The story so far...
Talk to any motorcyclist anywhere in the world and they will tell you that they have dreamed of doing a big trip. Well, once upon a time, in the not too distant past, two friends were riding their motorcycles en-route to Le Mans for the 24hr Saloon Car Race. Over one of the Coffee Stops the idea of a ‘Big Bike Trip’ was born. Over the next couple of years, every time they met, they would discuss the idea. Where would they go? How far would they travel? Which countries would they visit? Like most Adventurers they dreamed and they talked, but did little serious planning and time slipped by.
It was decided that in 2005 they would embark on a trip around Europe and visit most of the countries on the mainland continent. Andy Trickett and Kevin Dixon-Nutt committed themselves to a charity motorcycle ride to raise money for The St James’s Foundation.
Preparations began and research commenced to find out which bikes would be best suited for the trip? What training would they need? What equipment would they require? Which Countries required Visa’s? A thousand and one questions came to light which had to be answered if the trip was going to be a success.
As it had been some time since Andy had done some “off-road” riding he enrolled for a BMW off Road Course at Walters Ash in South Wales in September 2005.
What a Plonker!!! After the bike stalled on a decline, and he managed to control the skid all the way to the bottom of the hill, then Andy fell off and broke his leg. Oh Well, S..t happens!
Over the next few months, more research was done and then BMW launched the R 1200 GS Adventure, the ultimate machine to use on such a trip. It was at this point that they realized that 2007 would be the 60th anniversary of the formation of European Union. So, Why not ride clockwise all the way around mainland Europe, visiting many of the E. U. Members, and proposed Member Countries. And, by using Motorways/Autobahns/Auto-routes as little as possible, and following the lesser road, this would enable them to experience the differences in the various cultures of all the countries they visit, and not just sit on a motorway for mile after mile.
A new date was set for the 12th of April 2008 when we planned to set off from The Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London. Although there is no anniversary to coincide with, “The E.U.Tour 2008” Charity Motorcycle Ride (ALL The Way Round) is going ahead as planned. About 15,000 miles in 3 months, visiting 28 Countries on mainland Europe, (and hopefully raising some money for charity).
In October 2007 a new Charity was launched called ‘Help for Heroes’, as both Kevin and Andy are ex-servicemen they have decided that some of the money they raise will be donated to this worthy cause of supporting our wounded servicemen and women.
So there is a bit of background history for you with regards to this trip of a lifetime, who knows this might just be the start of something!
Once the plan was in place of course some preparations were needed, a few weekends spent away in the wilderness of Great Britain were called for...below are some images from Andy and Kevin's adventures.
