Countdown


02 APRIL 2002 - THANK YOU
We would like to thank everybody in the Czech Republic who has helped us, for your support and Kindness. Monika has only been home 3 times in seven years, and I'm sure nobody would begrudge her a little attention before she says goodbye again for yet another three years.

02 APRIL 2002 - WE MAKE THE NATIONAL PAPERS	Another nice bit of coverage for our sponsors, its great to give something back after so many have supported us before we have even ridden a mile. Thank you

30 APRIL 2002 - SO CLOSE WE CAN TOUCH IT

29 APRIL 02 - ROUTE TO MOSCOW

Route to Moscow, 8.500 Miles expected, arrival date 02 July 2002, expected fuel cost £2500. Many thanks to Oscar from the Norwegian GS club for proving us a great route across Norway. We expect to enter Russia 03 - 05 June 2002 from Kirkenes which is only 4 hours ride to Murmansk before we head south towards the Baltic's and Ukraine via St Petersburg. We intend changing the oil in Murmansk (6000 miles) and we will have a major service when we arrive in Moscow before we continue east into Kazakhstan.


Route to Moscow	Russian BMW Dealerships

28 APRIL 02 - 8 DAYS IN A WEEK

Because of the limited Parking available in Brno, we decided to do without Sir Alex, and spent the whole weekend sightseeing, two up on Monika's 650 GS. An experience I will not forget in a hurry, as Monika is a confirmed " Backseat Rider ", the rear of my helmet, where I was physically assaulted, now display's the scars. She claims I am an aggressive rider, and both her and the bike don't like it! Apparently, the bike is not designed to exceed 3500 revs which is less than half the given rev range, I am to heavy for the suspension, I brake to hard, and I use the clutch to much, and so the battle lines have been drawn. The ride from the city centre should take 10 minutes, but I managed it in twenty fearful of further assaults. I parked the bike happy in the knowledge I hadn't exceeded 10 Mph and that the gear changes had been restricted to the essential, start and stop !. "Right she said" as she dismantled the bike in a huff, "I am never to use her bike again, as she (her bike) does not like me", and as the finger wagging continued, she went on to say there is to be a new day in the week called "Monika's Day" and this day is when we do exactly what she wants to do, and when she wants to do it, incidentally, "Monika's day can happen during any day of the week. So with my tail between my legs and my macho image completely in tatters, I set about cleaning the scuff marks from the rear of my helmet. Moral of the story - Be warned that ladies get VERY attached to their bikes, I have the bruises to prove it.

26 APRIL 02 - THANK YOU HALFORDS, RICHARD JOCKOBEK AND ARCHOS

We would like to thank Paul Dean at HALFORDS for entering into the spirit of things, by supplying us our Miscellaneous motoring equipment and tools. Thanks yet again guys for your support. Many thanks to Richard JOCKOBEK for taking care of the Eurotunel tickets for our departure from the UK to France. Cant wait to see you and the Gang at either Dublin or the BMF show. Thanks Tom at ARCHOS for coming to our rescue as I had accidentally broke my ARCHOS MP3 / JUKEBOX player and strictly speaking we are supposed to return to place of purchase but as that is some 1200 miles away they have pulled out the stops to get us a working one in time for departure.

SHARING THE DREAM We were hosted by the Management team of Partnerlux last night, which included a meal and a few beers in a local restaurant, and during the conversation the owner said to us, you do know that via your trip you are Living the dream for all of us. He went on to say that it wasn't that long ago that the Czech republic was a country restricted by the grip of communism, where it was almost impossible to leave the country, not even for a holiday. He went on to say, He had one request for Monika and I and that was we must not take our journey for granted, because only 20 years ago a whole country dreamt about the sort of freedom we are about to experience, and we had think of him and his friends as we travel the world because we are living the dream for all of them. STORMING NORMAN Last night received a phone call from Storming Norman (Norman George) to say he was coming all the way from Australia to see us off from Dublin and the BMF. I can tell you Norman that brought a tear to my eye. GSCLUBUK - FLYING THE FLAG Dublin and the BMF is going to be a very special and emotional weekend for both of us. We have made lots of new friends via the GS club, for me the greatest club in the world, and we also know there has been a lot of work done to make both weekends a success. We are certainly going to miss having a laugh the socials and the GS banter during the GS events. We have our T shirts and a banner, so rest assured we will be spreading the word as we travel the world. LIVE THE DREAM AND ENCOMPASS THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE VISA - CHINA AND USA Because you are restricted on when you can actually apply for a visa, i.e not to far in advance. We shall be taking advantage of having two passports, by departing with passport one with our Visas for Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and will have Passport two flown out to us via UPS to Ikrustsk, Russia with our visa's for Mongolia, China and USA.

25 APRIL 2002 - FINDING OUR FEET

Its funny these past few months, how we have both developed a riding pattern. Its small things like Monika always ride on the inside and I always on the outside. I feel by driving on the outside that i am protecting her and remaining much more visible to the on coming traffic than Monika is on her bike. We now know that I must approach a turning or junction first, as Monika is much more safety conscious than I, which on numerous occasions has almost resulted in us colliding with each other. Because Monika when approaching a Junction is in the habit of Stopping and Looking Left, right, left, right and again left, right, left, right before moving on, where I would just have a quick glance, and accelerate into the flowing traffic allowing Monika in her own time to slowly catch me up. Another habit she has, and I do love for it, is her telling me via our Autocom Bike to Bike Communications system, when we should turn left or right, but what she has yet to realise is that I can see the same 30 feet x 30 feet direction sign as her, and that my eyes are in perfect condition.

24 APRIL 2002 - PREDICTED COST OF FUEL
I estimate, and please note, I am neither a mechanic or a mathematician, that it will cost Monika and I, 20 pence per mile in fuel, to propel a BMW 650GS and a R1150GS one mile on tarmac at UK rates. I therefore estimate our fuel expenditure alone, for three year trip will be in the region of 12 - 14 thousand pounds.

24 APRIL 2002 - PLEASED FOR MONIKA - PLEASED FOR OUR SPONSORS
A chance meeting in a local restaurant with Monika's old swimming coach, who now as it turns out, is the deputy Mayor of Brno, and a meeting with Monika's Farthers girlfriends son, who works for Radio Kiss Hardy, a national Czech Radio station, has given Monika and our trip some unexpected publicity. "Local Girl Does Good Stuff" ! From a brief chat a few days previous with the deputy Mayor and the radio presenter about our dream and challenges, turned into a full blown press conference in one of Brno's Top Hotels. Many thanks to Partnerlux.cz and Radio Kiss Hardy, for sponsoring the Press Conference, meal and Pivo. Monika had know idea what to expect, all we new is that we had to be at the hotel for 10 AM, so we arrived one hour early so Monika could calm her nerves, and gather her thoughts. I did notice Monika was taking rather large Gulps from a Sprite soft drinks bottle, I asked would she like anything stronger she replied "No thanks" and so the conference began. For 40 minutes Monika spoke about the trip, our route and the dream interrupted only by yet another swig from the Sprite Bottle, yet again, I asked would you not like something stronger conscious of how shy she NORMALLY is, but yet again she declined. On completion of the talk about her trip the journalists and there were many, took photographs and interviews, and during all of this Monika said to me, "Simon I do feel sloshed" !! How come I replied, as you have only been drinking "Sprite!" Not true, she replied, my sprite bottle was laced with Fertner, a local Spirit and I have been drinking it since 8 AM,I was so nervous!! Well the girl did good, and the interviews and pictures where only interrupted by a beaming light,Czech TV had arrived. So out side we went to do the TV and Press shoots. On completion the Hotel received a call to say Monika had been given permission to leave from Brno city centre, next stop Dublin. Thank you deputy Mayor and thank you to Radio Kiss Hardy and Martin at www.partnerlux.cz

22 APRIL 2002 - GS FRAME

Finally had the sub frame strengthened which is a must if you intend venturing further than comfort zone of mainland Europe. More often or not with the bike fully laden it is possible you will exceed the maximum allowed carrying weight, so it is best to play safe.

THANK YOU

Many thanks to Dave and Val for all your help prior to our departure from Plymouth, greatly appreciated even if it did include a few more drinks than we planned for, which took me and Monika three days to recover from. Many thanks to Chris Emerson for supplying 3 x Walky talkies. This will provide yet another safety feature for the trip and with a range of 2 miles and only the size of only a matchbox a essential addition to our safety manifest. Thank you to Simon Thomas for the Global T Shirt, really appreciated. but did your research have to include a mammoth drinking session?

TERRA - NOVA

Many thanks to the team at TERRA-NOVA ADVENTURE EQUIPMENT COMPANY from DERBYSHIRE. Our sleeping bags arrived yesterday from the UK and they are brilliant. I remember Sam Manicum and Tiffany Coates advising us to take one luxury item only and for us, it has to be our new 4 SEASON "DOWN" SLEEPING BAGS. A little heavier than we should take, but as we will be using it continuously for the next two to three years, why not indulge.

19 APRIL 2002 - NEARLY DONE BIKE & VISA'S
DC / AC converter now fitted in Top box, and wired into loom. Pictures below include Modification which will allow the bike to Jumped without removing the tank. (Design Lee Bastin) We now have visas for Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and now only waiting for Ukraine, China and USA. Are we excited ? Of course we bloody are !!!


Lee Bastin Connection Socket	Ready for use - Jump start the bike without removal of tank

Adjusting Spark plug gap	Mechanic

Partnerlux	Martin - Partnerlux

16 APRIL 02 - OLD FRIENDS

It has been great for Monika returning to the CZ enabling her to catch up on old school friends, not so good for me and my diet, as the beer is only 14 pence per pint and a good steak meal will set you back £1.30. You will struggle to spend £5.00 per day in Brno, CZ. If only it was the same in the UK!

Fantastic country, fantastic people, so if you fancy something different point you bikes south and head for the Czech Republic.

DITA, EVA, SAM, MONIKA

DITA , MONIKA

16 APRIL 2002 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHARLIE - STITCHED !!
THINKING OF YOU ALL IN THE PLYMSTOCK INN
Happy Birthday M8, you silly old bugger beat me to the Big 40 by only one week, and to think your next big birthday will be when your fifty and I will still be in my 40's. Never mind Charlie I always had less wrinkles than you. One thing is for sure I am certainly going to miss having a laugh with the lads and lasses from the Plymstock Inn. My Saturday afternoons and football nights will never be the same with out the usual banter of the regulars of the Plymstock inn. I am really going to miss take the "p" out of the Leicester, Chelsea, LEEDS (Only judge me on the trophies that I win) Man City, Liverpool, ARSENAL (What treble !!) Pompy, Crystal Palace (Don't make me laugh), Tottennhamm, and how could we forget the outgoing charismatic landlord Steve, how me and Monika are going to miss his warm, friendly outgoing persona. Keep texing me the scores lads, and I will see you all in Glasgow for the European cup Final :)

15 APRIL 2002 - CHANGE OF PLAN

Having now received our Russian Multi Entry visa, we have decided to take advantage of the ease of entry into the Ukraine, so we have applied for a transit Visa which will allow us to depart Belarus and ride south to visit Kiev and then ride North East in Russia and onward to Moscow. Yesterday and today and possibly tomorrow we will be completing the visa application forms for the USA. If you are a British citizen you can obtain a 90 day entry permit with out any problems assuming that is, you don't have any convictions for drugs or have a serious criminal past. As we intend staying the USA for at least 6 months, then a formal visa application is required and I have to say the USA wins the Most Complicated and elongated Visa Application award. I am not sure when the forms were last reviewed but I assume understandably, the US VISA section will be more stringent post September 11, so if you intend visiting the States and want to stay longer than 90 days then start on you USA Visa application at least 3 months before which should give you just enough time to complete it !

13 APRIL 02 - CAMPING TERRA NOVA STYLE - CZECH REPUBLIC

It was about time we had a test run with the bike fully laden, so we took advantage of the nice weekend weather and headed off into the wilds of the Czech republic. It was the first time we had tested our new tent sponsored by terranova. Well not strictly true, as the first time we put the tent up we decided to leave it up over night only to be woken in the early hours by the gusting wind pounding the windows. A quick glance out of the window confirmed our worse fears as the wind had lifted and shifted our tent some 100 meters down the road. So with the sun shinning and a mild breeze in the air we erected the tent confident in the knowledge we would not be chasing after it some hours later. It was such a beautiful pitch, very quiet and private, so private in fact we were trespassing! Our nice little patch of land was indeed private property and part of a large private estate. Our off road route which brought us to this spot had unfortunately missed all the DON'T GO Signs, not that I could read them anyway, and so our nice couple of days away was brought to an abrupt end by the local constabulary who were not so enthusiast about our adventure biking rehearsal. I am pretty sure we broke all records, because we managed to have everything packed and on the road before you can say " YOUR NICKED M8"


Nice View	Nice and Quiet

Monika	Local Police