We were booked on the 11am ferry from Dover but set off late at 5.30am, then I missed the turn off for Dover and hit standing traffic on the M25 before the next junction. Erika was not happy when I booted it back down the other carriageway when we eventually managed to turn around (she doesn't like it above 85mph). The result was that we were just too late for our ferry and had to take the next one at 12.15pm.
Bike at Dover.
This put our intended overnight stay in Frankfurt in serious jeapardy. There were no problems travelling through France and into Belgium as we'd planned on using motorways all the way. We contacted Guinness who came out to meet us and took us back to his house to meet his wife Edith and have a brew. After discussion we opted to accept their kind offer of a bed for the night rather than press on and try and find accomodation in Germany. Thankyou both for your very kind hospitality
. Day 1...500 miles.The following morning we were up and off at 8.30 am and heading towards Germany. It didn't take long before we reached the border. Plenty of stops and roadworks meant we weren't making the progress that we'd hoped.
Erika mid afternoon in Germany.
By 9.30pm Erika threw the towel in and we went into Vienna to find somewhere to stay. I wanted to continue on to Eger that night but Erika really had had too much. Day 2...650 miles.
Not happy after 650 miles in a day.
We were up at 7.15am the following morning ready for an early start but the guesthouse didn't accept plastic so I had to set off trying to find a cash machine that worked! We finally headed for the Hungarian border at 10am. Again more contraflow. It didn't seem to take long to get out of Austria.
Together in Hungary.
On through the centre of Budapest and out towards Eger with several more stops. We finally reached Eger at around 3.30pm. The last couple of miles were nerve wracking as the track up to our house on the mountain was just dirt and gravel and it was like riding on marbles. I've never ridden off-road and was terrified of dropping the bike. Day 3...300 miles.
Track to house.
Outside our house looking up hill.
The purpose of our trip was to buyfixtures and fittings for the Sirok house and to visit the hungarian bike week held just outside Sirok.
Outside our house in Sirok.
The first couple of days were spent buying the bits we needed then we pitched a tent at the rally site. Erika was seriously thinking of flying home as she couldn't face riding back accross Europe. We looked into bike prices and found the TDM was worth much more in Hungary than in England so parked it up at the rally with a for sale sign on it. within 3 hours we received a phone call and met a couple of guys who were interested in it. a price was agreed and we arranged to meet them the following Monday to do the deal.
The next couple of days were spent at the rally.
Enjoying the cheap food and drink.
There were some great bands, cheap food and drink and the hillclimb was scarily steep and treacherous after 3 months without rain, few managed it to the top.
Outside the rally.
Hillclimb.
On Saturday afternoon there was a mass ride-out which I unfortunately missed. They usually get about 15,000 bikers at the event but I only saw 1 other TDM (900) and a TRX.
Austrian TRX
The vast majority are Hungarians with the odd Austrian, Pole etc. I did get a message when I got home from an Irish woman who'd travelled over but we never saw her there.
Ride-out on Saturday.
There are some great twisty roads in the area but unfortunately some locals poured oil on some of the bends.
This was spotted and cleaned up.On Monday we met up with the guy wh'od agreed to buy my bike and exchanged the necessary paperwork and money. I'd always planned on selling it but was going to do it in September just before we move out there. I ended up with more than I'd expected in England and he got a bargain in Hungary even after the Ł300-Ł400 it was going to cost to re-register it there. Even so, it was sad to see it go. The buyer is a really nice guy and I've told him I'll take some of my spares over in august when I go back.
Outside a really nice little bar/restaurant in Sirok
Last photo of my TDM
Would I ride across Europe again? Definitely!! It was a tiring but memorable experience. Hopefully next year we'll only be a mile or so from the Hungarian bike week, living in Sirok.
Edited by OF.uk, 01 August 2007 - 10:21 am.
