Brno on the way back

Mmmm.  I emailed all my friends in Czech last week to say that (covid depending!) that this trip was on and after the rally I was thinking about returning via Brno. No replies!  

I did get one from my former student (in Zastávka) Rosťa who now lives in Hradec Králové. I planned to visit as we pass by on the way to Vernířovice. Phew!

I might plan an alternative route for the start of the ride home from the rally with a stop in Brno rather than a stopover. It will be Sunday.

More on this as time goes by.

Routes - Day 8 - Bastogne Added

A small change to the route home is a detour off the existing route to drop into Bastogne and the Battle of the Bulge Museum.

It does add time and a few miles to the original route.

Routes - Day 3 - Plzeň to Vernířovice

A change I made some weeks ago and didn't update the blog. I added Church of Bones near Kutná Hora to the the route across from Plzeň. 

It is only a short detour off the D11 to the Ossuary and then back to the D11. 

The original route does take a stop off at Rozhledna Doubravka XIV.

It's just a short walk from the main road. 

Plus of course the slight detour to Poland and Boboszów!

Cross Country or Motorway

So once I get around to telling my Czech friends that I am in the area, I can think more about the way home afterwards...

So far I have these two options.

Cross Country via route 19

Via Motorways

Travelling Companions?

Welcome to Phil Hingert and Giles Denning from our Old Socs Facebook group who have joined me on the trip.

At least for the outward leg anyway. They are going to come over from the West Country and stay in Dover the night before. 

We have yet to decide how to cross to France. Either by ferry or Eurotunnel train.

I have been toying with the tunnel out and the ferry back. A hybrid working arrangement.

Why?

We have a pretty stiff schedule once we set wheels on the other side of the Channel. It's quite a long day with stops for fuel and snacks/lunch.

So maybe going over on the Shuttle with three crossings an hour would give us more flexibility.

Coming back, after a longish ride (for me) from Luxembourg, a more relaxing ferry crossing from Dunkerque to Dover seems to fit the bill. 

Of course, it all still hinges on access to Europe. The UK government is allowing all and sundry in to our country, with the minimum two jabs, but the foreigners aren't reciprocating.

Another hotel change!

All part of the fun when planning. I was looking at the Michelin map of Germany (718 National) and decided to push the envelope at little further on day 6.

Instead off Ellwangen I have moved a little further west to Heilbronn. I think we have stayed there before and I need to check and see. Maybe back in 2004?

So the Hotel Urbanus steps up for this overnight.

Why the change? Well to give me more time at the technical museum in Sinsheim. Simple as that really. 

The hotel is a similar cost and also has included breakfast and parking. It also has a restaurant on site for an evening meal.

I just need to amend the route in MyRouteApp - again!

Once I leave Brno I can decide whether to go all motorway westwards, or stick to my route to finally cross the Vltava on the bridge near Orlík.

Travel Insurance

I have been checking around for travel insurance that covers use of the motorcycle over 125cc.  There are quite a few of them and are claiming to be cheap.

They aren't.

Pre-covid I was quoted £40 for a week's trip to Spain in April 2020. That included pre-existing condition of having an arterial stent (just the one) in my heart in April 2015. I have not suffered any further problems.

Today's quotes are starting at £72. Same old questions.  Okay I am two years older than I was in 2020 but the mark-up is quite pronounced.  At least this one covers me to ride that bike over 125cc on-road.

If I change the quote to annual multi-cover Europe only it's a mere £570 for me. Given the number of weeks I'll get away, if I am lucky, paying by the week seems best.

If you want a quote then try Orange & Black's website.

In the past I have used MAG's Travel Insurance. It's about the same price for short term as O&B but their annual cover is cheaper.