The road to Berlin... (Warning: 4 wheel content!)

[Twinspark]

Yesterday, at 5.30pm, we set off on our epic road trip.

The last 24 hours have seen 6 countries...  Wales, England, France, Luxembourg, Belgium and finally Germany.

The ferry trip was tedious and I won't be using LD Lines again if I can help it... 2.5 hours sat in a queue in an MX5 is tedious and uncomfortable, and putting it on an exposed open deck at the very top of the ferry was hair-raising to say the least.

However, once free of Le Havre's rush hour, we made good progress to  Reims, then on to Bonn via the Liege rush hour... Belgian drivers have to be the worst in Europe.

Tomorrow sees the Nurburgring and a wander around Bonn, followed by the drive to Berlin on Wednesday...

Pics so far here:

https://picasaweb.google.com/104294878919802180453/ReimsCircuit?feat=directlink

[Gromit]

Sounds like a good trip - the link's not working though.

We've been to Berlin many times now - first time was in 1988 for work, before the wall came down where we did a trip into the East via Checkpoint Charlie.

Often fancied going there by bike, although by the direct route it's a fair old way, and somewhat dull. Great city though, probably my favourite in Europe and with a wonderfully interesting history. Great night out too.

[Twinspark]

Link fixed.

We originally planned to do this on 2 wheels, but then bottled out and booked the car on the ferry instead.

Given the torrential downpours we've experience - at one point we were down to 35mph on the Autobahn - I'm glad we've done it in the car!

[BlueBoxer]

Once you have toured with the mx5 , will you ever get her back touring on the bike?

I too changed plans in 2010, and went in an mx5. We went again in 2011 in the mx5



Steve

[el-nicko]

Sounds like a good trip - the link's not working though.

We've been to Berlin many times now - first time was in 1988 for work, before the wall came down where we did a trip into the East via Checkpoint Charlie.

Often fancied going there by bike, although by the direct route it's a fair old way, and somewhat dull. Great city though, probably my favourite in Europe and with a wonderfully interesting history. Great night out too.

Aaaah Berlin. No other city comes close.

[Gromit]

Aaaah Berlin. No other city comes close.

Agreed.

Another great thing about the place is that it hasn't been blighted by the stag/hen weekend fraternity. The place is clean, safe, the Underground system is fast, quiet and wonderfully efficient - cheap too if you get a Berlin Welcome Card

TS - if you get chance, go and take a look at the DDR Motorcycle Museum which is just a short walk from Alexanderplatz.

We're really into the city walks, the best of which is run by these guys.

Overall, a city rich in fascinating history - I can't get enough of the place.

[bikemad99]

We too love the MX5 but find people get annoyed when I filter in traffic.

[Twinspark]

Not the most eventful day today... up early, wander around Bonn.

Despite the warnings that it would be rubbish, Bonn was actually a really good day out. The Museum of German History is vast and takes you through from the end of WW2 to reunification. Compelling stuff and took us about 2.5 hours to get around it.

Had a ride on the U-Bahn and walked back along the river - grabbed lunch under the statue of Beethoven, but sadly didn't get to do the Beethoven walk or visit his house. Maybe next time.

Obviously, the reason for curtailing the day in Bonn city centre was the other local attraction. There just happens to be a little race track less than an hour away, which was open for a couple of hours this evening.

It was bloody wet but huge fun.... and I'm now proud to say that I've lost my 'Ring virginity.

Pics. on link below...

https://picasaweb.google.com/104294878919802180453/BonnAndNurburgring?feat=directlink

[Twinspark]

Couple of updates.

We made it to Berlin via Checkpoint Alpha.

It's an amazing city. Must come again.

Last 2 days:

https://picasaweb.google.com/104294878919802180453/CheckpointAlphaOlympicStadium?feat=directlink

https://picasaweb.google.com/104294878919802180453/Berlin?feat=directlink