monty
Street Tracker
It's been a while but I thought I would post regarding my trip to the Altes Elefanttreffan, held at the Nurburgring in Germany 20/22 February 2015.
I took my Bonnie and rode with my mate Jethro on his Bonnie/ Velorex outfit.
I left at 0500 on the morning of Thursday 19th and met up with Jethro at services some 20 miles further on. We made good progress and arrived at the Channel Tunnel at about 1030, ready for our train at 1120 . We met up with our other friends, Mark and Mick, who were travelling on their ex military MT500, originally Armstrong then Harley Davidson, outfits.
45 minutes later we were in France. We made our way to Liege where we stayed overnight. Close to the hotel we found a Chinese restaurant which did a all you can eat and drink buffet for 23 euros. Five hours later we left...........bit messy but all good.
The following morning we left to go to the Nurburgring. We set off in light rain. A short delay when Marks rear caliper spat out its pins and a meeting with Richard from Holland were the only hold ups en route.
We arrived at the camp sight and found a great pitch used by Mark and Jethro last year. Snow was on the ground and the temp was dropping as we pitched our tents. A roaring fire, beer and grilled meat saw a great evening ensue.
Saturday we awoke to snow falling. A spot of breakfast and a stroll around followed by lunch courtesy of our German neighbours made for a good day. The evening saw a campfire, various visits from friends old and new. We then made our way to the top of the site and watched a short ceremony in which rallyists no longer with us were remembered. Then followed the traditional headlight parade of mainly outfits.
Back to the site. More fire, beer and sausages with some quality humour and piss taking made for a great evening.
The following morning saw more snow and a fantastic ride through a snow covered Eiffel national park back through Belgium and then to Calais for the return via the Channel Tunnel. However we were delayed by some three hours and arrived in Folkestone very late and to find heavy rain falling. The next 80 miles were some the very worst that I have ever ridden in. Heavy rain, high winds, fog and poor visibility made for a pretty bad time.
We stopped at a service station for a hot meal. An hour later we returned to the Bonnet, to find mine had thrown in the towel. As I turned the ignition key, the bike started with the starter motor continuing to run, carrying on when the motor fired. A drowned solenoid/ starter was suspect but we could do nothing at the roadside at 2330.
The Bonnie had its first ever trip in a recovery wagon back to Wales and I had a sleep.
Just over a thousand miles return trip. A great weekend and great memories.
Photos to follow........
Monty
I took my Bonnie and rode with my mate Jethro on his Bonnie/ Velorex outfit.
I left at 0500 on the morning of Thursday 19th and met up with Jethro at services some 20 miles further on. We made good progress and arrived at the Channel Tunnel at about 1030, ready for our train at 1120 . We met up with our other friends, Mark and Mick, who were travelling on their ex military MT500, originally Armstrong then Harley Davidson, outfits.
45 minutes later we were in France. We made our way to Liege where we stayed overnight. Close to the hotel we found a Chinese restaurant which did a all you can eat and drink buffet for 23 euros. Five hours later we left...........bit messy but all good.
The following morning we left to go to the Nurburgring. We set off in light rain. A short delay when Marks rear caliper spat out its pins and a meeting with Richard from Holland were the only hold ups en route.
We arrived at the camp sight and found a great pitch used by Mark and Jethro last year. Snow was on the ground and the temp was dropping as we pitched our tents. A roaring fire, beer and grilled meat saw a great evening ensue.
Saturday we awoke to snow falling. A spot of breakfast and a stroll around followed by lunch courtesy of our German neighbours made for a good day. The evening saw a campfire, various visits from friends old and new. We then made our way to the top of the site and watched a short ceremony in which rallyists no longer with us were remembered. Then followed the traditional headlight parade of mainly outfits.
Back to the site. More fire, beer and sausages with some quality humour and piss taking made for a great evening.
The following morning saw more snow and a fantastic ride through a snow covered Eiffel national park back through Belgium and then to Calais for the return via the Channel Tunnel. However we were delayed by some three hours and arrived in Folkestone very late and to find heavy rain falling. The next 80 miles were some the very worst that I have ever ridden in. Heavy rain, high winds, fog and poor visibility made for a pretty bad time.
We stopped at a service station for a hot meal. An hour later we returned to the Bonnet, to find mine had thrown in the towel. As I turned the ignition key, the bike started with the starter motor continuing to run, carrying on when the motor fired. A drowned solenoid/ starter was suspect but we could do nothing at the roadside at 2330.
The Bonnie had its first ever trip in a recovery wagon back to Wales and I had a sleep.
Just over a thousand miles return trip. A great weekend and great memories.
Photos to follow........
Monty
