Looking for someone in the Southampton, UK area that could help me out. Here's the long and short of what I needing. I'm an American citizen shipping my motorcycle into Southampton for the first stage of what will be my Round-the-World trip. Bike should be arriving on May 19th of this year, and I'll be flying in on the morning of June 9th. I was hoping some kind individual might be able to help me out with transport from the airport & to the docks to retrieve my motorcycle on the day that I fly in (Monday, June 9th). Also if possible, maybe a place to crash for 1 day so as to get everything sorted out? And in the same train of thought, maybe I could ship to your house/flat some of my gear in advance so as to minimize what I need to carry onto the plane? If you or someone you know would be willing and able to help me out with any of the above I would be most appreciative. I would of course be more than happy to return the favor if you or any of your friends were to ever want to come and play on our side of the pond (I'm located on the east coast, Virginia, about 2 hours southwest from Washington, DC). Thanks in advance for any and all help. Here is a picture of my bike that I'm shipping over. It's a modified Kawasaki Versys. THIS LINK will take you to my build thread for the above pictured bike.
Absolutely right my friend. I'm flying in to the airport in Southampton and arriving at 10:15am on the morning of Monday, July 9th.
Just spotted this as I am a lurker not much of a poster on here. I am five minutes from the airport and depending on the time of day fifteen from the docks. I am not in the country when the bike lands but will be when you do so lifts, garage space , tools and a bed for the night are no problem. Several inmates on here will vouch for me (only my second post) if you want to post stuff here as a drop. If that is of use I will pm you my contact details.
As we say on this side of the pond, "You sir are the man!" The power of ADVrider, and generosity of motorcyclists around the world will never cease to amaze me! PM on the way with regards to specifics and contact info.
once you have 'done the UK', i am 15 mins from the channel tunnell/30mins from Dover...depends on timing but could take you for a day trip trail riding round the Kent byways on your way to France/Belgium etc....you can crash here for the night..literally......bring some beer..asprins optional..
Right on. I graciously accept you offer sir; a PM is on the way to swap contact info. This will fit perfectly on my route as I am planning on taking the chunnel over to France after a tour of the UK & Ireland.
just replied - now worries mate, looking forward to it, as i said only dates i can't make are 25th to 28th June as I've entered the welsh two day enduro...(on my beta not the SE!!) bikes have a new set of plastics and graphics.....u can see i like my beer....will look even better when i get the new wheels on it....
are you heading up to norway on your travels? i live on the west coast near bergen if you want a bed to crash on for a night (i also work in the only motorcycle shop for 70km radius)
Stop it ACP I am blushing and I am not sure too much pictorial evidence should be produced, but... One of you and one of me doing well
Thank you my friend; I've got your contact info and will be in touch once I set foot in the UK. It would be really cool to meet up. That is one sweet looking machine by the way! :eek1 And you have good taste in beer I see! Here is a pic of my Katoom: Yes, I will be! My current route has me coming right through Bergen on my return from the North Cape. Timing wise I'm thinking I'll be passing through that way around early/mid July. I'll send you a PM with my contact info and we'll make it happen! Thanks. I know some people may be apprehensive about making plans to meet perfect strangers from another country (who knows, they could turn out to be serial killers or just plain wacko!? ) but I actually live for these types of chance encounters. Meeting new people, regardless of whether or not they're into motorcycles, is one of the things that I look forward to the most about my travels. I welcome the opportunity to meet anyone along my route, be it for a quick pint, an afternoon ride on their favorite back roads/trails, or an evening hanging out. I didn't throw this out there right off the bat because I just don't want to come across as needy or as the kind of person who forces himself upon others, but I welcome any and all invitations that are more or less within 100 KMs of my intended route. With that in mind, my intended route is as follows: -Fly in to Southampton and start the UK portion of the tour going counterclockwise. - Somewheres around Liverpool or so, ferry over to the Isle of Man, and then over to Dublin. - Counterclockwise loop of Ireland to Belfast. - From Belfast (or Larne), ferry over to Cairnryan or Troon. - Continue on a counterclockwise loop of Scotland and England, and eventually to Dover to take the chunnel over to mainland Europe. - From France, go up to Denmark, and into Sweden. - North through Sweden to the North Cape of Norway. - Down the western coast of Norway, back into Denmark. - Down through Germany, Austria, Switzerland and into Italy. - After a loop around Italy, across the southern coast of France into Spain. - Counter clockwise loop of Spain and Portugal. - Up the Atlantic coast of France to Belgium. I know that the above plan is super ambitious, but my motto has always been "Aim for the impossible and settle for greatness." I've got almost 3 whole months in which to accomplish as much of the above as possible. I fly back out from Brussels in Belgium on August 30th, but I would like to get there a week or two before my return flight to spend some time visiting family that I have not seen in many years. The good thing is that in comparison to the US, I can get back to Belgium from just about anywhere in Europe in a matter of a few days tops. I'll be starting up a ride report thread in the next week or two (before I fly over) and I'll probably start a general "Got a bed I can crash on?" thread here in the Europe thread as well. Thanks to those of you who have already extended an invitation. I can't tell you just how excited I am about this upcoming trip!
ive heard (not sure its true) that you can get a train through germany which you can stick your bike on, apparently its much faster that way. not sure if you know, but here in norway its mandatory to have a flourecent vest with you if you breakdown and i think in france you need to have an alcohol breathalizer thing. i might actually have a whole apartment free in july as my tenant is being a complete parasite. i should be able to meet you up in bergen and ride down here with you providing its not to busy at work and my knee is healed enough after the op
Thanks for the info about the fluorescent vest; I'll be sure to pack one with me. A quick Google search showed that while it is law for motorists in France to carry a self-breathalizer thingy, enforcement via fines for not carrying one are not yet being enforced. While talking about safety gear that "motorists" must carry, along with the fluorescent vest type of thing, do I need to have a safety triangle as well?
The triangle is not needed on bikes and the breathalizer was never made law, only a proposal but everyone jumped on the 'you must have bandwagon' Speeding is the biggest thing at present in most of Europe and if stopped then they may have a look to see if they can increase the fine a bit for other misdemeanour's. Generally if you slow down for urban areas and stop for red lights then you will be fine. Most contact I get from the French Police on these is a wave and nod
No triangle needed, also no breathalyser needed. Hi viz jacket is required. If you're going to Spain no headphones that are connected to the bike, and in France no speed camera warnings on your GPS. If you're going far, the DB Autozug is a great way to get from Northern Europe to Southern Europe overnight. Have a great trip!
oh while i remember, its the law up here to have your lights on all the time, i think the same applies to sweden and finland too?
Thanks for the info! It's good to know that I won't have to lug around a safety triangle. Space is always at a premium when traveling on 2 wheels! Good to know. Luckily my bike is a relatively new one, and I have not installed a light interrupter switch, so the main headlight comes on with the ignition. On a general note, I'm just trying to finish up with work (just over a week to go) and tie up all loose ends with regards to the upcoming trip. I'm heading out this weekend for a big campout with friends here in the USA (check out the link HERE). Next week will be all about packing and sending some gear ahead of me to Herman1. Then on June 8th I fly out from Virginia, USA! I'll be getting a Ride Report started next week, as well as a general "I'm coming through your city, wanna grab a pint?" Thanks for all the info and help so far, and I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible. Cheers!