Last couple of days, from Metz to Dunkerque and then from Dunkerque to Calais, through the tunnel on the train and then a steady run home were long days, for me the 496 miles on Monday being the longest I have ridden in one day.
Overall my mileage on the Steed of Steel was 3296 and I managed to average 70 MPG which is not too bad considering the varying conditions we had to cope with. Only used a wee dribble of oil and a quick quaff of aqua.
Highlight has to be reaching the top of the Passo Di Stelvio having (foolishly) followed Tom, Iain, John and Steve - took a while and a coffee to stop the hands shaking - it is certainly a hard ride on a touring bike fitted with panniers and top boxes, compared to the lunatic crotch jockeys on their sports machines, total nutters - no wonder two were marmalised the following day when they met a car.
The Stelvio was bad enough, but as were looking for a petrol garage we ended up (accidentally) going over the Passo Di Gavio, now going up was Ok, into the snow fields, but no one told us there was hardly a road down - no barriers, narrow, tight bends - and certainly carrying a parachute is recommended as it was a long way over the edge to the ground zero.
Now need to get myself back into shape again, two weeks in the saddle, good food, and wine have taken their toll on the old physique, and according to Mrs. B I have gone white haired since leaving ( shock).
Steed now cleaned and ready for a run out at Royal Ascot this week, well worth an each way bet.
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