Category: Europe Trip 2018

Day 5 – Paris, France – Calais, France – London, United Kingdom

by Adam Imre Hegedus, posted in Europe Trip 2018

On Tuesday morning I got up early, because I was so motivated to leave France, and finally get onto British Island with my motorcycle. Not so many rider from Hungary can say this I assume, I wanted to accomplish one of my dream. So I was confident, my DFDS ferry was planned to leave Calais, France at 13:55PM, so I had enough time to get there. But did not want to waste time on waiting, so I packed everything again, and leave my room.

It was a bit early, around 8:30AM, so I decided to put on my raincoat because of the cooler temperature, and got up to motorway again.

I was very fast, and with several coffee stops I arrived and checked into Calais, France 12:20PM, I was immediately sent to 12:25PM ferry. 😀 Coool!

I had only one single question, when I went through the Customs Control and ID check, am I on British territory, so is ride side changed to left already or not. I didn’t know, so said yes, no-one else was around as there was only 5 mins to get on the ferry. I rode on left side, but at the first roundabout I realized it is still French territory, so rode a bit improperly :’D  No problem, learned for my whole life 😀

Finally I was on hold at the parking line for another 6-8 mins, so I was a bit frustrated that ferry may leave me behind, but finally as the last guest I got up to the ferry. Everything was okay, departure was successful, and I was on the way to British Island. Great!

and some Lasagne 🙂
We successfully docked in Port of Dover, UK
48 km/h – 97 km/h – 113 km/h
I started my first kilometers riding on left side, and got more and more familiar with the concept. On motorcycle it was not so hard, the only thing what I felt a bit interesting is just turning right with big curve. But first time felt that right hand rule is much obvious, as drivers are also sit on right side, so it is much closer for me to look at.

In United Kingdom I decided to avoid motorways as I would not planned so much run there, I had to experience as much as I can on these roads. I did not regret it, experienced that feeling what I felt playing Rally games so many years ago on British roads. Tiny roads with brick wall on one side, and fence on the other side. So lovely, and every meter reminded me to these epic moments of my childhood. 🙂

Finally I drove around 120 km in UK when I arrived to London, UK, and could experience riding left lane very much. It was so good to try, and challenging at the beginning. I enjoyed it very much.

Finally I arrived to my destination to Club Quarters Hotel, Lincoln’s Inn Field in London.

I used Chain Lube again, and carried my bag and box into my hotel room quite soon. I was so happy that there was plenty lock anchor installed in front of the hotel, just for solo motorcycles.
I locked my motorcycle with my safety chain, and walked a big in the town. 🙂
Finally I became so tired, walked like 8-10 km to refresh my memories from Business Trip last year. 😀
On the way back I reviewed parking again around the hotel, and decided to put my bike into a preferred safe parking house around British Museum. It was extremely expensive, but parking in London anyway is a so expensive thing, a luxury. 
Finally when everything was done, I went back and could have some rest in a so good hotel, and relax for some work in the next couple of days, just to prepare myself to proceed with my trip to go forward, 😉

Day 4 – Lausanne, Switzerland – Paris, France

by Adam Imre Hegedus, posted in Europe Trip 2018

On Monday morning I got up around 8AM, was a bit tired, but could relax and prepare myself for another longer run to get to Paris, France.

Again, packed everything back and left Lausanne, but I had to buy Chain Lube, so I visited a Yamaha Store somewhere around. I saw those models too what I didn’t know if I will ever see in Hungary, like a Yamaha YZF-R1M.
I was successful, got a new one, and got up to the motorway to go to France.
I went through the border at Creux, Switzerland and was so happy as France started with a beautiful serpentine immediately. But after some minutes I became disappointed by Average Speed Camera Zones which was 30 km along the whole serpentine and another 20 km more. The average speed was limited to 70 km/h so along km long strait roads it was so boring and of course there was no petrol station or any restaurant to stop to grab some coffee. In addition, between the mountains the temperature was around 18-21°C, so I was cold, too, and could not shorten time to any better place.
Fine, I got through, but until Vaux-lest-Prés, France I met several Speed Limit Zones, so I decided to continue on motorway, unfortunately. Anyway I knew that will not like France, but it was rather because of old intention when I had been to Paris long time ago.

The weather was beautiful, no clouds, no significant traffic, so could ride without so many problem. 🙂

I grabbed some fuel at Venoy, France and could talk to some French bikers. They were surprised that a Hungarian rider is somewhere around there 😀

The traffic was still okay, but when I approach to Paris, I realized that so many motorbike is on the road, and they are so pushy to other cars on the road, so at the beginning I left them to do what they generally do, riding around cars, trucks with high speed and hoped for no problem. Later I joined to them, but with much higher attention to others on the road, because I would have liked to get home finally. It was okay, but I could not imagine myself riding around Paris for more time. They are so opinionated and violent to others. I was horned at least 10 times because I was careful to others. I let them go or forced them to wait, because I will not assimilate that much. That’s life, did not expect any other from France.
Finally in a huge traffic jam I arrived to Center Paris, and could stop for some rest near Tower Eiffel. 🙂
I saw several nationalities there, especially a Buddhist monk asked if he could take a photo of me. Why not? 🙂
It was interesting, but my old experiences came up when I saw the guys walking around with key rings hanging a mini Tower Eiffel. Not surprising (again!), Hungarians. Who else? €1 for me talking in Hungarian, €2-3 for English speaking tourists. Come on!
Finally got back onto the motorcycle and went to an external district of Paris, to Athis-Mons, France
My accomodation was at Ana and Bens flat. It was so nice, a small flat. I liked them, because we could talk sometime and could congratulate them for winning World Cup. 🙂
Motorcycle prepared, as usual, and as I had to leave on the road, just applied my extra safety chain on my cycle. 😉
Fortunately I had direct visibility to my bike from my private room, so I could regularly check it, but finally it turned out no-one touched my bike during the night. I was too paranoid, just because of my feeling generally of France. Sorry, but I don’t like France, but needed to get through.
I had a shower, grabbed some pizza from around, and finally could go to sleep after a so long trip on motorway. 😉

Day 3 – Finkenberg, Austria – Reschensee, Italy – Lausanne, Switzerland

by Adam Imre Hegedus, posted in Europe Trip 2018
Perhaps it was too early to got asleep lot afternoon, because in the morning I woke up at 5AM, so I started to prepare and pack my stuff by 6AM, but it was a bit raining, so I waited. Unfortunately it was still raining at 7AM, so I just simply install back everything to my bike, I put on my raincoat and leave around 7:30AM. Unfortunately I could not dring coffee yet, and also had to refill my tank, so spent another 30 mins in Finkenberg. I did not regret, because I met several nice Austrian men who although could speak neither English nor Hungarian, but with signs we had a very funny conversation. 😀
As it was still raining, I didn’t have no more chance, I had to get into it. I took around an hour to get through, but my raincoat was okay, I didn’t feel either cold or wet, so I was satisfied with it. 🙂
Last night I was talking with my friend, Ferenc Perjés, the founder of RBiker.com riding tracking application, who was on Saturday around Stelvio Pass, Tyrol, Italy and I was riding around Landeck, Switzerland when I started to think about visit it too. I am on holiday, and on a journey to visit more and more beautiful place, and also it is one the best place for Bend Hunters, so I just turned to Tyrol on my way. 🙂
I passed through the border of Italy and Austria, and felt immediately the culture of Italian people. Thin roads, old houses, small churches everywhere and classic feeling of Godfather era! 😀
I stopped at the Reschensee, Italy to take some pictures and talk to other bikers. 🙂
( and the newly bought hat )

I was heading to Stelvio Pass, but unfortunately at Val Müstar, Switzerland I didn’t check my GPS, and realized only at Tschierv, Switzerland again, wanted to drive me around mountain of Piz Murtaöl back to Stelvio Pass. I stopped to get some fuel and decided to come back later to Tyrol, Italy this year, because I cannot get around Lake Geneva at 8PM, and also I could not enjoy that much the rest of the road to Lausanne, Switzerland if make another bypasses.
I was not disappointed, because I had already ridden on beautiful serpentines, and arrived to Pass dal Fuorn, Switzerland.
It was a very nice and exciting serpentine, I loved it very much. 😉
As I couldn’t buy vignette for toll roads at previous petrol station, I stopped again, but at least I could have lunch around in the afternoon 😀
Now I enabled toll roads on my GPS and provided me a 5 hours trip to Lausanne, so it was okay for me, around 8-9PM I can successfully arrive at my next accommodation. Agreed and accepted, that now I will need to use motorway, but several years before I had already driven on these roads, knew that they are not boring at all, and drive through nice places, as well.
Entered to Switzerland. 🙂
Then I left petrol station, and arrived to Sagliains, Switzerland where I had to realize that it is a 35 km tunnel where I had to get up to a train through a rain tunnel. Fine, just bought a vignette for motorway, but as the train leaved in 4 mins, I paid additional €30 for the train, and got up to an open wagon. First I was open-minded, took off my helmet, earplugs, and thought it was fine. I was in between two smaller lorry, but they were just looking at me that with a motorcycle I am on this train. Fine, what could happen. 😀 In the first 3-5 mins it was fine, a light wind was there, but I just had fun. But the train speed up to 100 km/h, so it became very windy and cold. I was afraid to touch my helmet, because if the wind got it, it lost it in the tunnel. Finally I could put ear plugs and helmet on, and finally took a seat. Another 25 mins, a bit cold, dark and massive shocking of the wagon and arrived to Vereinatunnel Klosters, Switzerland. Finally, I remember back as needed to try once, but was enough once in my life with motorbike :’D
[Always on Road – Switzerland – Rain Tunnel]
But the view was beautiful at train station compensated me. 🙂
I drunk some water and got up to the motorway, heading to Lausanne on Road 28.
I stopped at Mols, Switzerland to eat and drink something in the afternoon.
I could only feel that I love Switzerland, it is so beautiful everywhere! 🙂
I stayed here for an hour maximum, because I was so shocked by the view. I had also had some chitchat with other bikers, and leave the area on Road 3.
I knew that there will be some rain around Lake Geneva, therefore I looked WeatherRadar frequently and hoped I will got just a light rain around there. I was just 40 km far from Lausanne, when I saw the first signs of any serios clouds, so I put on my raincoat again while it is 28°C, it was so hot, but leather clothes cannot dry in one night, could not risk to get wet.
Finally it looked nice, so I was happy, and I knew that Lausanne is just 15 km far when I get into a tunnel around Chexbres, but I was not prepared what I saw on the other side of the mountain.
There was no signs of anything on the entering side. It was a huge storm, where you can only see for 3 m far from you, so strong winds and the traffic is almost stopped. I turned on indication lights, and like a windscreen wiper, I bypassed all cars, trucks and unknowns objects. Some of them what I couldn’t identify. 😀
I felt my raincoat is over, the rain is in my jacket, fine, just get through it. Finally I arrived to my destination, get off my bike, but it was not familiar, something was not okay. GPS corrected my original French road-name to another one, and drove me to wrong place. Fine, almost run out of petrol, so just find a petrol station and stopped to find out if go to a hotel next to the petrol station (~€100-150 per night) or try to find real booked accommodation. It was still raining, but not as heavily as before, so I gave another try for it, so corrected to proper address and in 20 mins I get to the house around at 21:30PM.
I took off my stuff, parked under the balcony, and here the host, Mario offered me to use dryer machine for my raincoat. The leather jacket was not so wet, so with a hairdryer in 10 mins I dry it. So finally I was happy, a bit shocked by the experience in the storm, but was okay. 🙂 As I mentioned previously, needed to try once in my life 😀 Just my relatives do not know! :’D
We managed my clothes to dry, and could have a shower at least.
At that point I got shocked:
Raining is over, and by midnight all cloud disappeared. 😐
At night I talked a lot with my hosts, Mario was very kind and helpful, but I was a bit embarrassed by sitting next to a 150 cm cænnæbis plant. 🙂
Note: I had never tried and don’t want to try it ever, because I am addicted to smoking cigarette, no need any other addiction 😀
Finally we watched the final match of FIFA World Cup 2018 from record which was contested by France and Croatia. France won so I was so interested in the next day when I will be at France. 🙂
I went to sleep around midnight and felt much better than 2-3 hours before. 🙂

Day 2 – Stiegl, Austria -Finkenberg, Austria

by Adam Imre Hegedus, posted in Europe Trip 2018

I found Haus Ingeborg a very nice place to have some rest after the first so long day, and I woke up a bit late after the first night. Fortunately there was breakfast included into the accommodation, therefore I could get some delicious rolls and ham before my first day of Bend Hunting. 🙂

I packed everything back to my waterproof bag and into my box, installed them back on my bike which was in safe place for the night. 🙂

I said goodbye and thanked everything to Ingeborg, and started my ride to Innsbruck. I knew that the run planned for second day would not have been planned so long, but I expected much more fun than on the first day. 🙂

I just rode 5 km when I was shocked by the view, immediately stopped and took some picture. 🙂

I got some fuel and started my trip to Grossglockner via beautiful serpentines through.
Fortunately, around the petrol station there was a drugstore, where I could finally buy a Fenistil gel, so my bite could be handled by now. 😀

Map for second day:
And finally I arrived to Grossglockner glaciers 😀
It was a bit windy, but not so cold. I loved, it was so beautiful. Unfortunately I did not get down to visit glacier closer, but next time when I don’t have a plan to get to the next point on time, I am going to do it. 😉
and the serpentines 😀
I bought some souvenirs and a hat. I like it, typical Adam stylish. 🙂
I rode sometimes back and forth on the serpentine, and finally left the toll road, heading to Finkenberg, where I had my accommodation at Franz’s house. When I tried to find the house I got lost, because I didn’t look at my GPS at right time, and didn’t turn right once, therefore it calculated a route with 25 km far to turn back. I felt it was not okay, so I checked my route, and finally corrected my ride, so without extra 40 km, I arrived to my place to have some rest.
I applied Chain Lube again, motorcycle was prepared for another run the other day. 🙂
The house was rather a complex of football field, but it was okay for me, just one night. When I get into the flat there was no-one at home, just a huge dog, who I had to hug to let me in. I am serious, it was written for me as details to get into the flat. 😀 So I did it, and finally he let me in. Unfortunately I arrived early (6PM), so I have a shower and forced myself to sleep as next day it will be a so long run to get to Switzerland. 🙂
Finally I ate my cookies, and got asleep.

Day 1 – Budapest, Hungary – Stiegl, Austria

by Adam Imre Hegedus, posted in Europe Trip 2018

Leaved my home around 10AM, very late, but I felt as I am on holiday I do not really care when I will arrive to the hotel. Everywhere I asked for late check-in (8PM) which was a good idea as I do not need to hurry to anywhere. 🙂

Before I left behind Budapest, I got into Karasna to buy a rainwear for my boots. Just to be safe 😉
Was definitely good idea, needed later 😀

I knew that the area around Budapest is so boring, therefore I just go up to motorway until Győr. It was a really good decision as there was no traffic and I could get there by noon, and continued on M86 until Szombathely. It was not interesting, moreover, so boring, simply I just wanted to get over this part as soon as possible. But it is important to mention, that previously I was so comfortable during riding, so when I felt a bit unfocused or tired, I just simply stopped. Just because of this it was around 2-3 PM when I arrived to the border, which was unacceptable to follow.  As my preferred runs around 500 kms daily, it is not a good approach to stop every 50th kilometers, you have to proceed.

Around Szombathely, Hungary I stopped again, last time in Hungary to get my tank full of fuel, but when I slow down a b*tch bug or spider has bitten me on my shoulder through my leather clothe, my skin burned very much. As well, my Fenistel gel was at home, so I will have to buy somewhere. But this couldn’t keep be back, just reminded me to stuffs left home. 🙂

Just arrived to Austria, saw the first signs of Apls when I realized the reality. When I entered to Austria I liked that the speed limit is different from Hungary. 🙂

Based on my experiences in Croatia, I knew that 100 km/h is more than enough for Bend Hunting on serpentines. So I was so confident. 🙂

However I knew that in Austria the cops are so strict within a residential areas (villages, towns). Unfortunately without any signs a policeman in a private car caught me by overtaking him in 70 km/h area on a road at nowhere, outside of any villages. To be honest I rode faster than the limit, I deserved. 😀

“I just arrived to the first country, did not have the chance yet to exchange money, nothing, probably rode 15 km abroad. Come on! I will be a so short journey though.” – thought I.

But I was so prejudiced. 🙂 The policeman was very calm and so friendly. He asked my papers, but when I would have had to open my box (2 secs) to provide my ID card, too, he said easily just “No need”. Not the best English I had ever met, but just started a short discussion and when I mentioned I am on the way to London, he was just surprised and finally smiled. I got a fine with €33 (paid with HUF as did not have Euro yet), and I continued my journey. I had enough time to think it over. I kept the speed limits, or where there was traffic just assimilated into it. If you are not outstanding, you will not be caught again. I was right. In many cases if you are not the top rider you will ride much further than always get onto the beginning of the traffic. 😀

Road to Villach area:
Soboth:
Lavamünd:
And finally Villach:
I had a hotel at Haus Ingeborg in Stiegl. It was a very nice house, and my impression is that it is like a hotel. 🙂 Definitely will come back later when I will visit the area, it is in beautiful area.
When I arrived I started the general process of preparing my motorcycle for the next day, so Chain Lube was packed out and chain was prolonged. 😉 Meanwhile the host came out and welcomed me, and immediately provided me a safe garage to store my motorcycle for the night. I was so happy to keep it safe, so I was not frustrated during night just because of my bike. 🙂
When I went to my private room, Ingeborg just provided me a motorcycle map for best routes around Villach, so I had some stuff to dig into at night. 🙂
I had a shower, and Ingeborg suggested me a really authentic restaurant 5 mins from the place with beautiful view of the village, and the food was also delicious:

Europe Trip 2018 – Preparation

by Adam Imre Hegedus, posted in Europe Trip 2018

Originally the first time when I was thinking about riding far far away can be dated back to autumn, 2016, but at that time I did not have any experience of long trips, moreover I had only my Aprilia RS125 which is not good to ride more than 300-400 km. At that time I planned a so ambitious trip, just ride around the world in 80 days. 😀

Last spring in 2017, I could buy my brand new motorcycle, a Yamaha MT09 (847 cc, 115 hp, naked) with some touring accessories (comfort seat, box, engine guard, etc.). Then I was able to ride as far as I wish, but I did not have the favor to do it.

This May, I attended to a Curve Hunter trip with #RhinoTours in Croatia, and I was taught how and what is riding is about, and felt that I want to do it all day long. To be honest, I was youngest rider in our team, but as well, I learnt a lot from them. They were so tired in the afternoon while I wanted to ride more and more, but I was so motivated to the other day when we could continue riding on unknown roads (for me) again. We rode 1500 kms in 3 days which was tiring, but I was so happy to go again as soon as possible with them.

After my return, I decided to apply another 2 trips with them, however I had to cancel them just 1 month before the trips because of my private life. I was so devastated, because I felt I cannot ride to the Alps finally. The time was just going, and when my motor-mates just came back from Dolomite, I received restful news, and then I became motivated immediately, on that day I started to plan where to ride in a long weekend. I knew that it is about Alps, but I have never been there, just flew above it, therefore I started to get some advises from my friends, and also looked at #RhinoTours feedback and trip descriptions where they rode last years.

Finally I planned my ride for 3 days as
– Friday: Budapest – Villach (500 km – 8 hours)
– Saturday: Villach – Innsbruck (300 km – 5 hours)
– Sunday: Innsbruck – Budapest (850 km – 12 hours)

As you can see, the third day is so exaggerating, not because of the distance, rather the time in motor seat. On the other day I had to go to work, therefore although it did not seem to be a good or acceptable plan, I kept it, just asked holiday for Friday to 13th July, and that’s all. Nothing else managed yet, hotels should have been booked, but I was not sure in my plan, just parked the whole idea.

I thought several times to my short journey, but I did not review my original plans, just checked the weather every day until Monday, 9th July (4 days before leaving). On Monday I decided to book my hotels, but just realized that perhaps not Booking.com with hotels is my friend as a single room for one night was €100-200 which is so expensive to achieve my dream. Finally my colleague was just kidding me to use Airbnb. But he was right! Although I was not so confident to sleep in a no-name unknown place, in an hour I had already asked pre-approval for three private room which was under €100 all in all. By evening I had confirmed and booked all of them, so it was easy. 😀

But on 11th July, I felt that my original plan is too short, and if I ride to almost to Switzerland, why do I not ride to Switzerland, too. And if I am already there, why do I not visit Stelvio Pass, Italy and Tyrol. Finally I felt that 3 days is not enough, and my original idea was seemed to be so small-minded, and I wanted more. Thoughts just came, and finally my old plan to ride around the world just came into my mind. In addition, I was kidding to my friend once, that I will visit him in Denmark with my motorcycle.

One second to another it just came into my mind, as Ride around Europe!

I was so motivated and confident to do it. As well, I thought if I am near the Netherlands, I should try how good and interesting is to ride on “wrong” side of the road, so just two days before leaving I talked with my manager, and supported me to go to London where I can also meet my colleagues and can discuss some interesting question face to face. It is approved, the corporate hotel was booked and confirmed just one day before leaving, so the only thing to book another two nights on Airbnb for Switzerland and France. Done, in an hour 😀

Anything not hastily, last evening I bought some stuff for my trip and then just went to sleep.
In the morning I realized that I should leave in 1-2 hours, therefore I packed everything to my bag and box, and prepare myself to go on an excursion to Europe. I could not believe that it is that day, but finally I put on my bag, box, … jump on my motorcycle and started to ride, without seeing back 😀