2011 Trip Planning begins/2010 planning cancelled

[sleazy rider]

My son just got his first permanent duty station orders. GERMANY!    He'll be leaving the States in July for a 2 year tour at Ramstein AB. Well, I've already told the wife that the summer of 2011 involves me shipping a Triumph to England and meeting her in Germany for our family visit. I'll be saving up all my vacation time and plan on taking a full four weeks (or more) to tour Europe on the Daytona. Lots of tent camping at military bases and plenty of high mountain passes in the Alps to see in my future. It's gonna suck, to be sure.    


Most all of my 2010 trip plans have just been put on hold/cancelled to put $$ away for this lifetime adventure.  All I can see in my crystal ball for 2010 is the R4 Michigan camping trip, an outside maybe of a two week budget run to Mexico with the dirt bikes, along with the Not Superman LD Rally in June (registration already paid).  Lots of Michigan photo tagging this summer to stave off my travel jonesing.  

[shooplick]

that sound awesome!
thanks to your son from all us free americans

[Fourstring]

Must. Hear.  Ride report.

[bomber]

What a marvelous thing to be able to do . . . . .

Thanks your son (and a big PHEW for the German posting)

[MadMax96]

That sounds like an amazing trip - I don't know how I'd be able to wait that long for something that far out.

You planning on making updates to any sort of blog or whatever as you go? Or do you think you'll just take a lot of photos along the way and sort 'em out after?

[phoenix]

sounds awesome.
And another "thank you" extended to your son for his service.

how does the cost of shipping a bike compare to renting in Europe?
Seems like bike rentals in Europe are much more common than in the US, and that would be easier if it didn't bite into the budget more than shipping. Shipping sounds like a real PITA.

[sleazy rider]

As time progresses toward the departure, I'll probably provide a ride report either here or on ADV.  If it ends up over there, I'll post the link here.

Figuring the shipping costs has been an eye opening experience, to say the least.     It may be more cost effective to just rent, but I'd rather have my bike there.  Weekly rental rates are in the $1000 range for a larger ST type bike.  Air freight is roughly $3500 RT at this time.  Having the son living there, I may air freight over and sea freight back.  Options to be determined as costs are revealed.

Lodging will be tent camping or hostels and food will be only local eateries.  This may end up being more than four weeks, as I can span my vacation and personal time from this year into the 2011 time.      If I'm gonna spend the money and go broke, let's do it in style.  Tentative start of the trip is mid-May of 2011 and return around July 1st if I do it right.  Hell, you only go round once in life. There's always a 401k to tap for funding too.  

As a military retiree myself, I'll pass on and add my thanks too.  

[Shadowfax]

That will be an incredible trip Tom  

That shipping charge is a ton..I know you'd rather have your own bike over there but do you get a break on a monthly rental rate as opposed to a weekly?  Hell, for that kind of money could you have your son buy a bike for you in Germany before you get there and then sell it after you're done with it?  My guess is that would end up being the cheapest route of all.

Does this mean Moonshine is out for you this year or are we still going?

Talk to you later...Scott

[sleazy rider]

Moonshine is still on.  That's a cheap escape for a weekend.  It shouldn't cost more that $100 each and we're committed already.  

[Austin city limits]

I am glad your still coming Tom but if you can't,,, there always will be another next year...  

Congrats on this!!! Sounds Too Cool!!!  

[sleazy rider]

The cabin at the KOA is already paid for, the lunch is cheap and gas for the drive will be shared.  Yeah, we're hauling the dirt bikes south due to time constraints.  No vacation time will be used, just my normal days off.

How could I not miss hooking up with all you MTFers again.  Tim's travel tales are incentive enough, not to mention the BaddBob and Blue Moon show.  Too bad our pink suited buddy ain't gonna make it.  It's going to be great.

[wibornz]

Tom. just buy a used bike in the UK, ride it, then sell it when you're done riding in Europe.  I would think that through the forms you could find someone to help with purchase and the sale.  Might be an option to think about.

[CLAY]

Oh boy Tom- you're killing me here.  That sounds AWESOME!

[Oddball]

Man I envy you.  Can wait to read the report either.

I agree that you should buy one there.  Have your son look for something that you can't get here in the states and ship it back when you're done.  Or just sell it.

[sleazy rider]

From my limited research on the topic, if you don't have a permanent residence address in Germany, you're not allowed to purchase and register vehicles.  I don't know if that applies to military members, but we'll find out after he gets over there.  

[duceduceexplorer]

Figuring the shipping costs has been an eye opening experience, to say the least.     It may be more cost effective to just rent, but I'd rather have my bike there.  Weekly rental rates are in the $1000 range for a larger ST type bike.  Air freight is roughly $3500 RT at this time.  Having the son living there, I may air freight over and sea freight back.  Options to be determined as costs are revealed.

i know people that were in the military that had their cars shipped to them using our military...maybe have your son "ship" it to himself? to the base to make it more cost effective. i mean that means you start in Germany and end there...but it could be alot cheaper, so you "might" be able to go that route. sounds super fun and a trip of a lifetime for sure!

[R Doug]

Please take plenty of pictures and copious notes.  We'll be demanding a ride report!