After the cancellation of this years Red Bull ring MotoGP We’ve still decided to do a mini tour of Europe, however we’re on version 6 due to all the COVID-19 restrictions on self quarantine etc So we’ve set off today Hull to Rotterdam and on to Cochem and then see where we end up! Ferry is very quiet with only a few other bikes. I’ve only got my old iPhone but I’ll try and post a few photos of our journey.
Made it to Cochem....38c is foooking warm on the bike! Ferry from Hull only had about 250-300 people on it so was very quiet and no party boat this time! slight delay getting through passport control as the guy in front of us in his 200k Lamborghini Didn’t have all his paper Stopping at Karl Noss hotel with a balcony over looking the river, lovely room but only a spinny fan to keep us cool. we’ve got a couple of nights here so might do a boat trip tomorrow. And then the plan is to head down the B500 and other stop over in Germany before heading into Switzerland (hopefully) Oh and @bradders we've been in the Irish bar tonight but unfortunately they didn’t remember you and the fire extinguisher episode....might be new staff eh Getting used to wearing the face mask now....you have to wear them everywhere
Boat trip is good, down to a medieval village with some lovely scenery and enough time for a wine or two on board. If the weather is nice, take cream...!
We love the Mosel valley area, been there many times two up on two wheels and had lovely holidays there when we were younger , later on went for visits in our Motorhome, will probably end up there again when safe to do so.
With both Netherlands and France now being on the naughty step, looks like you’ll have 14 days extra holiday when you get back!
Yes @bradders woke up to this news this morning, it’s ok for me as I can work from home but Mrs Tyke is a community nurse so that’s a problem and our riding partners also in the same predicament! Had a discussion this afternoon over a bottle or two of the local wine and we’re carrying on to south Germany via Baden Baden and the B500 tomorrow morning. Not much else we can do so off we go. Did the boat trip today also.....anyway shower time and back out in 30 minutes for more Mosel wine
Mosel has some of the very best, fresh white wines around! And if you’re quarantined anyway, you may as well finish the trip
It sure is a good wine area and not too bad price wise, been a tight arsed Yorkshireman that’s a bonus too
Be sure to head for the Black Forest area if you have time, brilliant roads made for bikes, then on to Bavaria , lovely scenery.
Rode down from Cochem to Freiburg through Baden Baden and the full length of the B500, loads of exotic cars and bikes all enjoying this fabulous stretch of highway and no Polis to be seen anywhere. We’re now in Switzerland just under the Eiger and watching a huge thunderstorm and lightning show but no rain!! Early night after spending a small fortune on 4 beers and some Swiz Rosti thing for tee! Thought about doing a train ride up the mountain tomorrow but at 240 Swiz francs PP it’s a very dear do....but your only here once. Multistrada is doing great although had to buy some oil to top up as it had dropped very near the minimum mark after only 750 miles and a recent service.
Back home now, Safe and Sound No quarantine for me and Mrs Tyke as we are both on the Gov.uk exemption list as essential workers I'll update thread later and tell you about the Multi breaking down in Switzerland !!!
So the Multistrada failed to start at the hotel Tuesday morning, it had been raining all night but that shouldn’t matter in my opinion! The dash wouldn’t power up with the switch and keyless ignition. Tried the PIN code button and it powered up but didn’t require the PIN code to be inputted, a prod on the starter button and she fired up, however would only run for a few seconds and then cut out. Disconnected the battery for a few minutes hoping that would reset everything but same situation happened again. We had another couple of nights at this hotel so phoned the Ducati assist in Switzerland and after been passed around to a few different services finally got a response and the local garage man came up to have a look. I knew he wouldn’t be able to do anything but had to go through the process of diagnosis etc 30 minutes of checking the battery etc he said it’s “kaput” and needs to go to Ducati. (You don’t say!!!) Nearest dealer was 1hr 30 minutes away in Bern but couldn’t get there until tomorrow afternoon, so he’ll come back with trailer and take it then. Anyway nothing to be done so out in the town for food and a expensive beer or 2 Collected bike next day and followed him through to the main dealers on back of my travelling companion’s GS The guys at Hess Motorrad Ostermundigen we’re straight on it and after 40 minutes or so a faulty main switch was the problem, took one off a new Multi in the workshop and fitted it to mine and away we go. No charge as it’s under warranty. I suppose we lost a day really, wasn’t planning any riding that day but missed a trip up the mountain on the cable car and a bit of walking.
Yes Andy, it was in the showroom upstairs and it was truly in fabulous condition, looked like a 1 miler rather than the mileage it was showing!
