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Post by Fiasco on May 20, 2009 22:53:03 GMT
Well the long awaited trip to Mugello is almost here, I leave next Tuesday. A group of 15 of us are riding down to Mugello for the Moto GP on 31st, and also visiting the Ducati Factory and Museum and Ferrari factory (the Ferrari one doesn't excite me that much tbh) The plan is to ride on as few Autoroutes as possible, down through France, over the Alps to Italy where we spend 4 days, then back over the Austrian Alps, up into Germany then Belgium then home. Long days of riding are on the cards, the daily mileages are as follows: Day 1 - 425 Miles - Home to Dizy via Dover/Calais Day 2 - 351 Miles - Dizy to Grenoble Day 3 - 334 Miles - Grenoble to Modena Day 4 - 194 Miles - Modena to Faenza Day 5 - 155 Miles (Ducati and Ferrari - Bologna + Imola) Day 6 - 88 Miles - (Moto GP Day - Mugello) Day 7 - 234 Miles - Faenza to Senale, Austria (via Lake Garda) Day 8 - 328 Miles - Senale to Schaidt, Germany (pro "Shite"!) Day 9 - 285 Miles - Schaidt to St Quentin Day 10 - 300 Miles (approx) - St Quentin to Home via Calais/Dover Having looked at the routes on Mapsource and Google Earth, some of the roads look unbelievable ! Many of our party are on sports bikes including Ducatis, a Guzzi and Gixer, and a fair amount older than me, I think there could be some achy bones and chafing  Hoping the TDM will show me why it is so popular on the continent. Full report and pics on my return Best wishes Dave Ps Got the James Toseland T shirt and cap in the new colours, look out for me on the TV I may be the only one wearing them ! |
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Post by m40man on May 20, 2009 23:01:45 GMT
Sounds fantastic. Will you be waiting at the roadside with the Ducatis or meeting them later on in the evenings? Here's a tip for you: When the older riders complain of chafing, you don't HAVE to administer first aid  . Have a great trip - I'm not jealous . |
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Post by DahDit on May 21, 2009 7:05:58 GMT
Have a great trip - I'm not jealous . Ditto. Git. ;D |
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2009 13:00:32 GMT
I'm actually not jealous. I'd hate to have to wait for all these sportsbike riders at every stop.  looking at the mileages for the first 3 days they'll be lucky to be able to walk by day 4.  This company might even make his TDM look like a decent bike. :PThey'll be fighting to take a shot for the day. ;D Have a good one. Looking forward to the report. Who's this Toseland guy ? |
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Post by Fiasco on May 21, 2009 14:03:45 GMT
Have a good one. Looking forward to the report. Who's this Toseland guy ? Well Bev, he is the bloke that won the World Superbikes twice when he was EnglishNow he's the British guy who is not having a good time of it, obviously if he comes good he will once again be English Best wishes Dave  |
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2009 15:34:17 GMT
Ah yes I remember him now. Lucky he's not riding with you, you'd be late for the race. ;D
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Post by Pooh(c) on May 21, 2009 19:47:17 GMT
Yup - Days 1 to 3 will be interesting for the pocket rockets. Make sure they take some Ralgex with them.
I'm sure you'll have a great time if there's 15 of you going. Have you started a book yet as to who'll get lost 1st.
Can you bring me back some Parma Ham and Parmesan Cheese.
Cheers
Steve
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Post by Pool Boy on May 21, 2009 21:06:08 GMT
What Dah-Dit Said
And M40Man
Have a great time
Roger
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Post by Fiasco on May 21, 2009 21:53:16 GMT
Here is one of the passes we are using Dave |
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Post by Fiasco on May 21, 2009 23:53:29 GMT
Have a great trip - I'm not jealous . Ditto. Git. ;D Says he who is just off on an all expenses paid trip to ............... Dave Official secrets act possibly, so will leave him to fess up |
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Post by DahDit on May 22, 2009 12:20:02 GMT
Not any more - should be there now.  Got cancelled at the weekend, so I'll leave you to have all the fun in the sun |
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Post by Fiasco on May 22, 2009 13:36:12 GMT
Not any more - should be there now. Got cancelled at the weekend, so I'll leave you to have all the fun in the sun Bugrit, sorry to hear that Mate  Does this mean you will be joining Jane in her jaunt to Londinium ? Dave |
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Post by muddyrutter3 on May 27, 2009 16:32:45 GMT
Hi Dave,
Good luck with the trip.
France is wonderful for biking.
A few years ago I did Annecy in the Alps to Le Havre in 11 hours (550) miles and I could still walk afterwards.
That was on the dear old 900 - bless.
Regards
Nick
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Post by DahDit on May 28, 2009 17:28:51 GMT
 Just a quick update and piccy sent from Dave today. No probs with bike, timings, route or group so far - just ear ache from the ear plugs he says....and €6.50 for a beer and expensive hotel food are the only grumbles so far. Sounds like he's having fun all the same. Made Grenoble last night - and is currently in Italy and the Alps. He's still a git ;D <Edit> Just as I posted the above.... he text'd to say he was in Parma services slinging down strong coffee, watching some Brits bump starting a Ducati "lol". Heading for a late dinner (so the scheule does sound a little ambitious, maybe). He says the roads are fab and the TeDiuM is having no problems keeping up. |
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2009 19:25:12 GMT
Dave, If you check in I hope you're having a great time |
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Post by beeblemaster on May 28, 2009 20:13:44 GMT
Quality pic... was he at the camping gas shop? ;D |
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Post by Pooh(c) on May 28, 2009 21:08:44 GMT
Hope he's not melting his comms cable on his left silencer.
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Post by DahDit on May 29, 2009 8:47:58 GMT
Nah, that's the cable for his heated grips ;D
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Post by beeblemaster on May 29, 2009 8:56:05 GMT
I'm surprised I haven't received a text asking how to change the speedo to KPH......
I would have told him to get an overlay sticker - and I'm sure he would have ;D
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Post by DahDit on May 29, 2009 21:18:02 GMT
Dave's latest updates: 29 May - 11:15 GMT
"If you get chance to look at Google Earth, check the roads around Zocca, that's where we are today and the roads are the best I have ridden. Been hunting Gixer and Ducati all morning - can't shake the old TeDiuM lol. Italian drivers are f***ing bonkers lol! Just off to Vinci for Leonardo museum - but I may just find a tree for a snooze!"
"First mechanical problem - Buell with snapped belt! He also dropped it and snapped a peg yesterday"
I'm sure he doesn't mind me posting this - he'll be too knackered on his return to remember what happened LOL!
;D
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Post by beeblemaster on May 30, 2009 9:31:17 GMT
Italian drivers are f***ing bonkers lol! They're probably all driving on the wrong side of the road! ;D |
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Post by DahDit on May 30, 2009 19:42:19 GMT
Dave's latest updates: 30 May 08:52 GMT  "Ducati factory this morning - wow what a place. Asked the line manager Rossi or Stoner for MotoGP? He looked shocked and did "Rossi" <Thumbs down> lol ;D Picture is with Stoner's last two years' GP bikes" "Wore JT cap in Ducati factory LOL. Feeling tired today - got caught in a storm in the mountains last night and arrived in Faenza wet and cold in the dark at 10pm last night. Kit drying out today". |
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Post by DahDit on May 30, 2009 19:53:27 GMT
Dave's latest update: 30 May 11:49 GMT  "Can't take any more food so have left the group at the lunch stop and am out riding alone. What a pleasure! Sat Nav taking me through deserted olive groves. Hardly a car to be seen - off back to hotel for some rest" |
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Post by teejayexc on May 30, 2009 20:41:13 GMT
What time they hoping to hit Mugello then?
He's still a git ;D
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Post by DahDit on May 31, 2009 7:52:40 GMT
Dave's latest update: 31 May 06:44 GMT  "Have arrived at Mugello! Good journey, but chaos on local area. We are above sweeping right at far end on hill opposite some Repsol signs. Atmosphere is great! 125's on practise....." "This may give you a clue to our position"  |
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Post by DahDit on May 31, 2009 9:42:04 GMT
Dave's latest update: 31 May 09:20 GMT It was raining, sat in waterproofs - also lost his camera and hence all his pics of the tour Now moved to "Rossi hill" and caught this of the 125's  |
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Post by teejayexc on May 31, 2009 10:29:59 GMT
Dave's latest update: 31 May 09:20 GMT It was raining, sat in waterproofs - also lost his camera and hence all his pics of the tour Bummer  , still he'll be able to 'borrow' some off his mates, not the same though Ps, well done Bradley |
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Post by DahDit on May 31, 2009 10:35:48 GMT
Dave's latest update: 31 May 10:14 GMT "Now on first bend for start of 250 race. Is it a wet race?" (I think he'll know the answer now lol!) "Bradley did fantastic!"  |
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Post by General Gman on May 31, 2009 11:59:57 GMT
I'll have to remember to send pics from Donington when the sun's shining (although most of them will be me, my sis and / or Jools pished for 5 days solid) |
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Post by teejayexc on May 31, 2009 13:02:53 GMT
I'll have to remember to send pics from Donington when the sun's shining (although most of them will be me, my sis and / or Jools Pee-ed for 5 days solid) Spare us the pics of Jools pee-ing pleeeeease |
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, still he'll be able to 'borrow' some off his mates, not the same though 