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Arrival, Packing & Shake-Down Ride

PHOTOS: If you want to see the photo’s full-size, click the photo, it isolates to a new page and click it once again.  Use browser’s “back” to return to blog.
CURRENT LOCATION:  Upper right corner is my Delorme inReach Explorer satellite tracks provided by SPOTwalla.  When activated, it provides a real time track of my travels.  The tab “All-Star Motorcycle Circus & E” opens for more options.  “Adjustments” enables the viewer to select more days of the tracks.

The tracks are archived back to my arrival in Heidelberg, April 16.

Use the zoom slider on the left to open up the map to see our entire route. The two tabs in the upper right “Map/Satellite” switches the map illustration with satellite photos.
April 16, 2015

Location:  Heidelberg, Germany

Lodging: Knopf Motorradresein, Hardstrasse 78, 69124 Heidelberg, Germany

Money Conversion:

Big change!  Last time I was in Europe (2013)
€1 = $1.327 USD or $1 USD = €0.77537

Today:
€1 = $1.07088 USD or $1 USD = €0.93367

Gas/Fuel: €1.73/l or $7.077 USD/gal!
After several years of planning it finally sinks in that I’ve begun my EuroAsia/Silk Road ride.  I’m at the end of an 11+ hour flight from Los Angeles LAX to Frankfort/Main FRA.  My personal entertainment screen is showing the Lufthansa GPS animation of our jet’s final approach Frankfort.
The last week has been a flurry of checking my list against what I think I left in Germany in 2013, what I have in my “take to Germany” box, and packing, unpacking, repacking.
My destination is KnopfTours in Heidelberg.  This is where I have stored my bike here for the last 4 years.  Stefan runs a sweet operation of bike storage, maintenance, and provides international riders with insurance, ADAC vehicle coverage and a nice little B&B.  It’s a magical place where you’ll meet riders departing and arriving from all points Europe, Asia and Africa.

There was a miscommunication of my arrival date with Stefan Knopf at Knopf Tours.  I sent him my flight departure date instead of my arrival date so everyone was expecting me yesterday!   Already I’m off schedule..
My 2004 Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 is waiting in Knopf Motorradresien front parking area.  I do a quick visual and everything looks good.  The service was done by Motorrad Ehringer, Weiherweg 23, 68794 Oberhausen, owner Jens Ehringer.  The bike got a full service of oil, oil filter, charged air filter, rebuilt front shocks and Ohlin rear shocks, new battery, and new Metzler ME88 Bias Ply rear tire.  This tire should last me all the way across through China ~17,700 km (11,000 miles).  A quick test ride and recognize my major problem is fixed.  With the rebuilt shocks, my sluggy, wallowing ride is now tight and ready to go.

The first attempt to pack was a mess!  There was a lot of “Oh, that’s were that was!” and “Now I have two of those!” and “All this will never fit!”

Met another Silk Road rider, Joe Hutt, 2014 BMW 1200GSA.  He was heading to Berlin to meet family.

Both of us packed and repacked until dark.
Friday, April 17, 2015

Woke up with the decision to leave stuff here at KnopfTours.  I make a pile of none essentials and … it’s not that big.  I give up and tie both bags on the back and I ready for a good shake-down ride.
My anonymous riding friend H meets me at Stefan’s.  He lives in Germany and knows it well.  He has recommended Belgium.  I like the idea because I can make my official furthest west start … the English Channel.

Heidelberg to Brussels is 380 miles.  It’s autobahn 95% of the way.  It was a great re-introduction to real efficient motoring.  Left lane is “Hell Bent for Leather” – Get out of my way reinforced with blinking headlight and horn!  90-100+ mph.  Middle Lane is “Where you’re suppose to be except when passing 70-80 mph.  Right Lane is where we spent most of the day at speed limit – 65-70 mph.

H and I arrive in Herent, Belgium at the home of Marc Schumacher.  Marc is a DOD’s teacher and invited us to stay the weekend.  Our riding friend Krzysztof Kapusta rides in from London to join the fun.

The night ends with a beer tasting party.  We sampled MANY beers late into the night.
Saturday, April 18, 2015

Our morning is slow.  We finally pack and head to the English Channel around noon.

This beach is a few miles north of Dunkirk. I'm pointing across the Channel to England. Beautiful day with surf kites out on a very windy day.

My boots in the English Channel.

The English Channel takes 4 hours and we head back Marc’s in Herent for ribs and beer.

Marc, H, Krzysztof and I enjoying the many excellent beers of Belgium.
April 18th, 2015 | Category: 2 Silk Road 2015 Apr-Jul

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