Wednesday 19 February 2014

Moto ADV Holland/Germany/Luxembourg. Day 1.


Due to time constraints the SPAIN ADV has been postponed UFN. Instead we went by P & O to Europoort near Rotterdam. Our first destination was Maastricht. Here is the approximate route that we took....

Below is a rough guide to Day 1 (after getting to Holland of course):



View Europoort - Maastricht in a larger map


We parked the motos carefully on the car deck of the Pride of Rotterdam......



..... then, after a refreshing hot shower or three, repaired to the bar for a beer.



From L to R some of the usual suspects: Dr JK, Mr MF, Dr AM, Mr JM.

JM was responsible for the navigation. He made a complete b0££!k$ of it. Nevermind - it all worked out in the end and it made for some interesting roads and ferry crossings. Here is the first, of quite a few, ferry crossing of a canal:



The back roads of Holland are delightful and riding along the narrow roads on the dykes was an interesting experience. I made a mental note to return sometime and do some cycling in the Dutch countryside.



We had to stop frequently to check the map. As I said, the navigation was less than perfect.



Anyone know where we are? "Yep just by the Anker Brasserie."




We stopped for some fuel here. Cash only. Fair enough. It's a thumbs up from AM.




By mid-afternoon we pulled in here ......



...... because it looked attractive.





Early March sunshine. Middle of Holland.







We ordered some coffee and some cholesterol-free cakes.

Soon we set off again heading generally south for Maastricht.

By sunset we had checked in at the Novotel in Maastricht. They gave us quite a good deal.




Maastricht is a lovely city.

We discovered a good restaurant.


Maastricht is a place that I would like to visit again. 


Saturday 15 February 2014

ADV Spain 2014


View Santander-Seville-Valencia-Bilbao in a larger map Use Arrows and +/- or drag to optimise the map view.

This is a possible alternative moto adventure for the Derbyshire/Staffordshire/Yorkshire MotoMates 2014.

At time of writing 19 March 2014 this ride postponed until more time available.

Friday 7 February 2014

ADV South Africa 2014


View ADVenture South Africa 2014 in a larger map - Drag or use arrows and +/- to optimise map.

Proposed route for a pencilled-in moto 'adventure' to South Africa by the Derbyshire/Yorkshire/Staffordshire MotoMates in the spring - September 2014:


Boksburg-Vryburg-Kathu-Upington-Grunau-Springbok-Calvinia-Carnarvon-Kimberley-Bloemfontein-Clarens-Ladysmith-Barberton-Boksburg.
Total: 4,000km (2,485miles)/60h
10 days riding. About 400km/6h per day.
Route/itinerary flexible.
Accommodation TBA.

Alternative Route:




View ADV South Africa 2014. Barberton, Phalaborwa, Thabazimbi, Gaborone, Rustenburg, Boksburg. in a larger map

This alternative route is about 2,000km (1,242miles) and about 20 hours riding:
Boksburg-Barberton-Nelspruit-Phalaborwa-Tzaneen-Thabazimbi-Gaborone-Rustenburg-Boksburg.

Here are a few photos to help you make up your mind: