July 20 - Portoroz - Leisure Day

Today a few of us took the bus and went to the next town.  Amazing how if you don’t do this blog right away I forget the details quickly.  

Walking around the town was beautiful.  The buildings and views are stunning.  I will let some pictures speak for themselves.

In the evening we walked down the boardwalk and found a spot to have supper and a beer later on.  Met up with a few of the Posse Riders for a drink on the way to supper as well.  That is one very nice thing about riding with a group of people - everywhere we stop or walk to you always come across people you know - friendly faces and people to share a table and drink with.  

Of course another beautiful sunset picture was taken and it is always important to take a drink picture as well which turned out amazing!  

July 19 - Kranjska Gora to Portoroz

 Today was a hot one.  As we get closer to Croatia we are getting hotter and hotter weather.  On a rest stop around noon we were able to ride up onto a sidewalk area where we could park our bikes in the shade.  I took advantage of staying in the shade and enjoying lying down on a hard bench and able to stretch out which actually was quite relaxing and felt amazing!

My GoPro is full and I forgot to empty it before riding today so my pictures are only from my phone which I do not use when I ride.  I have included a picture of the route today (at least I think that is the route just for today but it could be more than that.  LOL 

The hotel that we have today is right on the water and has a beautiful view.  Sunset was stunning and I made sure that I had a sunset picture.  

July 18 - Misurina to Kranjska Gora

Leaving Misurina which was such a beautiful setting it is hard to leave!  But today will be the last day riding through the mountains and what a day it was!  Hairpin turns galore!  And to top it off we had cobblestones in the turns going up - you know just to make it a bit more difficult.

On the way down the mountain there is 49 hairpin turns which do not include all the other corners on the way down.  To say it was a fun but difficult ride is an understatement.  I loved it!  But when you are competing for road space with bicycles and cars and small vans and sometimes meeting them head on in a corner as you can’t see before you go around the hairpin curve can be frightening.  I wish I could see the dash cams of some of these vans I met (6 in total) face to face.  Thankfully the motorcycle is quite limber and you can easily move it out of the way with just a quick turn - but you have to watch that you don’t go over the edge.  Lots of fun - right!

Arriving to Kranjska Gora which I have been before as well as being on the mountain roads was again amazing.  We had a buffet supper and then headed out to have a beer and take a picture in the ski town.  

Early morning again as we are moving to Portoroz Slovenia.  

July 17 - Misurina

A beautiful spot to have a leisure day.  Stoyan and Vessela took some of us out on a motorcycle tour to Cortina which is a place Stoyan goes to for work during ski season.  He said it was a little different touring around in the summer months.  

We parked near a Hockey area where Hockey Cortina has their home games and wondered if any of the kids I know ever placed hockey there!

This town was full of tourists as there was an old car race that finished in the town and had trophy presentations not far from where we were having lunch.  This is the area where the police in their Lamborghini was parked and we were able to take pictures with.  Too fun! 

 After riding back to Misurina I enjoyed the indoor pool and had a visit with some of the EPR team.  Later in the afternoon Mike and I walked around the whole lake in hopes that we could go up the chairlift to see the views but we were a few minutes too late for the final lift!  

However we met up with a crew of EPR riders that were bar hopping so we decided to join them for a beer.  It is so nice to be in a strange place but actually know people as you are walking around.  Friendly faces are always happy to greet you and share a beer with you.  

That evening met up with Mike for a drink and then had supper.at the local Italian place where the pasta was delicious. 

I highly recommend visiting Misurina if you are ever in the area!  Beautiful

July 16 - Monster Ride - Munich to Misurina

 Each EPR there is a Monster Ride where we head out early on the bikes and have breakfast somewhere on the side of the road, typically at a very beautiful spot to watch the sunrise.

Well the EPR team and Barbra along with Stefan did not disappoint.  The view at the lake was spectacular to eat our breakfast.  Some got a different great view as we watched people - mostly older - walk down on the dock and proceed to change into their swim clothes and go for a morning swim.  What a way to wake up in the morning for these people to come to their oasis and find out there is a gang of bikers eating breakfast at their favourite spot.

We arrived in Misurina after a very amazing ride through the mountains with lots of switch backs and hairpin turns.  We were all quite happy to see the nice weather and the beautiful views of Misurina.  Wow spectacular. 

We had a much quieter celebration after supper on the lake where we received our monster ride shirts and pins.  Was a very long day and I didn’t plan on staying up late but plans always change as we all were enjoying each other’s company.   

July 15 - Munich

This morning Connie and I woke up at a fairly decent time and we decided it was laundry time!  So we Ubered to the laundromat and completed two loads of laundry - so nice to get fresh clean clothes instead of hand washed in the sink clothes.  

Today was a leisure day and we chose to ride to the Harley Davidson Dealership and of course purchase some merchandise!  Imagine that!

After returning to the hotel a few of us took an Uber to downtown Munich to walk around old town.  Beautiful area to walk around with lots of shops and lots of architectural buildings.  

We had an amazing lunch at Hofbrauhaus which is a famous place to enjoy a good German beer.  I also headed across the street to get a few t-shirts for my boys at the Hard Rock Cafe which I normally do as I travel.

July 14 - Ceske to Munich

Finally great riding weather from the start of the day!  No rain - lots of winding roads through beautiful country side. 

We stopped at a very lovely spot for coffee or water. Was a nice rest before getting more heat!  

Driving along the River at a city called Passau. The sites from the road were spectacular.  Unfortunately there was another mishap while stopping at a red light. One bike didn’t stop ran into another one who hit the one beside me. All three went down but no one was hurt. Bikes can be repaired!  All bikes were rideable as well so that was good. 

After that incident we were trying to find a place to have lunch and all the little villages were empty with no sign of a restaurant unless we went off the by pass to find one. We did not and ended up stopping at about 6 km from the hotel as the rooms were not ready yet. We had a quick bite to eat and then headed to the hotel to get ready for the beer fest. 

The team has asked everyone to dress up and Connie was able to find these great aprons that looked like we were wearing a costume. We turned some head and everyone thought they were great!  

Supper was at a garden park not far from the hotel so we walked. Barbra and Stefan organized this for us and had cookies specially made for everyone. We all also received a beer mug from the EPR team. Our luggage is getting full!  

I am at my half way point of my trip and it seems like we just started but also feels like we are getting close to the end. There is so much to see yet and I’m so looking forward to it. 

July 13 - Brno to Ceske Budejovice

Duck given by Connie with a Helmet on enjoying the ride!  

Surprisingly enough I was feeling pretty good even though I did not have the best sleep last night and we could not figure out the air conditioner.  Thankfully these days I always travel with a small fan that I make sure is plugged in by my bedside just in case of these situations.  

This morning was a long one - we saw one area that had a place to stop for coffee for those that drink coffee in a little town but it was too early and then after that all the little villages were empty of people and services.  Obviously these areas are a bedroom community and that is it as they all must have been at work.  Unfortunately there was a small incident with one of the bikes but other than a broken mirror on a parked car and a little damage on a bike thankfully everyone was fine - a little shook up but fine!  

We were able to find a place to have a well deserved bathroom break and a quick drink of coffee or water. Then off down the road to the lunch stop which was a little village that had several places to eat.  The other group was there and we were able to catch up with them to see how their day was going.

So many fields of sunflowers again today!  

Had an uneventful afternoon and arrived early to the hotel only to realize that the bar was not open during the week.  So that never stops this group at getting a drink - so off we went across the street where a beer was drank!  Supper was mushroom soup, goulash and cheese cake for dessert.

There was no going out for me tonight - I am saving myself for tomorrow night as we are having a beer fest and Connie and I have matching outfits.  

July 12 - Krakow to Brno

Second day riding on the Posse Ride - same riding group as the day before so we are still with the Fantastic Four!

Some highway riding and then into the better roads with long sweeping curves and through the woods.  Lots of sunflower fields which are beautiful.  Lunch stop was at a beautiful place called Hotel Gino Park Palace!  We had two choices to make things quicker - chicken noodle soup (which was very good) and fried cheese with French fries.  I had a taste and the cheese was delicious.

There was rain off and on and it was a little chilly today so even if it wasn’t raining I had my rain gear on to keep warm.  Here is a gas stop we had where I was modeling for Vessela my nice bright orange rain gear!

There was a lot of construction but the safety gear worn by the construction workers got all the ladies talking!  Can you imagine that this would happen in Canada or even in the United States!  Not a chance but it certainly got the ladies attention in FULL.  LOL

By the time we got to the hotel it was time to have a very quick shower and get ready for supper.  After supper we headed to the bar but it was closed and but thankfully Mike had ordered some beer prior to the closing so we were able to have a few while chatting.  Then some of us decided to go to a bar down the road to finish off the night.  We met up with some of the EPR Team and stayed until after midnight and that is the reason I did not blog last night.  

July 11 - Auschwitz

This morning we were up early to catch the bus toe Auschwitz.  Not something I was really looking forward to but certainly wanted to go see for myself the horrific place where so many lives had been changed forever.  Whether they had been killed by execution, by the gas chambers or by lethal injections.  Hard to believe that it happened not even 100 years ago.  

Under no circumstances do I believe that any one person or race is better than any other person or race and find it really hard to believe the hatred that was made against the Jewish community, the gypsies and so many others.  

I am sure most of you know the horror stories that this place represents and will not try to communicate that other than through pictures that I took while I was there.  The only comment I will say is that I felt complete compassion for all those who suffered and hope that they are all at peace.  

July 10 - Warsaw to Krakow

Camille and Peter

Well finally the first day of riding of the European Posse Ride.  We started out on highways again to get away from the city.  Once we got on to the smaller roads it was much more pleasant to ride.  

Our leaders were the Fantastic Four - Benny, Nancy, Camille and Peter.  Lunch was at a perfect spot because Radaslaw from Krakow was with us and he took over the lead and took us right to this amazing restaurant where we were able to warm up with some polish soup - Zurek soup.  Again delicious!

Our group did well until of course the bikes and riders decided otherwise.  Two riders missed the marker and as they were close enough to the end of the line of bikes the sweep chased them down and sent us on.  When we met up with the rest of the group there was one bike that had issues with the electrical and they could not shut it off.  

On the Posse Ride if someone needs help only one stays behind and the rest are sent on their way.  But since Peter was chasing down the two that went the wrong way and Benny and Nancy needed to stay and wait for them - Rad was in charge of leading - Camille was in charge of the second man drop - and I - yes ME was appointed sweeper.  (I know it was because I already had orange on but I’d like to think it was because I am such a great rider - LOL). So we put the bike with the problems between Rad and Camille in case something happened to that bike again and we would avoid them being in the mix of bikes for the second man drop system.  But the bike had other ideas and finally gave out again not very far along the ride.  

Lunch Spot

Well we didn’t have any more organizers we waited until Benny, Nancy and Peter came along and again we made some changes but again I was appointed sweep!  I have to say it made my day - I loved it.  

However that wasn’t the end of the issues - now it was the turn of some more bikers!  One left the mark as I think he lost his mind and thought someone else was me and thankfully Rad saved the day again!  Took us to a hotel which turned out to be wrong (same name - different hotel) but Rad and I spoke and decided it was best to see if we could find any stragglers along the route that were left to mark.   We zoomed back and did not find anyone left on the road thankfully.  We then went to the hotel - found the right hotel to the relief of the EPR as I came around the corner!  They did not realize that I was with Rad having a great ride through Krakow trying to find markers that were no longer there.  They were very happy to see me and were concerned that I was upset - NOT AT ALL - had a great ride.  Thank you to Rad.  

We had a great night - way too much to drink and Connie and I ended up going to bed after midnight giggling the whole way!  We couldn’t stop laughing and didn’t really understand what we were laughing about.  Another great riding day to say the least.  

July 9 - Warsaw

Today was the official registration day for the EPR!  We registered and got our loot bag which included a ride book along with our beautiful shirt and an amazing book for our bikes to keep important papers in. 

After registration Connie, Mike and Alena went for a walk about Warsaw and down to the old part in particular. Beautiful architecture on the old buildings. We stopped for lunch at an outdoor restaurant and had Polish soup called Zurek and it was so delicious.   Probably the best soup I have tasted in a very long time!  It was served in a sour dough bowl but normally does not come that way.  

This evening the open ceremonies happened and we saw more of where we are going and what we will be doing along with all the hard work that the EPR team did trying to get ready for this trip that was to start in 2020 and then in 2021 and finally in 2022 with a route change due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.  

Supper was here at the hotel which was a three course meal along with champagne to start and wine included during the meal. After supper everyone headed to their rooms to pack and get ready for the first official ride tomorrow. We are off to Krakow for two nights!  Vroom vroom!

July 8 - Berlin to Warsaw

 

Themis our sweep!

Another day of long riding on unfortunately highways!  Even though it is highways it is always much better to be riding than at work any day.  

This morning we were in the same groups for riding to Warsaw and we were the second group out but ended up first to arrive.  Once parked then I quickly emptied the bike and headed to the room to drop off and take off rain gear and then down to the luggages.  I brought Connie’s up for her as well as I knew she would have her hands full when they arrived.  Quickly showered and then ready to go to the Liberator Harley Davidson dealer for a great barbecue put on by the Warsaw HOG Chapter.  

Meeting up with more Posse Riders that arrived in Warsaw is like we haven’t been apart at all.  After four years it is great to catch up and actually see them and have a beer together.  

Camille the very first Posse Team member I met in 2014.  

Back at the hotel the bar was full of Posse Riders having more beer and carrying on with lots of stories of bike trips and how everyone is doing.  Met a new member of the Posse Team - Peter - great addition to the team even though we are missing some others like Davey, Jenny, Rogge, Dave, Tina and Margo.  I might be missing someone and I apologize but after a night out drinking too many beer please forgive me.