There’s been much talk about planning big long journeys - so in this weeks podcast we’re going to talk about how to go about planing a continent crossing holiday!
No small task - so everyone stick in your suggestions and we’ll read them out on air tonight.
m
Hey! that’s a great idea, I have done that a few times and had bad and good experiences, with the law, inmigration, language, aftermarket exhaust, peage, maps, food, etc…
Buy and read this: Adventure Motorcycling Handbook by Chris Scott.
Also look on websites like this: http://www.adventure-motorcycling.com/edition5/index.htm
I would like to plan and do a long trip one day so I’m all ears!
Always prepare for the worst case scenario, then anything that happens can be taken in your stride and should be trivial:
I think whatever else you choose to take depends on how confident you are, and how much gear you can, or want to carry on the bike. Minimal is best, most things can be bought along your journey or destination, i.e. clothes and toiletries.
Buy a decent rucksack and zip it to the side and poss padlock…i didnt do all 3 and lost alot of stuff once upon a time 
Have your bike serviced before you go and even if theres a few more miles left in the current tyres a change would be useful. On day of journey before you set out go through bike fluid levels and check chain brakes, bulbs, tyre pressures etc if possible carry spare bulbs and spare fuses.
Start by breaking journey down into achievable goals. 300 miles a day is ambitious 200 perhaps a little more acheivable.
Plan for ALL weathers but pack like you expect to see a large biblical vessel carrying animals in pairs (ie waterproof everything)
Plan to make frequent stops, fuel, places of interest, food, toilets etc.
Have an end goal and plan for a few days break there before setting off back.
Take spare gloves.
Take some spares like Clutch cable and hoses - small consumables and gaffer tape - nothing excessive but it might save a lot of time if you had a spare of something that was hard to get hold of at the local bike mechanic / vet…
I have done 2 trips that lasted more than 20 days and one or two things I have learned from other trips before that helped a lot is:
Clothing:
If you are travelling around Europe you will have to have with you thermals. Even now that we have 30 degrees when you leave London in the pirinees you will get remains of snow. so take gloves for summer and cold(waterproof) Thermal trousers and shirt.
All this photos are from a unique trip. The difference in temperatures are huge in Europe. (it was end of April)
I never take any t-shirt, socks or underware! I explane: Nowadays any supermarket you stop in the way will have very cheap socks,tshirts and underware. Just use them and bim them (you can always use them both sides,lol). You will save a lot of space and it does not cost more than £5,00 a day on top of your expenses. No washing either. On the photo bellow I’m Rome with bought there clothes. Just make sure the shoes are your size, those were hurting a bit… lol
I was going to pass in Rome, Sardegnia and Berlin during a long trip around Europe, being those cities the only ones I was going to park the bike and spend a whole day walking around. Ended up sepnding two days in Rome. It’s not worth to have a pair of shoes in your luggage, istead have a pair of flip-flops that you can use at any moment. Buy the shoes in the supermarket, you can get them for 10 quid. It’s not a fashion show.
Be prepared for nice surprises on the way. I have done loads of research but missed this incredible cable car trip in Swissland. I’m glad I had spare budget and time to enjoy on a last miniute finding.
Different regions of Europe have different types of food! Go easy on the way you explore it! This Trentino ham I had in the country side of Italy, coused a disaster in my stomach. I later found out that it was suppposed to eaten just in a very small quantity… Ask locals if you want to try local food.
Do not miss the incredible tourist atractions Europe has to offer becouse you didn’t do your homework! research the area you are going by
Do not stuff yourself with local delicatessen and ride your bike! I found this lovely, incredible place in france that only did sweets… Had to saty for the night…
If you are luck enough to have space under your sit, have some spare food in it! I could always count on my spare sandwish…
take time to take your pics. You never know if you will be there again. And take notes where you have been as I can’t remember where this pic was taken and regrect it forever!
Take pics and pics!
Ops: I got a bit exited here, lol. It’s just too many…
Ah Cezar, you are so funny!
Great pics! Thanks
Stunning Cez - you coming tonight?
m
Yes matt, I will be there !
Here I found some more of those trips. I got thousands and have to scan them yet:
http://www.biochem.ucl.ac.uk/~cezar/BT2006/Touring/touring02/TourEurop.htm
Get a gel seat! 500 miles+ in 24hrs can have dire consequences
Yes I know what you mean - but my arse has enough padding of it’s own! In fact this weekend (2 days) I covered 540 miles over and my bum is hardly numb - but then again - it was on the Pan European - next week I’m riding a VFR so we’ll have to see which is better.
m
What a fashionable young man you were 
OMG Cez, mate that looks like a pretty mamoth trip.
Would love to do something continental at some point, luckily the missus is just as up for it, the trip that is 
Jolyon
Yes he was, but I notice a fairly modern Merc van in the background. They were not in production when that jacket was last in fashion.
And a decent proportion of eating shots too. Excellent, we know that’s the real Cezar not a photoshop job
That was back in 2001 or 2, no more than that.
hahahaha! You are terrible mate! That Jacket was to match with the fireblade mate, and did! I have no idea if i still got it, lol. I have quite a few of them
