Garmish

[tanneman]

This was a bit of a short notice tour that didn't have the best start.

Sunday 8th of June I was told of a place available on the Motorrad tours with Wollaston to go to the BMW Motorrad days 2014 at Garmish. 1st of July till 9th July.

Monday, BMW club track day at Snetterton and I crash the bike again. Nothing serious but it is dirty. I'm starting to like Riches now. I have just confirmed my place with Wollaston earlier that day, bugger.

Tuesday I'm taking her apart and cleaning and checking over for what needs doing to get her ready for the trip. I had some problems with the brakes on Monday and I have had enough so new brake lines. The tyres are toast. I need to mount the phone somehow and have to fit the luggage.

Here she is in the middle of it all. You would not believe the nooks and crannies sand can find its way in to.


The brake lines I got from Earls Performance at Silverstone, new brake pads from Motorworks. The tyres I ordered online and after a very bad experience with Parcelfarce I would not recommend them to anyone. First of all they left one tyre at the back of a house up the street after they couldn't find the address, so for the second tyre I went to collect it myself in Milton Keynes. The phone mount I got from Ultimate Mobiles since I do have one of their cases. The panniers I had since new and was only used twice in the past. This will be our longest trip. Perfect.

So the big day has arrived. I had to be at the tunnel for an 08:40 departure and should be there an hour before. Got up the morning fairly early to leave 05:45, ready and on the bike. What a big mistake leaving at that time. The A1M and M25 is clogged. So a bit of filtering with those big panniers and a mad dash to the tunnel sees me getting there just in time before the Mototrrad tours leave. This last in would be a feature of the group I will be travelling with.

Some close filtering



My tour had barely started at the French side before being pulled by the Gendarme.

Do you know what you have done wrong?
Huh? Shakes head.
You didn't stop at the stop sign. Don't do it again.
Ok, thank you very much.
On your way.

Our route will be a motorway sprint to Cambrai and then D roads and a short motorway stretch to Metz.

http://goo.gl/maps/WmKDx

I'm travelling with John and Richard for the day. Our first stop is at Cambrai for lunch. Ah french food.



John


Richard


A nice GS Adventure


An uneventful ride to Metz. We did deviate from the route to go via Verdun to get fuel. We stayed at the Mecure Mets Centre which has secure parking at the back. Just a short stroll to the square and off course there was football on the TV everywhere. We settled down for a reasonable looking restaurant with a nice blonde waitress.



Burger for the night and hopefully an early night. This is the Wollaston guys I have booked the trip with.

[tanneman]

The next day would see us entering Germany near Baden Baden and a sleepover at Ulm.

http://goo.gl/maps/Khozd

The morning looks promising with a heavenly blue sky. It was to be a very warm day. Nonetheless, a decent breakfast to start the day right and a fuel stop on our way out of Metz.



First we had to clear all the little villages and then the navigation skills of the leader left a bit to be desired. It was all fun and games and we did take the mickey at our breaks. One thing the route planner didn't bargain on was a French village would have a market where the road was closed. This caused some confusion since there was a few wrong turns at the village before. The little detour we took led us on to a fantastic road. Diemeringen D9 to La Petite Pierre and then the D7 to Weiterswiller.

A quick lunch stop in Haguenau would be the last one in France for a few days. We had a very good waitress that served us. One of the best for the rest of the tour. Somebody had to ask if we were in Germany . No Not until we cross the Rhine.



Ok here we go. Baden Baden and we have to take the B500. If you ever can't find the B500 in Baden Baden then surely you must be blind. I really do like the place. The reg plate is BAD, there is the B500 and you can buy 102 octane fuel in Germany. The first bit of the B500 has some roadworks on it but after that we are off. Richard's K1600GT leads the way and I over take a few in the group to get going. This is a road I always wanted to ride and here I am. Beautiful corners and smooth tarmac. The panniers almost touch down. We stop at the top for a photo opportunity.



Now I must add that the only other 11S on tour was Rudy with his Randy Mamola replica. It was a pleasure listening to those lasers and we became good friends on this tour. That's him with his arms outstretched.

One arty one


The ride up the mountain has wet our appetites for more but as we roll out of the car park and a few miles away the rain lashes down. We take it steady. Some places it would rain, other places the road would be wet. So it continues till we get to Reutlingen where the heavens opened. By this time we have been stuck in peak traffic twice, cued on the mountain roads behind lorrys and I just wanted to get to Ulm. We left Reutlingen on one of these smooth tarmac roads typical of Germany and as if by invitation the rain stopped and tarmac was dry. This is what the S was made for. I let the others go ahead, well I was in the back of the group anyway. Then I opened her up. Such flowing roads it was an absolute pleasure turning the bike in, leaning and getting the head behind the screen. She was singing and all was forgiven. Soon enough we arrived in Ulm. First stop was for some fuel. This is where Rudy's bike failed to start. Oh-oh. I said 'don't worry', whisked out my tool kit but decided this is going to take too much time. So we had his seat off and I felt for the battery terminal. Yep, there was a bit of looseness there but with my finger on the terminal the bike started. At the hotel under ground car park we had the fairings off and the offending terminal tightened. A bit sweaty for it was warm in Ulm. The hotel Maritim Ulm is a bit more upmarket than the camping sites in France I'm used to. Oh and we (that is John and me) were on the 8th floor looking out over the river. It has a very good bar and the burger was first class. Sorry no pics, the burger did a vanishing act before I could get the camera out. That night I was in bed early. 2 long days in the saddle and a few beers had the eyelids doing the close curtain thing. Luckily John doesn't snore.

[StrokeB]

Thanks for sharing, enjoyed reading about your trip. I have only been through Germany once many years ago when we were camping, our aim was to stop in the black forest but the rain was coming down heavy so we ended up going straight on into Switzerland, the sun came out as we crossed over the border!

[dave the german]

Which hotel were you in in Garmisch? I think I was in Sport Hotel last year - small units interconnected underground - the standard of accommodation was brilliant

[tanneman]

Hold on, this is not even half way but thanks for the encouraging comment.

Yes, we stayed at the Dorint Sport. You can get lost in the tunnel.

[Blackal]

If your's is the silver 1100 - who owns the Boxercup?

Al

[tanneman]

Today we are going to Munich. This is not a straight road but drops us down south to Shongau and back up through Diesen am Ammersee and Herrsching. Another scorching day ahead as the sky remains cloudless. Again we make our way through the surrounding villages. We ended on some really good roads with a countryside to compliment the flowing nature of the road. Once again some roadworks put a spanner in the works but since there is like a hundred BMW's all going the same way you cannot get lost. So I ended up separated from the front group leading the back markers and with the road beckoning I soon rejoin at the front. Not long after we stop for a break in a small village and head for the shade.

Mind your manners


The rest of the morning was spend riding the B road equivalent in Bavaria with the exception that there is no potholes, no scrotes lining the streets and with green grass populating the fields. The lunch stop was planned for Schongau. You ride through a narrow arch to take you into the old part. We stop and set off for a 'recommended' eatery round the corner.



Not the best but it will do and much better than your local middle of the night takeaway.


It seems that the economy in Germany must be much better than here in Blighty as there is construction and roads works in every other town we pass through. I don't know how well off the region of Bavaria is but you know that you are passing through it as every town has a white and blue decorated post. Near Munich we rejoin the motorway and head into the city only to be once more held up in traffic due to road works. It is baking hot and I'm sure that my helmet has turned into an upside down swimming pool. The destination is the BMW HQ for a tour of the Welt. By my calculation we are going to be late but not to worry. I'm getting used to this. The stop start traffic and traffic lights separate the group again but my trusty phone app leads me the right way. Not that it is difficult to get there. The place is a landmark in Munich. The route makes a u-turn on the Petuel ring but a RTA is holding up traffic and an ambulance trying to get through. The whole hold up was a car parked on top of a bike. Hope the rider is ok. We eventually park the bikes next to the HQ and museum and walk over to the Welt. good thing we missed the tour. The Welt is like my local dealership with the exception of having an Rolls Royce there.





The bowl shaped building is the old part of the museum.


A ten minute stroll to stretch the legs and we settle at a table eyeing the German lasses. Well there was so many tourists there, heard a couple of American kids (probably part of a tour) ordering food, loads of Chinese, a couple of Ausies and a Saffa thrown in the mix to give it that worldwide flavour. The cake was delicious and the water didn't last long.


That evening we would be back at the museum for a party but more later. Work has to be done.

[tanneman]

If your's is the silver 1100 - who owns the Boxercup?

Al

It is not even Christmas yet. No red noses and no sleds.

[tanneman]

For the evening we were put up at the Angelo hotel on the Leuchtenbergring. Probably a good call since its next to the S Bahn. It doesn't look like much to promise from the outside but inside it is top notch. The bikes were parked in a marked off area of the car park at the rear of the hotel. As we walked in from the car park there was Alan greeting us with a glass of ice cold beer. Just the thing to refresh us after a very hot day. One of the nicest things on the tour and he is a great guy but as straight as a £7 note. A right laugh he is. Instead of going down to the reception (the car park is raised and you enter on the 3rd floor) they checked us in there. Very convenient and our room was right there by the door. There was enough time for a shower and a quick clothes wash (do this every day otherwise you'll smell worse than a skunk) before we meet at the reception. A bus was waiting to take us to the museum where BMW has laid on a party before we go to Garmish. Each of us got 2 food tokens and 3 beer tokens. I still have the food tokens . Well it was loud and there was quite a few people connected with BMW there. I spotted Michael Dunlop but let him be as he was staying at the same hotel as us and a lot of guys wanted to have a chin wag with him.

Anoraks don't sh1t yourselves








Two brothers I was chatting to.


More porn






The old, the current and the new


For some reason the HP2 series and R9T is a bit scarce in the UK but not so in Germany. Spotted loads of them in our short time there.




That was a rockster. In the background you can see some Irish guy's van and bike. Apparently he likes to do crazy stuff with a bike. Nice lass though.




The decision was made to leave the party and go in to Munich. Best decision ever. The ticket system works about the same as in Poland, validate the ticket before heading downstairs to take the train. Remember that. Instead of heading to the recommended pubs we got off at Marienplatz.

U Bahn. Nice and clean.


Now all the beer had us searching for place to relieve ourselves. No worries lads, here's a toilet. Oh my God the smell. 'Breathe through your mouth'. But only to taste the sulphur but what must be done has to be done and we were committed by then. Back on the surface and a short walk from the station and through a square that looks like a tourist trap we found a restaurant beckoning us to enjoy what can only be described as sumptuous. We conned Rudy into having a grosse bier while we opt for the normal kleine pint size one.











We had a great time and at one point tears were flowing as some off the cuff comments were made. The restaurant staff enjoyed it and gave us very good service. This went on till late. Now for some reason the U Bahn stops at midnight. We made our way down electing not to use the toilet till we get back to the hotel. We eventually managed to buy the tickets we want and set off for the escalator. I remembered that the tickets needs a punch and said it out load just as Richard and Ian were on the escalator going down. What a site seeing them turn around and racing back, this caused some more spasms of the laughing muscles. Well back to normal service we took the U Bahn to Ostbahnhof and then had to catch the S Bahn to Leuchtenbergring. That did cause quite a bit of confusion but easy to work out if you haven't been drinking. So with help we made it back to the hotel. The reception was full and we had a last one there. Lee introduced Michael Dunlop to us and I had a bit of a chat with him. Funny as hell he is and a good lad away from the racing. I like him.





Tomorrow would be one of the highlights of the tour for me.

[popsky]

If your's is the silver 1100 - who owns the Boxercup?

Al

I know that a picture says a thousand words but the text under fills in the blanks lol Al

[Blackal]

If your's is the silver 1100 - who owns the Boxercup?

Al

I know that a picture says a thousand words but the text under fills in the blanks lol Al

Ah-hah! I guess I got confused as to whether the caption was above or below the piccy...............

Al

[popsky]

Great write up Josef, is there more?

Brought back some memories of Berlin when you mentioned the U bahn stopping at midnight, we were in digs out by the Tier Park and it took till 5.30 am to get home (alcohol may have played a part lol), and no the busses don't stop either when you try to wave them down.

[tanneman]

Oh yes fella.

I was up early with more eagerness than my room mate. Another hearty breakfast, don't you just love hotels, and at 9am we were at the bikes ready to go to the BMW museum. Getting there was a bit easier this morning and we arrived in time to allow for a bit of browsing of the museum shop and a quick coffee.



Our tour guide made himself known and the tour started. This is what I have been looking forward to. Very informative that tour guide, Martin is his name, and a few jokes about the war because the Brits is in town. The whole history of BMW was told and some of the collection to showcase the early years was on display. Now I must add that BMW has a car vault for the museum and it holds about 450 cars and bikes at any one time. Not only the old stuff but also concept cars and bikes, racers and whatever takes their fancy. Seems like they have a team that hunts down rare exotics and negotiates with the owners to buy the vehicles. I cannot tell you all about the tour but it was more than enough to keep me interested for the next hour and a half. It is well worth the effort to go there and some really rare machines are on display. So a few choice pics.

And yes that is dayglo paint front and rear.


The man himself, Martin.


A 1920's engine




Now some may be old enough to remember your dad talking about this bike and the man who rode it.


Unfortunately this is all that remains of the car, just a prototype frame. The original was destroyed in a fire.




A very fast can of yogurt.


Yep, some lunatic was driving it.


Downforce, believe it. With the slightest breeze it sticks to walls.


Some very rare coupe's. The Z8 is the machine from the 007 movie 'The world is not enough'. All the James Bond BMW coupe's where there.






Troy Corser's old bike


and his new one


To my disappointment my phone was running low on the juice and soon after the aerodynamic section it died. But I had a picture of one of the first R1100S models, just in front of 007's cruiser.


So after a very informative tour of BMW's past, present and future and a quick bite in the cafeteria we were on our way again to Garmish. Now Richard knows that Rudy and I have about a 150 mile range. He takes us unto the motorway and I thought this is not going to work. So I adopt the aerodynamic position, which is also quite comfortable for me, and keep a steady speed. I trust the man because he has been here a few times. As the trip meter turns over to 169 miles we exit the motorway to fill up with fuel. To my surprise and that of Rudy a measly 15 liters trickled into our tanks. That must be some sort of record for me never to be beaten. Anyway with the fuel drama over and in no doubt helped by the pretty little thing that turned up at the petrol station it was back to ops normal. A stop at one of the little towns that lines the Starnberger See on the western side was called for to cool down a bit.



Spotted this house with the Zodiac painted on it.


And something to eat.


Garmish wasn't that far and the road was starting to fill up with bikes. We had another cracking run down one of these tarmac heavens intersected by a narrow little toll road. The arrival the the Dorint Sport hotel was uneventful, but getting to our room was another issue. Even though it was explained the head didn't compute and eventually it became clear. The second door you drowsy tw@t. With the bike safely tucked away in the underground garage a shower and a bit of a lay in before we made our way to the hotel restaurant. Here one of the best waitresses of the entire tour served us. Flawless and food arrived in front of you with out having been asked what you ordered. There was no time for piccies. It was too good to waste any time with a camera.

A bit off an edit. Now for some reason Alan is as blind as a bat and it had us in stitches him trying to sign his bill. He does see a lot better once there is a bit of distance between him and the object. One of his worse moments.


As we made our way to our respective rooms Rudy gave me a tour of the underground tunnel. What a walk. This is where I got lost having to double back to make sure I am where I was suppose to be. A good nights sleep was in order. Tomorrow is the festival.

[tanneman]

The routes we were suppose to take Thursday and Friday.

http://goo.gl/maps/ERKgt

http://goo.gl/maps/l8jL7

The planned ride outs for the Saturday.

http://goo.gl/maps/wxuLE

http://goo.gl/maps/nerBa

http://goo.gl/maps/nJ0v6

[tanneman]

Saturday morning. I was up early before I could spawn an enormous growth. The hotel has a few hire bikes and judging the distance between the hotel and the festival I thought it a good idea to hire one. E18 a day is not too bad. I like cycling and is missing the regular exercise I have at home. This also gave me a good opportunity to take a few good snaps with the phone.

The view


Early


An abomination


Signed by Chris Pfeiffer.


Apparently this bike is at Garmish every year.


Met this guy who has a difficult to pronounce name. The R80GS has a 178000km on it. He bought it with 70km on from the BMW dealer. Travelled a lot. Travelled South Africa and Namibia for 15 weeks. His other bike is an R100RT cafe racer.


No way to travel. That is a luxury side car outfit.


A well travelled HP2 Sport


One tired bike


Breakfast was beckoning and I made my way back via the ski ramp. I met the guy from Samisura there as he was unloading his bike. What a beautiful piece of art. Cycling up the road to the top took a bit more effort than what my body was prepared to give.





After breakfast we decided to have a little ride of our own instead of following the BMW planned route. This led us to a bikers retreat somewhere in the Austrian mountains. The cake was to die for. Just as we made ready to leave these two old guys turned up on a Zundapp and Ural side car outfit.







An impromptu decision to continue on the road over the mountain made for an entertaining ride. A bit of dry roads and a few sprinkles of rain on the twisty mountain roads kept us in check. We made it to Oetz and then battled the holiday traffic over the pass back to Garmish.

The evening was reserved for the party which we prepared for that afternoon with a beauty sleep. We donned our Motorrad Tours golf shirts and put on the VIP passes and set off in a taxi for a speedy delivery to the festival. A quick stroll around the place and another chat with Mr Dunlop where he introduced me to the girl who build his race bike. A chat with the 2 of them before Michael made his excuse. A few questions about boxers and she informs me that she doesn't know much about it but a guy called Frans Thomas might who was involved with the race series. The tent is a massive structure where people have been watering themselves for a few hours. Our table located we settled down for an evening to be remembered. The food was good but never in my life did I manage 3 litres of beer.











Now this man was stalking Rudy and me that evening that we had to tell him off. He agreed to have his picture taken with us.


I'll be seeing him later this month at the Oakley bike festival. An unashamed bump http://oakleymc.net/obf-14/

The local lasses seems to like wear this traditional dresses. It looks more like something designed to increase the population.




From my valley


Now by this time the party sort of reached its peak. It was either go home or get into trouble. The rest of the group left leaving me to finish my beer. I have met quite few people that evening so felt quite content. Another quick stroll around the place to check out the other parties before I took the long way home. I have contemplated earlier that evening to take the bicycle and now I was regretting it. Walking home whilst under the influence is something I have not done for a long time. Got back to my room without further dramas. I'll have to go have a chat with the guys at Alpha Racing, tomorrow.