5 Continents to cross, 29 Countries to navigate and I'm not sure how I got here. Yes I am actually, it was that train journey to Avignon in December 2005.
5 Continents to cross, 29 Countries to navigate and I'm not sure how I got here. Yes I am actually; it was that train journey to Avignon in December 2005.

The screech of the TVRs brakes heralded my arrival in Avignon, December 2005. Donning my rucksack and satchel I followed the straggling line of passengers out of the station into the crisp midnight air, and onto the wide floodlit station steps. Before me was a modern concourse with majestic wrought iron gates and a wide boueivard stretching into the distant darkness. I re-read the brochure, 'The Hotel is a short distance from the Station and directly in front of you.' Forwards then. Fifteen minutes later the street lights were gone and I was standing puzzled next to a 4 meter high chain link fence at the back of a factory lot!! Back to the light, out with the map. Doh! There are TWO Stations at Avignon, one for the TVR and one for local trains. Back to the taxi rank, more fun and games and finally arriving at my Hotel to a sleepy night porter.
Lesson one, when things go wrong, stay cool, enjoy them and earn a pint out of the telling there of.
So what has this got to do with me and Two Wheeled Adventure Travel? Stay with me, all will be revealed.
I enjoyed the quirks of that holiday so much that I thought about taking another train journey in the Spring, The Trans-Siberian Express to Vladivostock sounds romantic, but you have to fly back to Moscow
'Why,' asked my friend Mike, 'don't you ship your bike there and ride back?'
'Don't be daft Mike, only a lunatic would ride that far!!'
2 DVDs later and I am a convert lunatic. Another slide show by seasoned 'Globebusters', Kevin & Julia Saunders, and I feel defeated. The cost, all that shiny new GS paintwork, the insurance, the back-up team, the planning. To console myself I browse the web and find Lois-on-the-Loose :o)
Crikey, half the age that I am, wandering off to who knows where with an old ammo box welded to the back of a well used Yamaha XT225. Lois changed my life at that moment, if she can do it on a shoestring, then so can I. Bonus!!! I find a link to Horizons Unlimited, and boy oh boy, the game is afoot.

Tomorrow : What bike and why