It was a bit of a late call when Andy and I finally got our acts together head off to the bi annual Ducati Fest at the Misano Circuit on the Italian Adriatic Coast -l WDW 2012. Andy on his trusty 916 SP and me on my new Panigale.
We decided to focus more on the ride there and back, rather than the event itself, and that worked really well. So it was with a bit of excitement and a lot of enthusiasm that we met at Lutterworth and after a coffee and a top up with petrol we hit the M1. The ride to the tunnel was straightforward, and we were on the continent in a jiffy, and we sere soon enjoying coffee and cake in the sunshine on the Dunkirk Grand Place.
Next day we were on our way in good time, for what could only be termed a flog. Over 600 miles to the hotel at Dasching near near Ulm in Bavaria. Highlight of the day was putting the Ducatis through their paces at the unrestricted autobahn, just the antedote we needed to weariness towards the end of the day! We really enjoyed the Bavarian meal washed down with local beer that night :-)
Next morning after checking the bikes over we headed for the Alps! Drinking in the German, Austrian and Italian scenery, stopping to take coffee and cakes, it was just the relaxed sort of day we needed. After a bit of a hunt we found the Hotel at the foot of the Stelvio and settled in for the night.
It was now Tuesday, and we were up at the crack to tackle the Stelvio before the traffic built up. We were at the top by nine after a breathtaking ride. Often a much anticipated pleasure can be a disappointment but not so the Stelvio, or indeed any of the alpine roads we rode that day. It was breathtaking, challenging and on a couple of occasions frightening. But we survived, and the Ducatis took it all in their stride! Over a late service station lunch we decided to head for Lake Garda for the night. Before long we were at the local Tourist Info centre who fixed us up with a comfortable hotel and we very much enjoyed our stay in this lovely area.
Next day we lingered around Lake Garda until after Lunch before setting off on the long hot ride to Cattolica and our WDW Hotel.
Thursday: WDW Day 1
It was still gloriously dry and warm when we met for breakfast and made our plans for WDW. We decided to go for day 1, and then decide about the rest of the week. We were booked into the Pinoccio for just two nights.
We both had some personal admin to do, so we set off for the circuit after 11. As we had already bought our tickets getting in was a breeze, and we were soon parked with a growing number of Ducatis. The layout was different, so nothing was where we expected it! We soon got used to it though. All the country areas were in a big tent. There was a western europe area and very limited Ducati UK presence. Infact we tended to use the cyber cafe as a base where we could get Wifi, sparkling water and watch the body painting!
WDW still had an enormous number of bikes there, and there was a lot to see. I did feel though that it was a little less of everything compared with 2010. We went up to the Ducati outlet and bought a few bits and pieces, and watched the track action.
There was a lot to see, and the photos we posted give a flavour of most of it. The weather was glorious, and we stayed comfortable by drinking plenty of sparking water. There was a fair sprinkling of Panigales from all over europe. I was quite surprised to see that mine drew a crowd every so often. I was disappointed to see only a few white 848s. I still think they are stunning bikes.
Later on in the day we went down to the paddock and saw Ryan and Claire and just before seven we went to the kit drop, collected our gear and rode back to Cattolica.
Some ice cold cokes were soon going straight down whilst we got the maps out and talked about what to do next. We chose to stay in Cattolica that evening (no need to stick to cokes now!) We decided to go back up to the track on Friday to see Claire and Ryan practice then resume our touring later in the day.
Cattolica was alive to the sound of Ducatis all night. We saw one crowd of Ducatisti heading out in convoy wearing inflatable rings with ducks heads. They looked surprisingly good! We strolled around for a bit, bumping into Claire and Ryan outside their hotel, and eventually found another harbour side restaurant for a very pleasant fish meal.
Roll on tomorrow and WDW day two!
Friday: WDW Day 2
We had an early appointment at the track this morning to watch Ryan and Claire practice. We quickly sorted out our new tickets after arriving at the track and were on top of the pits in time to see the 848s go out for their first practice. Sadly Ryans motor cried "enough" after 5 laps, but Claire was buzzing with the excitement at tackling Misano. As we left them Ryan was out on Claires bike so had the possibiity of riding it in the open race if a new engine for his bike couldn't be found.
We then went for a final mouch round WDW. We spent some time in the pit lane, and going back into the outlet shop where I bought a rucksack and a couple of tee shirts. We also collected our second welcome packs, and soaked up the unique atmosphere that is WDW. After that we had a kebab lunch and started thinking about leaving.
Back at the Pinocchio we prepped the bikes for the journey home, loaded up and eventually set off. Neither bike needed oil, but the chains were lubed again and the Kreigas put back on the Panigale. There is a Coke factory somewhere in northern Italy which has gone on to overtime to meet our needs. It was baking hot and we stopped for some cokes at each fuel stop, which did a better job of keeping us hydrated.
At one stop Andy cunningly sheltered from the intense sun behind a large artic. I had no sooner sat down on the kerb beside him and the thing started up and drove off leaving us to enjoy the sunshine again. At one point we noticed it was cooler riding than it was on the way to Cattolica - it was only 34 deg! We coped in the cold!
The ride to Alessandria saw round two of Mclay versus the Italian toll boths. I lost again! I was convinced it was trying to overcharge me - eventually I was reassured when attendant appeared. Our hotel turned out to be fantastic The tone was set by the manager coming out to greet me by name when we pulled up. The charm of the staff was more than matched by the fabric of the building which was by far the best we've stayed in so far - spacious well equipped rooms and well appointed public areas.
We planned our route for the next day over an exceptional Italian meal. We took the set meal, which often works best as you get food as the chef intended it to be eaten. In effect its his selection. We were both very tired after a long but satisfying day, so off to an early bed. We were glad we went back to the circuit for a second day, but happy with our decision to leave after lunch and enjoy a more leisurely ride home. Our only regret was to miss Claire racing, but that isnt til Sunday.
Saturday: The Alps again and Monte Carlo!
Our stay at the Hotel in Italy finished with a sumptious breakfast at 8 and we were enroute not long after 9. I took the opportunity to repack my kit and try to make riding with the Kreiga kit and my new rucksack a bit more comfortable.
Our first leg was a 150 mile motorway run to Cuneo. We then rode an absolutely stunning road over Col de Tendra into France. After a somewhat bizare wait at the border to use the one way tunnel we took the opportunity given to us by our filtering to the front of the queue to enjoy the sensational and fast bends down to the autoroute just outside Monaco.
I had a few goes at finding the route into Monte Carlo, and more difficulty finding my way around. Security is omnipresent in Monaco, which created an atmosphere which we found difficult to come to terms with. Eventually we found a spot to park up and enjoy a harbour side snack and a spot of people watching. After a photo opportunity with the Panigale and some yachts we set off for a final lap of the GP circuit and to take a few pics of landmarks such as Casino Square and the harbour we kicked the dust of Monte Carlo from our boots and hit the Autoroutes.
We were soon back in our familiar routine of hot rides, interspersed with stops to fill up the Ducatis and swig bottles of ice cold cokes. We would be treated like heroes if we were to visit that factory where they are getting those extra shifts supplying us! Eventually we reach Montpellier around 8.30 and started a search for a hotel. After a few abortive attempts we found space at an Etap Hotel. Basic but cheap and comfortable. As it was late by now we jumped straight on the bikes and found a restaurant for supper.
Over the meal we reflected on a long and eventfull day. No doubt we were tired, but had enjoyed our day. Lots of miles munched (500 ish), a great Alpine road and the chance to visit, and not particularily like, Monaco.
Sunday: Millau Bridge and homeward bound
We survived the aftermath of the France Spain match at the hotel and the early departure of the party of spanish bikers, to enjoy a basic but satisfying breakfast at the Etap Hotel. We were loaded up and away by 9.39, and after a couple of wrong turns leaving Montpellier we were en route for Millau!
As we left Montpellier I saw some signs for Barcelona, only some 300 clicks down the autoroute. But ever since the trip was discussed we both wanted to see the Millau bridge, so off to there we went! The run was straightforward and the bridge stunning! We rode round it, under it and over it, taking many pics! Definitely a highlight of the trip, and well worth the effort to see it.
We stopped at the next services for a top up and a sandwich for lunch. We now realised that we were on the trip home. We planned our ride, hoping to get to Le Mans that evening. As we were leaving the services we noticed Andys 916 had a loose number plate! On inspection it was obvious someone had given it a bash and ripped it off its rubber mountings. So we got the toolkit out for the first time on the trip and removed the assembly and re mounted it. This involved de mounting the silencers to gain access.
We were soon on our way and it was now a monotonous motorway flog, although there was some stunning scenery in the Massive Central. The weather was still fantastic, but getting a little cooler. At one services we saw a dark blue MGA, and of course I had to chat to the owner. He turned out to be a big wheel in the MG France Club, and offered to put together a drive round France for me with some members if I brought my MGA over!
In the event we only got as far as Tours when we decided to stop for the night. By now it had started to drizzle and our first efforts to find a hotel didn't work out. However persistence paid off as we found a B&B Hotel with an adjacent restaurant in which we sat down just in time. We had steak and chips for what we planned would be our last night in France. We were back in my room just in time to catch the penalty shoot out and Englands departure from Euro 2012 on the T V. And as Zebedee says "time for bed"!
Monday: Time to go home
Yesterday morning started in a most unpromising fashion, it had poured with rain over night and it was still drizzling heavily. Breakfast was a somber affair - sadness at our fabulous holiday coming to an end and slightly daunted by the long ride home from Tours to Derbyshire for me and South Yorkhire for Andy.
By the time we had finished breakfast it had dried up and so we lubed the chains and checked oil levels in the dry. I am ashamed to say I ignored the Royal Signals mounted tradition by feeding myself before attending to my ride! It was also relatively chilly so it was on with the winter warfare kit! Since entering Italy a week before we had only been wearing EDZ undersuits and leathers. Today I put on several base layers, winter gloves and my Eclipse Jacket. So finally we left Tours and headed for Le Mans, Rouen, Abbeville and Boulogne.
The ride was autoroute most of the way, and pretty uneventful. We were soon running through our familiar drills. I step through the displays on the Panigles dash to check mileages, calculate distances to next fuel, run through engine and air temperatures etc. Then think about life in general, what to have for lunch and sing a few songs in my head. Today my mood is a bit down beat as I realise my escape from real life is about to end.
The trip still has one surprise in store for us. We called at Le Maccie Ds in Boulogne to use the wifi to book our tunnel home. Apart from being shocked by the cost, all our attempts to actually book came to nothing. So we rode to the tunnel, where we were told the price had gone up another £25 each! I was incensed, especially as they were totally unsympathetic, even suggesting if we found the tunnel too expensive we could always catch a ferry!
We did eventually get their attention by refusing to move the Ducatis from the check in lane! We were put through on the phone to the call centre where they found our abortive bookings on the computer system and honoured the price. So instead of crossing at 4.20 as planned we eventually left France at 6.20!
The ride home was straight forward. We said our goodbyes at Lutterworth and I rode home via the sublime A444, enjoying one last thrash, with the Panigale cornering hard and fast despite its Kreiga packs and my new rucksack.
So that was it! Over 3000 safe miles, no bike problems, no need for waterproofs and loads of fun. I will post my reflections on the trip, the Panigale and WDW later. However I must thank Andy for being a fantastic companion on the trip. Apart from being a tenacious rear wheel rider, he was determined to relax and enjoy the trip, and ensured I did too. Thanks Andy!
A postscript
The dust has started to settle on my trip. The bike and kit are cleaned, polished and oiled, and ready for use again. So now is the time to reflect on the 10 ten or so days we we were away.
The first thing to say is that we had a great time. Andy was a great companion, and I enjoyed every minute of the trip. We covered over 3106 miles together from Lutterworth and back. I rode a total of 3166 miles over the trip.
We had no serious incidents on this trip. Both bikes ran faultessly, the only time we got the tools out was to repair the damage to Andys numberplate mounts. So much for Ducati unreliability :-) !
Even more remarkably we didnt put our waterproofs on once! We did have a little bit of light drizzle in France on the first and last days. As a result apart from being caked in squashed flies in every crevice, the bikes were relatively clean when we got back.
One question that I was asked so many times, en route, at WDW and on the tunnel home was how did I find the bike? Well the answer is simple - fantastic! The Panigale is a great real world bike, touring, scratching, motorway thrashing - it was even competent climbing tight alpine hairpins! The engines flexibility is astounding, and experiencing the top end punch on the autobahns was something else! The bike is more roomy and comfortable than the 848 s were, and I could sit on her all day without feeling stiff. Even with the luggage and a rucksack on she was light and flickable in a way that neither the 748 nor the 848 were.
I was able to carry all I needed for the tour, including oil, a few tools and chain lube, in the Kreiga tailpacks and my R8 belt pack. The tail packs were a US30 and an US20. It has to be said it wasn't easy making the Kreiga kit secure on the 1199. But by the end of the trip I had finally worked it out! The pillion pad is fairly flexible, and it wouldnt reliably trap the anchoring straps. Eventually I devised a way of trapping the front one around the catch and the rear one under the rear subframe.
I took lightweight thermals and underwear, and had enough to keep me warm and clean. I washed some at Cattolica and carried some tee shirts, a pair of lightweight trousers and deck shoes for evening wear. Unfortunately I spoilt this lightweight approach by going shopping at Cattolica and WDW! Luckily one of my purchases was a Ducati Corse rucksack! Another luggage carrying challenge which the Panigale met full on!
Our daily drill was to stoke up on breakfast. These varied in quality and style depending where we were staying. By far the nicest was in northern Italy on our way home. After that we took drinks at each fuel stop, and a snack lunch. We ate out in the evening when we could, trying local fare; and enjoyed a fair variety of local beers!
So a very enjoyable trip! We would do it again if we could!
Writing these blogs is fun, but what motivates me to write them is to know that people enjoy reading them! Many of you have been kind enough to say so. So if you have read them, please "like" this one, to inspire me next time!
