2011 Europe Tour: Spain, Switzerland, Austria and Back to Germany.

We got underway as soon as we got off the ferry. It was about 19:00 as we pulled onto the motorway (Autovia in Spain) and powered up to cruising speed (110kph). We rode for about 2 hours before picking a hotel and getting food and accommodation easily sorted out.

The next day I wanted to find a bike shop (probably and Honda shop) to buy new front and rear sprockets and a new chain. As it was getting that seized up look and as it tuned on the front counter shaft it was making that “I’m a bit tired” sound as it was forced about. I also wanted an engine oil change done too.
We go going by 09:00am and we heading for a GPS location sourced from the Spanish Honda web site. Alias when we arrived the shop had closed up (ceased to trade). So we road about and found two motorbike politiza working at a round-about. And asked then if they could help. We got the local Honda Car shop address and we off to seek more help from them. In the end we had a smaller garage mechanic help me do the oil change. And we were close to getting the drive chain and sprockets sorted, but missed out on the front sprocket.

So off to Valencia as this was the biggest town and in the direction (north) we were traveling in.

Unfortunately in a small town while passing through were had a traffic accident. We were following a car in a 30kph zone. On approaching an intersection the car moved to the right (ie side of the road) and slowed (no brake lights). It seemed to me was stopping of about to turn right. As I started to move around him, he turned left (no indication) across the front of the bike, knocking the front wheel to the left, and the bike and us were spilled to the right on the ground. Yes 1^st time while riding a motorbike I had my bike hit a car.

One bent Honda

The Culprit's car.

This was a bugger!!

The bike windscreen cowling , instruments and front blinkers. All are supported by a steel tube support metal work. This piece was all bent out of shape, making the bike hard to ride. But after all the paper work and police reports was finished. We did have to ride, and so we made our way into Valencia. And located the Honda dealer. Now with more work to get done, not just a simple drive chain and sprockets job to do.

I worked with the Spanish bike mechanic, he was a good worker. But I had to keep him from doing some ‘odd’ things in how to straighten this metal work.

We got the front end basically sorted out, far from perfect but the headlight were pointing forward. And the steering did not get jammed up anymore. A liberal use of cable ties kept all the RHS plastic work fitted. I mentioned to the mechanics that the bike now had a sort of Frankenstein’s Monster look as the cable ties were like stickers about the neck.

So with 2 days work done, we were back on the road heading north to visit RTW (round the world) biker friends in Switzerland. We missed them on our way south and now wanted to drop in i.e. “Saw your light on just thought we’d drop in…” Also we wanted to visit my brother and his wife as they were holidaying in Switzerland at this time too.

Mark, Deb, Guido and the 'Master' Distiller. At our Visit To Fastbin Distillary.

Deb getting into the 'Spirts' (yes she tried them all too)

Deb makes a pocket knife.

With some help...

The finished product.

We spent 4 days with Guido and Esther and really enjoyed our stay with them, we also spent a day with Mark and Natalie and their young family. This was a real special thing to do in Switzerland instead of their home town of Darwin!! And we had a great day chatting and chill’in out with family.

Play time in the park.

Getting colder...

Mark, Nat and kids.

For some time Deb had been asking if we might be able get across to Vienna in Austria to visit her cousin who she had not seen for 25 plus years… I was happy to ride over, but each time we discussed this Deb though about the cooler weather we now have and maybe how we’d been lucky with weather but things could change.

Autumn Colours

Still nice and dry tho...

So a planned formed where we would ride to Munich, leave our bike and riding gear. And fly across to Vienna like ‘normal’ travelers. I also was hoping to buy a second hand cowling support metal work at a shop specializing in the Africa Twin (doesn’t seem to know much about Africa Twins in the end).

We headed over to Munich and managed to avoid paying the ‘Vignette’ tolls which we had found out we should have paid at the Swiss Boarder. But the guard there just waved us through at the check station. So we did not get one, we also did not get one for the 8km tunnel we used in Austria. And we got through… Phew!!

The weather has been getting steadily cool and damper (not rain tho, foggy). As the autumn progresses. And we now need a few more stop each day in road side stops to warm up!!

Getting to the Africa Queens shop we did get a ‘Cowl Support Spar’. But the owner 1^st tryied to sell me an RD04 (older model) spar. But I noticed this was wrong quickly. Next he pointed to a new looking RD07 model in the workshop. And said it was to get a new front. So he had his mechnic pull this support spar off the bike. And off we went. BUT… When I tried to mount this support I found that the RD07A spar which I had been given. Will not work on my RD07 old model. So we’ll have to take this back once we get back from Vienna.

Vienna.

Oh Vienna!

I was so thankful to Stephen for allowing us to fly to Austria. My cousin, Jodi was so excited when she heard the news. We were very lucky to be able to stay with her and her two young boys.

Jodi and Deb, outside the Vienna City Museum.

Flash inside of the Museum, No Photography Allowed!

Deb and Jodi cooked up a super 'aussie' roast lunch for our Sunday there.

Jodi, David and Dylan with Deb in the back ground, walking home from the Ubhan trip to town.

She took us for walks and train rides around Vienna. On Friday evening we went into Vienna, whilst there Jodi checked whether there were any Orchestras playing just by chance. We were very lucky, the Vienna Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra were playing. We had back stall, standing room only tickets. Steve could see over people’s heads but not Jodi or I. We were still very impressed with the music. But then, during intermission some people were leaving and we think this couple had recognized Jodi and gave her two tickets sitting in the ground floor, 14 rows back, seats 7 & 8. She excitably handed them over to us as she ushered us to our seats. To see and hear the Orchestra playing was amazing. You could really feel yourself being a part of the whole excitement.

So we had a wonderful time visiting Vienna, We got our taste of culture in this town. Music, fine Museums, more great public transport, and fun. But all to soon time had come about and we were flying back to Munich to continue our Motorbike touring.

Vienna's famous 'Big Wheel' ride.

At the amusement park, cool night.

Schloss Schonbrunn, great tour. Sorry no photos allowed.

Were now in the Eifel mountain area in a town called Herscheid. Visiting once more our friends Udo and Dagmar. In a few days time we will head North back to Remscheid and ready the bike for storage. As we have about 12 days left of our time in Europe, and what is even more amazing is the weather is still fine and sunny most days. We’re told by many people that we are indeed very lucky to not have rain or snow!! We hope this fine weather holds out for a few more days!

We spotted this 'Technik Museum' was a another great day checking out all the exibits. A small sample below.