Back in Black

Well I made it back! Have actually been back a few days but forgot to update the blog...well that and I was too tired after doing 650 miles in one day back from Berlin, so I decided to go for a few pints for the match down the pub on Saturday night ;-)

So it was certainly an experience...it's been quite a learning curve too in a way. I think I've learnt the following over the past few weeks:

1) Pack a bit lighter! Although I did use nearly everything I'd taken I only used my camping gear once for example. Think next time I should camp more! (would also save money, which leads too...)

2) Budget a bit better. I didn't budget at all on this trip and this resulted in my vastly overspending on what I thought it might cost. Got the credit card bill this morning - was a bit of a rude awakening to say the least! :-(

3) Concentrate on good riding roads / areas / scenery etc instead of destinations, and be a bit more flexible with the route perhaps. This turned out to be more of a major European city tour than anything else...now while it was cool, riding around major cities isn't all that much fun and is possibly better done by train or plane (yuck).

4) Go with more people. I would consider going on my own again and I met some cool people on the trip but I think it would be more enjoyable and cheaper with others to share it with.

So what were my most/least favourite things? Well, a random selection:

Favourite city - Munich without a doubt. Not too big to be unwieldy but big enough. And had a great, friendly feel. And good beer obviously.

Least favourite city - Definitely Milan. Didn't enjoy it here at all - though the "pub buffet" thing they have there is pretty awesome.

Best scenery - this would be on the road from Milan to Zurich through the alps - the SS36 - gorgeous.

Most boring ride - a toss up between the Paris to Avignon motorway slog and the same from Berlin to London (via the ferry).

Best road - I think this is still the road from Nice to Sospel - the D2256a - nice and small and very twisty! And great scenery...

So would I do it again? Definitely - subject to the points above. Quite like the idea of a East Europe tour - if nothing else it's cheap and beer is good!