Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

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SkooterG
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Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by SkooterG »

Back in 2019 my SO and I did my dream vacation: An epic trip to Europe!

2 months, 8,000 miles, 13 countries. It didn't suck!


I have been meaning to do a ride report for 1.5 years now. But how the Hell do you do a trip report on a 2 month long, 8,000 mile vacation? It became too big an albatross that just never got done. So the heck with it. I am just going to post what I can, when I have the time. This ride report will be heavy on photos and light on commentary. Just so I can get something done. I took thousands of photos. I am having difficulty whittling them down so my apologies if they start to get boring.

Prelude:
Back in 2008 my family did a vacation to Florence, Italy. I was there for 3 weeks. Well, one day I took the train to Milan where old FJRForum member teerex, or Stef, met me. He gave the local's tour of Milan, bought me lunch, cooked me dinner, and provided me a bed to sleep in. Then, that bastard had the outright audacity to have an extra moto for me to ride! Can you believe the gall of that SOB! Well, we spent the next day riding into the Swiss Alps. It was one of the best days of my life. It also planted a seed. Someday, I absolutely had to get back to Europe and spend some more time riding and exploring. A couple false starts went nowhere, but finally in 2019 with my SO Kelley's prodding, we made it happen.

So during June and July of 2019 we went BIG and spent a little over two months riding across Europe. Needless to say, it was epic!

Our story starts and ends in Heidelberg, Germany. This is the location of Stefan Knopf - http://www.knopftours.com/Web-Site/Hello.html. We used him for all logistics and support including shipping one of my FJR's to Germany, all the paperwork like moto insurance and health insurance, and stayed at his Moto BnB at the start and end of our trip. He also provided transportation to/from the Frankfurt airport about 45 minutes away. I HIGHLY recommend him if planning a riding trip to Europe. I can't say enough good things about him and couldn't be happier with the service and assistance he provided.

Our first day while recovering from jet lag we toured Heidelberg Castle since we were right there. We saw a lot of castles on our trip. This one was one of the best.

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No smoking in the gun powder/muntions turret!!!

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Not only is Heidelberg Castle home to a really big barrel of wine.....

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But it is home to the world's biggest barrel of wine. Mmmmm...... wine.

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That evening, Stefan Knopf had his annual shindig with live music and food that any and all are invited to attend. We lucked out! He also celebrated his wedding anniversary and gifted his wife a Mini Cooper. A REAL Mini Cooper. Of 1950s vintage I believe. Does that little car make me look fat?


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Day 2 we took a nice day ride. The route followed the scenic Neckar river. It was a nice way to ease into riding on roads with signs you don't understand. Plus, there was a specific destination I wanted to check out. Now during last summer's Red Lodge Rendezvous I found out from Cav47 that my name is somewhat of a mystery to many other than my moniker of SkooterG. That surprised me, but being an international assassin and man of intrigue that was ok with me. Well, I'll let the cat out of the bag. Hi, my name is Greg Marbach and I am a motorcycleholic. So perhaps those of you out there that are astute can figure out why I wanted to head to this destination:



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It was a quaint little town along the Neckar river. Since they named their town after me I expected some pomp and circumstance upon my arrival, but alas, there was absolutely *none* to be found. After shedding a few tears, we commenced exploring.....



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Apparently, my lineage is that of fine beer swillers. I'm ok with that. ;)


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Interesting construction techniques back in the days of old.


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Finally on day 3 we set out on our 2 month adventure. Moments before departure from Stefan Knopf's Moto heaven.


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We got a late start. A theme that would follow us for the rest of trip. After a short blast on the Autobahn (Only hit 120 mph or so for a short stretch as it was relatively busy), our route took us through the Black Forest. Very scenic. Not a lot of photos so you will have to trust me on that.


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After exiting the Black Forest in the southwest of Germany, our route had us briefly cross into Basel, Switzerland before entering France. Three countries in about 30 minutes! Our throw of the darts for the evening's lodging came up with the small town of Ferrette, France. One hotel in the tiny town in the French countryside and they had a room! And an outstanding restaurant. Kelley is a picky eater and they had no menu in English. So it took her a while to Google translate everything. It was well worth it! It ended up being a wonderful first day of our adventure.


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The next day we again crossed briefly into Switzerland before re-entering France and following the French-Swiss border southwest towards Grenoble, France. Here's a photo from early in our travel. It was to be the start of great things!


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I was told to avoid Paris by many folk due to the politeness of the inhabitants, but I can tell you riding through countryside in the south of France was a wonderful experience.


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Gotta love a guy who loves classic cars. Even if it is a butt ugly one. Kind of reminds me of Mrs. Redfish - Loves a guy who is a classic, even if he is a butt ugly one......


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NO! I know what it looks like. But she is NOT pooping in flower field in the countryside in the south of France. It just looks that way. Maybe becasue I told her to crouch down in the flowers for the photo. He he he.


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My GPS routed me down this road. It's a LOT steeper than it looks. Being fully loaded I and 2-up, I was a bit nervous. But all went well. At least as far as you know. ;)


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There weren't too many bad things about this whole adventure. Euro prices of petrol was one of the few exceptions. That translates to 5.75 gallons for a total of just over $44 - or just over $8 per gallon! But the smiles to dollar conversion still was a favorable one.


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My GPS routed me off the route I had planned. Or, I missed a turn. But that was a good thing as the new route took us right by this cool old castle ruins in the middle of nowhere.


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I've killed enough time for today. Until the next time.......
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Re: Europe 2019

Post by Pterodactyl »

Great start Skooter. Heidelberg is a great town. We lived there for a few years and loved it. In the summer months they would have the burning of Schloss Heidelberg. The burning was done with lighting and was a great excuse to sit on the banks of the Necker and drink wine.
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by Tyler »

Subscribed... did a bit of riding in Europe in 2008 and would love to go back one of these days. ;)
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by Cav47 »

Just awesome Skooter. I doubt I will ever get across the pond, but this report is very intriguing for sure.
I often have found myself when I was not looking, nor did that discovery take place where I thought it would!

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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by wheatonFJR »

Awesome start you fuker. Really awesome!
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by danh600 »

Great pictures. Not sure if or when we will get over there. We still have lots to see in the USA and Canada. We might run out of time and money before we get to Europe.

Skooter you married WAY up!
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by bigjohnsd »

Good start Skooter
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by Uncle Hud »

Damn. Big time adventure. Photos are stunning.
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by fontanaman »

This is awesome. Thanks for posting. Given how 2020 went going in 2019 was excellent timing. It just goes to show do what you can do today cause the future is never a given.
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by Road Runner »

Awesome!!
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by Bust »

SkooterG wrote: Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:26 pm That surprised me, but being an international assassin and man of intrigue that was ok with me.
Great report Greg!

For those who weren't aware Boogers secret identity I give you this.

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Yes, he is dead sexy!
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by Bust »

Double post deleted :oops:
Last edited by Bust on Wed Mar 10, 2021 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by wheatonFJR »

Bust wrote: Wed Mar 10, 2021 2:39 pm
SkooterG wrote: Tue Mar 02, 2021 10:26 pm That surprised me, but being an international assassin and man of intrigue that was ok with me.
Great report Greg!

For those who weren't aware Boogers secret identity I give you this.

Image

Yes, he is dead sexy!
Which one is he?
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by fontanaman »

More please Greg because the photos of Boogers is disturbing.
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by escapefjrtist »

...so what's the hold up Skooter? Next installment? Get with it, sitting on pins and needles here! ;-)

~G
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by fontanaman »

escapefjrtist wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:31 pm ...so what's the hold up Skooter? Next installment? Get with it, sitting on pins and needles here! ;-)

~G
Well if ~G is sitting on pins and needles it is likely he has bled out by now. :D
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by wheatonFJR »

fontanaman wrote: Wed May 12, 2021 12:28 pm
escapefjrtist wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:31 pm ...so what's the hold up Skooter? Next installment? Get with it, sitting on pins and needles here! ;-)

~G
Well if ~G is sitting on pins and needles it is likely he has bled out by now. :D
Yeah, and Skooter doesn't care about G either. I'm guessing that this is the part of the trip that really sucked, so he doesn't want to relive it. Or his coffee induced RR inspiration left him and he got distracted by the men on Muscle Beach.
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by escapefjrtist »

...and after all this ^^^^ still no update! :stickpoke:

~G
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Re: Europe 2019: 2 Months, 8,000 miles, 13 Counties - It Didn't Suck!!!

Post by Niehart »

What ~G said ....
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