Elefantentreffen 2013

[Oldenough2knowbetter]

Planning, preparation and Autumn re-fit of sidecar underway while it's still relatively warm, so when it gets colder, I'm already committed and can't bottle out

SO.......

Who's up for another weekend of Vodka, schnappes,German beer and frostbite

Adge

[tattewell]

intriguing, tell me more...

[Oldenough2knowbetter]

Sorry for the late reply, got lots of cr4p going on at the moment!

Look here for more info on the Rally http://www.bvdm.de/et.html

The rally officially starts on Friday but people arrive from Tuesday onwards.
We get the Wednesday morning ferry , then stop at Cologne overnight, travelling the rest of the way on Thursday and leave for home on Sunday morning. The part in between gets a bit foggy. I'm sure it involves LOTS of drinking, cooking over wood fires and talking bullsh*t.
It does get a bit parky, with temperatures down to -5C travelling down and down to -16C overnight, so good warm kit is essential!

As it's a 1700 mile round trip for us we always bring my sidecar outfit, but many people bring solos, it just depends on the weather travelling down.

To get a taste of what to expect , take a look at Youtube. There are many videos there.

Adge

[sfwo79]

I've been wanting to do this trip for many years now. I think this is the one.
DF

[Rose]

Memories.....

Check if you're heated grips are still working before you leave....
Mine didn't and boy did I miss 'm....


Oh and don't forget to test your insulating mattress before you leave, I have tested it without air in it (it was slowly leaking) and that does not work well keeping you warm

Make sure to get some warm gear (no this in not me):



And start practising now, if you want to win the best snow.... (whatever) contest:


Oh and last but not least..... beer makes you have to get out of your tent at night, so alternatives are advised....


Have fun!!

[Habibi Rocks]

Its going to be good !!!!!!!! Hope i can get up to Germany ...... Always good comraderie

[Jim pedley]

Originally Posted by Oldenough2knowbetter

Planning, preparation and Autumn re-fit of sidecar underway while it's still relatively warm, so when it gets colder, I'm already committed and can't bottle out

SO.......

Who's up for another weekend of Vodka, schnappes,German beer and frostbite

Adge

I'm sure thinking about it again ! ! ! Anyone else up for it ?

[V Saarela]

On a Swedish forum we are in diskussion about using studded(spikes) tyres, espcielly in Germany.

We have noticed about wintertires on cars, also about strange laws/paragrafs/diskussions using M+S tyres etc etc. Still, can´t found a word about using studded tyres.

Is the law same on bikes as well as on cars? If using in area where you have to use wintertyres, is spikes allowed or....? Can I find a paragraf about the studded tyres on bikes?

[Ceri JC]

I could only fit one winter rally in this year, so opted for the Dragon. Hoping to do the Elephant 2014.

Originally Posted by Rose

Oh and last but not least..... beer makes you have to get out of your tent at night, so alternatives are advised....

As to peeing in the cold...

Take a lead from mountaineers: getting out your tent gets you cold and wakes you up and it takes forever to fall back asleep. Get one of these:
http://www.outdoor-ranger.co.uk/nalgene-wide-mouth-cantene-clear-p-13832.html?currency=GBP&language=gb
.

Once you've used one, you'll never go back. Make sure you get the wide-mouth version unless you're hung like a doormouse.

[GiorgioXT]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

Once you've used one, you'll never go back. Make sure you get the wide-mouth version unless you're hung like a doormouse.

..and, more important, don't try to use a plastic bottle by cutting its neck ..PET bottles edges are like razors. cuts there are bad... get a motor oil bottle!

[JethroDog]

Originally Posted by V Saarela

Is the law same on bikes as well as on cars? If using in area where you have to use wintertyres, is spikes allowed or....? Can I find a paragraf about the studded tyres on bikes?

Studded tires on cars or motorcycles are not allowed on public roads in Germany (unlike Austria, Switzerland, and Italy). M&S tires are required on motorcycles for insurance purposes when winter conditions are present, however the winter tire requirement doesn't specify motorcycles. I doubt that you would get pulled over on your motorcycle for a tire check while it is snowing. The good news is that you can use snow chains (but don't exceed 50 KMH).

Chris

[rescueMAN]

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

I could only fit one winter rally in this year, so opted for the Dragon. Hoping to do the Elephant 2014.



As to peeing in the cold...

Take a lead from mountaineers: getting out your tent gets you cold and wakes you up and it takes forever to fall back asleep. Get one of these:
http://www.outdoor-ranger.co.uk/nalgene-wide-mouth-cantene-clear-p-13832.html?currency=GBP&language=gb
.

Once you've used one, you'll never go back. Make sure you get the wide-mouth version unless you're hung like a doormouse.

You just have to make sure you wash it out well before putting cold drink in it

[V Saarela]

Originally Posted by JethroDog

Studded tires on cars or motorcycles are not allowed on public roads in Germany (unlike Austria, Switzerland, and Italy). M&S tires are required on motorcycles for insurance purposes when winter conditions are present, however the winter tire requirement doesn't specify motorcycles. I doubt that you would get pulled over on your motorcycle for a tire check while it is snowing. The good news is that you can use snow chains (but don't exceed 50 KMH).

Chris

Thank´s!

[rescueMAN]

Ceri, I see the Dragon tickets are sold out already! 4 weeks, thats a record I think

[Ceri JC]

Originally Posted by rescueMAN

Ceri, I see the Dragon tickets are sold out already! 4 weeks, thats a record I think

Aye; I had a reminder in my calendar for the day they went on sale. I was away on a work trip for 4 days, came back to order them and the site already said they had sold 50% of them!