Film at 11!

[RBEmerson]

There is so much chaos in what I posted that I've ported a new, I hope clearer version at the end of this thread. I'm killing all of my earlier RR posts. Which is still going to leave some chaos, but at least the RR will be sequential and, I hope, more readable.

Days 3 and 4 appear in one post. In the right order. I am sooooooo over editing this stuff. Deal with it.  

There's a new video (Zillertaler Höhenstrasse) at the end of the trip posts.

[Sport-Touring]

[mica]

Wow. I take more gear on my commute to work.  

[RBEmerson]

Actually, I slightly downsized from my mesh Olympia jacket and two liners (thin windbreaker, and heavier insulated) for my "winter" jacket with an insulated zip-in liner.

The general weather conditions don't look like "tourist weather": temps 5-10F below seasonal norms (about 75F) and rain currently, for June, 3"(!!) above the usual 4". With "cool and wet" in mind, the heavier jacket seems the better move. It has enough vents to be usable up to about 80F.

I've opted for a BMW R1200RT, although "conventional wisdom" argues for a GS or something in a naked or near naked bike. At the moment my K1200RS is in for a new rear brake reservoir. I have an F650GS loaner. Riding in the upper 70's to low 80's is OK, but wind protection? Howls of derisive laughter. 18-wheelers' dirty air, gusty conditions, 65-70 on the slabs, not so much fun. And if it's raining? Uh, self-inflicted wetness? The RT won't keep me bone dry, but I hope to look a little less than like a drowned rat at the end of the day.

[RBEmerson]

The bag, with the bike gear and "normal" clothes is now up to 45 pounds (50 max. allowed). We've got the boarding passes (with TSA PreCheck - yea!), etc. All that's left is "let's do this thing".

[Blunder]

Will the final weight include all the bier, würst und schnitzel?

[RBEmerson]

Only on the return, only on the return...  

[kendenton]

Can't wait to read about your trip!

[RBEmerson]

Can't wait to start! Phase I: PHL-FRA happens in a few hours. Woohoo!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

     

[R Doug]

The darn images are blocked at work.  But, I'm assuming (in context) you posted an image of your checked luggage which includes your moto gear to your upcoming trip.  

I can't wait to read about this trip and live vicariously through your travels.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

The darn images are blocked at work.  But, I'm assuming (in context) you posted an image of your checked luggage which includes your moto gear to your upcoming trip.  

You know, he posted that on the 21st - have you been at work this entire time?  

[R Doug]

I'm slow to get around to things sometimes.  

[viffergyrl]

[RBEmerson]

Sitting at PHL...

I managed to run my bag up to 51 lbs. My wife's bag now has two books and my bag went back to 47 lbs or 3 under the limit.

TSA was a non-event. Pre-check helps, but at the International section it's really no biggie.

Sigh... I'm hoping all of my wall warts are hiding in my checked luggage. They sure aren't in my carry-on bag.  
I fed Brookstone $40 for a combo plug adapter / USB charger. At least the lady who rang up the sale had the grace not to say "GOTCHA!" and said Brookstone would respect me in the morning.

The weather for the beginning of the week looks good. Mid-week may well show who has good rain gear.

Finally, one of the group is from Istanbul. We think he'll make it to the tour. NTL it's all a bit sobering.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Gute Reise!


So - what kind of books did you deem necessary on a trip like this?
And what the heck is a wall wart???  

[RBEmerson]

Particularly David Hough's Proficient Motorcycling and Bernt Spiegel's The Upper Half of the Motorcycle. And Hans Peter Kerkling's "Ich bin mal weg" (I'm away) about the Camino Santiago Campostela (See Martin Sheen in the movie The Way), Herman Wouk's Don't Stop the Carnival.

Wall wart - the lumpy things stuffed into outlets to recharge phones, cameras, etc. I found them. But I left my NoNoise earplugs at home. I just found something similar made by Pinlock (the anti-fog insert people) at a Hein-Gericke store in Wiesbaden.

We worked out the departure time on Sunday, planning to arrive in Seefeld around 3PM. We leave Sunday at 7AM to be sure we've covered for enroute surprises.

[RBEmerson]

I've been tracking weather forecasts for the coming week. What started out as cool to near chilly and often wet has progressed to mostly dry and cool towards a bit warmer. Friday could still end in rain but by the time it starts we should wrapping up the last (sniff, sniff  ) ride for the trip. The Stelvio pass area is definitely snow covered - check out web cams for Stilfser Joch or Passo Dello Stelvio (this an area that's Italian now has been Austrian in the past).

We head out a 7AM tomorrow! Yipeeee!!!  

[RBEmerson]

Chris, my in-laws and I just had dinner at Da Nunzio's (finest kind place - see my review in Trip Advisor). Driving up and down Reitallee - with enough grade to add to the fun - leaves me just about jumping out of my skin to start the tour. Woohoo!

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Pictures? Ain't gonna happen.

Well that´s a shame!  

After seeing the real deal, the videos are like kissing your SO over the phone. The message comes through but it's not even close to the real thing.

Well put  

... and shooting on the run would be suicidal. Honest.

I will beg to differ...  

[lightcycle]

We have two riders from Malaysia (sorry, Gene, they never heard of you)

Hrmph.

They've obviously been living under a rock their whole lives!