Fri-May 4, 2012
Local Harley-Davidson dealer, Bertl Paukner, Bertl’s Harley-Davidson, Bamberg invited us to dinner. He is one of the finest HD dealer in Europe. His other guest was Manfred K. Krueger, a German who has resided in the US and South Africa. Manfred is planning a ride around lower Africa. Since we are heading to St Petersburg, Russia, the arctic circle and Nordkapp (North Cape in English), Norway next week, our interest in Africa was peaked! Who knows whats next.
Weekend Sat/Sun -May 5/6, 2012 — IBA Germany’s Ride-To-Eat
Several months ago, we learned that Iron Butt veteran Gerhard M. Krüger and friends were organizing a “IBA Germany – R2E in Koblenz”. The meeting point is “Das Deutsche Eck” in Koblenz, where Mosel and Rhine get together. A group photo will be made at the “Kaiser Wilhelm Monument” after which we ride several kilos to a beer garden.
Koblenz is approx 350 km (215 miles) due east of Bamburg via auto autostrata through Wurzburg to Frankfurt and rode rural roads along the Rhein River into Koblenz. We left Bamberg at 10AM and rode in light rain arrived at the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument at 2:30 PM.
This is "Das Deutsche Eck". It's the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument.
An estimate 35 long distance riders showed up in the pouring rain!
Organizers Gerhardt and Frank welcome everyone.
By photo time, ~35 riders stood on the steps for the R2E photo. Rider Norbert Wienck, earned the title “Germany’s IBA Toughest Rider 2011″ and presented with a plaque.
Dinner was at Maximilian Brauwiesen in Lahnstein ~6 km away. Rain moved the event into the main dining lodge.
Since our hotel was 4 km away and it was raining, we did the adult thing and did not participate in the wonderful German beer. I can’t believe I’m saying this!
We left the Maximilian Brauwiesen early knowing that most of the riders were staying at the same ibis Hotel in Koblenz. Once checked-in it was beer time!
This was a fun evening common to all extreme moto riding gatherings with tall tales of rally’s, RTE’s and amazing rides all discussed in several languages. A particular intriguing ride was from Nordkapp, Norway to the Rock of Gibralter in 3 days!
Sunday morning we left Koblenz riding on the opposite side of the Rhein. The Rhein River is a major commerical route for large barges and trains carrying anything! We saw containers (some with motos), lumber, vehicles, RVs, tankers and all forms of process equipment. The neat thing about riding along the Rhein River is there seems to be a castle on the ridge around every bend.
The difference today … rain was now a steady thumpity-thump on the helmet and during the 215 mile ride back to Bamberg on the autostrata I got water in my boots. Ahhhh rats … wet feet!
It was a great weekend with the German IBA group. Gerhardt and Frank had a great turnout and perhaps a couple of these excellent riders might show up for 2015 IBR.
It hailed hard for 10 minutes! It was piled up 1" deep. Notice the river of hailstones sweeping down the road.
We arrived in Bamberg around 1PM unpacked and reorganized all out wet gear. Around 2PM the skies darkened and suddenly, it began to hail!
Mon-May 7, 2012
Having a home base is wonderful. Spent the day catching up on the BLOG, drying out all the outer gear and boots and discussing where to go next.
Plan A was to ride down to the Garrish-Partenkirchen area, camp and spend 4 days riding the Alps between Germany and Austria BUT the long term weather had 50-80% rain all 4 days.
Plan B was to ride to northwest to Normandy, France BUT the weather report was similar. Rain in the 30-50% for the next 4 days.
With as much rain as we’ve seen lately, Plan C won out and we’ll ride local day rides to castles, historic sites, etc. and take our time prepping for our Nordkapp ride. Nordkapp is considered the “end-of-the-road” north in Europe!
Sunday, May 20th is our start to Nordkapp, Norway. Our planned route is Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, St. Petersburg Russia, Finland, Norway. Our return is south through Norway, Sweden, Denmark or ferry to Germany.
This 2"x2" patch was given to all who showed up in the rain.
Norbert Wienck, "Germany's IBA Toughest Rider 2011"
IBR Finishers - Homer Krout-US, Dean Tanji-US, Gerhard Memmen-Kruger-Germany, & Philip Weston-England
Dean,
Tremendous adventure…Amazing…Your sense of adventure is inspiring. Thanks for including us on the journey – this is one of the coolest yet -and I love the fact you are meeting other Iron Butter’s in far away lands, etc. Keep on truckin’ brother!!!!
It’s good to be riding along with you again, Dean. I noticed that you’ll be 60 or so miles more north than Prudhoe Bay once you get to Nordkapp. Another milestone….Is that last bit of road dirt?
Pete
Big Steve and I discussed it today, we officially HATE you!! Damn we are jealous bastards aint we! Thanks for the great pics and sharing this latest round of craziness.
Hmmm. Last time I was going down the Rhine, i took a lot of pictures of the castles, only to find I had no film in my camera. Argh!!! That was many moons ago.
Dean, If you are going through Tonsburg, Norway, I can put you in touch with a local ham, LA9ZF. He is known as Anken, not his correct Norwegian name. He speaks pretty good English, and he is a great guy, and a retired Fireman. I am sure he would love to meet you, because you are a great guy too.
Be careful out there, and sorry you are having so much rain. Watch those turns, and remember, the RUBBER side goes down.
Dean, It sounds like you are having fun but the All-Star Circus just not seem the same without Lisa along. Ride safe and have a great time. Last time I was in Germany I put on way too much weight drinking that grew German beer.