Picture taken Aug 2004 shows Monika at the Moulin Rouge Paris France
SPIRITS OF ADVENTURE 2004
BMW World Record Tour
A brief introduction to some of the
countries we Visited from May 2002
until Sept 2004.
Disclaimer: In the past few months
we have traveled nearly 10,000 miles
and visited 14 more countries, we try
our best to keep the site current but it
is not always possible.But we know you
understand and will forgive us.
| Macedonia (49) After the shortest of visits to Albania we returned to Greece and rode North to the Macedonia Border and on the way visited the beautiful towns of Pirsogianni and Kastoria . Confusingly we saw two or three Welcome to Macedonia Signs deep inside Greece before we eventually crossed the real border. Again because of our Government Warnings we made our visit short and returned to Greece. |
|
|
|
Albania (48) We thought long and hard about visiting Albania such is the instability of the country. After a final consultation with our "Government Web site warnings" we decided we would enter the country visit the first city to obtain a Albania Sticker for our bikes and then exit the country. Unfortunately there was no Albanian Stickers or "Welcome to Albania Signs" to have a photo by. Here Monika is parked by the fist sign enroute to our first city. |
| Greece (47) We departed Italy from Brindisi Ferry Port and sailed with bikes to Igumenitsa and arrived on time at 5.30 AM. Our aim was for to visit Albania and Macedonia as quickly as possible and then tour beautiful Greece. It wasn't long before we where cruising high in the mountains and experiencing scenery and riding that was simply out of this world. |
|
|
|
Vatican (46) The worlds smallest country, given independence by Mussolini 1924 and the home of the Catholic Church. Incredibly our visit was at the same time as the Pope was giving an audience to the Pilgrims and worshipers from around the world. Absolutely incredible experience and just another day in our BMW World Record Tour. |
| Italy (45) Arrived in Italy from Spain and visited Pisa, Florence and the capital Rome. It during our time in Italy that we realized that it was certainly great to be back in Europe. So many beautiful places to see and discover. |
|
|
|
Monaco (44) Unfortunately our schedule allowed us just 24 hours in Andorra but it was time enough to visit the mountainous region of Northern Andorra. Our next destination was the world famous Monaco and Monte Carlo. |
| Andorra (43) After a cultural couple of days and one press conference and hosted by Ms Carmen Rosa and our translator Eva. We had the pleasure of exploring Barcelona and discovering all that this incredible city has to offer. We then rode north across some spectacular scenery, destination the beautiful country, famed for its motorcycle riding and scenery, that's Andorra. |
|
|
|
Spain Sept 04 (41) After just five days in Portugal visiting Vila Real, Porto and Lisbon we entered Spain via the town of Badajoz and visited Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona. We received the kindest of welcomes from BMW Group Spain and gave a Press Conference to the Motorcycle Press. We later Visited the historical town of Valencia and rode north east to Barcelona . Special thank you to BMW Groups Portugal and Spain. |
|
|
|
| Portugal Sept 2004 (42) We arrived in Northern Portugal from Southern Spain and visited the beautiful towns of Villa Real, Porto and Lisbon. |
 Porto City Portugal |
|
|
Spain Aug 2004 (41) After visiting Paris France we rode south entered Spain from San Sebastian and rode South East to Villa Real Portugal. |
|
|
|
| France Aug 2004 After the briefest of stays in Luxemburg we rode south for a small family reunion with my sister Jane and dad and enjoyed the culture, cuisine and art of this truly amazing country. |
|
|
|
Luxemburg Aug 2004 (40) After a 1100 mile ride from Slovakia across the Czech Republic and Germany we arrived in Luxemburg our 40th country. |
| Romania (39) Aug 2004 Departed Bulgaria for a transit across Romania so that we could get the bikes serviced and meet with our family in Paris France. From our short stay Romania looks incredibly beautiful with some excellent riding. |
 Entry to Romania from Bulgaria |
|
|
Bulgaria (38) Aug 2004 |
|
Serbia and
Montenegro (37) July 2004. Had a incredible time hosted by the many motorcycle groups of Serbia. Special thank you goes to the Belgrade Motorbike Club "Arc Angel" |
 Serbia July 2004 |
|
|
Bosnia July 2004 (36) |
|
Croatia June 2004 (35) After our bikes arrived from USA We crossed Czech republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, Slovenia and then arrived in Beautiful Croatia June 2004. |
 June 2004 |
|
|
Prince Edward Island to Graceland |
|
Canada October 2003
Yukon to Nova Scotia We returned to Canada after touring Alaska and commenced our fourth crossing of North America destination St Johns Newfoundland. |
 Aunty Joan Canada |
|
|
We arrived in Vancouver Island and headed North through British Columbia and onward to Alaska and Prudhoe Bay. |
|
USA Aug 2003 Butte Montana to Vancouver Canada After our second crossing of USA we departed Virginia for Alaska visiting Custer's Memorial, Powwow Indian Event, Sturgis, Crazy Horse Memorial, Mount Rushmore and met Evil Knievel and Robbie Knievel |
 |
|
|
Lake Tahoe to Virginia Beach Virginia. Picture Chris, Monika and Benka fellow BMW riders. Benka (right) recently broke two Guinness world records a Fantastic achievement. |
| USA June 2003 |
 June 2003 |
|
May 2003 |
Mexico We returned to Mexico from Cuba and headed North West to mainland USA experiencing some of the most wonderful scenery and riding of our world tour. |
|
We flew to Cuba from Cancun and stayed for six incredible weeks. We visited almost every part of the island. Special Thank you to "Adolfo Priesto" and his family for making our stay such a memorable one. |
May 2003 |
|
Feb - Apr 2003 |
USA Feb April 2003 Our arrival in Key West marked the first of our coast to coast crossings of North America, riding from the southern tip of Baja California across the USA to the beautiful Florida Keys. |
|
Baja
Mexico Baja California was our first chance to completely rest after six long months crossing the former Soviet Union. It was the first time we had seen sun, surf and sand since the record challenge began but we didn't rest until we completed the world famous "Baja 500" Route. |
 "Baja 500" Jan - Feb 2003 |
|
Dec 2002 |
America We arrived in America at Los Angeles Airport after a one month tour of Japan. The bikes arrived 3 weeks later. We then commenced our North America section , a journey involving 4 coast to coasts and every mainland state of the USA and every one of the Canadian provinces. |
|
Japan We arrived in Japan by ferry from Vladivostok and spent a month touring this beautiful country. Incredible hospitality, amazing culture, wonderful riding. |
Rodney Shackley (Left) Nov 2002 |
|
October 2002 |
Russia - Siberia We entered Siberia from Mongolia and headed east to Vladivostok. We rode our bikes to Chita Siberia and when the road turned to swamp we caught the Tran Siberian to Vladivostok. We were hosted by the world famous Iron Tigers Motorcycle Club and they treated us like every other biker who visits Vladivostok, absolutely brilliantly. |
|
Mongolia To date our favorite country. Incredible adventure, amazing culture and wonderful people. |
 October 2002 |
|
|
After the disappointment of not being allowed to take our bikes to china we decided to take the opportunity to visit Beijing as we already had our visas and an appointment with SKY News |
|
Mongolia We entered Mongolia from Siberia and it soon became our favourite country, it was everything we dreamed it would be and much, much more. |
August 2002 |
|
August 2002 |
Russia - Siberia We departed eastern Kazakhstan and headed for Noverserbisk Siberia. |
|
Kazakhstan We entered Kazakhstan from Siberia and and had the most memorable experience of our world record challenge. Wonderful country, lovely people and |
|
|
July 2002 |
Russia We returned to Russia after 3 weeks touring the Ukraine and headed for Moscow Russia |
|
Moldova Our shortest time in any of the countries we have visited. We spent one hour crossing the south east corner of the country |
June 2002 |
|
June - July 2002 |
Ukraine We arrived in Ukraine from Belarus and made many new friends in Odessa. |
|
Belarus A three day transit of Belarus. To our surprise this small country was more how we imagined Russia to be, with its many relics from soviet occupancy and incredibly wide streets. |
|
|
|
Lithuania A 3 day transit of this small country. The picture shows Traki castle |
|
Latvia A 3-day transit of this small country. We were lucky to be there during their National Celebrations |
June 22nd-25th 2002 |
|
|
Beautiful country. Culturally Tallinn was very similar to Prague. We thought Tallinn was one of the most beautiful cities in the world. |
|
Russia We entered Russia from northern Norway just before Russian national day and rode from Murmansk to Estonia via St Petersburg. |
 June 2002 |
|
June 2002 |
Norway - NordKapp Norway was a incredible experience with beautiful scenery and riding to match anywhere in the world. |
|
We arrived in Sweden from Denmark and spent 2 days in the watery surrounds of Stockholm |
 May 2002 |
|
May 2002 |
Denmark We arrived in Denmark from Sweden and spent just one day there. |
|
Sweden We arrived in Sweden from Finland and rode west to catch the ferry to Denmark |
May 2002 |
|
May 2002 |
Finland After arriving from Poland by ferry we spent two days touring the southern part of the country. Beautiful and very similar to Norway. |
|
Sweden Picture shows us in Stockholm a wonderful city immersed in culture and tradition. |
 May 2002 |
|
May 2002 |
Poland We arrived in Poland from Germany and had three fantastic days in Warsaw hosted by our friend Richard JakobeK. |
|
Germany Check Point Charley Germany. One of the most famous landmarks of the Cold war. |
 May 2002 |
|
May 2002 |
Holland |
|
Belgium Arrived in Belgium from France and continued North to Holland -- our destination Tilburg. |
 May 2002 |
|
Richard Jakobek May 2002 |
France Arrived in France after a short crossing on the channel Tunnel in the company of intrepid and good looking Adventurer "Richard Jakobek". We traveled from Dover to Calais and then headed North to Belgium |
|
Departed England from the BMF show. Had a wonderful send off from members of the GS motorcycle club and friends. Pictures GS Club and my Dad and received a special send off from "EASY RIDERS" Mondo Enduro Clive and |
GSCLUBUK, Dad, Kelly, |
|
May 2002 |
Wales Unfortunately we had to say good bye to our friends and family. Final picture with my Mum. |
|
Scotland A Short time spent in this wonderful country. Entered from Ireland and rode south to England |
May 2002 |
|
May 2002 |
Northern Ireland After departing Dublin we headed to Sligo on the western coast of Ireland and then rode through Belfast to catch the ferry to Scotland. |
|
Ireland First night camping of our world record challenge. Had a fantastic send-off from Maxwell's BMW and then rode to the seaside town of Sligo. |
 Maxwell BMW Motors May 2002 |
|
|
Monika and I say good by to family and friends from Bruno Czech Republic. |
