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In the morning I got up early with the birds... jet lag is either use it or loose yourself to it deal. Went for a long walk through the skirts of Heidelberg rather than start right away on bike prep and stuff. Hand drawn map near Stefans house with small points of interest.



Came back way before breakfast was ready and put the bike on the charge. (If figured I have 3 hours charge which apparently was enough). Got some coffee and pulled out the iPad for routes along the way.

when I was searching for an extra battery charger wondering through Stefan's open garage I saw this old girl.



Over my coffee I had decided that a straight slow shot on secondary roads to Innsbruck Austria was for me. Then a turn south for the multiple passes... I was so determined that I took out my notebook and wrote them down as gospel. Well that changed when I finally got a chance to speak with a few other riders starting out and finally with Stefan. As a Western United States/California rider, 400 miles a day is a no big deal... I had a lot to learn about Europe motorcycle riding distance. But first I need to do paperwork and get that green card insurance for the bike. but that didn't happen until after breakfast and was positive my bike was going to start.

At Stefan's that morning, I met Fred a rider from Calgary on a Suzuiki 1000 Vstrom and a Tugboat owner/Operator Joe out of the Delaware on a g1200gs with a 8 gallon tank. These guys were riders but more importantly they were friendly, thrilled to be there and contagious to be around. I should have taken thier photos but didn't... something I will work on from now on. Any good folks who engage with me now get a picture to go with this blog.

Here is me after I got the bike ready, things sorted and even mounting that Kreiga bag which has proven to be exceptional.

note: I stayed in the Indian room. Indian motorcycles artwork of every fashion adorn the walls and sills.

With Stefan, getting the bike to Germany and having his support make this whole thing seem easy. A big obstical is the insurance called the Green card. Stefan has that figured out. For 200 euros for 30 days of foreign liability insurance is not that outrageous. For an extra 65 I could have got full coverage - but I waved it.

After taking care of the paperwork and settling up, Stefan asked me where I was going. I said I need to be in Como Italy in 4 days. I told him about my Innsbruck plans. A second later he said the weather is good and I should rather ride south of Heidelberg to the Black Forest then cross into Switzerland finally making to Como. Then he pulled out a map and drew the route with a yellow highlighter which included an immediate autobahn 30 mile ride to clear the urban Germany. In a second all my plans changed... indeed I must do the BF first. If there going to be problems I could back in Heidelberg in hours. Stefan packed me with a half dozen other maps of the areas I would be visiting. There it was a new plan with plenty to improvise.

this map proved to be useful later that day for me and others.

I went with the flow... here is some sights and sounds of the black forest.

https://youtu.be/F-H578clD_0

So.... Back to the narration.

With changed plans and like Stefan said... weather was perfect in Heidelberg. But first the bike need to start and then to get gas. With the battery connected and me in my riding suit, helmet, gloves and boots - I opened the fuel peacocks, inserted the key, turned the ignition and pressed star button. The bike at first did not even cough. I tried again and yet nothing. Then again. And again. I pet the tank of the bike and asked her to start in the only silent communication we have ever had. I pressed the start again and she finally burped. I opened the choke, closed the chose, twisted the throttle and pressed the start.. Vilia kicked and snorted to life. I pet her with my left hand and rev'd her a slight bit so she would not sputter out. With less than liter of fuel and both fuel cocks open, I kicked her off the stand and took her down the drive way, waving to my new friends, I made a slow testing roll and out the gate, down the street and into Germany. My first ride ever in Europe began.

I slowly puttered down the lanes, got to a small road that ran along side a piece of farmed, kicked it into third gear. The bike purred and was a-grin. Me and my bike - we were doing it! I rode for 2 miles when I came across the first gas station I saw, pulled in along side the pumps to a stop, cut the ignition, got off the bike kicking the new tailback with my foot, catching myself & the bike and finally with my feet under me control to put her on the center stand down.



Since I never bought gas in Germany and don't speak any German... I studied the nossles for a few minutes to even figure out what was what. I notice the fueling. Diesel turns out to be the black ones and the gas was another color. I was stymied by the gas grades. I walked into the store to purchase the fuel and walked up to the counter. I said with a big smile 30 euros on 5. but instead a funny look from the Frau behind the counter... she laughed and gestured I must pump first. Oh, laughing at my new foolishness... I backed out door and went to the pump, stared at it making sure I got a passing gas for the bike and picked the non ethanol regular. (I have learned you have to be on the look out for high grade gas wherever you go). I pumped nearly a full tank - for a total of 38 euros. Went back inside and payed the lady out of the roll of euros I had. She asked in very broken English if I was British. I said "No, I am Californian!" Californians she said... no. American. I said yes, "Californian!" We both laughed and waved good bye as I left through the door and she back.

i walked over the the bike now properly ready and put my iPhone on Map mode and slid it into the ram holder. Popped in the charging cable. Typed in Basel, Switzerland and pressed go on the gps and then the bike. The bike started right up. I took it off the stand, hopped on noting my foot and started to follow the iPhone maps directions to the Autobahn and points south. (it was advised by Stefan that I move clear of the urbanness before going on to lane roads) I was on the fast highway I think in 2 minutes and rolling south at speed with traffic. All was good.

Here pictured below I made a brief stop along side the autobahn rest stop to adjust the mirrors which were whacked during shipping and were wiggling under speed. I needed to clear the bags to get to the tools under the seat. I was thrilled to be moving forward.


Took the autobahn for about 25 minutes then got off and hit the gem of a road 500 a narrow 2 lane path through the heart of the Black Forest. Some of the best roads for biking and driving. Actually one could spend a week here just driving or riding and never be disappointed in their choice.

The first day of riding through the Black Forest was an incredible adventure. It would have worth the effort it it had just been that one day and night. That 500 road was built for motorcyling and the incredible landscape, rich further farm land and vistas blew me away. Then the hard rains and long periods of hail had me hid several times in rustic roadside shelters with shared with charming young beautiful British couple on honeymoon on a large Aprilia and then later a large open barn which I shared with Porsche Boxster and german only speaking man with a broken open convertible top. We were all happy to catch a break out of the heavy precipitation and hail that hurt when it hit even with a heavy motorcycle jacket on.

Once the weather cleared enough, I got back on the road and came to stop at the charming town of Titisee. Being that kind of man, I found myself wanting to stay in there in this great german town high on the hill. I found a really affordable and actually special gashof right in the center for 60 euros with breakfast included. As soon as I walked in, the smell of fine german cooking made me realize I had chosen wisely to take notice of Titisee.



With my bike tucked in the corner, I went to my room and cleaned up for dinner.

Once I walked downstairs and into the restaurant. I knew I was on to something special I chose the local dish of veal and boar on a bed of potatoes with bacon and egg on top served with a side of warm berry sauce. Yum! The dinner including the beer was 16 euros or less than 18 US. if I was the king of Bavaria - I could not have eaten better.

After dinner I walked down the street to watch the European finals at the pizza place with a TV - Real Madrid winning it with the high kick over Liverpool. Once the game was over - I retired for the evening. One special day in a lucky mans life.

Should I continue?

Ridercam wrote: ↑Thu Nov 01, 2018 7:39 pm Should I continue?

Please do, I'm very much enjoying reading about your adventure, Ted!

Steve in Golden wrote: ↑Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:26 pm

Ridercam wrote: ↑Thu Nov 01, 2018 7:39 pm Should I continue?

Please do, I'm very much enjoying reading about your adventure, Ted!

Yes, this is awesome!

Ok! I will.

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After breakfast - I got started. The bike was a little stubborn and stalled on the way out of town. Still cold, I pulled onto the sidewalk, took off all the bags so I could get my tools out, pulled the spark plugs and cleaned them. Placed them back in and the bike roared to life like there wasn't a problem. I am guessing the fuel I purchased must have had ethanol over 10 percent and didn't mix right on the 5 gallon purchase.

The roads to Lindau prove to excellent and full of color. Hundreds of motor bikes of every kind on the road and stopping for admiration and bull parties. I stopped in but found the whole thing hectic. The bikers kept pointing to my California plates.