Earache

England two years ago...

Some of Scotland...

Pics from around Ireland...

Few piccies for ya. Bike rental place in Ireland, loads of gear to rent as well... Paul and my wife at the shop...

I know of firms in both Ireland and England that rent the bikes and the gear. The Irish one has a bit more on the gear side of things. Bikes are easily rented in most of Europe. Again. it really depends on where ya wanna go. In 3 weeks you could easily do the UK 5 nation tour (England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland). All speak English (kinda) and it'd be a great tour. Or, you could fly into Germany and go from there; Swiss Alps. Northern Italy Dolomite's, Black Forest, etc. Less English spoken, but you'd get by without problems. You'd really need to decide where ya wanna go first and then work on getting the bikes. But renting in England and heading across the Channel into France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy would be a good ride as well. Let me know what you really wanna do and I'll put up pics from past trips and links to bike rentals, etc. Now ,a s far as a guided tour goes, rent my bike and rooms and I'll take ya! Mush less than the travel places and you get to pick the destinations. I'm kiddin' - all travel places do is get rooms for you each night. You can do that on line yourself with a bit of help. In the UK; B&B's are the way to go - cheap and plenty of places to chose from. No real need for reservations. Germany, Italy and some others you might wanna get reservations sorted out before you go. But I can help ya with that. My email is EaracheMS at Gmail if you want to fire off any questions tome, please do so.

I've done most of western Europe along with about 7 tours of England and 4-5 of Ireland. I'd stay away from the guided tours though - unless you want to pay big money and be on someone else's schedule. There's benefits to that, but the negatives far outweigh the positives. In most of western Europe, anyone under 30 speaks very good English,so language won't be a problem... with the exception of France. They speak English perfectly well but refuse to do so - especially when they know you speak no French at all. They seem to delight in messing with you for some reason. Are there any specific countries that interest you? Anything you really want to see?

I won;t be able to make it as I'm outta town this weekend. Have some wings for me!

Sheeeiiit, I wouldn't even pretend - I'd be one for that kinda cake.

Even weirder; When I moved here , in 1985, it was not illegal to drink and drive. You could drive down the road, sipping a beer - no problem. You weren't allowed to be drunk, but you could be drinking. No open conatiner law.

...and who you calling "fat"? I prefer to be called "somewhat rotund".

Same with Indiana - no bikes, no cars, nothing with a motor. And no cold beer sales on Sunday either. Ya can buy all of the warm beer ya want - just not cold. Cold beer is only sold in liquor stores - nowhere else. I blame the religious fucks from years ago when they came up with these bullshit laws.

Pfffft -she's a pussy. A real non- story.

I'm not a camper nor do I ever intend on becoming one. Hotel someplace for me most likely.

Western Ohio doesn't have a lot - prolly need to head southeast of Columbus. I'd just toss the bike in the truck and head over that way.

I'd be up for some dirt and gravel roads - not really into tearing up my knobs on pavement all that much though. I'm out for April 9-15 but pretty much open rest of the next month or so.

Catch it here on BT-2: http://cricfree.tv/bt-sport-2.php English commentators (just as hard as the Spanish to understand though ). I think they show all of the races live here.

Received mine today as well. I'm gonna be stylin' and profilin' in mine on the ride.

I'd love to make a trailer for hauling a Super Moto with a tourer! You're not that far away, maybe you could ride the tour bike up to the shop when it gets warmer and we'll see if we can rig something up. I've made a few trailer hitches for bikes, swivel couplers, etc but never an entire trailer. It'd be a fun project.

North Georgia mountain kicks the shit outta the Gap area for riding. If I lived in that area, I'd never go to the Gap.

Check is in the mail tomorrow....if I remember. It's been years since I sent out any mail via USPS. Kinda looking forward to it.

I hear ya. The wife isn't too impressed with my scheduling so far. I have May 16 through June 2 marked off for a trip in TN / NC / GA that will end in Boston. Then I have to get home, wash clothes, slap new tires on the bike and then off on this trip. She may even speak to me that 1/2 a week that I'll be home.

Leave Indy on Thursday and return the following Friday / Saturday. So I guess 8-9 days. Have done it in a week a couple of times before, it's not that hard to do, lots of higher speed limits (75 most areas) and little enforcement that really cares. Wanted to do the Going to the Sun Road - but it's a little early for there...unless we get lucky.

You turned me on to an alternative idea; Mail Order! Dunno how fresh they'll be though. I can make a detour on the way home and hit up Mars if needed. There's a place in Pella , Iowa that has them as well. But not as large or tasty as Mars' are.

It'd be a real shame to be that close to all of the good riding and not continue on for a little bit more.....

Yup - one XXL for me. Thanks!