Poland 2006

The ferry was due to leave Hull at 9.00am, so be there for 8.00am:

Set off for the M62 at about 5.15 on my fully laden, fully serviced bike. You always have a bit of trepidation about setting off on a fairly long trip alone, but I was quite excited about the prospect of a long ride.

Hadn't got far down the M62 before the heavens opened and I was soaked before I could get the wet-suit on.

it's funny how I always look the scruffiest bastard amongst all these crotch rocket pilots and German BMW tourists

Anyway, reached the boat, boarded - quite a few bikes on - but it's funny how I always look the scruffiest bastard amongst all these crotch rocket pilots and German BMW tourists. Into the cabin, hot shower, change into scruffy shorts, scruffy T shirt, old sandals and off to the bar. Few pints and a natter, then bed, ready for the early start.

I think my cabin was directly connected to the cylinder head steady bracket of the starboard engine!!!! By the time I got up in the morning, I was able to report to the chief engineer that there was a misfire in number six cylinder and a blowing valve in number two.

Set off with a couple from North Yorks, who were heading for a biker-friendly hotel near Hanover. Just got on the main drag out of Rotterdam when the Heavens opened again. This was the story of the days ride. Left the Yorkshire couple at Bad Oinhousen, where the motorway rapidly changes into the main street of the town. (Wigan Paul knows the place well).

Got to Trachops at about 7.00pm having done about 560 miles and completely knackered!

Few pints and a lot of meeting up with old friends and things were fine.

Oh yeah...in the night it pissed down again and everything in the tent awning got soaked!!!

Sat was HOT so all got dried out. Went on the ride out, about half kilometre of bikes 2 abreast, very impressive. Usual situation, one or two of Trachops ride up to the next junction, close the road and the bikes just ride through. They then ride hell for leather past the whole group and close the road at the next junction. Brilliant.

When I got back I decided to do the back-patch collection. It was a really good way to meet people. You'll notice that some of the pics are a bit shaky. That's because the camera can't hold it's drink. Met some really sound people and hope to keep in touch with some. Check out www.rollingwheels.de

Snige from Trixxxters did his usual trick. I've been boozing all day, he hands me a joint with something he's bought in Amsterdam in it. I take about 3 pulls on it and promptly go to sleep with stars and planets floating round my head!!!!! Thank's Snige. Check out www.trixxxters.co.uk

Through the border, change some Euros into Zlotys, then it's the life or death lottery of the Polish roads

Sunday, 8.00am, good weather, pack up, breakfast, hugs, handshakes, goodbyes and on the road for another 500 miles at least.

Through the border, change some Euros into Zlotys, then it's the life or death lottery of the Polish roads. It seems that if you want to overtake a wagon on a single carriageway, two lane highway, you just pull out with your lights on and it's up to the oncoming traffic to get out of the way. It's like a series of high speed chicken runs on roads with deep ruts in the tarmac, that you have to wrestle the bike out of. Interesting when you're riding at pretty high speed and the road's wet. The wheels slide down the side of the ruts and it's bloody frightening trying to change you're line, to get out of the way of a wagon that's decided to overtake a tractor!! Oh, by the way, Polish roads are constructed from an interesting mixture of tar and diesel oil with very few grippy bits in it. They also have a wide variety of cambers to ensure that the water stays on the carriageway when it rains.

Used the pay road to get as close to Warsaw as I could. The new part had only been opened for a few days, and the locals found it such a novelty that they were waving from the bridges. It's true.

Had to ride through Warsaw to get to my destination. The driving is a bit like Paris, but without the Parisian compassion, and carried out on roads that have had interesting surface contours PLOUGHED into them. Oh yeah, they've recently changed the road numbering system as well, but didn't inform my map!!!! Happily I've been there before so managed to get through without any problems.

I'd phoned my cousin earlier in the day, to tell him I'd be there by 7.00pm I made it by 7.30, found a full table of food and some full bottles. Won't bore you with the family stuff, except when I left Lochow, to go to my next destination, Konstancin, I had to make a D-tour...

As you may know, my Dad died earlier this year, and one reason for the trip was to take some of his ashes to the village where he was born. The farm buildings are gone now, but I know the exact place where they were. I sat around for a long time, raising the suspicions of the locals, having a couple of cigs, just sorting myself out to say my final goodbye to my Dad. Anyway, I sprinkled the ashes, put a few wild flowers with them and rode off. Job done!!!

The rest was family stuff which was all a bit touching, as they all wanted to talk about my Dad. Destination 2 reached, happy families again. Destination 3 reached, happy families again, where I found Naz's new trike.

Oh Yeah, did I tell you that the weather forecast was wrong, yeah pissing down

And before you know it, it's Tuesday and time to set off for home. Weather forecast OK and about 650 miles to do. Great.

Tried to find the end of the new pay road which had only been opened while I was in Poland, but ended up on the old road, never mind only about 100 miles before I pick it up again at Konin. I've been on this road a couple of times before so it's OK.

Oh Yeah, did I tell you that the weather forecast was wrong, yeah pissing down. Learned my lesson though. At the first sign of rain on went the wet-suit. As I was getting on to the pay road, I was followed by a couple on a BMW. Could hardly see a thing for the rain and spray. He came up to overtake, but then dropped back. I met the couple at a rest place about 150 miles on, they were Polish, going to Germany. He told me that as he was about to overtake me, he had noticed my GB sticker and decided to stay behind me, as I probably had much more experience of riding in the rain!!!!! He meant it.

Weather fine again. Back on the chicken run type roads again to the border.

Not much left to tell, except a good nights sleep on a little camp site near Magdabourg found by sheer good luck shortly before it went dark. Up and off by 9.00 and Rotterdam by about 4.00. Went to a little town called Rosenburg about 5 miles from the docks. Dry and relaxed by now after some pretty intensive motorway riding. Fish & chips, ahhh thats better.

On to the boat shortly after 6.00. Shower, change...etc...etc...

Parked my bike at home by about 11.00am.

A good do!!!

Rick