Mmmm a little warmer than expected

Well, us and the bike all arrived safely at JFK. Clearing Customs and uncrating the bike all went to plan, James Cargo had done a great job of the crating (yes, even by John's exacting standards!) and the warehouse team at Continental where helpful and interested in what we were embarking on (although some of their facial expressions suggested they thought we were more than a little mad).


One thing that had gone unchecked during the last couple of weeks run up to departure was the current temperatures in this part of the US, we had expected mid to high 2o's but due to some freak weather it's getting up to low 40's. Still, if the only thing we have to worry about is losing a couple of litres in perspiration each day that can't be bad.


Already we have met lots of people interested to know where we are heading to, every 10 minute loo stop seems to turn into a 30 min conversation and that plus the fact we have just stayed for 2 nights in a nice place called Harpers Ferry in West Virginia means we really have to start covering some miles. Tomorrow we plan to be on the road by 6am to get a few hundred miles done before the heat beats us.


Harpers Ferry has rivers on either side (the Shenandoah and Potomac) and was a key area in events at the start of the Civil War, John was very interested in the history were as I (this is Jane writing) thought the building's were quaint and the ice creams were expensive!



We are already in traveller mode, taking as much food from the hotel breakfast buffet's as we can carry and sharing leftovers from the previous nights dinners for lunch. There have been some strange meals concocted but at least it's free!

More to follow..............

Jane and John
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"Our New Road"

In 2008 Jane and I started to talk about taking a holiday in Australia and spending time with Vic and Stew. When they were both in the UK that year Stew commented that it would be a good idea to ride one of our bikes from the UK to Sydney.
With both of us keen to do it and me keen to get a new bike, we agreed we would. After some searching (a few hours) we decided on an Yamaha XTZ660 Tenere. In late 2008 we got the bike from Colin Saunders m/c in Knebworth who has been a star in helping us prep the bike.

Jane then started the planning of the route to Australia and what to see. We planned to go via the old "Silk Road" which in the main takes the traveller through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India and then into South East Asia and on to Darwin.
In 2009 we took the bike to the HUMM event in Spain run by Grant and Susan Johnson of "Horizons Unlimited". During our time there we met some really great people and were inspired by many, in particular a couple from New Zealand, Trent and Jacqui Whitta. After talking with them and their friends it was clear that we had to go for the whole nine yards and ride around the world. The planning took on a whole new phase and we were not for turning back!

During the preparation of the bike John found that the rear engine mounting had broken so there was a last minute rush of part fabrication and servicing to get the bike ready for shipping.

Finally the XT was up to John's 'exacting standards', (if you know what i mean!) and ready to go.

Thanks to all the people and friends who helped us getting components to resolve this problem.

'Oscar has gone to Cambridge', if only it were possible to educate the thug but unfortunately his brain is to small.

Oscar, our tortoise, has gone to my sisters for the time we are away and will enjoy life in the Cambridge countryside. We hear that he has already started terrorising the Labrador.

Things all set, our friends at home organise a surprise meal for us. 'Hairy Bikers', well I have warned Jane about keeping control of the bodily hair during this trip, what with the facilities being rather basic!



It was great to see everyone and we will miss our friends and family terribly, but the time will go very quickly and we will soon be back boring the pants off you all with stories and pictures. Also, we are looking forward to seeing friends and family on the way and during our trip.


Finally the bike goes to 'James Cargo' the shipping agent for the first leg. The process was issue free and made very easy by Giles and Steve. Steve, the one with the short hair, wanted to know if the bike had ever been used as it was so clean. I told him that I was told by Giles that the bike needed to be 'like new' for entry into the USA, so that is what they got! Steve said that what Giles really meant was 'no dirt in the tyre tread and bash plate! Never mind, the bike did look good.



'THE ROUTE'
We plan to start our trip in the USA and ride from New York, south into the 'Deep South' (John may have to get his hair cut) and see the sights along the way. Then up through Texas into Colorado where we hope to visit Liz (one of Jane's sisters) and attend the 'Horizons Unlimited' event in Silverton. From there we should ship the bike from LA to Brisbane in Australia.



We then plan to ride across Australia (some of this leg will be with Vic and Stew) to Perth and then into Asia. From this point we will have more of an opportunity to follow our noses seeing the sights, planned and unplanned, until we arrive back in Europe.
Hopefully we will post our events and progress each week on the blog so if you wish you can follow us and correspond if you like.
Good luck and best wishes to everyone we are leaving behind, especially John's family who are having a real challenging time at present.
We look forward to hearing from you and receiving your emails and pictures as we travel.
John and Jane.

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Go to Horizons Unlimited, the website that's all about motorcycle travel. Travellers Community, Bike Travel information on the Bulletin Board, free Monthly Motorcycle Travel E-zine, Travellers' Stories, and plenty of tips and info!

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