Day 4 V-S

Anther day marred by Umleitungs and ultimately Sunday drivers.
It took until stage late in the day to experience levels of tarmac/asphalt down to British levels.  Arrival at VS was met by the normal amount of madness from our friends and a gorgeous apartment in which to spend the night.
A portion of the evening was spent planning routes for tomorrow in the forecast downpours, taking into account altitudes and temperature probabilities (yes, really)

Day 3 Baden Baden - Baden Baden

After several rounds of schnapps last night we were inducted into the local Harley Davidson, Baden-Baden, chapter prior to departure.
The roads were nice if not particularly challenging. The same could not be said for today's umleitungs.  There were many confused bikers going round in circles and much pointing at signs.
That said there was a song in the tail, a slight detour off the B500 gave us roads and challenges that were nothing short of exceptional.  The only problem was, I wasn't sure if I would rather meet a car or a bike coming the other way.  There are some very quick local riders.
Meanwhile, trouble back at the hotel, there were a couple of tourists drinking in the beer garden/our bike park !

Day 2 Baden Baden

As the Germans say, 'Umleitung means Umleitung'.  They are so keen on the subject that today's 30 mile detour even had its own 10 mile detour.  We ended up in France !
The final umleitung of the day involved us completing 3 complete leaves of a clover leaf junction.
We also learned not to believe tom tom when it says fuel is available.  The first 'station' had a sign but no pump, the second was agricultural diesel only, the third featured a picnic table instead of fuel.  Fuel economy mode engaged (freewheeling when possible), we found fuel with 15 miles to spare.
Also 1 degree C is too cold to stay the day without a 'thermal layer' hence the first stop after 5 miles.

Day 1 hotel

Day 0 pic

Day 1

Day 1
Arrival in the Netherlands watching the sun glinting through the smoke from factories through the graceful rotating arms of the mega wind genies !  Weird contrast.
First 200 miles were transitioning through the Netherlands avoiding having to fill up with v expensive fuel, the last 40 miles featured great tarmac and some very good bends spoiled by reductions speed limits and traffic.
Highlights of the day, John being used for target practice with cigarette buts by Mercedes Coupe drivers and Graeme admiring the sculptural blue pole (Germany) which turned out (not) to be a speed camera.

Barbietours XIV -Day 0

A quick 2.5 hour jaunt to the ferry at Newcastle.  Weather forecast consulted, what I didn't check was the wind. I must have added an extra mile being blown all over the road, especially exciting on bends !
Dinner booked time for our first beer.

BARBIETOUR XIV - 2018

All set for launch on Wednesday 26-9-18.

Watch this space for updates.

You can also follow the route and pics - without a lot of the waffle with 'Polarsteps' - take a look
https://www.polarsteps.com/GraemeMaguire/735135-barbietours-xiv

 In the meantime - here are the pre-flight stats

BARBIE TRIVIA

• 2018 will be the fourteenth  Barbietour, since the initial tour in 2003
• We have visited a total of 13 countries. (incl England and Wales)
• 10 riders have participated (incl 2 Germans)
• This will be the shortest Barbietour (in terms of days) since 2012
• This years tour will add 2956 European miles to make a total of  32,269 covered in mainland Europe. This means that we will have covered over 50,000km in Europe.
  Add extra for getting lost etc.
• Total miles (incl UK miles) is 41,491 – That is the equivalent of riding from Edinburgh to Sydney and back….TWICE ! Or 1,100 laps of the IOM TT course.
• The equivalent circumference of Earth was breached in Barbietours XII day (European miles only)
• 12 of those miles were on unpaved roads. ! (seriously, don't ask)
• The total number of Barbietour miles (incl UK) now equals 3 times the total distance of all roads in Jamaica
• The total number of Barbietour miles (incl UK) is the equivalent of all the miles of Motorway in Canada, France, Germany, Spain, Australia, UK and Ireland combined !
• After Barbie, John has completed ALL Barbie days EXCEPT 2. 
• We have 1 x 2 night stays  and 1 x 3 night stays ie 3 days riding without luggage.  This is the first time that we have had 2 multiple day stops and the first time we will have had a 3 night stop.
• The average daily mileage is 227 which is the slightly above the Barbietours average of 223
• This will be the 4th time we have stayed with Graeme’s Serbian friends in Germany
• I would love to calculate the number of miles excluding roads we have done twice (or more) but life is STILL too short !
• We have previously stayed in 87 different European Hotels/ locations and this year will  add 7 new venues. 
• We have used 6 different Ferry routes
• Only 1 major 'incident' and ALL bikes have been ridden home.
• Still only 3 occasions where the group 'lost' a rider. (Ainslie, John and Mac in Paris)
• Numerous occasions where the group 'lost' the route.
• 48 (approximately) Wiener Schnitzels and 3 rabbits eaten by JB to date.
• (UK miles, hotels etc have not been included in the Barbietour Stats unless stated.)

The Statmeister