Kevin and Perry Go Large

Better than a paper bag

It all seems so long ago it could have been a dream.  But it wasn’t and here is the proof:

Kevin and Perry – Riding Gods

Kevin and Perry – Rinding Gods 2

Brmm Brmm

Although there is still plenty of cash still to come in we are currently sitting on well over €10,000!

A massive thank you once again to all who contributed cash and time to make this happen.

Sorry we haven’t updated sooner but you know the score – can’t get the staff nowadays.

Big Love

Kev and Perry

Scary Traffic

After leaving Slovenia, we knew we would have to hit quite a few more countries if we were to achieve everything we set out to, and although I promised not to rush and enjoy the moment it wouldn’t have seemed right not to have completed the task.

We could have carried on riding the scenic routes and enjoyed it more but it would have meant leaving the bikes in Slovenia at Robbie’s house.  So we decided to go for it , we had 4 days left, seems a lot but not when you take into account that a full day on scenic is 100-150 miles, motorways you can cover 400 -  but there’s a price to pay.

We cracked through the Czech, Slovakian and Hungarian borders into Croatia and Bosnia then back into Croatia before ending up in Triest in Italy.  The slog was tough over two days and mostly motorway riding.  I hate motorways! They are dangerous and the Europeans have no interest in bikers and the truckers don’t see you.  It’s hard work – at 70mph the wind is buffeting you around and because the bikes aren’t streamlined you get blown all over the place, despite their weight. I was tired, stress position starting to hurt, getting pissed off with the whole thing. I wanted more scenic country roads and a steady 30-60 mph, getting off and on when I felt like it or because I saw something interesting or a river I wanted to swim in – not covered in so much soot form the exhaust of motorway vehicles that I start to look like a coal pit miner!

It was a low point. (What a whinging poof! – KEV)

Me and Kev were having a few words as he wanted to get it out the way and finish while I wanted to get off the motorways, I had had enough. I hadn’t come to rush through two weeks like this so we both became despondent.

In Triest we luckily had a great sea view apartment hotel, very modern for once, and although it was only an evening’s stop over we loved the luxury – great showers, ice cold beer and excellent sea food. Fluffy bed!

Yay Beer!

We should have been heading onto Venice and onto Tuscany to see our resorts and I was even going to try and see if Mark would call Bob for us so we could pop by his house and get a photo – and maybe some money for the charity! But the days we calculated we had left meant this was impossible.  We had two choices left at this point with over 1700 miles left to go, through Italy Sicily and the ferry crossings etc.

One was to hit the Italian autostrada. Or Death Race 2000 more like.  We had been told a few days prior that four UK bikers on a trip had exited a tunnel in Italy, thinking it was a dual carriageway, and all four hit a truck head-on one after each other killing them all. Our respects to their families, obviously.

We found the camaraderie throughout Europe from other bikers was amazing, you really feel part of something, everyone waves and comes to talk.  One guy on the nerve racking Furkenpass as we stopped for a break came hurtling around a sheer drop bend at incredible speed and as he screamed knee-down around the bend, bike leaning and tyres searching for grip, one handed he raised his arm and gave us a salute wave off his helmet brow -wow that was so fucking cool.

Knee-down King

If I had tried it I would have needed a parachute as I headed off the cliff into the abyss.

These guys were Swiss and had spent their lives scratching their knees around every corner of these mountain roads, not like us pansies. (Speak for yourself ladyboy – KEV)

Anyhow, our decision to ride the length of Italy to home hit a bum note but then I had a brain wave – why not put the bikes on a train? That way we get to sleep, we get there on time for work and we cover all the distance.  But where? How?  The wives came to the rescue and sorted it from Bologna – a 14 hour train ride with a sleeper cabin, ha haaaa blisss. Bologna is only 139 miles away – let’s get going!

In reality we arrived at 2pm and the train left at 9pm. It was agro to get on, agro with the paperwork and we ended up sharing with two pigmy Italians who smelled. And didn’t stop talking.  There was no food car and we missed our stop the next day so we had to get a cab and the cab got lost?!?!?!? We completely lost the plot, it was now 24 hours and we hadn’t had a bite to eat, we were tired, hungry irritable and stressed. (He was, I wasn’t – KEV)

Kev's Mates

And our bikes were in mafia country, in another city, on their own, great!

Eventually we got them and headed for our last night before sailing to Malta. To finish off our marathon day we ate the worst chips and hot dog sausage at the station. it was utterly disgusting but I ate it anyway and gave the greasy spoon caravan man a smile as I left vowing never to return.  I found the bit of Sicily we saw to be filthy; apparently the other bits are very nice. I don’t care – I’m not going.

We descended the last few mile to Raguma in Sicily to the last hotel of our stay before home.  A pleasant place, simple but clean (like Perry – KEV). The sky darkened and then the rain fell in buckets, including hail stones.  I had long ago taken out my waterproof liners, so in five minutes I was wet through to the skin, and cold. The hail stones pitted my face until it was numb and I smiled to myself and laughed out loud in my helmet, I hadn’t been so exhausted in a very fucking long time and nothing could bother me now.

The morning was bright and the sea calm we boarded the boat to Valletta with no problems.  We strolled on deck and Kev had a smoke or two while I settled down inside on a comfy chair with the movie about to start.  Evan almighty – one of my favourites!  We ate crisps and drank coke which I’ve got used to now but never drank before. And relaxed.

There's no place like home

An hour and a half later we entered the bastions of Valletta port. Now, of all the places we’ve been, and all the wonderful sights we’ve seen, this one is up there with the best.  If you’ve never come into this historical port through the grand harbour before, make sure it’s on your bucket list – breathtaking I can assure you.

We hit the port ship unloading. Kev came off first, I was on the other side so exited last.  As I came to the gates, there was a crowd of people, I noticed a few familiar faces and must admit I got a lump in my throat. Our families had turned up, parents and all, along with the wags and some of the team and friends.  They were waving banners and party poppers, streamers and flags. It was a very nice thing to do and great to see everyone especially our wives and children.  It seems that even after only a few days they change, and after two weeks have a growth spurt (the kids that is not the birds).  There was lots of talking and hugging and we all set off for Kevin’s father’s restaurant for the afternoon, heading off in a convoy, bikes up front – brilliant! Really felt like a homecoming hero even if only for a day.

We're back

Seems a lifetime ago already, still have aches and pains and still muggy from the trip. Would we do it again?  Not at that pace, I think it would be better doing a few countries the scenic route way and taking it easy, then again we were told this before we left.

It was a mammoth task, I know that now. We saw stuff I couldn’t have dreamed up, sat in places that could have come from a story book and got involved in the world around us wherever we could.  We spoke to whoever would talk to us and ate pretty much anything especially if we hadn’t tried it before. If you ever want to explore, or see what’s going on elsewhere then go and do it – even in a car. It’s astounding, surprising and good day or bad day you will have memories and experiences and a whole heap of new friends you met along the way.

Will there be more?  Hell yes! I’m already planning the next level of training from BMW for next year to take it to the next level.  And I’m looking at trips.  Next time we are looking for others to join us – you don’t need a bike as BMW will supply them, just a licence and spirit for adventure. Anyone interested?

Thanks for coming

We are looking at, South America, Alaska, Norway, Iceland, Portugal.  One of these, not all.  It will be a shorter trip than this one but more challenging. Will it be tough? Yes! Will there be pain and suffering? Probably. Will it be a life-changing unforgettable experience?  You better believe it will!

Watch this blog for more details.

Lots of people gave us support, kept an eye on the blog and posted stuff etc. Lots of people helped us get to the point where we could eventually set off. The whole experience was a real event for us and we would like to thank you all for giving us a hand, hope we took you with us in some small way and will post some pics and video footage soon for you that you haven’t seen yet.

Thanks again – Kevin and Perry

Who's the Daddy?

Missed you loads

Posh innit?

…to eata my spaghetti!

This place is so stylish after the shit pits we’ve just ridden through.  The buildings are just so awsome and everyone is wandering around in designer fashions.

Perry – ever the Englishman – went for a stroll in his shorts, black socks and sandals.  He is sooo embarrassing.

Anyway, we’ve got some serious miles to munch up before we’re home and dry, but I’m really looking forward to seeing the sights in this country.

Vi amo tutti!

Oh me poor old body.

It feels like I’ve been repeatedly kicked up the arse by an angry horse.  Everything aches and getting up in the morning is becoming increasingly difficult.

Sunset at the Croatian border

On a good note though, the bikes are loosening up nicely and feel great.  We’re doing about €20 a day petrol so that’s not too bad.

We’ve crossed the border into northeast Italy and wow what a difference.  Trieste is full of the most amazing buildings – all floodlit.  We’re looking forward to having a quick nose round when it gets light.

Kev’s still as perky as a puppet pig on its birthday so our spirits are quite high.

Ciao

Keep your mind on the road Kevin

Yeah – soon be time for pizza and pasta.  I might even have a beer or two once we reach the land of spaghetti.

I’ve left Perry to put my photo in today so I hope it’s a good one.

Love and kisses to all my fans. XXXX

Wouldn't want this on my helmet

So we’ve blatted around eastern Europe and it’s not that amazing.  Switzerland, Lichtenstein and Austria were out of this world but when we crossed into the Czech Republic it was like going back in time.

It’s a bit of a dump, really filthy and backward and the girls all look like Borat’s mum. We did find an amazing place though when we visited the Punkva Caves.  There’s a bit there that is the deepest fresh water abyss in the world.  We had to get there on a boat – really weird sailing along underground.  Like somthing out of Lord of the Rings.

My body’s starting to hurt with all the riding – my knees are giving me right gip.

Anyway, we should cross the border into Italy tonight – so bring on the pasta!

Look - no hands!

My room may have lacked some of the basic facilities that a man of my status naturally expects, however, at least I didn’t have to share a room with the naked love machine.

Seriously though, we’ll give you a detailed update as soon as we get time to put all our thoughts down on paper.

Peace and big love to all our friends and family.

The lap of luxury

At last – I won the toss and got to choose the room.

As you can see, Perry got the one with the least facilities.

Will update our progress soon.

I drink the blood of boys

Perry arranged to meet up with our friend from the other night.

This time he dressed up for the occassion.

I am worried about him you know.