This is a shake down activity, Both for driving the bike and trying to write a story.
I will give some background, Tell about plans and describe the outcome.
At least that is what I hope
So here we go....
Now is the question.
Can I be back on the road again for some long distance touring?
Next year I hope for a great adventure on a Suzuki DL 650.
But for now I plan to drive a Kasasaki GTR 1400 to Portugal. Round 4 000 km. And leave it there over winter. To take a plane down for some driving/touring in south Europe during the Swedish winter.
So what about the bike. 2009 GTR1400. With most things in place. Missing only a mounting of the GPS. Bracket and power supply to my Garmin Zumo 595. It has been ordered from SW Motech. And I need some old school maps.
Long time ago, I did some serious touring.
After that it has been a lot of daily riding and weekend trips.
On sportsbikes, choppers, side valves, 2-strokes....
In recent years, an Iron Butt run and even an organized 2 weeks tour of Nepal.
And restauration projects in the garage. But no solo trips during longer periods. Due to family, work, sickness ...
Route, maps and GPS.
Planning is ongoing.
See pictures.
First:
Tentative route. First half is rather set. But what way to take from Switzerland to Algarve is an open question. east coast of Spain? North coast and passing Santiago de Compostela ? Or??
Second:
Normal maps will always be the base. Especially for planning. Maps in different scales are needed,
Third:
GPS is added as a guide during driving. The Garmin Zumo needs to be mounted and get power.
Forth:
I grow up in the Swedish forest. Spending many nights by the lakes. With a sleeping bag besides the fire. Not even a tent. So sleeping outdoors is no issue for me.
On the trips long ago, we had a tent to sleep in. It was natural. The only thing the budget could allow. And it worked oyt well. We got so used to the tent that we handleded it fast and without even talking.
The downside was the 1 cm foam we had to sleep on. Nu cushion at all. Very hard. And the space that the equipment takes on the bike.
Preparation contiues.
I used to have a holder for smartphone. And use the phone for navigation. But now I will use a Garmin Zumo 595. The GPS I already have. But I needed mounting for the bike.
it includes wower supply direct from battery. With fuse. And an extra USB outlet
Most work was to remove and reinstall plastic covers. To get the possibility for doing the wireing.
Picture shows:
Old phone holder.
Wire-work close to the battery
SW motech parts
Garmin part installed
GPS in service.
More preparations.
Tires had some life left. But not enough for a long trip.
So I bought a new set. Michelin Power.
And took the wheels to a workshop for swapping.
Feels good to be on the safe side.
I am getting closer to departure day. I hope to be on the road within a week.
The plan was to leave on Wednesday. But looking at the weather forecast, I should leave already tomorrow. (morning).
Time to hurry up.
Days are getting shorter. Mornings are foggy (and a bit cold). so driving time per day will not be what it is in the middle of Swedish summar.
I decided to leave the laptop at home. And only bring the tablet. I have to see how hard it is to write and upload pictures using that. I will try.
Update Tuesday morning:
Why ?
I do not know myself.
1) Do I want to test myself? If I can live "on the road" alone. For some "longer" time ?
2) Do I want to escape from something ?
3) Do I want to experience something ?
Time to take of. Wet morning here. But it is time. My intention is south of Sweden today. North Germany Thursday. South Germany Friday. And Switzerland on Saturday. Than take ir easy and start the sigth seeing. But nobody knows. I do not take anything for granted.
Written on my tablet.
It became a long ride. Nice roads and views through Sweden. A lot of thinking and memories. I have use that road several times. I remember going home from France long time ago. Memories from my happy days. I have nive pictures of the lake Mälaren. And I also remember our flat tire tha last evening. 🐨
I could help a couple with a car that had some problems.
I did not find the camping I was looking for in Malmö. So I took Öresundsbron to Denmark. Wonderful experience. In the old days we used ferries Helsingborg-Helsingör and Rödby-Potgarden.
After a late start due to the weather last evening and part of the nigth I soon passed over Stora Bält on the huge bridge. Nice. On autobahn, I did not cover the distace I expected. Road construction and queues in the traffic. Can,t change so just to accept. But boring to ride 20-40 km per hour on autobahn.
I woke up early and checked weather forecast. Rain on the way. So I prepared my coffee and packed before the rain.
The driving started easy but slow. 60 and 80 km/h speed limit. But little traffic. Nice riding. I was thinking about the trip 1980. We did 800 km from Lubeck to Strasbourg in one day. With heavy rain in the late part. Why did I push so hard? That was the only nigth during that 3 weeks trip that we did not use the tent. We needed a hostel to get dry. We were all wet.
I was thinking all evening before if I should stay with my plan to go via Geneva, or go west from Mulhouse. Schwitzerland is very beautiful. But I took that road 39 years ago. Ans I decided to leave those memories as they are. And went west. Nice roads. Boring landscape. Took my out in nowhere when searching for camping. I was alone in the camping. Shower and toilet. But no cafe and no mini store to even buy water.
This day started with a light breakfast. Only boiled coffee, home made. Best coffee that exists. Easy driving on twisty roads. Nice views. Headed for the Atlantic coast. Later major roads. I passed Bordeaux, famous for wines. I saw the fields. That is enough for me. No degustasion for a sober alcoholic like me. I arrived in good time to tha Atlatic. And camped by the sand dynes at the coast. Some campers, but season is over.
Today was a recovery day. I took care of myself and my things. I washed and shaved. I washed my cloth. Charged my phone, tablet and power unit. It is much warmer now than at start. So the extra interior of my riding gear is removed. And gloves replaced with thinner ones. I took a short loop with the bike, and filled up fuel. And watched the views of the sea.
Also resting to recharge myself. I read the book "Chasing Che". Very interesting about his large travel.
I took some time to study the map and load routes to the GPS. So next days are better prepared than before.
To Santander in Spain.
First thing I see in the morning is my smashed chair. A car has hitted it while using my camp space for turning around. Thank Good that it was only the chair, and not the tent, bike or other equipment.
Early morning. Full mone in the sky.....
The trip started on smalll roads in heavy frog. I did not use highway in France. But the alternative was small towns, traffic lights, speed bumbs ans traffic. Not good at all.
At Santander Spain. No driving.
It was forcast for heavy rain before lunch. I took an early breakfast and stayed in the tent. I decided to do not drive today. The rain was only light. But still good to be in shelter. And good to rest after along day driving yesterday. I used time to look around and take some photos.
I also took a swim in the Atlantic ocean. Some local men were there. No tourist, except me. A swedish polar bear that enjoyed the water.
To Santiago de Compostela
I woke up early. Coffee under the moon and stars. Creates very special memories.
Later, when packing, the guy in the tent next to be were also packing. He was on bicycle. He came with ferry from England the day before. Firts night of his trip. He was headed for Rome. On bicycly. Impressing.
Day in Santiago de Compostela
Wet and cold morning. Very foggy.
The fog soon cleared. It was cloudy and a nice day to walk around. I walked in the center of town for 3-4 hours.
The Cathedral of course. It is a major restauration ongoing. So there is now activities in the church. And not that much to see inside. I would have like to be in the church during a ceremony. I could enjoy the impressive outside. The plaza outside was filled with happy people. A lot of them pilgrims, finishing their camino.
In the camping there are almost only huge caravans. But there was one more tent. And a man with a bicycle. It was a tired but happy man. He had finished his pilgrim trip the day before. A journey on bicycle from Holland to Santiago de Compostela. A trip that he started Aug 15th. Long trip with a lot of hills. Impressive.