Tag: Motorcycle

Ode to Apache – A Mule of a Motorcycle

This week the odometer on my 2012 BMW G650GS Sertรฃo motorcycle passed through 50,000 miles. We were riding through the city of Cartagena, Spain. A place weโ€™ve been since the Spanish Prime Minister declared a State of Alarm due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I am often surprised that my motorcycle only has 50,000 miles because weโ€™ve discovered some incredible places and created memories of … Read More Ode to Apache – A Mule of a Motorcycle

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Phase II with Ups and Downs

The country of Spain continues to maintain its โ€œState of Alarmโ€ – a condition itโ€™s been in for 73 days now. Our region of Murcia has low enough COVID-19 cases that it has reached Phase II which means a bit more freedom for its citizens. Most notably it means local tourism can start again – albeit with reduced capacity. Weโ€™ve had a bit of … Read More Phase II with Ups and Downs

Phase 1 = More Freedom!

This week was the beginning of Phase 1 for our region of Murcia and 51 percent of the rest of Spain. Phase 1 is the first time we are allowed to ride our motorcycles for anything other than getting groceries, visiting a pharmacy, or emergencies since March 14th. Yeah, nearly two months! ๐Ÿ—“: 11 May | ๐ŸŒ: Providence of Murcia Monday brought more excitement … Read More Phase 1 = More Freedom!

Freedom is Just Over the Horizon

Next week weโ€™ll have been in quarantine for almost two months! If you told me that we would be in this position two months ago, I would have never believed you. Two months ago, on March 8th, we had just entered the French city of Millau and were taking the day off to catch up on social media and to see a bit of … Read More Freedom is Just Over the Horizon

The Spanish State of Alarm is Taking its Toll

This week was a bit tougher emotionally for me… I think one of the main reasons for this was that the mandatory quarantine of Spain has gone on longer than I initially imagined. When it started, I felt like it would last a month before the COVID-19 virus would subside, go dormant, and we could continue on our merry way. Day 43 and this … Read More The Spanish State of Alarm is Taking its Toll

Sitting it out in Southern Spain

Iโ€™m writing this from a relaxing porch of a traditional Spanish home located near Cartagena. The temperature is a comfortable 21C (70F) and the skies are cloudy but not enough to block out the occasional rays of warm sunshine that sweep across my face. All around me are the comforting sounds of birds chirping from the nearby orchard where fresh sweet oranges and tart … Read More Sitting it out in Southern Spain

Things are Continuing to Look Up

Spain has been one of the countries hit especially hard by COVID-19. As of today, it is just behind the United States in number of infected cases. Considering that the country of Spain is similar in size to Texas, and twice the population, this is substantial. Spain currently has 135,000 reported cases and itโ€™s growing each day. However, things have started to improve. The … Read More Things are Continuing to Look Up

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Looking Up

I wish I could start out this weekโ€™s update with incredibly beautiful pictures of southern Spain, Morocco, and Portugal! This, simply, is not the case as we continue to be part of a strict country-wide ban on non-essential travel. Spain was especially hit hard with the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases has continued to climb over the past 12 days since the … Read More Looking Up

Searching for Southern Sun

Itโ€™s been a interesting week full of excitement and a few disappointments… First the disappointments:I realized too late that we were supposed to finish the payment on our ferry from France to Morocco. The instructions were sent to me in Italian and I failed to translated it back in November when I ordered the tickets. I checked a week before the departure and it … Read More Searching for Southern Sun

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21 Famous Alp Passes in 8 Days

Before I came to Europe I had never heard of passes named GroรŸglockenspiel, Furka, Albula, Klausen or Susten. Yet, anyone who has ridden motorcycles in Europe, has either rode or dreams of riding these passes someday. Well, itโ€™s my turn – My time to ride some of the most beautiful passes in all the world!! The route planning started well into last year with … Read More 21 Famous Alp Passes in 8 Days

Illyria Raid 2019 – Balkans

I never had any aspirations to ride a raid until I was approached by Adam, a co-worker who knew I liked to ride motorcycles off-road. After a bit of research it seemed like a fun opportunity but I still had my reservations:โ€ข Chantil and I were planning to ride through the Alps and the dates of the Illyria Raid would conflict.โ€ข I have never … Read More Illyria Raid 2019 – Balkans

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Riding in Remembrance – A Motorcycle Ride Along Liberty Road, France

This 1,146-kilometer commemorative roadway known as the Liberty Road (La voie de la Libertรฉ), marks the route of the Allied forces from the D-Day landings of Normandy, France to Bastogne, Belgium. Our plan was to ride the entire route and learn more about the history of WWII. The GPX route can be download via RouteYou. Day 1 – 9 Apr Today we explored Utah … Read More Riding in Remembrance – A Motorcycle Ride Along Liberty Road, France