Theresa and I are going to ride motorcycles from her parents' house in Wildeshausen, Germany, to my parents' house, in Tullera, Australia. I can predict the questions you're asking: How are we going to do it? What will we ride? How long will it take? Do we realise there is water in between, and that Ewan McGregor already rode a motorcycle a long way? Read on, intrepid keyboard warrior, and brace for answers.
Firstly, yes: we know there is water in between (and yes, I do know that is only half the map, but for some reason, Google maps doesn't find a route..?). Secondly, we are going to do it by motorcycle, thirdly, they will be the inimitable BMW F650GS, 2004 single-spark, and the similarly inimitable BMW F650GS, 2004 dual-spark. Fourth, it will take many months (indeed, we anticipate the preparation taking about 7 months). Fifth, and anticipation of your as-yet-unasked question, I know am answering the questions out of order, and lastly, yes, I know other people ride bikes a long way and have similarly self-aggrandandising web sites, blogs, documentaries, books, DVDs for sale, and so on. I get it. No, we aren't copying someone else's idea: we're on our own chautauqua. Here, this blog-thing, will be the suppository of all of our wisdom. Our visa challenges (permission type, not the financial... though probably the financial, too). Our gear. The cost. The experiences, the photos, the videos, the DVD for sale, the list of sponsors. And so: how far along are we? Well, we have two bikes. One yellow (the dual-spark), and parked in Engomer. The other Black (single spark), and not really exactly in our possession at the moment, as we will go and pick it up on the 17th. One week! How do the bikes differ? Well, the golden, dual-spark BM-Rubber-Duck-elew has a bit more horsepower, and better efficiency. It has stock BMW luggage. The sable, rider-of-the-night, beast will be slower. More likely to run out of fuel on the long legs, and has what seems to be superior Touratech luggage. Who gets which bike? Which will be more reliable in the long run? Will we, in fact, notice any difference aside from colour? Stay tuned avid readers, as the selection arguments unfold over the next couple weeks.
6 Comments
9/10/2015 12:44:53 pm
love it and thanks for answering the questions,like the choice of bikes, enjoy it all
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Graham (Dad)
9/10/2015 12:46:45 pm
All sounds terrific, and very exciting, at the moment. I hope (know) you preparation will be thorough, painstakingly long and you'll both get through it. Then starts the sore bum part of this tour de world.
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Carolyn
10/10/2015 05:18:52 pm
Totally AWESOME!!! An amazing adventure ahead for you both. Stay safe. Looking forward to updates... Cheers! Love you Mat & Theresa. Carolyn xx
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Jenny( aunt)
1/1/2016 11:39:39 am
What a fab idea! You should be here for Nannas 90 th birthday (2018) stay safe love you 😘😘
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Angela
10/5/2016 09:35:06 pm
love these posts....I almost feel I'm there
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