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Galloper
| Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 05:29 pm: |
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Reading Maximum's roadtrips I feel the urge to post my last little trip too. 3 weeks ago I took a week off to do some work in the house, I promised Marianne (my girlfriend) to, finally, finish the bathroomceiling. See picture for proof !! Having some time left in that week, I decided that I could ride a route I downloaded from the web: Liège - Bastogne - Liège I had to drive 175km to Liège from my home. But it wasn't raining like it had done the entire week so I didn't see any problem. It's mainly highway so in less than 2 hours you're there. I arrived at the startingpoint of the trip when some rain started falling but... hey I was "in the mood" for some riding. After leaving Liège it was time to stop for gas. Dutch bankcards don't always work in Belgium so I looked for a petrolstation that would take cash. In my best french I paid for gas (about $3,50- for a gallon) After some kilometers it happend, it started raining. But I had my Dane all weather suit on so what could happen to me. and it rained... and rained. After more than 100km I felt hungry and decided to stop for some good decent food. So I stopped a small town and got some belgian fries And it sure tasted good!! Did I mention it rained!!! Inside my pants and jacket were making puddles on d the floor from dripping but I think the girl inside the friesshop told me that it was okay... or so I think I understood, my french is kinda rusty (due to all that rain) It stopped raining so it was time to move on, when nature called and being watched by some cows I had to pee Moving on, it cleared up and even the sun came out. That sure feels good after all that rain so in another town I stopped and enjoyed the sun. Notice my gloves drying on the screen. Riding back to Liège it got cloudy again and the entire trip back home it rained again. But still I did 636km that day and had a great time, did get wet but underneath my all weather suit I stayed dry. It was a very nice ride. I'm sorry I don't have better pictures but all that rain was't really inviting to take more pics. Next month I'm planning to go to the Ardennes again or maybe Luxembourg, with a friend who has a spanking new BMW K1200GT that needs some miles on it. Hopefully the weather is better and can I make more and better pics. |
Dynasport
| Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 05:34 pm: |
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Thank you for sharing your ride with us. Maybe you'll have some drier weather next time. Dan |
Hoon
| Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 07:14 pm: |
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Good report,nice to see stuff from a different country. Some of the countryside pictures look so similar to areas of England. |
Bigdaddy
| Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 09:17 pm: |
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Great trip report Luc and thank you for sharing it with us. So much history resides in that area -- Bastogne, Spa, Charleroi, Ardennes in general(and then they become the Schnee Eifel.) I only miss it when I see the pictures. |
Lorazepam
| Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 09:25 pm: |
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The bicycles are there in the spring, yes? |
Bertotti
| Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 09:44 pm: |
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Rain or not I bet you had a good time. How did the bike handle in all the rain? Any areas that were tricky to ride through from the rain? |
Maximum
| Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 11:47 pm: |
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Hey Galloper, I'm glad that I was able to motivate you! When I get tired of the Colorado mountains, I should make a trip to Europe! So much to see, so little time and money. Anyway, thanks for the great pictures. I don't like to read much, so pictures help! |
Galloper
| Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 02:13 am: |
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quote: The bicycles are there in the spring, yes?
The cyclerace is in April every year. When I was having those fries a small amateur race passed, motorbikes close all roads for the time needed and when all cyclists are passed they leave as fast as they came.
quote: How did the bike handle in all the rain? Any areas that were tricky to ride through from the rain?
I have Michelin Pilot Roads on the bike, at first I was carefull in the rain and the twisties but after awhile I got more daring and the bike handled very well in the rain.
quote: So much history resides in that area -- Bastogne, Spa, Charleroi, Ardennes in general
There is alot of american history too in the ardennes, american tanks that were left or damaged during WW2 are used as memorials. I passed a few however due to the rain I didn't stop and make pics. |
Thesmaz
| Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 04:34 am: |
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Galloper, I'm stationed in Belgium near Mons and have to travel to Spa for work on occasion so I know that area. When the weather is really nice I'll ride the Uly to the work site and then take the back roads home - great riding. Question, are you going to the Moto Rally in Leopoldsburg this weekend? I'll be there so if you make it look for the orange Uly with the blue belgian plates. |
Galloper
| Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 06:27 am: |
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quote: Question, are you going to the Moto Rally in Leopoldsburg this weekend? I'll be there so if you make it look for the orange Uly with the blue belgian plates.
I won't be able to make to Leopoldsburg this weekend. Too bad, would be nice to meet a BadWebber. |
Old_mil
| Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 10:59 am: |
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Great pictures...don't let the K1200GT slow you down too much in the curves. |
Mike_dinger
| Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 02:27 pm: |
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TRES BON, GALLOPER!!! TRES BON! |
Galloper
| Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - 03:37 pm: |
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Merci, merci I did find a picture from my previous bike. Also in the Ardennes. This shows how the people in the ardennes keep the memory alive of what american boys did 1944. |
Snub13
| Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 12:00 pm: |
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NICE!!!!!! Spent three fantastic (from what I remember) years in Germany! I can't wait to get back! Yha, I know you're in France.....the pics reminded me of Das Vaterland.....Mmmmmmm BEER! |
Galloper
| Posted on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 04:34 pm: |
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quote: Yha, I know you're in France.....
Shhht, don't tell anyone but I'm dutch
quote: the pics reminded me of Das Vaterland.....Mmmmmmm BEER!
Gesundheit |
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