAAC7w/jyDAc95E5hE/s1600/GOPR0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dZpsFjVQ8Gs/Vi-bOSJkqYI/AAAAAAAAC7w/jyDAc95E5hE/s640/GOPR0109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying some sun on the Croatian coast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7w2oVXrRRzU/Vi-bhpLcS6I/AAAAAAAAC74/NEDf1tmSa04/s1600/GOPR0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7w2oVXrRRzU/Vi-bhpLcS6I/AAAAAAAAC74/NEDf1tmSa04/s640/GOPR0115.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bsOQEsDaD-w/Vi-bwwvRSQI/AAAAAAAAC8A/KhWOqbQJLrw/s1600/GOPR0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bsOQEsDaD-w/Vi-bwwvRSQI/AAAAAAAAC8A/KhWOqbQJLrw/s640/GOPR0120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9_eXTE9mFE/Vkz1ZyjadUI/AAAAAAAAC-M/iJGqdGA4P10/s1600/2015-10-22_10-00-43_491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eynSpekPm2s/Vkz32MpQqoI/AAAAAAAAC-U/dECTmnC8ZEo/s1600/2015-10-28_12-16-02_626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eynSpekPm2s/Vkz32MpQqoI/AAAAAAAAC-U/dECTmnC8ZEo/s640/2015-10-28_12-16-02_626.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could smell this from about two kilometers out, a common sight in Croatia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mp8MLimAG2I/Vkz0rHewwhI/AAAAAAAAC-E/IyRzjG5MJOY/s1600/2015-10-18_16-34-26_189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-75312040431799016262015-10-14T06:22:00.001-07:002015-10-20T09:14:38.813-07:00The Baltics <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lwnM2CDkc4/Vh4phO3qv4I/AAAAAAAACwQ/WBgtPE5XJA0/s1600/2015-09-22_15-05-20_197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"></a><br /></td></tr>
<tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ok, it's been a while but here is the next post. Firstly I had a break from riding for a few weeks so not much to report from that period, secondly I had my computer stolen so not as easy to update this blog, this is coming from an internet cafe in Romania, it's just taken me ten minutes to work out the full stop on this key pad?<br />
<br />
The break in Sweden gave me a chance to catch up on some well needed bike jobs, both tires where pretty much flogged after the extended tiki touring through Norway, fortunately I found an internet supplier that shipped to Sweden at good prices, so now have good rubber again. Heading north in Norway I discovered some play in the rear wheel, not unusual on this bike as it eats rear wheel bearings fairly often and I assumed it was just time for some more, so at the first opportunity I purchased the most expensive bearings ever only to discover later that the bearings were actually ok and the problem was that the bearing is now loose in the wheel hub as a result of too many changes? This is a bit more of a problem, kind of need a new wheel really, I kept a close eye on it and crossed my fingers all the way up to North cape and back to Stockholm and luckily it didn't deteriorate. I managed to find some Loctite bearing retainer and have just glued the bearing in and it seems to be working fine for now.<br />
<br />
Another job that I've been meaning to do for a while was tune the new carb that I fitted recently, ended up riching the mixture slightly with a performance improvement but also a slight drop in efficiency. Other jobs included new rear brake pads and the usual fresh engine oil. The bike was sorted, I had a ferry booked from Stockholm to Estonia, all I had to do was leave on time, which was hard at first as Pernilla and Erik's holiday house was very, very comfortable, thanks again you guys.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lwnM2CDkc4/Vh4phO3qv4I/AAAAAAAACwU/zwKAS3Opkuc/s1600/2015-09-22_15-05-20_197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--lwnM2CDkc4/Vh4phO3qv4I/AAAAAAAACwU/zwKAS3Opkuc/s640/2015-09-22_15-05-20_197.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Medieval town of Tallinn in Estonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXDR4c25tlA/Vh4p0WnA0pI/AAAAAAAACwY/oAGmhawwPbE/s1600/2015-09-23_13-07-23_411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXDR4c25tlA/Vh4p0WnA0pI/AAAAAAAACwY/oAGmhawwPbE/s640/2015-09-23_13-07-23_411.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not far out of Tallinn I found this old prison, the inmates forced to quarry and created a lake and a massive tailings pile below</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tWfBVFw71dU/Vh4p-BvQJSI/AAAAAAAACwg/arxu-YxmkG0/s1600/2015-09-23_13-08-54_367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tWfBVFw71dU/Vh4p-BvQJSI/AAAAAAAACwg/arxu-YxmkG0/s640/2015-09-23_13-08-54_367.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HKZMBRuFASc/Vh4qHaDWlhI/AAAAAAAACwo/cvZzIkp3l90/s1600/2015-09-23_13-46-23_796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HKZMBRuFASc/Vh4qHaDWlhI/AAAAAAAACwo/cvZzIkp3l90/s640/2015-09-23_13-46-23_796.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't remember the story behind this place and can't be bothered to look it up, sorry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFT03ZjkTrg/Vh4qRgPOxFI/AAAAAAAACww/2KSedv_2qnU/s1600/2015-09-23_14-56-26_199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFT03ZjkTrg/Vh4qRgPOxFI/AAAAAAAACww/2KSedv_2qnU/s640/2015-09-23_14-56-26_199.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one I remember, It's a drastic love story, the local dude traveled to Germany where he fell in love with a princess but she could not leave the castle because she liked it so much and had promised to stay. The guy came home and built a castle exactly the same on the understanding that she would come and marry him, sadly she died before he finished, and then he died and then the place just turned to ruins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pket1fhEhm0/Vh4qevfPQsI/AAAAAAAACw4/aBCvjHB7ATs/s1600/2015-09-25_14-26-34_610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pket1fhEhm0/Vh4qevfPQsI/AAAAAAAACw4/aBCvjHB7ATs/s640/2015-09-25_14-26-34_610.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess there was a lot of military aircraft about in this area in recent times</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-i-7LI22v0/Vh4qpICLBXI/AAAAAAAACxA/8fPiQjvQXHE/s1600/2015-09-30_11-37-16_723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0-i-7LI22v0/Vh4qpICLBXI/AAAAAAAACxA/8fPiQjvQXHE/s640/2015-09-30_11-37-16_723.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd8NeAnIM3o/Vh4q7lTyKjI/AAAAAAAACxM/nGQNnIqXivM/s1600/2015-10-02_12-03-05_443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gd8NeAnIM3o/Vh4q7lTyKjI/AAAAAAAACxM/nGQNnIqXivM/s640/2015-10-02_12-03-05_443.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01cm3XQdlRQ/Vh4rQEOEqeI/AAAAAAAACxQ/W0bM8dEHNhY/s1600/2015-09-25_20-07-46_279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-01cm3XQdlRQ/Vh4rQEOEqeI/AAAAAAAACxQ/W0bM8dEHNhY/s640/2015-09-25_20-07-46_279.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a bad day, the day I lost all my camping gear and new computer stolen from a hostel courtyard. I went on a high speed ride in this car to the local station to report the incident. The cops where actually really good, the paper work took a while to get through and at times I thought I was the one being convicted of a crime?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oCq-etdAxo/Vh4r4Iw2GwI/AAAAAAAACxs/447j26hfYQc/s1600/2015-09-29_11-18-34_264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oCq-etdAxo/Vh4r4Iw2GwI/AAAAAAAACxs/447j26hfYQc/s640/2015-09-29_11-18-34_264.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hostel courtyard, Vilinus, Lithuania. The bike and gear was off the street and behind these locked doors when a bag was taken, it was caught on security camera. This is the first time I've had stuff stolen in 2 years of riding, very disappointing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9yJ4Rxx25U/Vh4rbGZcrcI/AAAAAAAACxY/ysrG5f5IDx8/s1600/2015-09-26_13-09-44_121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n9yJ4Rxx25U/Vh4rbGZcrcI/AAAAAAAACxY/ysrG5f5IDx8/s640/2015-09-26_13-09-44_121.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uzupio Republic in Vilinus</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FbxbpRUALj8/Vh4rkP5hIvI/AAAAAAAACxg/d8GDMg-JaQY/s1600/2015-09-27_00-41-40_472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FbxbpRUALj8/Vh4rkP5hIvI/AAAAAAAACxg/d8GDMg-JaQY/s640/2015-09-27_00-41-40_472.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vilinus is a beautiful old city</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pR7wGGCADlI/Vh4sQLgSIQI/AAAAAAAACxw/RsC1f47_tis/s1600/2015-09-29_18-59-38_992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pR7wGGCADlI/Vh4sQLgSIQI/AAAAAAAACxw/RsC1f47_tis/s400/2015-09-29_18-59-38_992.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On a highway in Poland, later than I liked I pulled over and took this photo, the old Dr turned over 100 000km. When I think of all the places this bike has taken me I thank those Japanese engineers for there engines!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNW7T-CWkcw/Vh4se5vuKPI/AAAAAAAACx4/oupXQ35iPCE/s1600/2015-10-02_16-38-01_256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NNW7T-CWkcw/Vh4se5vuKPI/AAAAAAAACx4/oupXQ35iPCE/s640/2015-10-02_16-38-01_256.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the first nice ride in quite a while, Poland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0op5jQjl0G4/Vh4sngtpKrI/AAAAAAAACyA/2U3aStIbwNU/s1600/2015-10-03_12-36-30_850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0op5jQjl0G4/Vh4sngtpKrI/AAAAAAAACyA/2U3aStIbwNU/s640/2015-10-03_12-36-30_850.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found thes goodies at the local market in Krakaw, Poland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZNZE35nqr8/Vh4szZGhYRI/AAAAAAAACyI/qxtkuJEHL8w/s1600/2015-10-03_12-48-57_350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kZNZE35nqr8/Vh4szZGhYRI/AAAAAAAACyI/qxtkuJEHL8w/s640/2015-10-03_12-48-57_350.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hyqdHAcumY/Vh4tCGZSeEI/AAAAAAAACyQ/Wk2w88R2zpc/s1600/2015-10-04_11-03-37_263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7hyqdHAcumY/Vh4tCGZSeEI/AAAAAAAACyQ/Wk2w88R2zpc/s640/2015-10-04_11-03-37_263.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Poland and near Krakaw is one of the largest concentration camps from the second world war. Parts of it are well preserved, I took a tour, it's something that I think needs to be seen if you have the chance. It's difficult to understand how something like this happens, one and a half million people were executed here, it's a very, very sad place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IoJHq9DAvGc/Vh4ujJiENBI/AAAAAAAACzM/ikozhJcH75Q/s1600/2015-10-04_13-32-34_302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IoJHq9DAvGc/Vh4ujJiENBI/AAAAAAAACzM/ikozhJcH75Q/s640/2015-10-04_13-32-34_302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOhsspYEkDU/Vh4tRYL68bI/AAAAAAAACyY/J3614ek5II8/s1600/2015-10-04_11-02-24_505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MOhsspYEkDU/Vh4tRYL68bI/AAAAAAAACyY/J3614ek5II8/s640/2015-10-04_11-02-24_505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIagZC0NLYU/Vh4tkflRYPI/AAAAAAAACyo/1hJne3dzi9w/s1600/2015-10-04_11-29-40_17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HIagZC0NLYU/Vh4tkflRYPI/AAAAAAAACyo/1hJne3dzi9w/s400/2015-10-04_11-29-40_17.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty Canisters used at the gas chambers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibJozFTzdKg/Vh4tx0E7DSI/AAAAAAAACyw/txnA6dcA6X0/s1600/2015-10-04_12-15-01_163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibJozFTzdKg/Vh4tx0E7DSI/AAAAAAAACyw/txnA6dcA6X0/s400/2015-10-04_12-15-01_163.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ExbptJwF-U/Vh4uKUd0X8I/AAAAAAAACy4/jvV0FgVaH7s/s1600/2015-10-04_12-32-20_53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ExbptJwF-U/Vh4uKUd0X8I/AAAAAAAACy4/jvV0FgVaH7s/s640/2015-10-04_12-32-20_53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7202TfHyGAA/Vh4vB6B4yNI/AAAAAAAACzQ/I8gaiqlu5gI/s1600/2015-10-04_12-02-42_267.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7202TfHyGAA/Vh4vB6B4yNI/AAAAAAAACzQ/I8gaiqlu5gI/s640/2015-10-04_12-02-42_267.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ICgNbnmSY/Vh4taUEDd9I/AAAAAAAACyg/3UWHImtUjZ0/s1600/2015-10-04_11-23-47_301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w3ICgNbnmSY/Vh4taUEDd9I/AAAAAAAACyg/3UWHImtUjZ0/s640/2015-10-04_11-23-47_301.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuh9fv62HBM/Vh4uZKAXp7I/AAAAAAAACzA/zjr_PoZ8Fuw/s1600/2015-10-04_13-33-05_966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuh9fv62HBM/Vh4uZKAXp7I/AAAAAAAACzA/zjr_PoZ8Fuw/s640/2015-10-04_13-33-05_966.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the end of the line, most people, woman and children went straight to the gas chambers, they didn't no what was coming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVfT2OxqTzQ/Vh4vjPb38fI/AAAAAAAACzY/8og0lZzZucg/s1600/2015-10-05_14-40-39_975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AVfT2OxqTzQ/Vh4vjPb38fI/AAAAAAAACzY/8og0lZzZucg/s640/2015-10-05_14-40-39_975.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krakaw has a beautiful old town aswell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7202TfHyGAA/Vh4vB6B4yNI/AAAAAAAACzQ/I8gaiqlu5gI/s1600/2015-10-04_12-02-42_267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AjvtPXG3csQ/Vh4v2ln5GAI/AAAAAAAACzg/-D2NNXlgyR4/s1600/2015-10-06_10-09-47_316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AjvtPXG3csQ/Vh4v2ln5GAI/AAAAAAAACzg/-D2NNXlgyR4/s640/2015-10-06_10-09-47_316.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to replace the chain and sprockets at Good Bye Lenin Hostel in Krakaw</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJDCU3v0fAA/Vh4wQ42EG_I/AAAAAAAACzw/8mhgM9Dt3nU/s1600/2015-10-07_12-30-17_633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJDCU3v0fAA/Vh4wQ42EG_I/AAAAAAAACzw/8mhgM9Dt3nU/s640/2015-10-07_12-30-17_633.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Situated in Poland and on the southern border with Slovakia is the mountain town of Zakopane, it's a good base to explore the local mountains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLOE0B32oX4/Vh4wFi-89II/AAAAAAAACzo/R22wjE82bsY/s1600/2015-10-07_10-02-53_230.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YLOE0B32oX4/Vh4wFi-89II/AAAAAAAACzo/R22wjE82bsY/s640/2015-10-07_10-02-53_230.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">impressive log work here, this would have been a fun job</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WX7vnELVJJE/Vh4whLcoDCI/AAAAAAAACz4/I4WWehZ5ick/s1600/2015-10-08_14-26-15_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WX7vnELVJJE/Vh4whLcoDCI/AAAAAAAACz4/I4WWehZ5ick/s640/2015-10-08_14-26-15_900.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of neat log houses in Zakopane, Jessica from Australia came along for a couple of days riding. One good thing about having that bag stolen is I now have room for passengers!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHsE7Cbie5Y/Vh4w1aVIv_I/AAAAAAAAC0A/jGTD8cAS9Hc/s1600/2015-10-08_14-00-07_995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yHsE7Cbie5Y/Vh4w1aVIv_I/AAAAAAAAC0A/jGTD8cAS9Hc/s640/2015-10-08_14-00-07_995.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some funky stuff here, apparently most of the house here are based on a design dreamed up by a poet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOuIFQSh9Tc/Vh4w_zHoKZI/AAAAAAAAC0I/q6_0KFpF5Co/s1600/2015-10-09_08-44-03_672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xOuIFQSh9Tc/Vh4w_zHoKZI/AAAAAAAAC0I/q6_0KFpF5Co/s640/2015-10-09_08-44-03_672.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Receptionist at Good Bye Lenin Hostel in Zakophane </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YuqVeT2WdfY/Vh4xMmaT6ZI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/yYNy04vLA7g/s1600/2015-10-09_11-27-42_631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YuqVeT2WdfY/Vh4xMmaT6ZI/AAAAAAAAC0Q/yYNy04vLA7g/s640/2015-10-09_11-27-42_631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crossing into Slovakia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsWng0JH9so/Vh4xYrd1f1I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/T7k1XyBMNTc/s1600/2015-10-09_13-27-36_911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MsWng0JH9so/Vh4xYrd1f1I/AAAAAAAAC0Y/T7k1XyBMNTc/s640/2015-10-09_13-27-36_911.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending down from the mountains and out of the fog some where in the middle of no where in Slovakia I come across a valley full of run down industrial buildings, they are in bad shape and it's hard to determine if it's all still operational or not?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gq8abMoEFv8/Vh4xj1DM2oI/AAAAAAAAC0g/T0yO8OM6thI/s1600/2015-10-09_13-26-38_165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gq8abMoEFv8/Vh4xj1DM2oI/AAAAAAAAC0g/T0yO8OM6thI/s640/2015-10-09_13-26-38_165.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on closer inspection it looks like a massive scrap steel recycling plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lgGW0nnEWQ/Vh4xyH3DTII/AAAAAAAAC0o/w_yhNzJK_-w/s1600/2015-10-09_16-54-48_67.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0lgGW0nnEWQ/Vh4xyH3DTII/AAAAAAAAC0o/w_yhNzJK_-w/s640/2015-10-09_16-54-48_67.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quick call in at Bratislava to catch up with Daniel who i met riding up in Norway. Unfortunately the battery on his ktm was dead and our efforts to crash start no good so he wasn't able to ride out of town with me, also unfortunately i didn't get any photos </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJIhQA44flA/Vh4yJuVDB4I/AAAAAAAAC0w/Y57d3bPYdBQ/s1600/2015-10-10_15-16-43_321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJIhQA44flA/Vh4yJuVDB4I/AAAAAAAAC0w/Y57d3bPYdBQ/s640/2015-10-10_15-16-43_321.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is in Hungary and interestingly I'm only about 10 km out from Budapest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsX2yJrOX0A/Vh4yU7IiRwI/AAAAAAAAC04/y9itJfgNlgo/s1600/2015-10-10_15-17-09_187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsX2yJrOX0A/Vh4yU7IiRwI/AAAAAAAAC04/y9itJfgNlgo/s640/2015-10-10_15-17-09_187.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted to rip it up in this freshly groomed field!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FsX2yJrOX0A/Vh4yU7IiRwI/AAAAAAAAC08/ExRa4ICXh0k/s1600/2015-10-10_15-17-09_187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbDvOzgr_OM/Vh4yufEIVZI/AAAAAAAAC1A/g5AQQK2IdK0/s1600/2015-10-10_19-21-55_351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbDvOzgr_OM/Vh4yufEIVZI/AAAAAAAAC1A/g5AQQK2IdK0/s640/2015-10-10_19-21-55_351.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Budapest is a very popular tourist city and I can see why, is very beautiful, unfortunately for me I had to rush through and move out of the Senghen area to meet visa requirements</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuaoQZBjpzQ/Vh4zB9S130I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/p8puqwEM-Ow/s1600/2015-10-10_19-22-03_592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FuaoQZBjpzQ/Vh4zB9S130I/AAAAAAAAC1Q/p8puqwEM-Ow/s640/2015-10-10_19-22-03_592.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oKMhxnsCNg/Vh4y2rx6gLI/AAAAAAAAC1I/AQjDaPfKVUQ/s1600/2015-10-10_19-16-03_28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6oKMhxnsCNg/Vh4y2rx6gLI/AAAAAAAAC1I/AQjDaPfKVUQ/s640/2015-10-10_19-16-03_28.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxvGRzAormc/Vh4zObz62vI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/DlaW9yzGadk/s1600/2015-10-10_19-53-19_551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XxvGRzAormc/Vh4zObz62vI/AAAAAAAAC1Y/DlaW9yzGadk/s640/2015-10-10_19-53-19_551.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsZu7vstH-s/Vh4zZ2eAlOI/AAAAAAAAC1g/5uOc2KNaYPE/s1600/2015-10-11_10-29-39_577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RsZu7vstH-s/Vh4zZ2eAlOI/AAAAAAAAC1g/5uOc2KNaYPE/s640/2015-10-11_10-29-39_577.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNVoQIl6GFM/Vh4zlOVdOXI/AAAAAAAAC1o/Ji-RqV9TbiQ/s1600/2015-10-11_12-26-04_192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rNVoQIl6GFM/Vh4zlOVdOXI/AAAAAAAAC1o/Ji-RqV9TbiQ/s640/2015-10-11_12-26-04_192.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Departing Wombat Hostel in Budapest</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98t8GmCx4R4/Vh4zvmUdPXI/AAAAAAAAC1w/-Jmi2J2Q-UM/s1600/2015-10-11_16-49-01_403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-98t8GmCx4R4/Vh4zvmUdPXI/AAAAAAAAC1w/-Jmi2J2Q-UM/s640/2015-10-11_16-49-01_403.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first sight in Romania!!! It was bad, real bad and drifting over the border to Hungary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F979XIhm6Lo/Vh4z8GegnoI/AAAAAAAAC14/JxM59DsvUFs/s1600/2015-10-12_13-22-11_714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F979XIhm6Lo/Vh4z8GegnoI/AAAAAAAAC14/JxM59DsvUFs/s640/2015-10-12_13-22-11_714.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lot of run down industrial ruins in Eastern Europe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8idEYZFMxM/Vh40DiPUYUI/AAAAAAAAC2A/lLH3cLxs15w/s1600/2015-10-12_12-12-59_976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a8idEYZFMxM/Vh40DiPUYUI/AAAAAAAAC2A/lLH3cLxs15w/s640/2015-10-12_12-12-59_976.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ41VRSE_34/Vh40U7yhHkI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/ogRQ8YraDEE/s1600/2015-10-12_14-28-44_581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ41VRSE_34/Vh40U7yhHkI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/ogRQ8YraDEE/s640/2015-10-12_14-28-44_581.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found some interesting riding in Romania, reminds me a bit of South America here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-CGM_MOvBc/Vh40OQke02I/AAAAAAAAC2M/sllOOPvIIWw/s1600/2015-10-12_13-34-46_442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-CGM_MOvBc/Vh40OQke02I/AAAAAAAAC2M/sllOOPvIIWw/s640/2015-10-12_13-34-46_442.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Romanian Post shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cz6gyVL0yi4/Vh40ohZNK3I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/qimhmOPqcYg/s1600/2015-10-12_14-37-43_53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cz6gyVL0yi4/Vh40ohZNK3I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/qimhmOPqcYg/s640/2015-10-12_14-37-43_53.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a small village I rode past a massive funeral progression, very traditional like and spooky looking, so ended up doing a 50km loop through the hills on dirt roads just so i didn't have to ride back past the progression!! Found some good riding though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3En3BEk0G9s/Vh40_l-DpiI/AAAAAAAAC2o/ipXN0xY4WZY/s1600/2015-10-12_15-45-06_484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3En3BEk0G9s/Vh40_l-DpiI/AAAAAAAAC2o/ipXN0xY4WZY/s640/2015-10-12_15-45-06_484.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little town seemed to have heaps of these strange looking buildings, funny thing was none of them seemed to be completed or inhabited ???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64Ik42vGwxc/Vh400eCuIPI/AAAAAAAAC2g/Z7jaWyNlXHU/s1600/2015-10-12_15-44-48_462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-64Ik42vGwxc/Vh400eCuIPI/AAAAAAAAC2g/Z7jaWyNlXHU/s640/2015-10-12_15-44-48_462.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bijnxMG1Bfo/Vh41QTaan2I/AAAAAAAAC2w/ocvROCxWr2A/s1600/2015-10-13_16-19-59_517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bijnxMG1Bfo/Vh41QTaan2I/AAAAAAAAC2w/ocvROCxWr2A/s640/2015-10-13_16-19-59_517.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is where I am at the moment , the city of Cluj Nacopa in Northern Romania</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-32642554213346306142015-08-31T14:46:00.000-07:002015-09-23T00:12:15.882-07:00Norway, blew my mind but has it blown the budget<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BcW5aPgiMig/VcirckN845I/AAAAAAAAClo/OIS61QqbsAA/s1600/2015-08-05_13-35-19_172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BcW5aPgiMig/VcirckN845I/AAAAAAAAClo/OIS61QqbsAA/s640/2015-08-05_13-35-19_172.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
My luck with the weather has finally come good, after two months of rain I've just had a very good spell of fine weather, and in fact it's probably been when I needed it the most, way up in the far North of Norway. Initially I was aiming for a quick trip up to North Cape and return, actually with the shitty weather I almost didn't go, boy that would have been a mistake, Norway is pretty damn cool, almost as good as NZ I reckon. I'll let the pictures tell the story.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2W5-AtARJbU/VcintTL8mlI/AAAAAAAACkk/BQvCYeDUOZE/s1600/2015-08-03_15-15-02_960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2W5-AtARJbU/VcintTL8mlI/AAAAAAAACkk/BQvCYeDUOZE/s640/2015-08-03_15-15-02_960.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the past week of riding being mainly flat highway I was happy to find some good scenery and roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prGiJDZU70c/VcipAEb2qyI/AAAAAAAACks/l7Sup0vIvw0/s1600/2015-08-03_16-17-17_107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-prGiJDZU70c/VcipAEb2qyI/AAAAAAAACks/l7Sup0vIvw0/s640/2015-08-03_16-17-17_107.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is in the south of Norway near Lysboth</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzWNbWGCA78/VcipREnzpbI/AAAAAAAACk0/gcmBTIBdbjc/s1600/2015-08-03_17-08-28_410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dzWNbWGCA78/VcipREnzpbI/AAAAAAAACk0/gcmBTIBdbjc/s400/2015-08-03_17-08-28_410.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The road down to Lysboth is a good ride</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVpFuMcqb6M/Vci08ECLADI/AAAAAAAACnI/2q2EPPgJuLM/s1600/GOPR0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qVpFuMcqb6M/Vci08ECLADI/AAAAAAAACnI/2q2EPPgJuLM/s640/GOPR0291.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's still raining lots here in Southern Norway but enjoying some great mountain roads. This was an old road up over a saddle that has now been made obsolete by a new tunnel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoS9jda5T7c/VciqJHi6a4I/AAAAAAAAClE/W7_1MY9_Qm4/s1600/2015-08-04_13-56-33_603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WoS9jda5T7c/VciqJHi6a4I/AAAAAAAAClE/W7_1MY9_Qm4/s640/2015-08-04_13-56-33_603.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still a far bit of snow about up on the passes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvRvgafVa28/VciySGLbJZI/AAAAAAAACm0/cspeZhHJdb4/s1600/GOPR0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UvRvgafVa28/VciySGLbJZI/AAAAAAAACm0/cspeZhHJdb4/s640/GOPR0258.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFdi025DlME/Vciz3FZw5kI/AAAAAAAACm8/-iwjXz12QT8/s1600/GOPR0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TFdi025DlME/Vciz3FZw5kI/AAAAAAAACm8/-iwjXz12QT8/s640/GOPR0260.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of ferry trips are necessary to link the roads out in the Fiords, fortunately they are subsided by the government and not too expensive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjQnlO_hJ6o/Vci5bGPIitI/AAAAAAAACn4/0Ug0xp_FBJE/s1600/GOPR0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tjQnlO_hJ6o/Vci5bGPIitI/AAAAAAAACn4/0Ug0xp_FBJE/s400/GOPR0264.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60WNbC1gb3s/VciqdRn7LyI/AAAAAAAAClM/ZLcKW3B_wW8/s1600/2015-08-04_20-48-19_627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-60WNbC1gb3s/VciqdRn7LyI/AAAAAAAAClM/ZLcKW3B_wW8/s640/2015-08-04_20-48-19_627.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norway is expensive, spuds, baked beans and sausages for dinner helped keep things reasonable. And the great thing about both Sweden and Norway is you can freedom camp in many places including private property. I spent a month in Sweden and Norway with only 3 of those nights costing anything. Fuel is a bit pricey at about 3 nz dollars a litre and is my major expense.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFizTosPTSQ/VciqvWctpZI/AAAAAAAAClU/-RpljWtW740/s1600/2015-08-04_21-27-47_194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pFizTosPTSQ/VciqvWctpZI/AAAAAAAAClU/-RpljWtW740/s640/2015-08-04_21-27-47_194.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feet looking a bit rough from days of damp boots!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XREONHHkKkE/Vci15UC20vI/AAAAAAAACnQ/WrfwkldEkT8/s1600/G0050374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XREONHHkKkE/Vci15UC20vI/AAAAAAAACnQ/WrfwkldEkT8/s640/G0050374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One good thing about all the rain and snow melt is the waterfalls are pumping, and there's a shit load of waterfalls here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5ubkWjj34w/Vci6oZCKfEI/AAAAAAAACoE/bueXBp7DhU4/s1600/GOPR0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5ubkWjj34w/Vci6oZCKfEI/AAAAAAAACoE/bueXBp7DhU4/s640/GOPR0409.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norway doesn't muck about with roading, this bridge was a biggy and was approached by tunnels on both sides with roundabouts within them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rq_o2ogHJr0/VcirDjrePYI/AAAAAAAAClc/fP37uhYH6zs/s1600/2015-08-05_12-59-59_138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rq_o2ogHJr0/VcirDjrePYI/AAAAAAAAClc/fP37uhYH6zs/s640/2015-08-05_12-59-59_138.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found some nice abandoned roads that have been bypassed with tunnels, every tunnel I would be scanning for old roads.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fosJue81dbQ/Vci27-sRW-I/AAAAAAAACnc/hNzrI00Oqls/s1600/G0060447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fosJue81dbQ/Vci27-sRW-I/AAAAAAAACnc/hNzrI00Oqls/s640/G0060447.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf9-4yP8M18/Vcir-l5YWUI/AAAAAAAACls/v8MISNKWgEc/s1600/2015-08-05_16-31-21_534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hf9-4yP8M18/Vcir-l5YWUI/AAAAAAAACls/v8MISNKWgEc/s640/2015-08-05_16-31-21_534.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lot's of sod roofs in Norway, I thought they were pretty neat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q2kqY9FYTQ/VcisQUjELcI/AAAAAAAACl0/bxWYIVtoSms/s1600/2015-08-06_10-46-08_604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Q2kqY9FYTQ/VcisQUjELcI/AAAAAAAACl0/bxWYIVtoSms/s640/2015-08-06_10-46-08_604.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All set for 11 km of tunnel, my longest ride underground!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOekUT_kuHY/VciskPYE1gI/AAAAAAAACl8/6uW8wUBQA7Y/s1600/2015-08-06_13-18-58_637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hOekUT_kuHY/VciskPYE1gI/AAAAAAAACl8/6uW8wUBQA7Y/s640/2015-08-06_13-18-58_637.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the sign says this one is 24.5 km long!!! Tunnels aren't that much fun on the bike, I chose to ride over the mountain here. The amount of tunnelling in Norway is insane, I reckon I must have travelled over a total of 100km underground while in Norway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_6XG2UFrio/Vcis5EXkiVI/AAAAAAAACmE/37-N7dbVa1o/s1600/2015-08-06_13-58-17_639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1_6XG2UFrio/Vcis5EXkiVI/AAAAAAAACmE/37-N7dbVa1o/s640/2015-08-06_13-58-17_639.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JHukTGh4Zg/VcitGZeHXEI/AAAAAAAACmM/vpPAv2onhfs/s1600/2015-08-06_16-26-32_682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8JHukTGh4Zg/VcitGZeHXEI/AAAAAAAACmM/vpPAv2onhfs/s640/2015-08-06_16-26-32_682.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite grocery store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N4qXVV4ROpw/Vci80oYL07I/AAAAAAAACoc/WX37LCDhTHc/s1600/GOPR0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N4qXVV4ROpw/Vci80oYL07I/AAAAAAAACoc/WX37LCDhTHc/s640/GOPR0645.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It wasn't as cold up here as I look but with more rain threatening I was glad to get down to lower elevations and find the great rock Bivy shown below...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_wzax0SF7c/Vcit1Ey154I/AAAAAAAACmc/TVN4fiK25U0/s1600/2015-08-06_20-09-47_235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-q_wzax0SF7c/Vcit1Ey154I/AAAAAAAACmc/TVN4fiK25U0/s640/2015-08-06_20-09-47_235.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With so much rain this rock bivy was one of my most enjoyable campsites. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIH_VBCDp-s/Vci-MbGOG2I/AAAAAAAACoo/kWlPK5rKDxA/s1600/G0020120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QIH_VBCDp-s/Vci-MbGOG2I/AAAAAAAACoo/kWlPK5rKDxA/s640/G0020120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw2AKgzt8fA/Vci_uf6j0eI/AAAAAAAACo8/iW8gpz6bVt0/s1600/G0010058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw2AKgzt8fA/Vci_uf6j0eI/AAAAAAAACo8/iW8gpz6bVt0/s640/G0010058.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was really nice, great view, and shelter from the rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHCCaFd7S10/Vci-_I00ViI/AAAAAAAACow/yk3zF0ybl7k/s1600/GOPR0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nHCCaFd7S10/Vci-_I00ViI/AAAAAAAACow/yk3zF0ybl7k/s640/GOPR0100.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even had covered parking for the moto!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sm7KTMwqUaE/VciuVhPsMAI/AAAAAAAACmk/4pN7z4MDBVU/s1600/2015-08-07_15-02-07_944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sm7KTMwqUaE/VciuVhPsMAI/AAAAAAAACmk/4pN7z4MDBVU/s640/2015-08-07_15-02-07_944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Norway has an impressive amount of fiords</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoprMUCQuGA/Vci4BAizIXI/AAAAAAAACns/V3VSZml4fyU/s1600/G0090569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoprMUCQuGA/Vci4BAizIXI/AAAAAAAACns/V3VSZml4fyU/s640/G0090569.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxMldFxgEFw/VcjGzssnVhI/AAAAAAAACpM/8NMLyY6WeMI/s1600/GOPR0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BxMldFxgEFw/VcjGzssnVhI/AAAAAAAACpM/8NMLyY6WeMI/s640/GOPR0179.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's also well suited to hydro power plants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stUU6IjDvQo/VcjHGlSJKWI/AAAAAAAACpU/F4fnZLmug3U/s1600/GOPR0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-stUU6IjDvQo/VcjHGlSJKWI/AAAAAAAACpU/F4fnZLmug3U/s640/GOPR0172.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's usually not to hard to find good camping in Norway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZZL391aBzo/VcjH0RFh0VI/AAAAAAAACps/ft-RtLzj4dA/s1600/GOPR0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cZZL391aBzo/VcjH0RFh0VI/AAAAAAAACps/ft-RtLzj4dA/s640/GOPR0205.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ride at Trollstigen is a beauty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvgDbwqI8Hk/VcjIR8G_t3I/AAAAAAAACp0/mpZgfEqo-bg/s1600/GOPR0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zvgDbwqI8Hk/VcjIR8G_t3I/AAAAAAAACp0/mpZgfEqo-bg/s640/GOPR0232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubl9PcuSU54/VcjIhKlHUbI/AAAAAAAACp8/55AiyXEQ2uQ/s1600/GOPR0264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubl9PcuSU54/VcjIhKlHUbI/AAAAAAAACp8/55AiyXEQ2uQ/s640/GOPR0264.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A well needed stretch of the legs, a good day hike with Trollstigen pass in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIZUu4EonrM/VcjI-NduPLI/AAAAAAAACqE/rcCKyJM5SCo/s1600/GOPR0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIZUu4EonrM/VcjI-NduPLI/AAAAAAAACqE/rcCKyJM5SCo/s640/GOPR0275.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Town of Andalsnes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iyAPAnN7YAY/VeDnRNbftQI/AAAAAAAACtY/RHdKoxSD12M/s1600/2015-08-13_11-35-50_110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iyAPAnN7YAY/VeDnRNbftQI/AAAAAAAACtY/RHdKoxSD12M/s640/2015-08-13_11-35-50_110.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I guess this is what you do when you see the sun for the first time in many days, spread your shit out as much as possible!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43mtkpSRV00/VdHLl7qWwmI/AAAAAAAACrA/7ZLJi3LCpyY/s1600/GOPR0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43mtkpSRV00/VdHLl7qWwmI/AAAAAAAACrA/7ZLJi3LCpyY/s640/GOPR0199.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missed the ferry by 10 min, was a good chance to get some dinner sorted. More baked beans!! and you can't beat a boiled egg or two!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sm7KTMwqUaE/VciuVhPsMAI/AAAAAAAACmk/4pN7z4MDBVU/s1600/2015-08-07_15-02-07_944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hOVotTTTZuE/VeDtDBde3xI/AAAAAAAACvM/e11DWCsdVPA/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hOVotTTTZuE/VeDtDBde3xI/AAAAAAAACvM/e11DWCsdVPA/s400/IMG_0655.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daniel from Slovakia travelling on KTM 950 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJO8oiffjAk/VeDtMqPfjkI/AAAAAAAACvU/PJxe1sjtNYM/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJO8oiffjAk/VeDtMqPfjkI/AAAAAAAACvU/PJxe1sjtNYM/s640/DSC_0343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1JtSIi2714/VeDtWmaLNVI/AAAAAAAACvc/bSt7jaJUDDk/s1600/DSC_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y1JtSIi2714/VeDtWmaLNVI/AAAAAAAACvc/bSt7jaJUDDk/s640/DSC_0345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgC4j23c5IY/VdHML97UihI/AAAAAAAACrI/GftvRMGVDKQ/s1600/G0040166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KgC4j23c5IY/VdHML97UihI/AAAAAAAACrI/GftvRMGVDKQ/s640/G0040166.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mountain range of Lofoten situated off the main coast of Norway is impressive. This is the fishing village of Reine.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVI_Mo9YlQ/VeDgK39tKjI/AAAAAAAACr8/F0byKlgTa8o/s1600/GOPR0151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JyVI_Mo9YlQ/VeDgK39tKjI/AAAAAAAACr8/F0byKlgTa8o/s640/GOPR0151.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS3uAny7gu4/VdHM_pQaDzI/AAAAAAAACrY/-nbtv_LaYx8/s1600/GOPR0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SS3uAny7gu4/VdHM_pQaDzI/AAAAAAAACrY/-nbtv_LaYx8/s640/GOPR0179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aSUa4WUZJ6Y/VeDnx92oVcI/AAAAAAAACtg/9_UYLjwVttU/s1600/2015-08-16_11-23-48_570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aSUa4WUZJ6Y/VeDnx92oVcI/AAAAAAAACtg/9_UYLjwVttU/s640/2015-08-16_11-23-48_570.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried Cod heads, fish is still dried in the traditional way on racks over the winter months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQvcjY46Uvg/VeDn3jXi5PI/AAAAAAAACto/H_1RAHcpAlY/s1600/2015-08-16_11-28-01_397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jQvcjY46Uvg/VeDn3jXi5PI/AAAAAAAACto/H_1RAHcpAlY/s640/2015-08-16_11-28-01_397.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6nVaZ6CQPQ/VdHNXVzFi2I/AAAAAAAACrg/rktq3nKZtes/s1600/GOPR0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l6nVaZ6CQPQ/VdHNXVzFi2I/AAAAAAAACrg/rktq3nKZtes/s640/GOPR0295.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another great campsite near Henningsvar, Lofoten</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtai-1GGZEo/VeDgod_i9vI/AAAAAAAACsE/o0CkCC232vw/s1600/G0050246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="304" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mtai-1GGZEo/VeDgod_i9vI/AAAAAAAACsE/o0CkCC232vw/s640/G0050246.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TU34kucL200/VdHMiprwUxI/AAAAAAAACrQ/coAr9jZKIdI/s1600/G0050248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TU34kucL200/VdHMiprwUxI/AAAAAAAACrQ/coAr9jZKIdI/s640/G0050248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbEGAMikD1I/VeDrRk-17LI/AAAAAAAACuw/_Xbe0EW1AaQ/s1600/GOPR0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbEGAMikD1I/VeDrRk-17LI/AAAAAAAACuw/_Xbe0EW1AaQ/s640/GOPR0124.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My run of horrible weather had come to an end, Lofoten is stunning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sI4OiuzmZ78/VeHnlPHF8tI/AAAAAAAACvs/1X09HX0FekI/s1600/GOPR0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sI4OiuzmZ78/VeHnlPHF8tI/AAAAAAAACvs/1X09HX0FekI/s640/GOPR0012.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXJ_pgVhOEs/VeDoTDdxpbI/AAAAAAAACt4/WJRcFagN3pU/s1600/2015-08-19_12-20-00_369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tXJ_pgVhOEs/VeDoTDdxpbI/AAAAAAAACt4/WJRcFagN3pU/s640/2015-08-19_12-20-00_369.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing through Narvik in Northern Norway had a coffee with some locals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4eGgIPNzZU/VeDobpj5MXI/AAAAAAAACuA/h08Mc9WDBog/s1600/2015-08-19_19-57-03_709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_4eGgIPNzZU/VeDobpj5MXI/AAAAAAAACuA/h08Mc9WDBog/s640/2015-08-19_19-57-03_709.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice spot, shame my bike is stuck in deep beach gravel!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8ZHsayXc2Y/VeDq3RlRkEI/AAAAAAAACus/bfAyAgEk0DU/s1600/G0020218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P8ZHsayXc2Y/VeDq3RlRkEI/AAAAAAAACus/bfAyAgEk0DU/s640/G0020218.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving in the Senja mountains on sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbT8TgEeF4w/VeDhs0jnA2I/AAAAAAAACsQ/y6aQNOlD0t0/s1600/GOPR0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qbT8TgEeF4w/VeDhs0jnA2I/AAAAAAAACsQ/y6aQNOlD0t0/s640/GOPR0339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmSJ5CiIThc/VeDjZhlVTuI/AAAAAAAACsc/WSi6VN7RcHU/s1600/GOPR0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GmSJ5CiIThc/VeDjZhlVTuI/AAAAAAAACsc/WSi6VN7RcHU/s640/GOPR0382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOgXdG3pS9w/VeDokPK6ymI/AAAAAAAACuI/tcP-pGsHV6A/s1600/2015-08-23_12-50-35_221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOgXdG3pS9w/VeDokPK6ymI/AAAAAAAACuI/tcP-pGsHV6A/s400/2015-08-23_12-50-35_221.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through the adventure motorcyclist website Advrider I met up with Louise way up in the north of Norway near Alta. The website allows members to offer accommodation to other bikers and is a fantastic site for motorbike travellers. We had a great weekend together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf--61l_3aI/VeDsi5IMfQI/AAAAAAAACu8/wptz7PJdm2A/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf--61l_3aI/VeDsi5IMfQI/AAAAAAAACu8/wptz7PJdm2A/s400/image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was great to have a day of R and R at Louise's beautiful little cabin at Burfjord</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qalXh8ymDe8/VeDoqylnp6I/AAAAAAAACuQ/P0EH5k2JanY/s1600/2015-08-22_20-32-53_418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qalXh8ymDe8/VeDoqylnp6I/AAAAAAAACuQ/P0EH5k2JanY/s640/2015-08-22_20-32-53_418.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad view out the window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFfSnSbpkTg/VeDsviAhkoI/AAAAAAAACvE/TCKdWnXWbsU/s1600/image%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iFfSnSbpkTg/VeDsviAhkoI/AAAAAAAACvE/TCKdWnXWbsU/s640/image%2B%25281%2529.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another day with Louise on a fundraiser hike/run near Alta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1b6W22Xv6w/VeDo2guB_TI/AAAAAAAACuY/h3abWz6DQBA/s1600/2015-08-24_18-45-53_645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r1b6W22Xv6w/VeDo2guB_TI/AAAAAAAACuY/h3abWz6DQBA/s640/2015-08-24_18-45-53_645.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At North Cape, visibility not so good</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-Ycu0KO86w/VeDo_Dw2phI/AAAAAAAACug/1hKM4VwkQiA/s1600/2015-08-24_18-58-50_110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-Ycu0KO86w/VeDo_Dw2phI/AAAAAAAACug/1hKM4VwkQiA/s400/2015-08-24_18-58-50_110.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a far old way north is North Cape and I definitely had a good sense of achievement on arriving!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PvfILDLWVI/VeDl_rilM2I/AAAAAAAACtA/9olTzyUhh-0/s1600/G0010040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="194" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PvfILDLWVI/VeDl_rilM2I/AAAAAAAACtA/9olTzyUhh-0/s640/G0010040.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My northern most camp, being lake August I actually got some darkness!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxfwQ190NT0/VeDmJJT3VzI/AAAAAAAACtI/rAZC84wUDk0/s1600/GOPR0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uxfwQ190NT0/VeDmJJT3VzI/AAAAAAAACtI/rAZC84wUDk0/s640/GOPR0160.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Germans had a built bunkers way up here in the second world war</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0wAWnlxQUg8/VeDkJDyGjvI/AAAAAAAACsk/_aoZZyqh960/s1600/GOPR0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0wAWnlxQUg8/VeDkJDyGjvI/AAAAAAAACsk/_aoZZyqh960/s640/GOPR0168.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bugs are bad in this park of the world</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4xiz1AVSwc/VeDkY4CwYxI/AAAAAAAACss/xP0VZAFItDk/s1600/GOPR0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4xiz1AVSwc/VeDkY4CwYxI/AAAAAAAACss/xP0VZAFItDk/s640/GOPR0179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AastpL8QlXA/VeDkqP64ZdI/AAAAAAAACs0/8JmuFXRXdCo/s1600/GOPR0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AastpL8QlXA/VeDkqP64ZdI/AAAAAAAACs0/8JmuFXRXdCo/s640/GOPR0176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crossing the Arctic circle on the long run south to Stockholm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8wNVLAvyYQk" width="854"></iframe>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-85525894512197248382015-08-13T00:45:00.000-07:002015-08-13T01:00:10.515-07:00Rains, Trains and automobiles and more rainFirstly I just have to say that the weather has been shit just lately. <br />
<br />
Ok, after a call in at Stirling, Scotland to see the historic battlefields it was a quick trip down the M6 motorway to make some distance and visit a friend of a friend in Rhyl, North Wales. George spent a great deal of time riding with my mate Jeff when Jeff used to live in Liverpool. George and his wife Valerie spoiled me rotten with great food and a guided bike trip out into Snowdonia mountains. It was great to meet George in person, I'd seen a few photos of George and Jeff out on some heroic trail rides when the lads were a tad younger. Although I only spent a few days with George and Valerie they are such a lovely couple that I felt connected and sad to leave.<br />
<br />
After a couple of days of mud plugging in Wales I headed for Winchester and my cousin Nick's place. It was nice to catch up again and also took a day trip into London to check out the sights, there's a lot going on in this city!! <br />
<br />
With a ticket on the Channel tunnel train to France booked it was on the road again and Unfortunately several big days of motorway riding, I wanted to get across to Sweden in good time and allow more time in the North. It was a tough few days as motorway riding is not much fun, especially with heavy traffic and on top of this I had the most rain I've ever experienced during this entire trip of almost 2 years of riding! I guess I've probably had more than my share of good weather so my luck had to end at some point.<br />
<br />
So it was fantastic to finally make the house of a long time ago friend from back in the University of Canterbury Tramping Club days. Pernilla and her family live and work in Stockholm but they spend as much of the summer as they can at a holiday house an hour south of the city. It's a beautiful spot amongst the islands of the archipelago. Once again I was spoiled rotten with fantastic food and a bed, a day out kayaking and also a day in the city. Not to mention some time just chilling, was great catch up with Pernilla after all those years, I can't thank Pernilla and Erik enough for time I had at there house.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHzuZNNQZXY/Vciho4VEoKI/AAAAAAAACiY/BYYF_v_VKfE/s1600/2015-07-18_14-11-40_311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHzuZNNQZXY/Vciho4VEoKI/AAAAAAAACiY/BYYF_v_VKfE/s640/2015-07-18_14-11-40_311.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With George out on a day ride ( he rides a Honda VFR800)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuZAdZmUyNU/VciiG_ZO0RI/AAAAAAAACig/fRCOuJ6esnE/s1600/2015-07-19_10-10-23_594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EuZAdZmUyNU/VciiG_ZO0RI/AAAAAAAACig/fRCOuJ6esnE/s640/2015-07-19_10-10-23_594.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved the Norton Navigator that George had recently restored, and the neighbours seemed interested too! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibKHKXt5JWg/VciicDGMjYI/AAAAAAAACio/ZUNXSA6Uz6g/s1600/2015-07-19_10-11-00_982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ibKHKXt5JWg/VciicDGMjYI/AAAAAAAACio/ZUNXSA6Uz6g/s640/2015-07-19_10-11-00_982.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The send off party in Rhyl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIbdco3V02Q/Vcii1a6sZDI/AAAAAAAACiw/y3uqvsrhV7Q/s1600/2015-07-20_14-02-09_316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FIbdco3V02Q/Vcii1a6sZDI/AAAAAAAACiw/y3uqvsrhV7Q/s640/2015-07-20_14-02-09_316.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Wales I found the most challenging riding so far this year, with all the rain I was forced to abandon one trail as the water in the mud holes was too deep, the DR stalled in the middle of a large one.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI_L3iyXoqM/VcijLptVybI/AAAAAAAACi4/QxTYbksgYbc/s1600/2015-07-21_16-52-56_284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vI_L3iyXoqM/VcijLptVybI/AAAAAAAACi4/QxTYbksgYbc/s640/2015-07-21_16-52-56_284.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting thatched roofs in the English countryside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pBtLJHh0Wg0/Vcij3vwrfbI/AAAAAAAACjI/QpdK5O5jKbY/s1600/2015-07-23_14-03-03_905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pBtLJHh0Wg0/Vcij3vwrfbI/AAAAAAAACjI/QpdK5O5jKbY/s640/2015-07-23_14-03-03_905.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckingham Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlttg0On8BM/VcijlAXvv5I/AAAAAAAACjA/tVJSloJ-FFc/s1600/2015-07-23_14-12-01_983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qlttg0On8BM/VcijlAXvv5I/AAAAAAAACjA/tVJSloJ-FFc/s640/2015-07-23_14-12-01_983.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYQVpGcrUVE/VcikKLFlmaI/AAAAAAAACjQ/c0TR4uLzMBU/s1600/2015-07-24_11-00-22_765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zYQVpGcrUVE/VcikKLFlmaI/AAAAAAAACjQ/c0TR4uLzMBU/s640/2015-07-24_11-00-22_765.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While at cousin Nicks I had a chance to catch up on some jobs. Up in Scotland the DR started to have problems in the rain, one day it quit 3 times but then ran again. I had ago at squirting water at individual components but nothing seemed to indicate a problem. Some research led to possible carburettor breather lines, if they hang down too far they can suck water so I trimmed then back. Since then I've ridden in several days of torrential rain so think it must have done the trick!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XxZnLr0i8r4/VcikejiHM_I/AAAAAAAACjY/s-d3jfqNm9w/s1600/2015-07-26_14-28-04_581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XxZnLr0i8r4/VcikejiHM_I/AAAAAAAACjY/s-d3jfqNm9w/s640/2015-07-26_14-28-04_581.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe but in just 35 min or so you can scoot under the English channel aboard a train within a tunnel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqKY9fCoofs/Vcik060pa8I/AAAAAAAACjg/7871l4VFl_c/s1600/2015-07-29_07-04-29_816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PqKY9fCoofs/Vcik060pa8I/AAAAAAAACjg/7871l4VFl_c/s640/2015-07-29_07-04-29_816.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not so ideal camping, but I was tired and needed to stop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VR_GEp6JdE8/VcilPy1DEbI/AAAAAAAACjo/S-u7bOajDH8/s1600/2015-07-30_17-54-36_663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VR_GEp6JdE8/VcilPy1DEbI/AAAAAAAACjo/S-u7bOajDH8/s640/2015-07-30_17-54-36_663.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now this is pretty cool, that's a real Viking ship! It's hard to make it out in the dim light but you get a sense of size by the person standing on the left edge of the pic. The Vasa sunk on it's maiden voyage and didn't even make it out of the Harbour in Stockholm, It simply capsized in a light breeze due to bad design in 1628 and was re floated in 1961. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_(ship">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasa_(ship</a>)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fmati5wbZw/VcilrIt150I/AAAAAAAACjw/aEjS9VLwhQg/s1600/2015-07-30_17-51-26_196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Fmati5wbZw/VcilrIt150I/AAAAAAAACjw/aEjS9VLwhQg/s640/2015-07-30_17-51-26_196.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6d3emVrlbNo/VcimKSKqIBI/AAAAAAAACj4/xy27MBsp4EE/s1600/2015-07-31_19-57-10_795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6d3emVrlbNo/VcimKSKqIBI/AAAAAAAACj4/xy27MBsp4EE/s640/2015-07-31_19-57-10_795.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erik, Ebba, Pernilla, and Carl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9H1Qg6SU1l0/VcimkfmUQcI/AAAAAAAACkA/9nboLoGJt7Q/s1600/2015-07-31_15-29-11_635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9H1Qg6SU1l0/VcimkfmUQcI/AAAAAAAACkA/9nboLoGJt7Q/s640/2015-07-31_15-29-11_635.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After several not so fun days on the highway this was paradise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLQGxJ5i21Y/Vcim30D_RNI/AAAAAAAACkI/JG-xCVnob_c/s1600/2015-08-01_20-06-12_978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jLQGxJ5i21Y/Vcim30D_RNI/AAAAAAAACkI/JG-xCVnob_c/s640/2015-08-01_20-06-12_978.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to met a bunch of Pernilla's old school mates and their families</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0a9VMWNJYA/VcinIJvVziI/AAAAAAAACkQ/amT12f7opXs/s1600/2015-07-31_11-12-15_650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0a9VMWNJYA/VcinIJvVziI/AAAAAAAACkQ/amT12f7opXs/s640/2015-07-31_11-12-15_650.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice change from the bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LubfSPn1pnQ/VcuzRYlIT5I/AAAAAAAACqg/MGQf9WqLKuE/s1600/image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LubfSPn1pnQ/VcuzRYlIT5I/AAAAAAAACqg/MGQf9WqLKuE/s640/image2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids enjoyed a quick ride on the bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6A0jSmFt87c/VcuzcttkSYI/AAAAAAAACqo/Czol5pKQ1K4/s1600/image6.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6A0jSmFt87c/VcuzcttkSYI/AAAAAAAACqo/Czol5pKQ1K4/s640/image6.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djk1ZtwlbG8/VcinaqrKVJI/AAAAAAAACkY/tj0GmVfN6BU/s1600/2015-08-02_21-43-17_82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-djk1ZtwlbG8/VcinaqrKVJI/AAAAAAAACkY/tj0GmVfN6BU/s640/2015-08-02_21-43-17_82.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the road and my house!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-76766237265702862692015-07-22T04:43:00.000-07:002015-07-24T08:06:35.069-07:00Highlanding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My last day in Ireland, I ride past a rather large prison. I ride around the security fences for quite a substantial distance and imagine what it must be like to be inside there. On this side of the fence life is good and it's a reminder of the freedom that I am lucky to have on this bike journey.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once off the ferry it's straight across to York on major roadways. I've organised to catch up with my work mates from back in Golden Bay, Richard and Matt from NZ. Richard grew up here and his folks still live here and allowed us to crash at there sweat pad for a couple of nights. We had a great walking tour of York and all the interesting history in this old city.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhwCqF3Gk7E/VZU-l3kUufI/AAAAAAAACYM/9Bumo3mlqSM/s1600/2015-06-26_11-35-03_35%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bhwCqF3Gk7E/VZU-l3kUufI/AAAAAAAACYM/9Bumo3mlqSM/s640/2015-06-26_11-35-03_35%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard and Janet, the kids Lou and Rosie and Matt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vLSAfyqhdBg/VZU_Hyms8TI/AAAAAAAACYU/oh-KOz5CGS8/s1600/2015-06-25_10-57-24_372%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vLSAfyqhdBg/VZU_Hyms8TI/AAAAAAAACYU/oh-KOz5CGS8/s640/2015-06-25_10-57-24_372%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking the old fortress walls in York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7necJ9RFmc/VZU_uk-0HDI/AAAAAAAACYg/iVOAN7DZmEY/s1600/2015-06-25_13-22-16_419%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7necJ9RFmc/VZU_uk-0HDI/AAAAAAAACYg/iVOAN7DZmEY/s640/2015-06-25_13-22-16_419%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stonemasons are working full time to repair the massive Cathedral in York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bbOKsExNEec/VZVA7OiwzvI/AAAAAAAACYw/dkX0TBg5Yhc/s1600/2015-06-25_13-22-26_692%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bbOKsExNEec/VZVA7OiwzvI/AAAAAAAACYw/dkX0TBg5Yhc/s640/2015-06-25_13-22-26_692%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rB99ZJ2Ix1M/VZVAXKz7C7I/AAAAAAAACYo/-9OeLn2vaso/s1600/2015-06-25_12-02-19_69%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rB99ZJ2Ix1M/VZVAXKz7C7I/AAAAAAAACYo/-9OeLn2vaso/s640/2015-06-25_12-02-19_69%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBi57goG2dE/VZVBSLS579I/AAAAAAAACY4/f9aIBPx_1GI/s1600/2015-06-25_13-27-50_417%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IBi57goG2dE/VZVBSLS579I/AAAAAAAACY4/f9aIBPx_1GI/s640/2015-06-25_13-27-50_417%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Doc workers reunited in York</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CkMzNFg-gh0/VZVBpVOewKI/AAAAAAAACZA/sFoFmk04q1M/s1600/2015-06-25_13-34-19_381%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CkMzNFg-gh0/VZVBpVOewKI/AAAAAAAACZA/sFoFmk04q1M/s640/2015-06-25_13-34-19_381%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The detail in the stone work is simply incredible</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JX8CPUpeXR0/VZVB_1R83tI/AAAAAAAACZI/Z7qARvip4hk/s1600/2015-06-25_22-51-39_447%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JX8CPUpeXR0/VZVB_1R83tI/AAAAAAAACZI/Z7qARvip4hk/s640/2015-06-25_22-51-39_447%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
From York it was time to head north and check out the Highlands. A few days in Edinburgh and a night out camping before making Inverness where I stayed with Adv rider inmate Ian. Ian gave me some great pointers on places to see in the north of Scotland.<br />
<br />
Scotland has some fantastic roads in the north, not much traffic on them and they're not the best kept, just the way I like them. The highlands and the coastal area in the west has really been impressive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzXGtAUeiTM/VZVCTB8Sb7I/AAAAAAAACZQ/jN-7Tdwa-vE/s1600/2015-06-26_15-20-29_378%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hzXGtAUeiTM/VZVCTB8Sb7I/AAAAAAAACZQ/jN-7Tdwa-vE/s640/2015-06-26_15-20-29_378%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering Scotland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvXNkLTtrJE/VZVCrogNaVI/AAAAAAAACZY/1xF5lwaeTmg/s1600/2015-06-27_16-11-01_754%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TvXNkLTtrJE/VZVCrogNaVI/AAAAAAAACZY/1xF5lwaeTmg/s640/2015-06-27_16-11-01_754%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edinburgh has a lot going on </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azdhxCxC93o/VaJIH3wUKwI/AAAAAAAACbk/zE0prtyXkdA/s1600/2015-06-28_20-36-11_135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azdhxCxC93o/VaJIH3wUKwI/AAAAAAAACbk/zE0prtyXkdA/s640/2015-06-28_20-36-11_135.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading out of Edinburgh, all stocked up with massive amounts of supplies thanks to some friendly French fellas who had just finished up a week long trip and donated all of there left over supplies. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKD32LJcqc0/VZVDafmsViI/AAAAAAAACZg/qfhFxdlji-Y/s1600/2015-06-28_16-36-47_777%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fKD32LJcqc0/VZVDafmsViI/AAAAAAAACZg/qfhFxdlji-Y/s640/2015-06-28_16-36-47_777%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a bit of a liking to the bridges in Scotland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x-mrll671o4/VaJFdf0yPiI/AAAAAAAACbI/ezDtYYXokMo/s1600/2015-06-28_17-16-49_529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x-mrll671o4/VaJFdf0yPiI/AAAAAAAACbI/ezDtYYXokMo/s640/2015-06-28_17-16-49_529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5w6qrHegSo/VaJGGggbf4I/AAAAAAAACbQ/0V9kzLot0vE/s1600/2015-07-08_12-09-33_481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5w6qrHegSo/VaJGGggbf4I/AAAAAAAACbQ/0V9kzLot0vE/s640/2015-07-08_12-09-33_481.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmGkvJAPj3Y/Vaf7ay_JjGI/AAAAAAAACfk/K8WsmgbAZc0/s1600/2015-07-14_17-13-00_61%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmGkvJAPj3Y/Vaf7ay_JjGI/AAAAAAAACfk/K8WsmgbAZc0/s640/2015-07-14_17-13-00_61%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXiUc_A1k0E/Vaf8AgOd2BI/AAAAAAAACfs/rp7ZqGrctJY/s1600/2015-07-15_10-47-14_376%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sXiUc_A1k0E/Vaf8AgOd2BI/AAAAAAAACfs/rp7ZqGrctJY/s640/2015-07-15_10-47-14_376%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I turned into a bridge bagger!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2Zx229lhmM/Vaf8gZJzlhI/AAAAAAAACf4/5GOhjQjzA8U/s1600/2015-07-15_17-55-23_145%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i2Zx229lhmM/Vaf8gZJzlhI/AAAAAAAACf4/5GOhjQjzA8U/s640/2015-07-15_17-55-23_145%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ones a little special, It's in Stirling, it's about 500 years old and is located close to the original wooden bridge that was strategically destroyed during the Battle of Stirling and helped William Wallace and the Scots trap and defeat the larger English army in 132..something.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4W-je3d0us/VZVEPy27PcI/AAAAAAAACZw/iCHPk4wWwvs/s1600/2015-06-28_17-21-38_966%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4W-je3d0us/VZVEPy27PcI/AAAAAAAACZw/iCHPk4wWwvs/s640/2015-06-28_17-21-38_966%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just like Ireland, lots of great "single track" roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc6H0qrM6A0/VZVD8cS4s3I/AAAAAAAACZo/AUB5jr5i8-A/s1600/2015-06-30_16-18-54_833%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc6H0qrM6A0/VZVD8cS4s3I/AAAAAAAACZo/AUB5jr5i8-A/s640/2015-06-30_16-18-54_833%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bay on the east coast was full of drilling rigs, the north sea is full of them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzZF7DXgba4/VaI3GeslKpI/AAAAAAAACag/Cdihv0YqApI/s1600/2015-07-04_15-15-04_342%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RzZF7DXgba4/VaI3GeslKpI/AAAAAAAACag/Cdihv0YqApI/s640/2015-07-04_15-15-04_342%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic landscapes on the north west coast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZGbbSv8_xk/VaJH0zFDDwI/AAAAAAAACbc/ZR4lnCYJLNc/s1600/2015-06-22_15-59-19_471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZGbbSv8_xk/VaJH0zFDDwI/AAAAAAAACbc/ZR4lnCYJLNc/s640/2015-06-22_15-59-19_471.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">you see a lot of this in Scotland and Ireland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NG34I9-VA8w/VaJKsV6SqDI/AAAAAAAACcI/jDD6L9wqQNI/s1600/2015-07-03_12-25-18_791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NG34I9-VA8w/VaJKsV6SqDI/AAAAAAAACcI/jDD6L9wqQNI/s640/2015-07-03_12-25-18_791.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPKOtCx1TNs/VaJLEkiKt2I/AAAAAAAACcQ/xdAgYUKnpZY/s1600/2015-07-03_15-38-34_565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPKOtCx1TNs/VaJLEkiKt2I/AAAAAAAACcQ/xdAgYUKnpZY/s640/2015-07-03_15-38-34_565.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some amazing beaches up in the north west corner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWwGu3XLP0Q/VaJJ4_mlbrI/AAAAAAAACcA/OOW90kl5uN0/s1600/2015-07-03_11-20-38_751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWwGu3XLP0Q/VaJJ4_mlbrI/AAAAAAAACcA/OOW90kl5uN0/s640/2015-07-03_11-20-38_751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-azdhxCxC93o/VaJIH3wUKwI/AAAAAAAACbk/zE0prtyXkdA/s1600/2015-06-28_20-36-11_135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-000jvDw3fts/VaJJKIT5NdI/AAAAAAAACbw/AC3oU1ABCVs/s1600/2015-06-30_17-02-59_495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-000jvDw3fts/VaJJKIT5NdI/AAAAAAAACbw/AC3oU1ABCVs/s640/2015-06-30_17-02-59_495.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Called in at the Glenmorangie Distillery in Tain. Had an interesting tour of the plant and got the low down on how to produce good whisky</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXz85UlNlcg/VaJJc56BkeI/AAAAAAAACb4/XjSwiC4EQoo/s1600/2015-07-01_12-31-38_880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SXz85UlNlcg/VaJJc56BkeI/AAAAAAAACb4/XjSwiC4EQoo/s640/2015-07-01_12-31-38_880.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stills in Tain are the tallest in Scotland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRROb6g-qk8/VaJM5wk_9xI/AAAAAAAACcw/AhhTOvBWatQ/s1600/2015-07-05_11-23-39_977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRROb6g-qk8/VaJM5wk_9xI/AAAAAAAACcw/AhhTOvBWatQ/s640/2015-07-05_11-23-39_977.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This ones on the Isle of Skye</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9KUdSSaITE/VagLAGMYFsI/AAAAAAAAChg/nxrXCIGT3GE/s1600/2015-07-15_12-09-05_245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s9KUdSSaITE/VagLAGMYFsI/AAAAAAAAChg/nxrXCIGT3GE/s640/2015-07-15_12-09-05_245.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">visitors welcome.... come and spend some money!! I just looked from a distance at most and enjoyed the nice aroma!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB2kboY7-lI/VaJLem1MhfI/AAAAAAAACcY/kHtWxoFfUI0/s1600/2015-07-03_18-08-11_495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dB2kboY7-lI/VaJLem1MhfI/AAAAAAAACcY/kHtWxoFfUI0/s640/2015-07-03_18-08-11_495.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more stunning coastline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb2E4CHWISc/VaJL3oYfgMI/AAAAAAAACcg/mMAmg1b8uNU/s1600/2015-07-04_16-43-38_23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tb2E4CHWISc/VaJL3oYfgMI/AAAAAAAACcg/mMAmg1b8uNU/s640/2015-07-04_16-43-38_23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pass of the cattle near Applecross is one of the most spectacular in Scotland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8RpJ-gmpXk/VaJMMQo_SRI/AAAAAAAACco/jFQ0s9aMRsA/s1600/2015-07-04_19-00-58_917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h8RpJ-gmpXk/VaJMMQo_SRI/AAAAAAAACco/jFQ0s9aMRsA/s640/2015-07-04_19-00-58_917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9CW9NQ0K0g/VaJON-YDHDI/AAAAAAAACdA/yB53AISUycE/s1600/2015-07-06_14-03-33_230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9CW9NQ0K0g/VaJON-YDHDI/AAAAAAAACdA/yB53AISUycE/s640/2015-07-06_14-03-33_230.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle Eilean Donan is rather spectacular<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtEYDWO6uBQ/VaJOmSZdQgI/AAAAAAAACdI/9Ft8zaUVTzA/s1600/2015-07-07_11-56-12_856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HtEYDWO6uBQ/VaJOmSZdQgI/AAAAAAAACdI/9Ft8zaUVTzA/s640/2015-07-07_11-56-12_856.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping with John and Harley in Glencoe with there recently purchased Harleys</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5wlk64zBFM/VaJPEX4qEDI/AAAAAAAACdQ/dLS7vfIbnpk/s1600/2015-07-09_12-18-40_893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i5wlk64zBFM/VaJPEX4qEDI/AAAAAAAACdQ/dLS7vfIbnpk/s400/2015-07-09_12-18-40_893.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearing the summit of Ben Nevis with Fort William in the background. At 1300m Ben Nevis is the UK's highest peak </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ennRESjvQLk/VaJPZTNksJI/AAAAAAAACdY/Kurqi6au_gM/s1600/2015-07-09_13-33-15_139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ennRESjvQLk/VaJPZTNksJI/AAAAAAAACdY/Kurqi6au_gM/s640/2015-07-09_13-33-15_139.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a track builder I was impressed the stone work on the Ben Nevis track</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
While in Scotland I wanted to try and find the "Devils Staircase" which is an iconic part of the old Scottish Six Day Trial event which is the oldest motorbike event of it's type in the world and has been running since 1909. The SSDT was first introduced to me by my good friend Jeff Allen who had some fantastic movies of the event during the 50's and 60's. Ever since seeing those films I decided I would have to have ago at riding the staircase.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The event is a trial of the skill, consistency and endurance of the riders, as well as a test of the durability of the motorcycles. It requires riders to cover large distances to special sections that are observed by officials. The special sections require great skill to traverse cleanly. These days much of the early sections are no longer used and the improvement of the modern specialised trials bikes means that riders are now traversing insane terrain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It took a couple of days to locate the Devils Staircase, firstly I went to the wrong "Staircase " which had the same name and was in the rough area, it's part of the West Highland Way hiking route. I walked it and compared to the old footage I've seen I knew this wasn't it. I went back to Fort William and further research lead me to Loch Moidart near Kinlochmoidart. So the following day I head out to Loch Moidart and thanks to some good info find the very obscure start of the old track on the side of the Loch marked by a small rock cairn.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On walking the track it's obvious that it doesn't get much use, just some light foot traffic and certainly no sign of any bikes. It's over grown and muddy in places, after about 500 meters or so I come across a series of steep switch back turns with some great old stone retaining walls. I analyse the surroundings and conclude that yes.... under the new forest is in fact the renowned Devils Staircase more or less just as I had seen it in the movie clips over 70 years ago!! This is really, really cool, a bit like rediscovering the lost city of the Inca's I have rediscovered the legendary staircase of the SSDT and the birthplace of off road riding !!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spend some time taking in the surroundings and imagine the spectators here cheering on the riders back in the 50's. Looking at switch back two on the climb I doubt that I would get the my bike up it, it's steep and slippery with a step in it. I've dreamed of riding the staircase for a while, on walking back out and piecing all the obstacles together I release that it will be to hard to even get to it, steep slippery rocks, mud, and two trees across the track will make it too difficult. I tell myself to just be happy to have seen it on foot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two days later I'm back, spent all day yesterday climbing Ben Nevis and couldn't stop thinking about the Staircase, I have to give it a go. I've brought a cheap hand saw to clear the trees and I've also packed all of my gear in case I get stuck, which is quite likely and has me a little concerned as I ride the 100km of highway back to the track start.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Gearing lowered, tires aired right down to nothing and I hit the track, I'm surprised as I claw up the first slippery section and through the ferns, I'm stuck in the muddy climb though that I thought might give me some problems, I hit it a few times and eventually after a lot of pushing I'm up it and at the next obstacle, the tree. My saw works well on the small branches but not so well on the larger trunk, about now as I'm struggling away amongst the mosquitos I wish I had paid the extra bucks for that damn axe! Eventually I give up on the trunk and decide to build a rock ramp up and over the two trunks. It works well and I'm off through the undergrowth again. I'm committed now as I go down a steep sort section that has me most worried as it's likely to get me stuck in here. Actually the most worrying piece of track is a slippery section with a rather large drop off the side!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A litte further on and holly shit I'm riding the "Devil's Staircase". Round the first corner without too much problems but the next as suspected is just too slippery and steep to ride. I'm not going to make it up the staircase. I'm happy enough to just get to here and although I'm just brushing off the moss with my spinning rear tire out of respect for this magnificent piece of track I don't push the idea, anyway I still have some work to do just to get out.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W0uIQPq0z2Q/VaJPwEgmqxI/AAAAAAAACdg/17aY_BoolGw/s1600/2015-07-10_15-36-59_212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W0uIQPq0z2Q/VaJPwEgmqxI/AAAAAAAACdg/17aY_BoolGw/s640/2015-07-10_15-36-59_212.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Battling the undergrowth on the way to the Historic Devils Staircase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzMTS67mHD4/VaJbTqELjwI/AAAAAAAACec/oQ446wVHK_I/s1600/devils%2B50%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uzMTS67mHD4/VaJbTqELjwI/AAAAAAAACec/oQ446wVHK_I/s640/devils%2B50%2527s.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Devils Staircase 1948....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ud91xjvH7w/VaJRT2mZZzI/AAAAAAAACds/L1Kh4vttUYo/s1600/G0020104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ud91xjvH7w/VaJRT2mZZzI/AAAAAAAACds/L1Kh4vttUYo/s640/G0020104.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... and here we go 2015</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3Ud91xjvH7w/VaJRT2mZZzI/AAAAAAAACds/L1Kh4vttUYo/s1600/G0020104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLwHce7jqTM/VaJTyA_ywLI/AAAAAAAACd4/WmCOyOdUORo/s1600/G0020137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bLwHce7jqTM/VaJTyA_ywLI/AAAAAAAACd4/WmCOyOdUORo/s640/G0020137.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After frist considering it too hard on my own I'm over the moon to be living a dream of riding the Staircase</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IIfcbrynxM/VaJVDtO2AoI/AAAAAAAACeE/wmVGmDZHCBs/s1600/GOPR0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--IIfcbrynxM/VaJVDtO2AoI/AAAAAAAACeE/wmVGmDZHCBs/s640/GOPR0084.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shot shows the steepness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yWwGu3XLP0Q/VaJJ4_mlbrI/AAAAAAAACcA/OOW90kl5uN0/s1600/2015-07-03_11-20-38_751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyDPsKwR-ZI/VaJWr8iecTI/AAAAAAAACeQ/mrN7Idq-Ivs/s1600/GOPR0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GyDPsKwR-ZI/VaJWr8iecTI/AAAAAAAACeQ/mrN7Idq-Ivs/s640/GOPR0151.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn't ride up this corner on the big Dr650, a bit too slick....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
... </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbaKRZVRC-8/VaKa6GHn5FI/AAAAAAAACfA/N4vBK0_jlIY/s1600/S-Miller-SSDT-1960-37b22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QbaKRZVRC-8/VaKa6GHn5FI/AAAAAAAACfA/N4vBK0_jlIY/s640/S-Miller-SSDT-1960-37b22.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.....here Sam Millar makes it look easy. Although I have to say I think the conditions back then may have been a tad easier, well that's my excuse anyway!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phJkO6pnkUE/VaJfCUmm_YI/AAAAAAAACew/g0lUvss9xK0/s1600/1940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-phJkO6pnkUE/VaJfCUmm_YI/AAAAAAAACew/g0lUvss9xK0/s640/1940.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsgevPJ_x1c/Vaf_r0AFXQI/AAAAAAAACgE/DqfwHbBDuz8/s1600/2015-07-14_09-56-07_707%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EsgevPJ_x1c/Vaf_r0AFXQI/AAAAAAAACgE/DqfwHbBDuz8/s640/2015-07-14_09-56-07_707%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After surviving the Devils Staircase I thank the gods and take some time out at the great Oban Backpackers. A week of rain and it was nice to dry out!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D4W-je3d0us/VZVEPy27PcI/AAAAAAAACZw/iCHPk4wWwvs/s1600/2015-06-28_17-21-38_966%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2x9N0GUjtw/VagBfJnxXqI/AAAAAAAACgQ/rm_s5FlBsmU/s1600/2015-07-14_16-40-13_360%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2x9N0GUjtw/VagBfJnxXqI/AAAAAAAACgQ/rm_s5FlBsmU/s640/2015-07-14_16-40-13_360%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having a quick look for a monster at Lock Ness</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLbusq1R3Ew/VagB7Y1m6DI/AAAAAAAACgY/JGwHIPzElp8/s1600/2015-07-14_17-33-18_801%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uLbusq1R3Ew/VagB7Y1m6DI/AAAAAAAACgY/JGwHIPzElp8/s640/2015-07-14_17-33-18_801%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favourite ride in the Highlands, Corrieyairack Pass, an old military road built during the Jacobite uprising in the 18th century. It had some steep sections and great views from the summit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rnb1v7gmwA/VagCYAFkL1I/AAAAAAAACgg/eQbePfzQ7t8/s1600/2015-07-14_18-18-49_988%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--rnb1v7gmwA/VagCYAFkL1I/AAAAAAAACgg/eQbePfzQ7t8/s640/2015-07-14_18-18-49_988%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, another stone bridge, and that is a "Bothy"(public hut) that I stayed the night in, was great to unexpectedly come across it </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubc295jrtDw/VagDfnLVc-I/AAAAAAAACgs/ef-Do7rqRxI/s1600/2015-07-15_09-24-26_703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ubc295jrtDw/VagDfnLVc-I/AAAAAAAACgs/ef-Do7rqRxI/s640/2015-07-15_09-24-26_703.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mick and Graeme who I stayed with in the Bothy, good fellas.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMv6axWJQ8M/VagE1wtzq4I/AAAAAAAACg4/-AWuieHVu8Y/s1600/2015-07-14_18-39-32_114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KMv6axWJQ8M/VagE1wtzq4I/AAAAAAAACg4/-AWuieHVu8Y/s640/2015-07-14_18-39-32_114.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuIMmuKjzIs/VagFMLql1eI/AAAAAAAAChA/W_HJB-ccj10/s1600/2015-07-15_16-48-36_308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cuIMmuKjzIs/VagFMLql1eI/AAAAAAAAChA/W_HJB-ccj10/s640/2015-07-15_16-48-36_308.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The William Wallace monument in Stirling</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDfjWWQBHyU/VagFkQxGVuI/AAAAAAAAChI/a1kN-HQE1ts/s1600/2015-07-15_16-17-35_729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dDfjWWQBHyU/VagFkQxGVuI/AAAAAAAAChI/a1kN-HQE1ts/s640/2015-07-15_16-17-35_729.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Wallace sword, it's freaken huge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACogxQr1reI/VagF8C9KQEI/AAAAAAAAChQ/L6EzIrhxnGs/s1600/2015-07-15_18-25-49_39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ACogxQr1reI/VagF8C9KQEI/AAAAAAAAChQ/L6EzIrhxnGs/s640/2015-07-15_18-25-49_39.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert the Bruce at the battle fields of Bannockburn. I've spent a fair bit of time clambering around in heavy, restrictive motorbike boots and gear while off the bike and it really slows you down. Can only imagine how these guys got on in their battle armour!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rP2hjpjIaOs" width="560"></iframe>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-13098138680549649512015-07-02T05:59:00.000-07:002015-07-02T07:36:53.776-07:00A lap of Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After the week on Isle of Man it was nice to park up in Belfast for a few days to take a breather. It had been a fairly busy time from my last 2 weeks in New Zealand to getting the bike in Germany and making it to the TT races. I'm still reflecting on what is the most incredible race in the world. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the cities it can be difficult or expensive to find secure parking for the motorbike. I rung ahead to the hostel to confirm that the parking was indeed enclosed. On arrival it become clear that my accent was not understood and the parking was street side and not an option for my uninsured bike. Luckily the staff where happy enough for me to ride the bike up the steps and into the wide entrance way and out of sight behind locked doors.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The plan for Ireland was to do a clockwise loop and stick mainly to the coastline. It was a good ride taking about a couple of weeks. The weather was a bit crappy, there is no gravel roads but they have terrific little paved lanes throughout the country side, the people are great, the Guinness is actually a rather good beer and yes the proclaimer's are right, Irish girls are pretty.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjKLXqwOGkQ/VYAqhn5kmxI/AAAAAAAACSA/q0hKBf7vO6M/s1600/2015-06-10_13-27-16_106%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MjKLXqwOGkQ/VYAqhn5kmxI/AAAAAAAACSA/q0hKBf7vO6M/s640/2015-06-10_13-27-16_106%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">reminders of Belfast's troubled history</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEfCRSHAB9A/VYBBlpeOOCI/AAAAAAAACTQ/rsIw_rPnVGw/s1600/2015-06-09_18-24-35_872%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pEfCRSHAB9A/VYBBlpeOOCI/AAAAAAAACTQ/rsIw_rPnVGw/s640/2015-06-09_18-24-35_872%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City of Belfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDHeRFNtcaE/VYAshLUMGnI/AAAAAAAACSM/shXfUz7qXic/s1600/2015-06-10_15-17-37_723%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XDHeRFNtcaE/VYAshLUMGnI/AAAAAAAACSM/shXfUz7qXic/s640/2015-06-10_15-17-37_723%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing on the slipway where the Titanic was built, across the way they now work on oil rigs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtPzDuMMlWQ/VYAtnWysK2I/AAAAAAAACSY/E8ylT9jTa5g/s1600/2015-06-13_11-52-39_878%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LtPzDuMMlWQ/VYAtnWysK2I/AAAAAAAACSY/E8ylT9jTa5g/s640/2015-06-13_11-52-39_878%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of impressive coastline in Ireland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kJS-5BzXfs/VYAumKoZHGI/AAAAAAAACSg/t3WuZ-ncL-4/s1600/2015-06-12_13-36-52_636%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kJS-5BzXfs/VYAumKoZHGI/AAAAAAAACSg/t3WuZ-ncL-4/s640/2015-06-12_13-36-52_636%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and also stone workings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fpndXst2aY/VYAvWKrGUiI/AAAAAAAACSo/qWvYamFY4sU/s1600/2015-06-13_12-40-00_90%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--fpndXst2aY/VYAvWKrGUiI/AAAAAAAACSo/qWvYamFY4sU/s640/2015-06-13_12-40-00_90%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fylMX9VGfQE/VYBB8Sq3xzI/AAAAAAAACTY/xL_S1KFMX7Y/s1600/2015-06-12_16-05-07_680%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fylMX9VGfQE/VYBB8Sq3xzI/AAAAAAAACTY/xL_S1KFMX7Y/s640/2015-06-12_16-05-07_680%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fvZAumi8bOE/VYAwzsvRQsI/AAAAAAAACS0/Ooxb88ltO5I/s1600/2015-06-13_15-24-11_67%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fvZAumi8bOE/VYAwzsvRQsI/AAAAAAAACS0/Ooxb88ltO5I/s640/2015-06-13_15-24-11_67%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much dirt roads in Ireland but you can find many neat little paved roads like this</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fylMX9VGfQE/VYBB8Sq3xzI/AAAAAAAACTY/xL_S1KFMX7Y/s1600/2015-06-12_16-05-07_680%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWU8_tLjQZw/VYBCm2sdavI/AAAAAAAACTk/3PDvlJgW54k/s1600/2015-06-13_15-06-02_764%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EWU8_tLjQZw/VYBCm2sdavI/AAAAAAAACTk/3PDvlJgW54k/s640/2015-06-13_15-06-02_764%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPJzoB5uacY/VYBDHz_l9xI/AAAAAAAACTs/wMLBJRsyc74/s1600/2015-06-13_16-07-54_476%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DPJzoB5uacY/VYBDHz_l9xI/AAAAAAAACTs/wMLBJRsyc74/s640/2015-06-13_16-07-54_476%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0b5JHYa_8qg/VYBDj28b-sI/AAAAAAAACT0/IdbBu1N9U9Q/s1600/2015-06-13_16-16-22_389%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0b5JHYa_8qg/VYBDj28b-sI/AAAAAAAACT0/IdbBu1N9U9Q/s640/2015-06-13_16-16-22_389%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wj7pCHXq5iU/VYBEBKv9mGI/AAAAAAAACT8/LQZYDzIBdrc/s1600/2015-06-13_16-23-58_244%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wj7pCHXq5iU/VYBEBKv9mGI/AAAAAAAACT8/LQZYDzIBdrc/s640/2015-06-13_16-23-58_244%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bi7wYnAIYE/VYBEfKU0glI/AAAAAAAACUE/-z7j-m6LLkE/s1600/2015-06-13_16-26-42_522%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bi7wYnAIYE/VYBEfKU0glI/AAAAAAAACUE/-z7j-m6LLkE/s640/2015-06-13_16-26-42_522%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flGyH4djUxw/VYBE4ba-gGI/AAAAAAAACUM/HpP3FEbTwho/s1600/2015-06-14_11-46-39_948%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flGyH4djUxw/VYBE4ba-gGI/AAAAAAAACUM/HpP3FEbTwho/s400/2015-06-14_11-46-39_948%255B1%255D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQOVjMB94Ys/VYBFR9UcnUI/AAAAAAAACUU/tcst6nVMNAY/s1600/2015-06-14_12-47-03_697%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HQOVjMB94Ys/VYBFR9UcnUI/AAAAAAAACUU/tcst6nVMNAY/s640/2015-06-14_12-47-03_697%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the few sunny days in Ireland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpDHjH1jVpg/VYBFwnuftoI/AAAAAAAACUc/UDcmC0hbG_4/s1600/2015-06-14_21-46-48_570%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZpDHjH1jVpg/VYBFwnuftoI/AAAAAAAACUc/UDcmC0hbG_4/s640/2015-06-14_21-46-48_570%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Dingle Harbour, South West Ireland</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhKgS_c8R-0/VYBGNFBg3xI/AAAAAAAACUk/B-HGZhj4jtw/s1600/2015-06-14_22-50-54_479%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhKgS_c8R-0/VYBGNFBg3xI/AAAAAAAACUk/B-HGZhj4jtw/s640/2015-06-14_22-50-54_479%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few beers at the Hostel in Dingle. Ended up staying a few days here, great location and atmosphere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gzozJUQD7E/VYBGybCJsBI/AAAAAAAACUs/VLUdxna65aQ/s1600/2015-06-15_13-27-47_715%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8gzozJUQD7E/VYBGybCJsBI/AAAAAAAACUs/VLUdxna65aQ/s640/2015-06-15_13-27-47_715%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat trip off the coast of Dingle, managed to see some Dolphins and a few Minke Whales and a heap of nice coastline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHdwqDm7XrI/VYBHW0J0BHI/AAAAAAAACU4/CmXbiCUxPKc/s1600/2015-06-15_15-13-13_507%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxQLtSyWXaQ/VYBHu3A3hYI/AAAAAAAACVA/d2uOnMCBeBQ/s1600/2015-06-15_15-42-20_655%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rxQLtSyWXaQ/VYBHu3A3hYI/AAAAAAAACVA/d2uOnMCBeBQ/s640/2015-06-15_15-42-20_655%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irelands most westerly Islands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRNxa5UJ37w/VYBJg3waBcI/AAAAAAAACVU/RPF94rU1izU/s1600/2015-06-15_15-31-00_548%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRNxa5UJ37w/VYBJg3waBcI/AAAAAAAACVU/RPF94rU1izU/s640/2015-06-15_15-31-00_548%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice colours on the Islands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHdwqDm7XrI/VYBHW0J0BHI/AAAAAAAACU4/CmXbiCUxPKc/s1600/2015-06-15_15-13-13_507%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zHdwqDm7XrI/VYBHW0J0BHI/AAAAAAAACU4/CmXbiCUxPKc/s640/2015-06-15_15-13-13_507%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Danielle, nice Irish girl whom I meet at the Dingle Hostel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rKCgJuF_Jjw/VYBI3tO-WqI/AAAAAAAACVM/LYIsfdHoFyw/s1600/2015-06-15_19-05-09_154%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rKCgJuF_Jjw/VYBI3tO-WqI/AAAAAAAACVM/LYIsfdHoFyw/s640/2015-06-15_19-05-09_154%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael and his Dakar. Mihael worked at the hostel in Dingle and showed me a few local rides </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00rSDkxNkZ0/VYcuu-VjqMI/AAAAAAAACVo/5W6X8xeuDb0/s1600/2015-06-17_17-56-55_11%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-00rSDkxNkZ0/VYcuu-VjqMI/AAAAAAAACVo/5W6X8xeuDb0/s640/2015-06-17_17-56-55_11%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite liked these little MZ's, ridden up from Germany. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gRNxa5UJ37w/VYBJg3waBcI/AAAAAAAACVU/RPF94rU1izU/s1600/2015-06-15_15-31-00_548%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXug8Xq4P_o/VYcvB06VFcI/AAAAAAAACVw/-_EvkjamDLE/s1600/2015-06-17_19-13-08_681%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AXug8Xq4P_o/VYcvB06VFcI/AAAAAAAACVw/-_EvkjamDLE/s640/2015-06-17_19-13-08_681%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical country road in Ireland, very narrow and with high stone walls on either side so visibility is often very restricted </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5K_pHUGbHvw/VYcvUCNVuUI/AAAAAAAACV4/_ibS5-pepjs/s1600/2015-06-18_10-28-09_600%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5K_pHUGbHvw/VYcvUCNVuUI/AAAAAAAACV4/_ibS5-pepjs/s640/2015-06-18_10-28-09_600%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thomas, on his daily walk up behind Dingle. Nice fellow. He reckoned the DR "looked powerful enough to make it up the hill" behind his place. My worn rear tyre was not good enough though for the boggy sections and had to return back down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRx4tEIU42Q/VYcvjPwxlNI/AAAAAAAACWA/Lj7YYMioDPQ/s1600/2015-06-18_10-58-03_78%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yRx4tEIU42Q/VYcvjPwxlNI/AAAAAAAACWA/Lj7YYMioDPQ/s640/2015-06-18_10-58-03_78%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a second attempt on a different route I got up pretty high above Dingle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7_qekblsGs/VYcwMAsvbSI/AAAAAAAACWI/HP8kq_w6X38/s1600/2015-06-18_12-54-03_120%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7_qekblsGs/VYcwMAsvbSI/AAAAAAAACWI/HP8kq_w6X38/s640/2015-06-18_12-54-03_120%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In another area I come across some "Turf cutting". Once dried the peaty bricks are burned for heating.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iUKct2uYx8/VYcwbaJJ3AI/AAAAAAAACWQ/8MKSKK7oQI8/s1600/2015-06-18_12-55-02_148%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2iUKct2uYx8/VYcwbaJJ3AI/AAAAAAAACWQ/8MKSKK7oQI8/s640/2015-06-18_12-55-02_148%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PB-d8bXX7z0/VYcwoQ6Jk9I/AAAAAAAACWY/LFqsEElk7uU/s1600/2015-06-18_13-19-32_882%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PB-d8bXX7z0/VYcwoQ6Jk9I/AAAAAAAACWY/LFqsEElk7uU/s640/2015-06-18_13-19-32_882%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michel and his Rusty digger was cutting the turf with his specially built bucket </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgGQKJ32msk/VYcxB_RcBCI/AAAAAAAACWg/BMNnzbIoCBY/s1600/2015-06-18_13-24-30_445%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tgGQKJ32msk/VYcxB_RcBCI/AAAAAAAACWg/BMNnzbIoCBY/s640/2015-06-18_13-24-30_445%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlfRCAWLDcA/VYcxcfPe83I/AAAAAAAACWo/-2r4ML27-eE/s1600/2015-06-18_18-48-45_910%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UlfRCAWLDcA/VYcxcfPe83I/AAAAAAAACWo/-2r4ML27-eE/s640/2015-06-18_18-48-45_910%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old road heading up this valley and over the saddle looked really interesting, unfortunately it become too difficult for me.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tejBUyhQ_0E/VYcxp_Sv4cI/AAAAAAAACWw/817xu3RrGJw/s1600/2015-06-18_18-46-44_807%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tejBUyhQ_0E/VYcxp_Sv4cI/AAAAAAAACWw/817xu3RrGJw/s640/2015-06-18_18-46-44_807%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At this point I give up, the road turns a bit too lumpy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MhpOToZNc4/VYcx9FWHNMI/AAAAAAAACW4/PQeZHYil1zY/s1600/2015-06-20_11-01-00_229%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7MhpOToZNc4/VYcx9FWHNMI/AAAAAAAACW4/PQeZHYil1zY/s640/2015-06-20_11-01-00_229%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2D9OlDYydI/VYcyXUeTtZI/AAAAAAAACXA/jCyyDesd-Us/s1600/2015-06-20_13-53-46_651%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a2D9OlDYydI/VYcyXUeTtZI/AAAAAAAACXA/jCyyDesd-Us/s640/2015-06-20_13-53-46_651%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of Castles about</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx_LfrahAx0/VYcyiAIAp4I/AAAAAAAACXI/TDgJNjQP1BE/s1600/2015-06-20_11-23-47_456%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Yx_LfrahAx0/VYcyiAIAp4I/AAAAAAAACXI/TDgJNjQP1BE/s640/2015-06-20_11-23-47_456%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_COteiQX1E/VYcyzQ6FauI/AAAAAAAACXQ/WY2D7uio96g/s1600/2015-06-20_18-53-17_106%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a_COteiQX1E/VYcyzQ6FauI/AAAAAAAACXQ/WY2D7uio96g/s400/2015-06-20_18-53-17_106%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Great , Great Grand Farther Charles Riordan was born in Ireland and died in New Zealand. The Riordans originated from the O Riordans who came from Cork.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CoOk2sxSrCY/VYczBnXt-2I/AAAAAAAACXY/fGvkU8Vmy9g/s1600/2015-06-20_18-52-25_554%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CoOk2sxSrCY/VYczBnXt-2I/AAAAAAAACXY/fGvkU8Vmy9g/s400/2015-06-20_18-52-25_554%255B1%255D.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6UxwTe-fn8/VYczsKy8SOI/AAAAAAAACXk/SGM-PWfZ3Kc/s1600/2015-06-20_22-00-49_786%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d6UxwTe-fn8/VYczsKy8SOI/AAAAAAAACXk/SGM-PWfZ3Kc/s640/2015-06-20_22-00-49_786%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City of Galway, the Irish know how to have a good time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-SR_YMGwu0/VYcz8Ny02RI/AAAAAAAACXs/KE91p7rpVpE/s1600/2015-06-20_18-31-29_289%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N-SR_YMGwu0/VYcz8Ny02RI/AAAAAAAACXs/KE91p7rpVpE/s640/2015-06-20_18-31-29_289%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of good traditional music in Galway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oiY9xWbpA7s/VYc0MoaMgQI/AAAAAAAACX0/Q-MvANBqIhE/s1600/2015-06-21_13-53-59_989%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oiY9xWbpA7s/VYc0MoaMgQI/AAAAAAAACX0/Q-MvANBqIhE/s640/2015-06-21_13-53-59_989%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some inland mountains in Ireland. There was an old fella living up in them there hills, he had no teeth and spoke funny, think it must have been Gaelic. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cq4K45RwAsg/VZVMX3pBKxI/AAAAAAAACaM/arXLJblOy_Y/s1600/2015-06-23_17-31-27_736%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cq4K45RwAsg/VZVMX3pBKxI/AAAAAAAACaM/arXLJblOy_Y/s640/2015-06-23_17-31-27_736%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR8jhQxV0yM/VZVLDh4SYpI/AAAAAAAACaA/lY5qWCjPbKM/s1600/2015-06-23_12-41-52_13%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vR8jhQxV0yM/VZVLDh4SYpI/AAAAAAAACaA/lY5qWCjPbKM/s640/2015-06-23_12-41-52_13%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-36812309264617262412015-06-08T07:59:00.001-07:002015-06-16T08:31:06.608-07:00Another chapter has began into far far away countries aboard the trailship Suzuki<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yExHtPl6-8/VXSbJCvY3rI/AAAAAAAACMQ/JQVh8mY08mk/s1600/2015-06-06_22-58-00_403%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7yExHtPl6-8/VXSbJCvY3rI/AAAAAAAACMQ/JQVh8mY08mk/s640/2015-06-06_22-58-00_403%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Well it's been a while since I've been on here but the next stage of travelling has began with a trip to the Isle of Man TT races and it's been an incredible start. Most bikers know about the Isle of Man and the famous races here, it's said to be the most spectacular race in the world and from seeing the very first bike fly down the road I would have to agree, you just go holy shit!!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
To get to here I spent most of last year working, back home in NZ and also a trip to the Yukon to work for my cousin on his gold claim. After a late start there I got in 4 or so months and with long hours and no spending it's been a big help in topping up the funds and allowing the adventure to continue. When the mining finished up in November I relocated the trusty DR from my mates Barton's in Montana down to Orlando in Florida where the bike was to be shipped to Germany using Stefan Knopf's services. This option worked well for me as it allowed for storage at both ends of the shipping and meant that I could get the bike all sorted and head home to New Zealand knowing that the bike will be waiting for me in Germany 5 months later. It was great to catch up with Barton, Vido, and Oklahoma John on the way through to Orlando</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyLNU4NbOMvm6DvT3NOS9uN3xztjC0TU03k2ZzUjAzzZyxDWmfoydbWAdGM4QSzF4hysigJyB-d42YN4NRDNg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
300km per hour at the TT </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
The Isle of man TT has a few things that make it unusual. The course is set out over public roads and through towns. This means that there's stone buildings, fences and trees within centre meters of bikes that are travelling at an average speed of over 200km per hour. The smallest of mistakes are often deadly. In the 100 years or so that this historic event has run over 200 racers have died, that's on average 2 every year. The day I arrived one racer died. Why would you even consider doing this? I think you have to see it for real to understand. You can only be impressed by the ability of the riders, the ability to perform under immense pressure, to remain 100% focussed, the fitness to maintain that focus for 6 laps of the 30 mile course. I can only imagine that competing would an intoxicating high of emotions that would be hard to give up once started even when the consequences are well known. To compete at the Isle of man would be the dream of many road riders and amateur road racers, I'll be happy to stick to the slow paced windy mountain trails that I enjoy the most.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another unusual aspect of the TT is that those amateur road racers can actually have a blat on the coarse.... along with thousands of others.... all at once!!! Yes, the course is on public roads and in between racing the course is open to anybody who cares to have a leisurely look (like me) and those that want to test themselves on the famous TT course (like the many performance bikes that blew past me). Of course with thousands of bikers out on the roads there's bound to be some carnage and the rumours around camp was that the hospital had no spare beds left.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I had 4 days on the Isle of Man and was blown away with the racing. You hear the bikes screaming towards you at 14 000 rpm and then blast past at mind blowing speeds just meters away from you, you don't get that sort of experience at many events. Anybody that's into bikes should put a trip on their bucket list. During the two weeks of the event the whole place is abuzz with bikers (actually during the day there is a constant roar of road bikes blasting about). It's a great festive atmosphere. The Island itself is beautiful and there's lots to see. Really whished I had a few more days and would have got the chance to see Kiwi rider Bruce Anstey win the sort-after superbike title. Great to see a Kiwi win what is regarded as the greatest motorcycle race in the world.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcRlxgs8b9c/VXSb3c1ebqI/AAAAAAAACMU/K_ZqPR4dbOY/s1600/2015-06-03_19-03-33_23%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcRlxgs8b9c/VXSb3c1ebqI/AAAAAAAACMU/K_ZqPR4dbOY/s640/2015-06-03_19-03-33_23%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A slow section during the Superbike practice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yE_907TovEo/VXScVKVujxI/AAAAAAAACMc/Q3IHZrzZVF8/s1600/2015-06-05_19-39-05_491%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yE_907TovEo/VXScVKVujxI/AAAAAAAACMc/Q3IHZrzZVF8/s640/2015-06-05_19-39-05_491%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgVnDC8BlkU/VXSclzFgIMI/AAAAAAAACMk/o_Yr7kkwMtg/s1600/2015-06-04_18-21-35_743%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fgVnDC8BlkU/VXSclzFgIMI/AAAAAAAACMk/o_Yr7kkwMtg/s640/2015-06-04_18-21-35_743%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottom of Bray Hill not far from the start and the bikes are already hitting 180 mph through this dipping bend!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEza27tB1pg/VXSc3erNFGI/AAAAAAAACMs/9R5jmQZN3iU/s1600/2015-06-05_20-15-32_29%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GEza27tB1pg/VXSc3erNFGI/AAAAAAAACMs/9R5jmQZN3iU/s640/2015-06-05_20-15-32_29%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sulby Crossroads, yeah I know there's no bikes in the shot but that's because they just went by at 300km per hour!! This is one of the fastest sections on the course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RrdZHkNUrg/VXSdMxnh5oI/AAAAAAAACM0/cGA2rXaDfe8/s1600/2015-06-05_18-32-14_912%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2RrdZHkNUrg/VXSdMxnh5oI/AAAAAAAACM0/cGA2rXaDfe8/s640/2015-06-05_18-32-14_912%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Side cars in action</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfpZ-gpFiBU/VXSgZThABfI/AAAAAAAACNA/VD8n0oF1Fcs/s1600/2015-06-04_12-14-54_464%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfpZ-gpFiBU/VXSgZThABfI/AAAAAAAACNA/VD8n0oF1Fcs/s640/2015-06-04_12-14-54_464%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very Professional looking BMW team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QN28-BeEvFg/VXShBfVBLuI/AAAAAAAACNI/ycqFD6PwJqk/s1600/2015-06-04_12-19-36_697%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QN28-BeEvFg/VXShBfVBLuI/AAAAAAAACNI/ycqFD6PwJqk/s640/2015-06-04_12-19-36_697%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gztweUL-MnY/VXSjfFR6bHI/AAAAAAAACNg/_SHRar1MxzE/s1600/2015-06-04_15-39-11_423%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gztweUL-MnY/VXSjfFR6bHI/AAAAAAAACNg/_SHRar1MxzE/s640/2015-06-04_15-39-11_423%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, these beast's are electric bikes and impressively do 120mph laps</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSDxdGt_KxA/VXSh-eVbjsI/AAAAAAAACNQ/soE-PzGRUTg/s1600/2015-06-04_12-33-56_482%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hSDxdGt_KxA/VXSh-eVbjsI/AAAAAAAACNQ/soE-PzGRUTg/s640/2015-06-04_12-33-56_482%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiwi rider Bruce Anstey's impressive superbike, 200hp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Exri3d4dPLM/VXVqsdZQfzI/AAAAAAAACNw/1gbCj_WgZpc/s1600/2015-06-05_16-23-53_193%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Exri3d4dPLM/VXVqsdZQfzI/AAAAAAAACNw/1gbCj_WgZpc/s640/2015-06-05_16-23-53_193%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.....and the super DR , 35hp!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1UJe3_KgdY/VYA9jBOoknI/AAAAAAAACTI/yGhcFZ40LB8/s1600/2015-06-11_11-33-37_912%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R1UJe3_KgdY/VYA9jBOoknI/AAAAAAAACTI/yGhcFZ40LB8/s640/2015-06-11_11-33-37_912%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This year I'm trying a new Dexcom Continuous Glucose Monitor to help with managing my Diabetes. The beauty of this little devise is that with the push of a button I have instant blood sugar readings so I can monitor my health as well as the bikes while on the go. Normally to get a blood sugar reading a finger prick test means a stop, and with continuous readings you get treads which should be a great help controlling levels. It's not cheap, with a yearly operating cost close to the price of a tidy replacement Dr650!! but hopefully money well spent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_zfNC1GwSM/VXVsC_WxpoI/AAAAAAAACOI/Xr_esXCX7uo/s1600/2015-06-05_16-21-43_664%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_zfNC1GwSM/VXVsC_WxpoI/AAAAAAAACOI/Xr_esXCX7uo/s640/2015-06-05_16-21-43_664%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green lanes offer some interesting riding throughout the Isle of Man, open to bikers and horses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdGqrxcB37Y/VXVrl8tGKaI/AAAAAAAACOA/iDIBhPQQFnI/s1600/2015-06-06_15-13-45_51%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fdGqrxcB37Y/VXVrl8tGKaI/AAAAAAAACOA/iDIBhPQQFnI/s640/2015-06-06_15-13-45_51%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLp1-N2PUxY/VXVrI2wyfOI/AAAAAAAACN4/dOxQr_kzuAc/s1600/2015-06-05_16-43-13_575%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qLp1-N2PUxY/VXVrI2wyfOI/AAAAAAAACN4/dOxQr_kzuAc/s640/2015-06-05_16-43-13_575%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice green lane riding near the southern part of the Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROOs1LxqW8A/VXbISyp0GAI/AAAAAAAACRY/mDl04y0ZIJs/s1600/2015-06-06_15-31-52_92%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROOs1LxqW8A/VXbISyp0GAI/AAAAAAAACRY/mDl04y0ZIJs/s640/2015-06-06_15-31-52_92%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locals are always great to guide you around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puNsPMT_-MY/VXVssNBqCpI/AAAAAAAACOQ/6iQqQcVCCfI/s1600/2015-06-05_15-48-36_118%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puNsPMT_-MY/VXVssNBqCpI/AAAAAAAACOQ/6iQqQcVCCfI/s640/2015-06-05_15-48-36_118%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of bikers about during the TT races</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VGGYDtE2eM/VXVtSLCMxXI/AAAAAAAACOY/6QgCFlh2j9k/s1600/2015-06-06_14-13-35_514%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VGGYDtE2eM/VXVtSLCMxXI/AAAAAAAACOY/6QgCFlh2j9k/s640/2015-06-06_14-13-35_514%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isle of Man Coastline</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZam1vAmGtM/VXVt03CXMcI/AAAAAAAACOg/80kVfqSNhng/s1600/2015-06-06_16-48-12_310%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZam1vAmGtM/VXVt03CXMcI/AAAAAAAACOg/80kVfqSNhng/s640/2015-06-06_16-48-12_310%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding some mud on the Isle of Man, the TT road course mountain section is just up ahead. The Dr is truly the ultimate all rounder, straight through these bogs and then break out onto the TT road course and mix it up amongst the road racers!! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cM_wLht1dM/VXVuVpvFBlI/AAAAAAAACOw/TULNEf9WX2E/s1600/2015-06-06_12-50-36_87%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3cM_wLht1dM/VXVuVpvFBlI/AAAAAAAACOw/TULNEf9WX2E/s640/2015-06-06_12-50-36_87%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tent city at the Old Boys football Club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phCNh0lhT3k/VXVvhNA__0I/AAAAAAAACO8/EW-dS5aRgsw/s1600/2015-06-04_15-22-53_635%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phCNh0lhT3k/VXVvhNA__0I/AAAAAAAACO8/EW-dS5aRgsw/s640/2015-06-04_15-22-53_635%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the main grandstand at the start and finish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjkMppomYV4/VXVwA3v1P7I/AAAAAAAACPE/P5io1YgfZf8/s1600/2015-06-06_21-47-21_484%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DjkMppomYV4/VXVwA3v1P7I/AAAAAAAACPE/P5io1YgfZf8/s640/2015-06-06_21-47-21_484%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thousands of bikes head to the Island to watch the racing, these two mint Tenere's stood out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-bW4ltImLY/VXVvLDIHkQI/AAAAAAAACO0/65Z-nIbl4Ok/s1600/2015-06-06_22-42-34_49%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9-bW4ltImLY/VXVvLDIHkQI/AAAAAAAACO0/65Z-nIbl4Ok/s640/2015-06-06_22-42-34_49%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the festive atmosphere in the evenings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHhQMgrIHJQ/VXVw1Vp9STI/AAAAAAAACPM/jcT3WRLwLu8/s1600/2015-06-06_21-12-25_829%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qHhQMgrIHJQ/VXVw1Vp9STI/AAAAAAAACPM/jcT3WRLwLu8/s640/2015-06-06_21-12-25_829%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlEV-yWjmvE/VXVxKYjlXpI/AAAAAAAACPY/dAfRykJbn4E/s1600/2015-06-06_21-45-31_697%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JlEV-yWjmvE/VXVxKYjlXpI/AAAAAAAACPY/dAfRykJbn4E/s640/2015-06-06_21-45-31_697%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mOXgCLndAE/VXVxbXUb4GI/AAAAAAAACPg/QGLEghtyeLU/s1600/2015-06-06_21-46-01_863%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--mOXgCLndAE/VXVxbXUb4GI/AAAAAAAACPg/QGLEghtyeLU/s640/2015-06-06_21-46-01_863%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5IQCSJ_PaGY/VXVxrIL46SI/AAAAAAAACPo/F0I14nyoeiE/s1600/2015-06-06_21-45-20_165%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5IQCSJ_PaGY/VXVxrIL46SI/AAAAAAAACPo/F0I14nyoeiE/s640/2015-06-06_21-45-20_165%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kiwi built Britten did race at the TT but apparently did not perform to it's potential</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYD2UzsCSXQ/VXSVQqPPYBI/AAAAAAAACLU/g8w94MKpvEU/s1600/2015-05-28_00-22-00_894%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pYD2UzsCSXQ/VXSVQqPPYBI/AAAAAAAACLU/g8w94MKpvEU/s640/2015-05-28_00-22-00_894%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited with the DR after 5 months at Stefan Knopf's in Heidelberg, Germany. With a massive workshop to do maintenance, accommodation and a bunch of other bikers about Stefan's place was a great way to get started</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0GBTgC4aSQ/VXSWDdqtk6I/AAAAAAAACLc/AdtNzXJyPgE/s1600/2015-05-29_15-26-35_47%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0GBTgC4aSQ/VXSWDdqtk6I/AAAAAAAACLc/AdtNzXJyPgE/s640/2015-05-29_15-26-35_47%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3W0JekGlao/VXSWlNjRB6I/AAAAAAAACLk/A2CBK7QG4iU/s1600/2015-05-29_22-52-25_209%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k3W0JekGlao/VXSWlNjRB6I/AAAAAAAACLk/A2CBK7QG4iU/s640/2015-05-29_22-52-25_209%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the Fritz Castle in Germany. Current owners are the 33rd generation of the original family!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ouig0vjf6YU/VXSXaOv9r4I/AAAAAAAACLs/VEMIbtAWSyc/s1600/2015-05-30_10-35-54_393%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ouig0vjf6YU/VXSXaOv9r4I/AAAAAAAACLs/VEMIbtAWSyc/s640/2015-05-30_10-35-54_393%255B1%255D.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On route through Belgium, parts of this church are over 1000 years old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MG1J-osUMSQ/VXSXwjGzrZI/AAAAAAAACL0/hC60GOmxqiI/s1600/2015-06-01_11-06-47_531%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MG1J-osUMSQ/VXSXwjGzrZI/AAAAAAAACL0/hC60GOmxqiI/s640/2015-06-01_11-06-47_531%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While staying with cousin Nick and his family in Winchester I had a short trip down to Portsmouth.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6W4tpxAdfo/VXbF5XCWB4I/AAAAAAAACRE/aBVRUPUG1z4/s1600/IMG_2323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h6W4tpxAdfo/VXbF5XCWB4I/AAAAAAAACRE/aBVRUPUG1z4/s640/IMG_2323.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry enjoying a short ride on the bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBd5dU0djCs/VXbGKRGergI/AAAAAAAACRM/gRWxDOU6l3w/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBd5dU0djCs/VXbGKRGergI/AAAAAAAACRM/gRWxDOU6l3w/s640/image.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ouS5kdQXBs/VXSY9iewzTI/AAAAAAAACL8/5fFgZYIlu1E/s1600/2015-06-02_18-42-43_490%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ouS5kdQXBs/VXSY9iewzTI/AAAAAAAACL8/5fFgZYIlu1E/s640/2015-06-02_18-42-43_490%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liverpool is where I had to catch the ferry to Isle of Man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPQk7EuE1l4/VXV5uF-XjbI/AAAAAAAACP4/ikfechuMK_Q/s1600/DSC00035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPQk7EuE1l4/VXV5uF-XjbI/AAAAAAAACP4/ikfechuMK_Q/s640/DSC00035.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You have to book well in advance to get on the ferry to Isle of Man during the TT. Our sailing was full with 400 bikes on board.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Usg8-8CCBIQ/VXSZ6WxJKVI/AAAAAAAACME/g1wQSw-68R0/s1600/2015-06-03_12-55-14_907%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Usg8-8CCBIQ/VXSZ6WxJKVI/AAAAAAAACME/g1wQSw-68R0/s640/2015-06-03_12-55-14_907%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bikers arriving at Isle of Man</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-36202341636250406322013-11-16T00:56:00.000-08:002013-11-16T01:20:09.634-08:00Fairy tail endng...almost<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ok people this is going to be real brief even for my brief standards. The trip for this year has pretty much come to an end here in Montana. It was great to meet up and ride through Oregon with Vido, It's been a lot of fun to hang out together and you just ride much more challenging stuff when you have the support of another person. It's been a real pleasure to be riding with him again. Our final few days together was not to be disappointing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of our best days has to be heading for the Northern Californian coast, interesting trails that had me wanting better suspension, it went on for miles as the sun gets low. We crest a ridge top just on sunset, I have to have two goes at the steep climb, the gravel is deep and loose. We're still a long way from anywhere as we take in the beautiful sunset. Riding side by side on the narrow dirt roads we combine the power of our headlights, trying to get a peek or two off the ridge top out to the coast and the fading light out over the water. It's a beautiful evening ride.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's all concentration side by side down the remote road in the dark. We've almost made the 40 or so km out to the highway. Then I hear the distinctive sound of a rear wheel sliding down the gravel road, I can't look, he's just off my shoulder and behind me, I have to get myself around this corner first. The sliding goes on .... and on.... and then it's followed by the sound of bike and body hitting the ground. I pull up as fast as possible and spin the bike around and get some light on the crash scene.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Vido is not moving too much but hes ok, just sore. The KTM has come through ok as well, however we discover the next day in the light that the sub frame twisted. We were planning on camping but agree that a hot shower and comfy bed would be in order. The last half hour of riding sees us descend to the coast and through massive Californian Redwood forests. The trunks disappear up through the beam of the motorcycle headlight .... and who knows how far? It's an impressive sight and it's great to be surrounded by these giants.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today is our last ride together, heading down the coast the Redwoods are saturated in sea fog with rays of sun breaking through. It looks awesome but the fog is having the effect of riding around in a fridge. I head inland seeking the sun, Vido takes off south. I'm heading to Montana, my final destination this year. I don't get far though and are back in the cool coastal fog, the forestry roads that I was intending to take as a short cut inland are private, I'm turned around by a forestry worker.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I cut inland through Redding, Northern California. The landscape here is dry and uninteresting and I need some music to pass the time. My route is taking me up through Boise, Idaho and then onto Bozeman in Montana. I've arranged a few nights in Boise from the couch surfing website. I'm making good time and planning on meeting my host Jim later that night. Late in the afternoon though I realize that the GPS has put me astray, for some reason it hasn't downloaded the last section of my route. I thought it seemed a bit weird with only 50km to go to the rather large city of Boise and still being out in the middle of nowhere!! Damn, after closer inspections of the maps I still had almost 300km to go! After a couple of hours of night riding I rock up to Jim's, he's a super mellow guy and I feel right at home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spend a few days in Boise catching up on bit's and pieces, bike stuff and laundry etc, it's a nice city. Jim and I catch a sweet Blue Grass band at one of the pubs, it's a great night. The next day I spend some time checking a biking area near the historic Idaho City. The people here are great, when trying to find the riding area I meet a family, Mum, Dad and a the kids all out on there trail bikes, we just talked for ages, mainly about NZ and some of the places I've been. I also got talking to a couple of great old mates. Met these old fellas in a coffee shop on there daily bicycle ride across town. Wish I could remember their names, one spent a bunch of time in NZ. He was like chief project manager of the Manapouri power scheme, English straight tunnel and a few other impressive feats of engineering, real interesting guys. And his son worked in Hollywood and directs a lot of Mel Gibson's films, he wanted my blog to pass on to him.... still waiting for the call.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjJa-HAXsHY/UoAHIDDiskI/AAAAAAAAB6c/dMu4q4x60_c/s1600/GOPR0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjJa-HAXsHY/UoAHIDDiskI/AAAAAAAAB6c/dMu4q4x60_c/s640/GOPR0017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8D7y471TI8/UoAFEv5-OjI/AAAAAAAAB6E/9HWWvVit0sE/s1600/GOPR0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8D7y471TI8/UoAFEv5-OjI/AAAAAAAAB6E/9HWWvVit0sE/s640/GOPR0022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkGcyyweCRE/UoAF8QVk3fI/AAAAAAAAB6M/K6ejzqRPP8g/s1600/GOPR0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkGcyyweCRE/UoAF8QVk3fI/AAAAAAAAB6M/K6ejzqRPP8g/s640/GOPR0026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfNCUNbTehs/UoAGk2etCzI/AAAAAAAAB6U/AjhXa9E548U/s1600/GOPR0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mfNCUNbTehs/UoAGk2etCzI/AAAAAAAAB6U/AjhXa9E548U/s640/GOPR0035.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1YuGnbzPaQ/UoAK8cahP4I/AAAAAAAAB60/YeiXidPkxLE/s1600/2013-10-25_23-25-26_667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B1YuGnbzPaQ/UoAK8cahP4I/AAAAAAAAB60/YeiXidPkxLE/s400/2013-10-25_23-25-26_667.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I was going to spend another day in Boise but my plans are up in the air, Barton and Michelle from Bozeman are on Skype, " where are you, there's a snow storm coming , you better get here tomorrow"! I check the weather, tomorrow is the last nice day for quite some time, I check the maps, damn, looks like over 800km to Bozeman, 800km of highway, that's going to suck and I'll miss the impressive Sawtooth range that I was hoping to ride through as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's a difficult call but I heed Barton's advice, drag myself out of bed early, thank Jim for his great Hospitality and get on the road early. The scene is set for a dramatic finally to this 6 months of riding, am I going to pull off this big day of riding and beat this snow storm into Bozeman? I set about keeping the throttle pinned and stops to a minimum, the km's slowly tick by and the weather is holding off, it's cool but not uncomfortable. The thought a hot shower and a warm bed, ....well actually a warm bed with Michelle in it keeps me going. The ride is over just before dark, 750km and not as far as thought, the road was dry and clear of snow so was able to keep a good pace .... and I am very happy to have a nice warm bed to sleep in tonight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I spend a couple of weeks in Bozeman. The bike is prepped for storage and I help Barton on his new house construction. Halloween just happens to be this week and is a big party here in the usa, I dress up as the Crocodile Hunter with a sting ray flung over my shoulder, tail protruding into my chest! I also wanted to spend some time with Michelle and see where things went. To cut a long story short it didn't go far. I like Michelle and shes a great girl but it just didn't workout. Should just stick to riding bikes, much easier to have relationships with than woman!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So another chapter has come to an end, another 6 months of riding, another 20 000km. The Dr has come through again, she's taken me through another incredible journey with out major incident. Although the wear and tear is evident, she's in need of a major suspension rebuild at the least. For the meantime she will get to rest alongside her old mate Hussey the Husaberg in Barton's shed here in Montana for the winter. Thanks again Barton for looking after her for me. And for me, the fairy tail ending doesn't quite work out, I'm heading home for a "rebuild" of my own with surgery on my elbow and back to the daily grind of work. However, lots of ideas for the next ride are drifting around in my head so will have to get on and start planning, stay tuned. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StMeWh2n750/UoAKV-Lz3pI/AAAAAAAAB6o/qFE5PwkM0RA/s1600/2013-11-08_13-09-32_709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-StMeWh2n750/UoAKV-Lz3pI/AAAAAAAAB6o/qFE5PwkM0RA/s400/2013-11-08_13-09-32_709.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-86248256228075202012013-10-19T17:16:00.000-07:002013-10-19T18:45:00.672-07:00Never Ending Forest<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
4 days and 4 nights on the ferry and now I'm stalled in city traffic between Bellingham and Seattle. Northern BC and the Yukon has spoiled me with open roads and no traffic. I can't handle the traffic jams and after a couple of hours running around sorting out a few bit's and pieces, phones, banking etc it drives me nuts and heading out to the Cascade mountains can't come soon enough.<br />
<br />
I make the small town of Winthrop just on dark, it took longer than anticipated. I forgot that the distance signs were in miles not kilometers now that I was back in the US! The GPS proves to be a great tool yet again as I ride straight to the North Cascade Hostel, The owners Paul and Audrey are just about to head off to do a season work in Antarctica, they spend a lot of time in New Zealand and just happen to know a few people from Golden Bay, small world.<br />
<br />
I 'm hoping to ride down the Cascade Mountains on what is known as the Back Country Discovery Route. It's a combination of forestry roads and tracks that stretch from the Canadian border all the way down to Oregon. Armed with a new knobbly rear tyre, GPS tracks, paper maps and a bunch of food I head off not really sure what lay ahead, the route is generally pretty easy even on big bikes but the recent snow could make for some challenging conditions. <br />
<br />
So for the next 3 days I ride high up on ridge tops at 6000 feet, dropping down to towns on the way. The riding is great, there's snow, and although it's slick it's patchy and I'm able to traverse most of the route, except for the last day. I'm only a quarter of the way through the day and I'm in some snow. It's fun riding and I'm making OK progress. But I'm feeling a little edgy, It's hard to say what elevations and snow lay ahead, on my own I decide to turn around and head down to the main road. It's a decision that bugs me as I retrace the route out... I'd probably ridden the worst of it.....maybe not....I feel a little beaten but try to tell myself to just enjoy the awesome riding that I've already done. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHCQoSxvK0/UmLxxP1TYBI/AAAAAAAAB3c/bqBp9eMLOoc/s1600/DSCF5795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHCQoSxvK0/UmLxxP1TYBI/AAAAAAAAB3c/bqBp9eMLOoc/s400/DSCF5795.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting name for a town!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVPkkTpU8LM/UmLx3C_b8-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/tJZEY8n0nmE/s1600/DSCF5808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVPkkTpU8LM/UmLx3C_b8-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/tJZEY8n0nmE/s640/DSCF5808.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">high pass on Highway 20, the sun was setting and temps dropping, needless to say I took the corners carefully!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mWYklyixYPE/UmLx9lJ2YqI/AAAAAAAAB38/mMFMhFJQvbU/s1600/DSCF5818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mWYklyixYPE/UmLx9lJ2YqI/AAAAAAAAB38/mMFMhFJQvbU/s640/DSCF5818.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the Backcountry Discovery route on GPS simply follow the highlighted track through the mountains, lots of fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FC0cYaEGJfw/UmLyBYIzOkI/AAAAAAAAB4E/ldfQMxkN-R4/s1600/DSCF5820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FC0cYaEGJfw/UmLyBYIzOkI/AAAAAAAAB4E/ldfQMxkN-R4/s640/DSCF5820.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcvZyEIQ9hE/UmLxzOPR6zI/AAAAAAAAB3k/n1VOpN4WLZE/s1600/DSCF5811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fcvZyEIQ9hE/UmLxzOPR6zI/AAAAAAAAB3k/n1VOpN4WLZE/s640/DSCF5811.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The snow wasn't deep but it was icy and slick</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4s5Ig_mThE/UmLypLEWzuI/AAAAAAAAB5U/YadBB7bmykE/s1600/G0010040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4s5Ig_mThE/UmLypLEWzuI/AAAAAAAAB5U/YadBB7bmykE/s640/G0010040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibNETvSudH4/UmLx7dfGd6I/AAAAAAAAB30/7gCt8010T6k/s1600/DSCF5813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ibNETvSudH4/UmLx7dfGd6I/AAAAAAAAB30/7gCt8010T6k/s640/DSCF5813.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traversing ridge tops at 6000 feet</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOs-p7KIVaQ/UmLyIkM_j6I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/KMVTQDZ2sQQ/s1600/DSCF5824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OOs-p7KIVaQ/UmLyIkM_j6I/AAAAAAAAB4Q/KMVTQDZ2sQQ/s640/DSCF5824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyRCPKn7qqA/UmLynMEYrkI/AAAAAAAAB5I/O8emQ1ZIHC4/s1600/G0140316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyRCPKn7qqA/UmLynMEYrkI/AAAAAAAAB5I/O8emQ1ZIHC4/s640/G0140316.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HWmwHtg7fjA/UmLyIYjQzKI/AAAAAAAAB4M/wxXc3T65qgM/s1600/DSCF5826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HWmwHtg7fjA/UmLyIYjQzKI/AAAAAAAAB4M/wxXc3T65qgM/s400/DSCF5826.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For me the Mad river was appropriately named, suffering from my second migraine in two days you could say I was feeling a little pissed off as I crossed the Mad river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3d5mjyBSp1Q/UmLyK0LdNpI/AAAAAAAAB4c/CNtEh61Jmcs/s1600/DSCF5828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3d5mjyBSp1Q/UmLyK0LdNpI/AAAAAAAAB4c/CNtEh61Jmcs/s640/DSCF5828.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only bikers that I met on the WBDR, a couple of DR's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ_g4bjhjvw/UmLyU5I7mxI/AAAAAAAAB4w/58ZYmmu8RcY/s1600/DSCF5840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQ_g4bjhjvw/UmLyU5I7mxI/AAAAAAAAB4w/58ZYmmu8RcY/s640/DSCF5840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8H4_po1iACg/UmLyTG6_RCI/AAAAAAAAB4k/SDH4IvHH8tA/s1600/DSCF5842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8H4_po1iACg/UmLyTG6_RCI/AAAAAAAAB4k/SDH4IvHH8tA/s640/DSCF5842.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukptiuF5Axs/UmLyU0jiRqI/AAAAAAAAB4s/5a4yN9lQRV4/s1600/DSCF5846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ukptiuF5Axs/UmLyU0jiRqI/AAAAAAAAB4s/5a4yN9lQRV4/s640/DSCF5846.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqV8zgMAAkM/UmLyex9YrXI/AAAAAAAAB48/E-lfFE4ncIY/s1600/DSCF5849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqV8zgMAAkM/UmLyex9YrXI/AAAAAAAAB48/E-lfFE4ncIY/s640/DSCF5849.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With over 100km still to go and deeper snow ahead this day I turn around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After completing the WBDR I shot into Portland to meet up with Vido again. The plan was to ride through Oregon together. The first day back together turns into an eventful day, lots of forestry roads and then just before dark a road is out due to a new bridge being constructed, we bash around in the scrub for a while looking for a bypass but as darkness falls we decide to back track out onto the main highway into Bend. It was a long day, once in town it's straight to a pub for a beer and a meal, Vido uses his usual line when ordering " what's your biggest meal". Just as we tuck into our sleeping bags at a city park a nice police lady turns up and orders us on, we head for a city campground, it's full, we ride down the road and just sleep in a pull out just out of view of the traffic. For some stupid reason I put my water bladder in the same dry bag as my sleeping bag and of coarse it's leaked and my down sleeping bag is soaked, I don't bother taking my riding gear off. In the morning our bags are white with frost.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Bend has some great trail riding up in the high desert, with our bags off the bikes me and Vido spend two days racing around on the big Dual sports. We find a great breakfast spot that we return to for several days and we somehow become celebrities, not sure if it was because of our motorbiking adventures or our ability to eat lots of food. From Bend it was over to Eugene on yet more miles and miles of forestry roads, some snow and locked gates on the way for good measure. In Eugene I went and visited the Procycle shop who specialize in products for my bike the Suzuki DR650. It was great, got to talk about a whole bunch of stuff about the bike and improvements I'm thinking of doing.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The ride from Eugene takes us south and through more massive forestry areas. It's late in the day and we find a old fire lookout up high on a ridge top. It's such a awesome spot we decide to camp for the night. The forestry here in Oregon truly is huge, it's been fantastic to be able to ride through it all, unlike New Zealand where most of it is locked up.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crR8uYw8vtU/UmLxgKFCHyI/AAAAAAAAB2k/DW4m_feOMbs/s1600/2013-10-15_14-36-28_251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crR8uYw8vtU/UmLxgKFCHyI/AAAAAAAAB2k/DW4m_feOMbs/s640/2013-10-15_14-36-28_251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkPUJV_LTZc/UmLxeYmoRcI/AAAAAAAAB2c/TVZVXWWLbrQ/s1600/2013-10-15_14-52-44_760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fkPUJV_LTZc/UmLxeYmoRcI/AAAAAAAAB2c/TVZVXWWLbrQ/s640/2013-10-15_14-52-44_760.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OAAg-yo7RY/UmLxaypsdvI/AAAAAAAAB2U/q5C15uUTD2s/s1600/2013-10-15_16-33-06_279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OAAg-yo7RY/UmLxaypsdvI/AAAAAAAAB2U/q5C15uUTD2s/s640/2013-10-15_16-33-06_279.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5eXgNNjdEw/UmLxhh1N53I/AAAAAAAAB2s/V3dreZ9l9NY/s1600/2013-10-15_17-33-07_710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5eXgNNjdEw/UmLxhh1N53I/AAAAAAAAB2s/V3dreZ9l9NY/s400/2013-10-15_17-33-07_710.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ride with GPS putting us in places that we shouldn't be ...again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fefldBUkn6c/UmLxj9yyf-I/AAAAAAAAB20/vyVLYA_cjNA/s1600/2013-10-16_15-56-16_971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fefldBUkn6c/UmLxj9yyf-I/AAAAAAAAB20/vyVLYA_cjNA/s640/2013-10-16_15-56-16_971.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn is a beautiful time in Oregon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fotvdJW9fM/UmLxmD9lovI/AAAAAAAAB3E/P3lYY9IJNrY/s1600/2013-10-16_16-34-32_428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5fotvdJW9fM/UmLxmD9lovI/AAAAAAAAB3E/P3lYY9IJNrY/s640/2013-10-16_16-34-32_428.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There WAS a bridge across this creek. It looked impassable but after some bush bashing and careful line selection we were across</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPH9GFbnMQg/UmMGDruIquI/AAAAAAAAB50/qYSXN1NiQqM/s1600/2013-10-16_12-46-13_589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LPH9GFbnMQg/UmMGDruIquI/AAAAAAAAB50/qYSXN1NiQqM/s640/2013-10-16_12-46-13_589.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home of DR aftermarket parts, and anyone who owns a DR knows that you need a lot of aftermarket parts!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wL2MGbpR8k/UmLy3Y6RcKI/AAAAAAAAB5c/ZtZ_rEUmMaM/s1600/GOPR0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0wL2MGbpR8k/UmLy3Y6RcKI/AAAAAAAAB5c/ZtZ_rEUmMaM/s640/GOPR0011.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a bad place to spend a night under the full moon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tChj7rKeUfA/UmLy3hHt8xI/AAAAAAAAB5g/xpiHu1_u54A/s1600/GOPR0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tChj7rKeUfA/UmLy3hHt8xI/AAAAAAAAB5g/xpiHu1_u54A/s640/GOPR0018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaxOj26MSGQ/UmLxlUJ0B2I/AAAAAAAAB28/5npbQ2onn_8/s1600/2013-10-17_09-34-56_92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaxOj26MSGQ/UmLxlUJ0B2I/AAAAAAAAB28/5npbQ2onn_8/s640/2013-10-17_09-34-56_92.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCwb-5ccjMY/UmLxqfGojrI/AAAAAAAAB3M/g3GHu9XYvRk/s1600/2013-10-18_09-38-35_979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCwb-5ccjMY/UmLxqfGojrI/AAAAAAAAB3M/g3GHu9XYvRk/s640/2013-10-18_09-38-35_979.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At first glance the road closed looked bad, but Shawn (left) was a night watchman for a logging operation and was a bloody good sort. We camped on site, cooked up a great feed, had some beers, rode a bunch of single track, and basically had a great time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYwKgC68HxQ/UmLxq_E-FdI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/LmJR9TPhJ2o/s1600/2013-10-18_11-20-42_754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JYwKgC68HxQ/UmLxq_E-FdI/AAAAAAAAB3Q/LmJR9TPhJ2o/s640/2013-10-18_11-20-42_754.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjHCQoSxvK0/UmLxxP1TYBI/AAAAAAAAB3c/bqBp9eMLOoc/s1600/DSCF5795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WVPkkTpU8LM/UmLx3C_b8-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/tJZEY8n0nmE/s1600/DSCF5808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-16237154871867983622013-10-05T00:10:00.001-07:002013-10-05T00:10:47.038-07:00Route of the Stampede<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span lang="">24th September, I wake up and look out the window of the Downtown Hotel in the historic gold mining town of Dawson City. From the second story I can see down on the street below that my bike is covered in a dusting of snow, it's just 4 degrees Celsius.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The previous afternoon I left my cousin's mining camp which is 3 hrs on a rough dirt road. The recent rain and snow flurries had the road in bad shape. Sections had rutted up and I was sliding around in the slop. Although it had been snowing there wasn't much settled on the road itself, however I did have a few close calls in the muddy ruts and it was good to make Dawson without having a face plant in the mud.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Today was all highway riding, no mud to worry about, maybe some snow though and 'just' 500km in near freezing temperatures! Before setting out the usual task of packing the bike is added to by the task of having to put on about a million layers of clothing. By the time I walk out of the hotel entrance I'm uncomfortably sweaty. I have to remind myself that my bags are not empty because I'm forgetting some stuff but It's because I'm wearing as much as possible.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
After a while on the bike I'm feeling comfortable and making good ground, there's lots of snow around but the road is clear and dry, the vastness and beauty of the Yukon is a golden yellow as winter approaches. My mind is drifting back on the last month or so of adventures trying to pass time on the long straight boring road sections. Something distracts me though, the section of my brain that has become so acutely tuned to my bike just setts of an alarm! did my bike just miss fire slightly? .....Yep, half a minute or so later and it's coughing and spluttering down the road as if it's running out of fuel, but it can't be, i just filled up the massive safari tank back in Dawson.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I'm at the Northern most point of my bike travels and my mind immediately flashes way back to the southern most part of my travels in Argentina. Back then I remember as I descended down into the southern most city in the world of Ushiaia during some very cold rain the DR miss fired a bit and then just starting running well again. Back then I wasn't sure but I put it down to carburetor icing. Could my carburetor be icing up?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I slow down, thinking that a change in throttle opening may help and also thinking that the heat from the engine may be more effective at heating the carb. No improvement, I change down a couple more gears and still no improvement, and then nothing, .... the bike is completely lifeless as I come to a halt. Oh shit, within seconds I've gone from happily nipping down the highway to nothing. It's dead quiet as I sit on the bike in the middle of the road, in the middle of a snow flurry, 100km from Dawson and there's bugger all traffic about, just hungry bears.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I glance around at the surroundings, oh shit, it's not a nice time and place to be stuck, this is not good. In disbelief I just sit on the bike and do nothing, of all the places I've been my bike decides to give me trouble here, in the middle of fucking no where and it's fucking snowing!!! I'm hoping that with the bike stationary the radiant heat from motor will melt the ice in the carb and after a minute or two I will just ride out of this snow flurry.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I hit the starter and the bike starts straight up, blip the throttle a couple of times and it runs clean, I run up through the gears and up the road with out problems, whippie. I'm moving again, but for how long, how long will it take for the carb to ice again? I still have over 400km to go, shit this could be a long day. I decide to keep it below 100km to help but after a while without incident and the endless straight sections of road I find myself back up at 120km and thankfully the only problems for the rest of the day are cold toes, the doubled up socks and bread bag liners are struggling to keep the cold at bay down in my extremities.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Turns out carburetor icing can occur in temperatures above freezing and has a lot to do with the humidity of the air. When the Dr iced up I had just ridden into a particularly heavy snow flurry with large flakes indicating high humidity. Carburetors work on a venturi to draw fuel into the air and that means low pressure which has a cooling effect and hence creating temperatures within the carburetor where the moisture in the air will condense out and freeze.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
With the bike running well once again I think back on the last weeks, In Whitehorse I replaced the cush drive rubbers in the rear wheel which were well and truly flogged, checked valve clearances and did an oil and filter change. I caught up with friends from my log building days, Ray and his family, Ryan and Molly and their boy Luke, Darren, Dean just happened to drop by and also had a BBQ with old flatmates, Whisky Joe, Moosepacker Luke, and Chiefsurefoot Dave. Had a few good laughs with the boys talking about the good old days a few years back.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I also spent some time hanging out with a new friend Kate, among many things Kate works for a mountain biking company in town so set me up with a bike and showed me a few new trails. When it was time to leave I took the long way to Dawson City via the South Canol highway through Ross River. The first section was about 200km on narrow dirt road and didn't see any other traffic the whole way. Would have been a great ride, unfortunately I suffered a migraine half way through. Not wanting to stop I carried on riding through the headaches, almost filling my helmet with spew a couple of times, I finally made Ross River exhausted and slept for 2 hours on a grassy park in the middle of town.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Surprisingly after the sleep I felt way better got back on the road again, clocking up over 800km for the day which would have to be the most k's I've covered in a day to date, migraine and all. The next morning at Pelly Crossing I wake up to a flat tyre, not normally a big problem but I can't break the bead and even begin to get the Hiedenau K60 off the rim. I'm frustrated, and feeling beaten but luckily there's a gas station with some tyre repair goo, it's a slow leak and I resort to just squirting some in and it does the trick.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I arrived in Dawson City late in the afternoon after doing a side trip up to the historic town of Keno. I still have a couple of hours ride to find my way into Simon's camp way out in the Klondike goldfields. Armed with written directions and a few tracks plotted on the GPS I negotiate my way through a network of rough mining roads and at times feel a little off track and wonder if I'm going to make it but after 130km of rough roads I ride into camp. At times the road traverses on high ridges offering great views of the ranges.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
1898 or there abouts gold was discovered right here in the Klondike. It sparked the biggest gold rush ever and developed much of the Yukon's history. So for a few weeks I spend some time checking out the modern legacy of that rush 100 years ago. Back then it was all hand work, melting away frozen mud and overburden with hot water to tunnel down deep to the pay dirt sitting just above the bedrock. Gold in the Klondike fields is placer, or alluvial. Must have been incredibly hard working conditions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Next on the scene was the massive steam powered wooden floating dredges that churned up the valley floors leaving huge tailing piles whose patterns lay evident today all through out the area. The wooden carcasses of a few dredges are still dotted about the place too, along with all sorts of mining shit really. There's mining relics everywhere, some old and a valuable reminder of the past, Lot's just rusting rubbish though. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Now days it's bulldozers and excavators feeding sluicing plants, getting into tight places that the massive old dredges couldn't and also valley floors that are now economic with modern equipment. It's an enjoying time catching up with Simon and Lil, I spend most of my time helping out with maintenance and fabricating up bit's and pieces. However, I did have some fun attempting to push some muck about with the D9 dozer.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Klondike gold rush would have to be the journey that the stampeder's under took just to arrive. Most took a steamboat up from Seattle to Skagway and then were faced with the formidable task of climbing the Chilcoot Pass. The Canadian officials at the summit border wouldn't let them in without sufficient supplies to help ensure they survived the harsh winter conditions. This amounted to over a ton of bits and pieces and many trips up the steep pass. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Once over the pass a boat had to be hand sawn and constructed at Bennett lake for the long float down the Yukon River to Dawson City. Some boats became casualties of the rapids. As I leave the Yukon my own journey continues from Whitehorse over the coastal mountains and down to Skagway to the ferry and then south to Bellingham near Seattle, pretty much retracing the stampeder's route backwards from the goldfields.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Although I've been on the road from Whitehorse over the coastal mountains to Skagway Alaska a few times it was still an incredible ride. The fresh snow on the mountain tops combined with golden leaves was beautiful. I could only imagine how the stampeder's would have felt as they started their own adventure into this incredible landscape. The lady at the border crossing took her job very seriously, just by the way she spoke she seemed grumpy but I guess she is paid to do a job and not be friendly. I hadn't stopped the bike at precisely the right spot, I had to move it forward slightly and then when I dismounted to retrieve my passport from my rear bag I had to remount the bike while the questions came. Just like the stampeder's 100 years ago I had to show that I could support myself, not with a ton of supplies but financially with questions about occupation and length of stay.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
I ride off with the conclusion that she's so grumpy because she's seen too many people like me traveling around having the time of their life while she's stuck at work. I board the ferry with a little relief, at this time of year a snow fall on the pass could have quiet easily stopped me, and I still get nervous at border crossings, and I didn't have a booking for the ferry either, so it was good to have all that out of the way. The wildness of the Yukon and Alaska is something that I enjoy so I'm also sad to be leaving it behind again.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLNfA7EDsSY/Uk8PC-sNxhI/AAAAAAAABzc/aIW983vBUOY/s1600/DSCF5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLNfA7EDsSY/Uk8PC-sNxhI/AAAAAAAABzc/aIW983vBUOY/s640/DSCF5681.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up with Ryan and Darren back at the log yard in Whitehorse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5Qnp3Moj3Y/Uk8PDa-GrOI/AAAAAAAABzk/o9VXPt0MpnA/s1600/DSCF5691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5Qnp3Moj3Y/Uk8PDa-GrOI/AAAAAAAABzk/o9VXPt0MpnA/s640/DSCF5691.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The D10 is about to get some new shielding on the massive blade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnHABgEwuyo/Uk8PDPryuuI/AAAAAAAABzg/M0FZiQbZS4E/s1600/DSCF5697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QnHABgEwuyo/Uk8PDPryuuI/AAAAAAAABzg/M0FZiQbZS4E/s640/DSCF5697.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping cousin Simon fit a new roller on the D9</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKlNidFmUM0/Uk8PHzn-CiI/AAAAAAAABz0/5l-rZEwLk74/s1600/DSCF5702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gKlNidFmUM0/Uk8PHzn-CiI/AAAAAAAABz0/5l-rZEwLk74/s640/DSCF5702.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">feeding the pay dirt into the screen, just add water, lots of it and you get gold, sometimes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxDFtKGWK0U/Uk8PJpcHaGI/AAAAAAAAB0A/sqYCI1ZtfDc/s1600/DSCF5704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxDFtKGWK0U/Uk8PJpcHaGI/AAAAAAAAB0A/sqYCI1ZtfDc/s640/DSCF5704.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The D9 on the move</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjoMAB18-Yk/Uk8PJNN2zTI/AAAAAAAABz8/LgcnNWqLAiY/s1600/DSCF5709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fjoMAB18-Yk/Uk8PJNN2zTI/AAAAAAAABz8/LgcnNWqLAiY/s640/DSCF5709.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The weld connecting the swing bearing to the under carriage failed and the excavator was pretty much broken in two. Once the Hydraulic lines were disconnected the undercarriage was dragged out with the D9 and the welding preparation began</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQJToVPZC8k/Uk8PQGLtM3I/AAAAAAAAB0U/7QNxI811_oU/s1600/DSCF5714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cQJToVPZC8k/Uk8PQGLtM3I/AAAAAAAAB0U/7QNxI811_oU/s640/DSCF5714.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day of departure from Blackhills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tbG7JWeNmE/Uk8PQEDax-I/AAAAAAAAB0M/K8GdNGyrizE/s1600/DSCF5719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tbG7JWeNmE/Uk8PQEDax-I/AAAAAAAAB0M/K8GdNGyrizE/s640/DSCF5719.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and it was getting pretty bloody chilly in the Yukon now!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a28zREaYrYM/Uk8PP37SakI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/F51jeztB2fI/s1600/DSCF5723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a28zREaYrYM/Uk8PP37SakI/AAAAAAAAB0Q/F51jeztB2fI/s640/DSCF5723.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">light dusting of snow in Dawson City</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HnMvHBTwwdg/Uk8PcYy96iI/AAAAAAAAB0k/QEsS7YeNyFA/s1600/DSCF5729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HnMvHBTwwdg/Uk8PcYy96iI/AAAAAAAAB0k/QEsS7YeNyFA/s640/DSCF5729.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whitehorse to Skagway Highway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Oz0K0l3ZW0/Uk8PdXNrkqI/AAAAAAAAB0s/ADjedKTX9KI/s1600/DSCF5733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Oz0K0l3ZW0/Uk8PdXNrkqI/AAAAAAAAB0s/ADjedKTX9KI/s640/DSCF5733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htk6FMtq5Rw/Uk8PfS9egAI/AAAAAAAAB00/4NC4Rd97SOw/s1600/DSCF5743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-htk6FMtq5Rw/Uk8PfS9egAI/AAAAAAAAB00/4NC4Rd97SOw/s640/DSCF5743.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HeHOhZU752s/Uk8Phc23kQI/AAAAAAAAB1A/ZZKUG3Xbc8k/s1600/DSCF5751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HeHOhZU752s/Uk8Phc23kQI/AAAAAAAAB1A/ZZKUG3Xbc8k/s640/DSCF5751.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-rozBvEJog/Uk8PhBlUnjI/AAAAAAAAB08/TTnTaW0lqw8/s1600/DSCF5756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-rozBvEJog/Uk8PhBlUnjI/AAAAAAAAB08/TTnTaW0lqw8/s640/DSCF5756.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting hit by a train would be bad enough, but the White Pass snow clearer would be make a real mess! Skagway, Alaska</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFLjoAdvNgs/Uk8PhyIUkVI/AAAAAAAAB1E/en-l4CT4PcY/s1600/DSCF5760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFLjoAdvNgs/Uk8PhyIUkVI/AAAAAAAAB1E/en-l4CT4PcY/s640/DSCF5760.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Malaspina, Alaska Marine Highway ferry about to be loaded in Skagway</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j336ZpEbb5s/Uk8PkStb1TI/AAAAAAAAB1U/5Aj8-y6IJWU/s1600/DSCF5765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j336ZpEbb5s/Uk8PkStb1TI/AAAAAAAAB1U/5Aj8-y6IJWU/s640/DSCF5765.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QX3EMBlUMM0/Uk8PlGnWE3I/AAAAAAAAB1c/INBKN_795fo/s1600/DSCF5767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QX3EMBlUMM0/Uk8PlGnWE3I/AAAAAAAAB1c/INBKN_795fo/s640/DSCF5767.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 star accommodation's up on solarium deck, the backpackers hangout. I didn't bother with a tent, just used the pool chair beds under the solarium roof. I did this 9 years ago last time I was in Alaska and was pleased to see that the ferry still caters to those on tighter budgets.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrWnsA6Ttyg/Uk8Pk_epSyI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/Cqblv9EWBK4/s1600/DSCF5777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IrWnsA6Ttyg/Uk8Pk_epSyI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/Cqblv9EWBK4/s640/DSCF5777.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just one of the many beautiful views off the ferry deck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8hculQzSyI/Uk8PqWu1PpI/AAAAAAAAB1w/twYQkw6Tixo/s1600/DSCF5778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_8hculQzSyI/Uk8PqWu1PpI/AAAAAAAAB1w/twYQkw6Tixo/s640/DSCF5778.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYDXsGrg8es/Uk8PoVWYbFI/AAAAAAAAB1s/vHC-sVA71wI/s1600/DSCF5784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYDXsGrg8es/Uk8PoVWYbFI/AAAAAAAAB1s/vHC-sVA71wI/s640/DSCF5784.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLNfA7EDsSY/Uk8PC-sNxhI/AAAAAAAABzc/aIW983vBUOY/s1600/DSCF5681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-25702692659201394542013-08-01T22:33:00.000-07:002013-08-04T17:14:50.790-07:00Riding into the midnight sunUsual story, I tell Barton we will probably be in Bozeman for just a few days. Almost two weeks later and me and Vido finally ride out of town. The days were filled with some local trail riding, a couple of river raft float trips with Vido's mate Rusty, helping out with Barton's new house construction and also a considerable amount of time checking out the pubs.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ep_qtjERmA/UfsAvHAqFrI/AAAAAAAABuk/_Jnp5s0swVw/s1600/DSCF5619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7Ep_qtjERmA/UfsAvHAqFrI/AAAAAAAABuk/_Jnp5s0swVw/s640/DSCF5619.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barton, Me, Vido</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeAHCfToOYI/UfsCVX4xMrI/AAAAAAAABu0/ZWplF0AekBI/s1600/DSCF5610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SeAHCfToOYI/UfsCVX4xMrI/AAAAAAAABu0/ZWplF0AekBI/s400/DSCF5610.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master chief Vido on the BBQ</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdts0oL1iEI/UfsD9-sPo5I/AAAAAAAABvE/FNXJsaenxkM/s1600/DSCF5612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tdts0oL1iEI/UfsD9-sPo5I/AAAAAAAABvE/FNXJsaenxkM/s640/DSCF5612.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great single track riding near Bozeman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPHQu2CmpfI/UfsD_oHhAMI/AAAAAAAABvM/9MVlBQctkQY/s1600/DSCF5613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DPHQu2CmpfI/UfsD_oHhAMI/AAAAAAAABvM/9MVlBQctkQY/s640/DSCF5613.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7cDSLhkAlLE/UfsFWM9b5KI/AAAAAAAABvk/x2v_Bj5KguI/s1600/DSCF5617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7cDSLhkAlLE/UfsFWM9b5KI/AAAAAAAABvk/x2v_Bj5KguI/s640/DSCF5617.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KROrsOjO1AA/UfsFVYYIQdI/AAAAAAAABvc/OFHtuTb77gs/s1600/DSCF5618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KROrsOjO1AA/UfsFVYYIQdI/AAAAAAAABvc/OFHtuTb77gs/s400/DSCF5618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
An hour or so after leaving town we were back. I'd left my Insulin in the fridge and had to go back for it. So eventually we were out and back on the trails and quickly had our first run in with an angry ranch owner who would have run us down with his truck given the chance. The owner was all worked up and was threatening to call the local police. Our GPS route had as heading along an old rail way line, on inspection when we exited the private road signs that we had supposedly ridden past were almost faded to the point of being unreadable at close range. It was very disappointing to both me and Vido to encounter such unfriendly behavior.<br />
<br />
The run in on the ranch had put a downer on what was some good riding. It should have been an enjoyable day but It wasn't fun. Well really, to be honest the main reason I wasn't enjoying the riding was because my mind just wasn't into it. It was on Barton's flat mate Michelle who had made leaving Bozeman difficult. I think I will be re visiting Bozeman some time soon!<br />
<br />
In the small town of Boulder we eat the biggest T bone steak ever and we also discuss the topic of bears and decide it's time to purchase some pepper spray. Vido suggests that his mean gangster rap played through his beat box may not be sufficient to detour persistent bears at our camp and thinks that the spray would also come in handy for ranch owners.<br />
<br />
The next day we end up on the wrong side of a locked gate and on private property again. We manage to skirt around a fence to an unlocked gate and escape without incident and without having to discharge any pepper spray but we've had enough of all the private property signs so are forced onto the highway to Missoula.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4G46WYIDWVo/UfsGX1OHTkI/AAAAAAAABv4/1jDp_93MQMo/s1600/DSCF5627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4G46WYIDWVo/UfsGX1OHTkI/AAAAAAAABv4/1jDp_93MQMo/s400/DSCF5627.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqUv_WD5aoQ/UfsGbW9ZHVI/AAAAAAAABwA/h0PUv3CI7ts/s1600/DSCF5626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mqUv_WD5aoQ/UfsGbW9ZHVI/AAAAAAAABwA/h0PUv3CI7ts/s640/DSCF5626.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a quick dip, Montana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I leave Vido behind in Missoula to detour up to Fernie across the border in Canada and visit my friend Jen. Northern Montana has some great forestry roads and it's all public access. It's remote in places and my bald rear tyre goes flat on a rough road out in the middle of no where. No problems though as I have all the gear to get going again and put on my new knobbly tire a day before I was going to.<br />
<br />
Closing in on the Canadian border there's some very dark looking clouds out the west and at the same time I notice that I can't have done a good job on my rear tire fix as it's low on air. I pull up outside a pub right before the border crossing and seek out shelter from the half inch hail that is now belting down. I'm reluctant to have a beer but when the nice waitress feels sorry for me and offers one on the house it's too hard to turn down. The hail passes and I set about replacing the tube for the second time that day. The border crossing is straight forward and I'm through pretty quickly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qL06qy3YsAc/UfsHtwOgqbI/AAAAAAAABwM/mjbQ6SEbYkY/s1600/DSCF5631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qL06qy3YsAc/UfsHtwOgqbI/AAAAAAAABwM/mjbQ6SEbYkY/s640/DSCF5631.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yyIX9sXYBzI/UfsIO8gBhtI/AAAAAAAABwU/lFbR1IEONNM/s1600/DSCF5634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yyIX9sXYBzI/UfsIO8gBhtI/AAAAAAAABwU/lFbR1IEONNM/s640/DSCF5634.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
I meet up with Jen in down town Fernie at a live music jam out on the streets which has a great atmosphere. Fernie is a sweet little town set amongst some impressive mountain ranges, I spend a day out riding with Jen up to a radio tower high above town with great views and swimming in a nearby lake. This would be a great place to hang out for a while and take in all the awesome mountain biking. But the summer is only so long, so it's time to hit the road again, I manage to link up some great forestry roads over a couple of high passes on my way over to Nelson.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNyWgTLP9NI/UfsI2jzJ0NI/AAAAAAAABwg/3VLgaeLe5ms/s1600/DSCF5636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNyWgTLP9NI/UfsI2jzJ0NI/AAAAAAAABwg/3VLgaeLe5ms/s640/DSCF5636.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View high above Fernie in Southern BC</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3584xPxsKw/Ufswvvh_E8I/AAAAAAAABww/j-8hP7xDVSU/s1600/DSCF5643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3584xPxsKw/Ufswvvh_E8I/AAAAAAAABww/j-8hP7xDVSU/s640/DSCF5643.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great riding between Fernie and Nelson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qPSnBniQYo/UfsyJYZyFHI/AAAAAAAABxA/9tS04R4-3to/s1600/DSCF5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6qPSnBniQYo/UfsyJYZyFHI/AAAAAAAABxA/9tS04R4-3to/s400/DSCF5646.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm looking forward to arriving in Nelson as this Is where Louis, Robin and Evan who I meet way back down in Colombia last year live. Those of you who have been following the blog may remember that back when I meet these guys they where learning para glide and unfortunately Louis broke his back on a crash landing. The last time I saw Louis was him being wheel chaired out of the hospital and heading for the airport back in Colombia. So it was just awesome to see him stride up the street and meet us in downtown Nelson.<br />
<br />
It hasn't been easy for Louis though. He's been incredibly focused on his recovery to get this far and still has a way to go. Inspirational stuff. My arrival in Nelson is well timed, I meet back up with Vido and over the weekend we celebrate Robin's birthday, check out a local music festival and spend an afternoon floating a river which ended in some seriously sized rapids in our 20 dollar Warehouse rafts which was rugged! It was great to spend some time with all the Boys again, maybe next time we meet will be in Nelson, New Zealand!<br />
<br />
After studying the maps Vido and I come to the conclusion that we need to make some serious ground north to Alaska. Damn, we are going to have to put in some big highway days. After a morning of pavement and congested traffic our GPS are guiding us off the highway and onto a gravel forestry road. Not far in there is a sign saying road closed due to 3 wash outs at km 23 to 50. It doesn't take much discussion and we disregard the signs and go for it, the morning of highway riding was just too much!<br />
<br />
If we can't make the crossings this is going to cost a bunch of time. The feeling of anxiaty is soon replaced with exillartion as both the scenery and the road are awesome. And at 20 odd k or so we cross a new bridge, maybe this is going to be easy? Further on and a section of road has a river of water running down it's length, it's not deep though and we negotiate 200 meters of it fairly easily. We are now deep in the mountains and approaching the 50km mark and come across a large slip, about 100 meters across. There's a old bench bulldozed across and in places we have to weave around boulders with just enough room to get the bikes through. That was lucky.<br />
<br />
We take off round the corner and both plough hard into a ditch that has been dug across the road. The suspension bottoms hard and I'm thinking I'm going to get thrown off but manage to keep it up right. I guess they put that ditch in to warn of the drop off into a creek that now stood between us and the road on the other side and our escape. A bridge had obviously been removed leaving some steep banks down into a rather rough creek. On close inspection we worked out a line that might work, the water was fast flowing and difficult to stand in but only for a sort distance. We determined that the most likely successful strategy would be to drop off the bank with enough speed to launch across the short swift section. With some man handling up the other side we were over and once again enjoying some great forest roads.<br />
<br />
With that section of road out of the way we weren't out of the woods yet though. Our route had us heading deep into this massive forest again and now the road had become so over grown that we had to abandon the GPS route and just try and head in the correct direction using roads that did exist! This is about when Vido's run of bad luck started. His muffler fell off, we wired it back on with some safety wire. It's now late and we ride side by side down the forestry road combining the power of our headlights.<br />
<br />
We break out onto the highway at around 10 30 pm and just happen to pull up at the same time as two big tractor truck rigs. They're looking for somewhere to stay and head off up the highway to the nearest town, we quickly jump in behind them and use them as a big bull bar protecting us from any suicidal deer or moose. At the town we all go into the pub hoping for a meal but the kitchen is closed so we settle for beer and packet chips. After a couple of beers one of the 2 only locals in the pub just happens to say that he has a restaurant up the road, it's late and he's well shut down for the night but gets a ride and goes cooks us all up a big feed and brings it back to the pub and refuses money. The other local let's us put the tents up on his section. Now that was a great end to a great day of riding.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpIlwXcCJ5c/Ufsy5FKKh8I/AAAAAAAABxM/A1vBBrC-FkM/s1600/DSCF5652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NpIlwXcCJ5c/Ufsy5FKKh8I/AAAAAAAABxM/A1vBBrC-FkM/s640/DSCF5652.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vGnCArD2Q/UfszZ0jVDxI/AAAAAAAABxU/IipcFvagBRg/s1600/DSCF5654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R_vGnCArD2Q/UfszZ0jVDxI/AAAAAAAABxU/IipcFvagBRg/s400/DSCF5654.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAfv7j0sdm8/Ufs0fLL92eI/AAAAAAAABxk/6EqtjT7ZhY4/s1600/DSCF5658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lAfv7j0sdm8/Ufs0fLL92eI/AAAAAAAABxk/6EqtjT7ZhY4/s640/DSCF5658.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One last obstacle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EerIXENn35E/Ufs1fcuvodI/AAAAAAAABxw/-2duTHT3dGQ/s1600/DSCF5661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EerIXENn35E/Ufs1fcuvodI/AAAAAAAABxw/-2duTHT3dGQ/s640/DSCF5661.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The cush drive rubbers on the Dr are looking pretty shot and I'm worried about the bearing flogging out the rear hub so we stop in Prince George for new bearings and some retaining compound. We gun it back on the highway and I notice that I've lost Vido in the mirror, I'm not too concerned as he pins it on the highway and I just cruise so I'm thinking that he will catch up quickly. He doesn't, I stop and give him a call. His chain few off and damaged the joining link in the process. I head back up the road and we cobble together the chain and get him a couple of k up the road to a town. Luckily there is a chain in the small bike shop in town and we're off the next morning, but that was about the end of the good luck.<br />
<br />
Calling in at Smither's for gas Vido notices that he's lost the bolt that holds the front sprocket on. It's also noticeable that the spline on the shaft is in bad shape. With the bolt replaced Vido decides that the sprocket will hold out and head for Whitehorse for a replacement. Just when we're about to pull out of town I notice that his rear tyre is low on air and then we discover that his tyre has a knob completely ripped off and with 1300km of remote road on the Cassiar highway ahead of us we head back to the bike shop and find some tyres. I end changing mine as well as the Dunlop 606 is disappearing fast with all the highway riding and would have been pushed to make Whitehorse.<br />
<br />
The Bike shop is run by Sam, "Smoking Sam" on advrider. He's a super nice guy and rips wheelies on his beefed up Harley. Sam invites us back to his place for a BBQ and beers and a place to put the tents. It's too nice a offer so we stay with Sam and he breaks out his XL600 the next day and takes us on a little ride in the morning which sees us riding to the very top of a ski hill, cool.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8G6iFs6Mo4/Ufs1hJqVgNI/AAAAAAAABx4/AAEY2uHOwYY/s1600/DSCF5662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N8G6iFs6Mo4/Ufs1hJqVgNI/AAAAAAAABx4/AAEY2uHOwYY/s640/DSCF5662.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with "Smoking Sam" in Smithers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Today we were hoping to make some good ground. It was not to be however, Vido crashed the KTM into a beaver pond. We were unable to restart the bike and after checking the basics like spark and fuel with no luck it was decided to head for a KTM dealer in Terrace. The Dr was working hard at around 100km/hr but we made the 90km tow with out problems, lucky the road was flat with no traffic or stop and starts, It was still hard work for Vido on the end of the tow rope though and I think we were both glad to be done with that!<br />
<br />
At the Ktm shop the extent of the damage become clear. Damn. The Ktm would be down at least a week while waiting for new parts. Vido decided the best option would be to have the bike rebuilt in Terrace and visit his sister in Anchorage and then attend a family reunion back home as planed and hopefully have the bike all ready to go on his return. I help remove the engine from the bike and the following day head for Whitehorse on my own. Vido will get a ride out to the ferries with Brain, a local that put us up for the night and is heading out that way for work.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LlLgsk6G6V0/Ufs7z32BmLI/AAAAAAAAByI/sM2_rmKkPhM/s1600/DSCF5664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LlLgsk6G6V0/Ufs7z32BmLI/AAAAAAAAByI/sM2_rmKkPhM/s640/DSCF5664.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping up out side the KTM shop in Terrace. The plastic bread trays made for a surprisingly good bed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
I have mixed feelings as I ride along the remote road, out to Stewart it is spectacular with hanging glaciers on either side of the valley and in some ways it is nice to just be on my own out here. At the same time I'm feeling sad and can't help wondering how Vido is. Having to leave his bike behind was hard. It makes me think about my bike too, about all the places she's taken me and how reliable she's been. At times I wish I had a fast high performing bike but right now I love my bike.<br />
<br />
The ride to Whitehorse is uneventful, miles and miles of forest, in places the devastating Spruce Beetle has killed off the trees and created an eerie landscape. For the last few hours of riding on the highway my mind wonders back to when I was working here 6 years ago building log houses. I'm excited about being back in town and way back down in South America last year when I decided to keep riding I thought it would be pretty neat to make it all the way back up here on the bike. And here I was, I was riding into town. I had a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42ny1hZnwTY/Ufs8mUayN7I/AAAAAAAAByQ/GE1hH4QHx4M/s1600/DSCF5673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-42ny1hZnwTY/Ufs8mUayN7I/AAAAAAAAByQ/GE1hH4QHx4M/s640/DSCF5673.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf0dCVxHRHg/Ufs9LNfIQuI/AAAAAAAAByc/SSS3XxFle68/s1600/DSCF5675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kf0dCVxHRHg/Ufs9LNfIQuI/AAAAAAAAByc/SSS3XxFle68/s640/DSCF5675.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">High above the Salmon Glacier right on the border of Canada and Alaska near Stewart and Hyder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay2rbOa0IKE/Ufs9w3NR-rI/AAAAAAAAByo/bM4Jez9VCJM/s1600/DSCF5678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ay2rbOa0IKE/Ufs9w3NR-rI/AAAAAAAAByo/bM4Jez9VCJM/s640/DSCF5678.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEmMWKe5dOQ/Ufs92RQYQdI/AAAAAAAAByw/mFVidAvRHBg/s1600/DSCF5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zEmMWKe5dOQ/Ufs92RQYQdI/AAAAAAAAByw/mFVidAvRHBg/s640/DSCF5679.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-90239114053390215542013-07-07T18:02:00.000-07:002013-07-07T18:02:33.056-07:00Continental divideMy plan to ride North was to follow a section of the Continental divide trail which runs from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. It's mainly just dirt roads and easy riding which with my damaged ankle I figured would be a good way to go.<br />
<br />
I'd planned to meet up with Vido in Boulder and ride north up to Canada. Vido and I first met way back down in Patagonia last year, he was on a month long ride back then and now like me wanted to ride to Alaska so we decided to team up and hit the trails.<br />
<br />
I had to avoid the CD trail heading out of Durango, forest fires in this area meant I joined the trail further north after heading through Silverton and Lake City via Engineer Pass. I did these jeep trails last year and new I was in for a treat so the detour didn't bother me.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQqUzYhpzpA/Ucp5Q1xX7uI/AAAAAAAABnM/4rv6lQ-ypkI/s1600/DSCF5474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TQqUzYhpzpA/Ucp5Q1xX7uI/AAAAAAAABnM/4rv6lQ-ypkI/s400/DSCF5474.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">heading for Engineer Pass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Exm0ToVQjUU/Ucp8Tu8BpwI/AAAAAAAABoM/11CbeoGCZlg/s1600/DSCF5473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Exm0ToVQjUU/Ucp8Tu8BpwI/AAAAAAAABoM/11CbeoGCZlg/s400/DSCF5473.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the dry weather and numerous massive fires in Colorado I didn't want to add to them so made up this improvised spark arrester. The GSXR muffler is from a road bike so comes standard without a arrestor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OA9O1Y_2hYY/Ucp5WptX8ZI/AAAAAAAABnU/dMJTS5xTHrE/s1600/DSCF5475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OA9O1Y_2hYY/Ucp5WptX8ZI/AAAAAAAABnU/dMJTS5xTHrE/s640/DSCF5475.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back up on Engineer Pass, this time in the spring and just as impressive</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLomMtZNdjY/Ucp6cBr-sPI/AAAAAAAABng/HCmb2iKuDTY/s1600/DSCF5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLomMtZNdjY/Ucp6cBr-sPI/AAAAAAAABng/HCmb2iKuDTY/s640/DSCF5477.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Long open stretches of road on the Continental divide</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu78Ua5EXPs/Ucp7f4hNLXI/AAAAAAAABn4/BbwEo5wezJk/s1600/DSCF5480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qu78Ua5EXPs/Ucp7f4hNLXI/AAAAAAAABn4/BbwEo5wezJk/s640/DSCF5480.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0WpwlFSaC4/Ucp7c_3AQSI/AAAAAAAABns/EUM6jfVrA5o/s1600/DSCF5481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y0WpwlFSaC4/Ucp7c_3AQSI/AAAAAAAABns/EUM6jfVrA5o/s400/DSCF5481.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm riding along this fairly remote forest road and come across 3 dirt bikes on the side of the road so I pull up to see what they're up to, one has just repaired a punctured tube. The first thing I hear as I pull up is "not another damn kiwi" Edwin spied all my NZ stickers as I got off the bike and him and his two mates Richie and Nevin are from Mosgil in the South Island. Small world.<br />
<br />
We spend a bunch of time on the side of the road sharing stories and comparing bikes, Richie and Nevin are riding the new Husky Terra 650's and Edwin is on a KTM 500. They have six weeks and are touring through Colorado and Utah and riding as much single track as possible. They're having a blast and we all agree that this area has world class single track riding that you just don't get back home.<br />
<br />
I ride with the southern boys out to town, grab some food and a bunch of beers and go sort some freedom camping. It's a very enjoyable evening shared with the follow kiwis as we chat about the joys of motorcycling over a few beers. After coffee together the next morning I'm back solo on the CD trail and heading for Breckenridge.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6QDZ1Sz60g/Ucp76Gx_S3I/AAAAAAAABoA/9F4zrqX9j1M/s1600/DSCF5486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e6QDZ1Sz60g/Ucp76Gx_S3I/AAAAAAAABoA/9F4zrqX9j1M/s640/DSCF5486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevin, Richie, and Edwin from Mosgil enjoying the great trails in Colorado</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I catch up with Vido in Boulder and he's keen to hit the road. With my delayed start from Oklahoma I'm way late on our planed meeting. We run through some route ideas and we go over "ride with gps" which is a route planning program which allows you to create and transfer routes to our gps's. It's a fun way to travel, you can select roads that look interesting on google maps and then just let the gps guide you along. It's fun because you just don't know what you're in for, sometimes the roads on the program are dirt highways, sometimes they are nothing but some faint tracks across a paddock, sometimes you get led to impassible rivers, fences and locked gates. <br />
<br />
Our first day together and we're heading for Steamboat Springs. Ride with GPS had given us some great riding, firstly up high in Rocky Mountain National Park and then on a heap of narrow forest roads. It was getting late in the day and our planned destination was looking doubtful. Just on dusk we decide to carry on and climb over a mountain range to Steamboat Springs just on the other side.<br />
<br />
Two thirds of the way up the climb we come to a locked gate, it's been steamrolled though by a 4wd so we decide to carry on. It's now late and dark and we soon find out why the road was probably closed. There's large snow drifts across the road. Vido's Ktm makes it through the first, the dr gets stuck as my lower side bags get hung up on the snow. We push through a few more and lucky find a shortcut that avoids a larger drift. Clad I've got the new Led headlight which pumps out a heap of light. We descend down the other side and out of the snow with a sigh of relief, but I can't help think that there's going to be another locked gate on this side somewhere? Sure enough there is, but we easily ride up a bank and around it. It's 10.30 when we roll into town, get some food, a few beers, a massive bag of ice for my ankle, and directions to some free camping from the friendly bar staff in town.<br />
<br />
The next few days is more of the same great riding. We once again find ourselves struggling to make our destinations but it's all good fun. We ride open desert like terrain in southern Wyoming, our progress is slowed by rough trails, fences and locked gates, punctures, failed wheel bearings, and good looking university girls. <br />
<br />
Eventually we make it into Bozeman in Montana. Both Vido and myself have some friends here. Barton, whom I met in Colombia and rode central America with lives here. It's been great hanging and catching up with Barton. We've been checking out some local trails here, doing some river float fishing trips and bike maintenance while waiting for new tyres.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg3cCtyhEBU/Ucp8vYdWx5I/AAAAAAAABoQ/Xl-h4C6aUxs/s1600/DSCF5492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xg3cCtyhEBU/Ucp8vYdWx5I/AAAAAAAABoQ/Xl-h4C6aUxs/s400/DSCF5492.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting up with Vido in Boulder</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjZt46-NduY/Ucp9JE9wqwI/AAAAAAAABoY/XsdwyBI7QWs/s1600/DSCF5500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rjZt46-NduY/Ucp9JE9wqwI/AAAAAAAABoY/XsdwyBI7QWs/s640/DSCF5500.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's already getting late when we hit these snow drifts on the way to Steamboat springs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Du2X9fmRWIM/UdR7d8c8AtI/AAAAAAAABq8/eAYuW817AwQ/s1600/DSCF5510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Du2X9fmRWIM/UdR7d8c8AtI/AAAAAAAABq8/eAYuW817AwQ/s640/DSCF5510.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0cUtvAuwAU/Udn9ffGNrZI/AAAAAAAABt4/uxPy3Q58_vU/s1600/P6260165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0cUtvAuwAU/Udn9ffGNrZI/AAAAAAAABt4/uxPy3Q58_vU/s640/P6260165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcSM93OpAEA/Udn9hYqSQnI/AAAAAAAABuA/Y6kYXFE_eWE/s1600/P6260173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PcSM93OpAEA/Udn9hYqSQnI/AAAAAAAABuA/Y6kYXFE_eWE/s640/P6260173.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lw8vXDV5jk/UdR7e_vrECI/AAAAAAAABrI/Msgz2LAKYTY/s1600/DSCF5518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Lw8vXDV5jk/UdR7e_vrECI/AAAAAAAABrI/Msgz2LAKYTY/s640/DSCF5518.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To avoid a locked gate we rode around a fence and "cross country" for 5 miles to regain the road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3sNedU5eTGQ/UdR7dPSuE-I/AAAAAAAABq4/PRtwoC7QAq4/s1600/DSCF5524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3sNedU5eTGQ/UdR7dPSuE-I/AAAAAAAABq4/PRtwoC7QAq4/s640/DSCF5524.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our gps units told us that this was a road</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOGgVqR-kbk/UdR7j0ZrZ9I/AAAAAAAABrQ/yYJnfowlkzo/s1600/DSCF5530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOGgVqR-kbk/UdR7j0ZrZ9I/AAAAAAAABrQ/yYJnfowlkzo/s640/DSCF5530.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast time at the pub in Atlantic City. Gordy with the camo cap is a local here in this small town and a keen motorcyclist. He too was heading for Alaska on his bike in the early 80's but got stuck in town. Real nice guy, he helped Vido out with some extra fuel and welded up a tank brace as well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7EPiLTXMnE/UdR7lxECA9I/AAAAAAAABrY/Dp1mZQ9MAdE/s1600/DSCF5531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p7EPiLTXMnE/UdR7lxECA9I/AAAAAAAABrY/Dp1mZQ9MAdE/s640/DSCF5531.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Atlantic City was fun, It's a small town in the middle of no where. We hung out with some hard core locals and some visiting geology students....and we had only had to stumble out the door and into some free accommodation in the tee pee for the night.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWaa8euiL34/UdR7zFc7MRI/AAAAAAAABro/WUJp4D8WD_0/s1600/DSCF5549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pWaa8euiL34/UdR7zFc7MRI/AAAAAAAABro/WUJp4D8WD_0/s640/DSCF5549.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeY0YQej3sA/UdR7tLeumJI/AAAAAAAABrg/APbdcS2ECl8/s1600/DSCF5547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OeY0YQej3sA/UdR7tLeumJI/AAAAAAAABrg/APbdcS2ECl8/s640/DSCF5547.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNBFVgnHuEs/UdR76qfI3QI/AAAAAAAABr4/n7mov1caH94/s1600/DSCF5557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KNBFVgnHuEs/UdR76qfI3QI/AAAAAAAABr4/n7mov1caH94/s640/DSCF5557.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlacQXrskKc/Udn9pY7gAfI/AAAAAAAABuM/dqaHi5IH-2c/s1600/P6280186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlacQXrskKc/Udn9pY7gAfI/AAAAAAAABuM/dqaHi5IH-2c/s640/P6280186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfDzv_yQUIc/UdR75lxQY0I/AAAAAAAABrw/1dcJI7spk4E/s1600/DSCF5561+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nfDzv_yQUIc/UdR75lxQY0I/AAAAAAAABrw/1dcJI7spk4E/s640/DSCF5561+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing through the Tetons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm9WLYZhikI/UdR8KaPNUfI/AAAAAAAABsY/bg15eN7cdzU/s1600/DSCF5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm9WLYZhikI/UdR8KaPNUfI/AAAAAAAABsY/bg15eN7cdzU/s640/DSCF5568.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a road over there somewhere</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Hk-rv_GvA/UdR8GqvxbkI/AAAAAAAABsI/MkYEM61R1oQ/s1600/DSCF5566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N1Hk-rv_GvA/UdR8GqvxbkI/AAAAAAAABsI/MkYEM61R1oQ/s640/DSCF5566.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nx17MdtsBDM/UdnaD5R2M4I/AAAAAAAABtc/wdnxjp7pxrA/s1600/DSCF5606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nx17MdtsBDM/UdnaD5R2M4I/AAAAAAAABtc/wdnxjp7pxrA/s640/DSCF5606.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dr is reunited with one of her long lost friends, the Husaberg at Bartons in Bozeman, Montana.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJNv7C_uS7A/UdnZoRqDagI/AAAAAAAABsk/aEdbk_8v0Oc/s1600/DSCF5578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJNv7C_uS7A/UdnZoRqDagI/AAAAAAAABsk/aEdbk_8v0Oc/s640/DSCF5578.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trail riders in Montana have it sweet. Fantastic trails in the summer and in the winter you can remove the rear wheel and bolt on this track and play in the snow. Now that would be fun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5eF7bOoizU/UdnZrZ7s83I/AAAAAAAABsw/X-RXn70aOac/s1600/DSCF5588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B5eF7bOoizU/UdnZrZ7s83I/AAAAAAAABsw/X-RXn70aOac/s640/DSCF5588.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July celebrations at the Livingston Rodeo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4fZVagS3YE/UdnZuHfmo4I/AAAAAAAABs4/C2HT-Lvfd-E/s1600/DSCF5590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P4fZVagS3YE/UdnZuHfmo4I/AAAAAAAABs4/C2HT-Lvfd-E/s400/DSCF5590.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KnffJaG9YII/UdnZz5h_GuI/AAAAAAAABtA/402qcsVRtRo/s1600/DSCF5593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KnffJaG9YII/UdnZz5h_GuI/AAAAAAAABtA/402qcsVRtRo/s400/DSCF5593.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-neYPeD9_st0/UdnZ1GL2TYI/AAAAAAAABtI/MIRgE8O68Z0/s1600/DSCF5596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-neYPeD9_st0/UdnZ1GL2TYI/AAAAAAAABtI/MIRgE8O68Z0/s640/DSCF5596.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Forest Service Ranger has a sweet job. He gets paid to ride the trails!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10jnOif2v98/UdnZ7HsItrI/AAAAAAAABtQ/yc0rG_mrCYQ/s1600/DSCF5598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10jnOif2v98/UdnZ7HsItrI/AAAAAAAABtQ/yc0rG_mrCYQ/s640/DSCF5598.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the local riding near Bozeman</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtKyeDdXKtM/UdnaDz_Eh3I/AAAAAAAABtg/5s4w1M2y7Sw/s1600/DSCF5604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YtKyeDdXKtM/UdnaDz_Eh3I/AAAAAAAABtg/5s4w1M2y7Sw/s640/DSCF5604.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1386513759341817930.post-18717157666664961892013-06-21T16:23:00.000-07:002013-06-21T16:42:47.610-07:00Running Tornado Alley<span lang="">It's my first night on the road and I'm having a bit of a rough sleep. The wind has picked up and it's knocking the tent around and just on dark before I tucked in for the night I spied some pretty mean black clouds around. Wouldn't normally bother me, the Macpac Minert tent is built for mountain storms. <br />
<br />
Adding to the lack of sleep is a sore ankle, it's black and swollen as a result of the little accident in the creek last week, I'm only clad I'd upgraded to the heavier Crossfire boots when my Sidi Adventure's wore out, may have been a broken ankle before getting out of Oklahoma otherwise.<br />
<br />
So I'm laying in my tent, I've found some free camping in the town Park of Greensburg, Kansas. I'm thinking about the roof on the toilet block right next to where I pitched. Thinking the concrete block walls are pretty solid but that roof sure did look a bit shabby. Before turning in for the night I'd run through my best tornado evacuation plan and the "brick shit house" was looking like the best option, might just have to bear hug that typically grotty public bowel if the roof goes though! Actually thinking about it now a toilet may not be a good place to be in a tornado, with 200mph winds that's got to produce some very low atmospheric pressures, bit like one rather big vacuum shit pump, could get messy.<br />
<br />
Well of coarse I didn't have use the toilet as a make shift tornado shelter, but I just happen to be camped up in Tornado alley right in tornado season and it would have been a different story if I had of been in town on the night of May 4th 2007 when this little Kansas town was completely taken out by a massive EF5 twister that was 1.7 miles wide with winds over 200 miles per hour. During my stay in Oklahoma the town of Moore was hit by a nasty tornado resulting destruction and deaths.<br />
<br />
Anyway, after the delayed start It's good to be on the road again. Lot's of little things have gone wrong so far on this trip which has had me a bit frustrated. Sometimes when things don't go quiet as planned you can start to question what you are doing. Sometimes I question this whole bike trip? It's costing a lot of money, most people tend to get themselves a house and a family around my age, sometimes I feel it's costing my health too, I'm not getting my usual level of exercise and of coarse managing diabetes is a little tougher when traveling. <br />
<br />
It takes just one day though and I am no longer questioning what I'm doing. One day heading off into the unknown on my own, on my bike and I know exactly what the hell I'm doing. It's hard to explain the feeling as you travel across foreign landscapes on your own. One minute you are marveling at the surroundings, one minute you are lost in your own thoughts in your own little world far away from anybody, friends , family, and of coarse the usual working routines. Then, the next minute you run wide on a sandy turn and your heart misses a few beats as you regain control of the bike and your thoughts concentrate of the road ahead and the consequences of a crash out in the middle of no where.<br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang=""><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHYFMRByCGQ/UcTISV-_gUI/AAAAAAAABik/e-dS-lyWH5c/s1600/DSCF5334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kHYFMRByCGQ/UcTISV-_gUI/AAAAAAAABik/e-dS-lyWH5c/s400/DSCF5334.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span lang="">
<br />
</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang=""><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAnuJ91kP8Q/UcTLDyur05I/AAAAAAAABiw/IOaD7Y6rBfk/s1600/DSCF5339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAnuJ91kP8Q/UcTLDyur05I/AAAAAAAABiw/IOaD7Y6rBfk/s400/DSCF5339.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span lang="">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6m86OIub0w/UcTLcEPxNwI/AAAAAAAABi4/M2lxPxBT-DY/s1600/DSCF5344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z6m86OIub0w/UcTLcEPxNwI/AAAAAAAABi4/M2lxPxBT-DY/s400/DSCF5344.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWM46k_9VI8/UcTLxiDDc0I/AAAAAAAABjA/byRjqvCQJiQ/s1600/DSCF5349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWM46k_9VI8/UcTLxiDDc0I/AAAAAAAABjA/byRjqvCQJiQ/s400/DSCF5349.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSuM_4ds7KM/UcTMkOzlDcI/AAAAAAAABjQ/0dzK-QIPF5M/s1600/DSCF5376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FSuM_4ds7KM/UcTMkOzlDcI/AAAAAAAABjQ/0dzK-QIPF5M/s640/DSCF5376.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fields of gold in Kansas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txU9T41EBeg/UcTMJMMZ0sI/AAAAAAAABjI/BS-ms9yxTF8/s1600/DSCF5353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-txU9T41EBeg/UcTMJMMZ0sI/AAAAAAAABjI/BS-ms9yxTF8/s640/DSCF5353.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nQyB_Q48W8/UcTNAPFr-XI/AAAAAAAABjY/q2I08tUO7Jc/s1600/DSCF5375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nQyB_Q48W8/UcTNAPFr-XI/AAAAAAAABjY/q2I08tUO7Jc/s400/DSCF5375.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joCH3nKosRw/UcTNjJSrRoI/AAAAAAAABjg/WsGSiRDPYho/s1600/DSCF5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-joCH3nKosRw/UcTNjJSrRoI/AAAAAAAABjg/WsGSiRDPYho/s640/DSCF5374.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never seen so much wheat or wind generators, must have been over a thousand generators </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeIyHduCZcs/UcTN4AXyNLI/AAAAAAAABjo/6QNea5Pl52Y/s1600/DSCF5381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KeIyHduCZcs/UcTN4AXyNLI/AAAAAAAABjo/6QNea5Pl52Y/s640/DSCF5381.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big horizons in Kansas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWlVJnC6lDg/UcTOaSQihHI/AAAAAAAABjw/dmep26q15CE/s1600/DSCF5389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWlVJnC6lDg/UcTOaSQihHI/AAAAAAAABjw/dmep26q15CE/s640/DSCF5389.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenburg in Kansas was hit by one of the worst tornadoes in history</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwMZYcksI3U/UcTOvdRIkgI/AAAAAAAABj4/rl6ZLXP3TYg/s1600/DSCF5392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwMZYcksI3U/UcTOvdRIkgI/AAAAAAAABj4/rl6ZLXP3TYg/s320/DSCF5392.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greensburg is also famous for it's massive hand dug water well</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As I'm nearing the Rockies in Colorado the flat plains are beginning to take it's toll though, It's taken me a couple of days to blast across and most of the time on pavement at 70 mph but also finding some nice little dirt roads criss crossing through massive fields of wheat, wind farms and in some places sweat bugger all!. At times the contrast in dark clouds, intense blue light, and massive horizons is truly a beautiful sight, but the strong side winds and heat is wearing me down, I arrive in the town of Walsenburg with a hazy smoke cloud drifting to the north as a result of recent fires around Colorado Springs and also a nearby fire just erupting with huge column of smoke and red glow at it's base just like a volcano, very impressive sky's just on dusk.<br />
<br />
My gps is guiding me to free forest lands camp but when it takes me right into the town centre and out side the tourist info I realise that the coordinates must have got mucked up. It's now late and I opt to set up camp with a whole bunch of truckies on the edge of a large truck stop area. I talk with a few and they just can't believe where I've been, they want to buy me dinner. One of the drivers helps me change my rear tire with the aid of his compressed air pump. He's been stuck at the stop for a few days waiting for parts. " What happened" I say. He says " one of my trailer wheels broke of and run across the road, I had to go retrieve it". I thanked him for the air and told him I has clad not to be passing him when that happened! I go over to the nearby diner and end up have dinner next to a big group of Amish who are also passing by. Truckies, Amish, wildfires and thunderstorm's, I've seen a lot today, you never do know who you're going meet and the sights that you see.<br />
<br />
The following day is more pavement as I head for Durango and lucky just sneak through Wolfcreek pass before it is shut down by a nearby wildfire.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_JtsekoxGA/UcTQNjqwIII/AAAAAAAABkQ/Mf4XD4BL8AE/s1600/DSCF5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W_JtsekoxGA/UcTQNjqwIII/AAAAAAAABkQ/Mf4XD4BL8AE/s320/DSCF5398.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3TGdcELNTk/UcTQfJ32v5I/AAAAAAAABkg/KNp8p-vNLA4/s1600/DSCF5400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c3TGdcELNTk/UcTQfJ32v5I/AAAAAAAABkg/KNp8p-vNLA4/s320/DSCF5400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Time to get out of Dodge City" not much to see but beef plants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21y6-CntfJ0/UcTP1NNfESI/AAAAAAAABkI/pi033TgYDzk/s1600/DSCF5395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-21y6-CntfJ0/UcTP1NNfESI/AAAAAAAABkI/pi033TgYDzk/s400/DSCF5395.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ScYXu0we7GM/UcTQ7KEYbDI/AAAAAAAABko/FDB2Cg3ogj8/s1600/DSCF5404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ScYXu0we7GM/UcTQ7KEYbDI/AAAAAAAABko/FDB2Cg3ogj8/s640/DSCF5404.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The plains are fill of dirt roads layed out in mile by mile grids so you can just hop off the main highways when they become to much, this is what it looks like on the gps and...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0wS4lVBoAM/UcTRQoUPekI/AAAAAAAABkw/_1zXoALpF3I/s1600/DSCF5403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c0wS4lVBoAM/UcTRQoUPekI/AAAAAAAABkw/_1zXoALpF3I/s400/DSCF5403.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this is what it looks like for real</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2en3bcii4w/UcTRtULxEoI/AAAAAAAABk4/DvHL6SFjc5k/s1600/DSCF5407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y2en3bcii4w/UcTRtULxEoI/AAAAAAAABk4/DvHL6SFjc5k/s640/DSCF5407.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ttHSS-c0ys/UcTR8DUkmWI/AAAAAAAABlA/197N6LTsHsI/s1600/DSCF5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ttHSS-c0ys/UcTR8DUkmWI/AAAAAAAABlA/197N6LTsHsI/s640/DSCF5411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73xlFuAplEc/UcTSOdfbNeI/AAAAAAAABlI/9_NQjBj2UJw/s1600/DSCF5416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-73xlFuAplEc/UcTSOdfbNeI/AAAAAAAABlI/9_NQjBj2UJw/s640/DSCF5416.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Storm chasing in Kansas, well more like trying to run away from them!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkQpaxMfSSM/UcTSmPBDpBI/AAAAAAAABlQ/BEKulz65MxQ/s1600/DSCF5429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkQpaxMfSSM/UcTSmPBDpBI/AAAAAAAABlQ/BEKulz65MxQ/s640/DSCF5429.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's smoke from the far away Colorado fires</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR3W2_jxNcQ/UcTS5f8LGDI/AAAAAAAABlY/lKKQ_NrprXM/s1600/DSCF5434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pR3W2_jxNcQ/UcTS5f8LGDI/AAAAAAAABlY/lKKQ_NrprXM/s640/DSCF5434.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wasn't the only one not enjoying the wind. These massive wind turbine blades in transit were parked up, waiting for the wind to drop I guess. Wouldn't take much to get them air bourne heading down the road!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoqHw9v8umc/UcTTJsTpQuI/AAAAAAAABlg/Vf5ivtOnAEY/s1600/DSCF5433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoqHw9v8umc/UcTTJsTpQuI/AAAAAAAABlg/Vf5ivtOnAEY/s400/DSCF5433.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwPPJHKzKTk/UcTTZlEoq1I/AAAAAAAABlo/s-LKjqN3H1g/s1600/DSCF5439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QwPPJHKzKTk/UcTTZlEoq1I/AAAAAAAABlo/s-LKjqN3H1g/s640/DSCF5439.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These friendly truckies convinced me to stay with them the night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfpZHIyyG8c/UcTknuHCg_I/AAAAAAAABm4/03AGl2znVs4/s1600/DSCF5444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfpZHIyyG8c/UcTknuHCg_I/AAAAAAAABm4/03AGl2znVs4/s640/DSCF5444.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoX0OiY3sQs/UcTUJ7rzZHI/AAAAAAAABl4/AH5aSvlleQQ/s1600/DSCF5445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zoX0OiY3sQs/UcTUJ7rzZHI/AAAAAAAABl4/AH5aSvlleQQ/s400/DSCF5445.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwbPppnhqUY/UcTUvxfCshI/AAAAAAAABmA/exkU4nI9-8k/s1600/DSCF5451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IwbPppnhqUY/UcTUvxfCshI/AAAAAAAABmA/exkU4nI9-8k/s640/DSCF5451.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AXN0is97oU/UcTVUpkG0wI/AAAAAAAABmI/_sbhRBuW0Qc/s1600/DSCF5454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AXN0is97oU/UcTVUpkG0wI/AAAAAAAABmI/_sbhRBuW0Qc/s640/DSCF5454.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to replace that worn out rear at the "told you so service center"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_62-oA17Mmw/UcTVWM4leDI/AAAAAAAABmQ/zfcavpxd4jY/s1600/DSCF5455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_62-oA17Mmw/UcTVWM4leDI/AAAAAAAABmQ/zfcavpxd4jY/s400/DSCF5455.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZJQLAqI80U/UcTVzfMlC4I/AAAAAAAABmY/aBnFAn_tOV4/s1600/DSCF5464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pZJQLAqI80U/UcTVzfMlC4I/AAAAAAAABmY/aBnFAn_tOV4/s640/DSCF5464.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Was lucky enough to sneak over Wolf creek pass in Colorado just before it was closed due to this fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NRJ1s6OXD0/UcTWBuiRD1I/AAAAAAAABmk/WXUGX69DVbc/s1600/DSCF5469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2NRJ1s6OXD0/UcTWBuiRD1I/AAAAAAAABmk/WXUGX69DVbc/s400/DSCF5469.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After several hours of pavement I'd had enough and managed to find some forest roads on the way into Durango</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pNECpMBPezo/UcTWC64NlnI/AAAAAAAABmo/U492_iyAoxo/s1600/DSCF5470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pNECpMBPezo/UcTWC64NlnI/AAAAAAAABmo/U492_iyAoxo/s400/DSCF5470.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 months later and I'm back at Omars in Durango</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Joehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394193965421980981noreply@blogger.com1