Čzech Centre Invader Rally - May 2022 Part 1

Could it be all systems go after all the pandemic?

I started to plan the trip last year and advertised it as an "event" on the Facebook page for my not-a-motorcycle-club - the Old SOCS. This is a chat and reminiscence group for those of us that were members of the Suzuki Owners Club in the UK from the 70's to the 00's! Those that have left the club but like to keep in touch with other former members and friends.

I had two takers contact me about making the trip. Phil who I have known since the 80's and Giles who I have met a few times but don't know as well.

I outlined the idea I had to the 8 day (7 night) trip across Europe to Vernířovice in Northern Moravia. My original plan was to set off along the "southern route" from the Channel port via the A3 (Frankfurt to Nuremburg) and then into Čzech. The return on the "northern route" back to Dresden and the A4/A44 route to the Rhine and the channel.

With other travellers on the road trip we made some concessions. Phil wanted to include the "Romantic Road" if possible on the return route. Some Googling and I found a website with a satnav route with all the twists and turns included. That meant the "northern route" was scrapped.

Instead we would take an even more southerly route before coming back to the A3 near Wurzburg. To make the days not simply riding, we need to be careful of the mileages and arrival times at our overnight stops, and also plan "sightseeing stops".

So "What's the Plan"?

Day 1

Cross early on the DFDS ferry to Dunkerque in France. The current entry requirement is that we need to fill in an "honneur" form to say that we don't have covid and have been vaccinated. We also will need out QR code to prove vaccination. At least here the EU and UK have agreed on that!

Once free we have along day to our overnight hotel near Koblenz. If we went on the autobahns all the way we'd probably have about half the hours in the saddles.

Motorway/Autobahn across France and Belgium and into Germany. From there we will take off through the Eifel Mountains and then along the Mosel river. I have planned a lunch from at the Bikers Ranch. A chance for the first bratwurst of the trip!

Day 2

Another longish day in the saddle to get from Koblenz on the Rhine/Mosel to Plzen in the Czech Republic. This route has some scenic sections and then to link them together some blasts on the autobahn to click off the miles.

Of course, on the day and on the road, things are liable to change. All the routes will go into the TomTom and I will be taking my MS Surface with me.