MRT - Gieboldershausen
... and back in Czech Republic
2nd September - 8th September | 2022
In the morning I took it easy as I had not far to drive. During breakfast Charlie, a Dutch motorbiker, joined me for breakfast. We got a bit chatting away, but hopefully, we can catch up in Amsterdam on my way home.
I planned to drive up as far as I could to Brocken, but over route planning, OsmAnd crashed and I must have lost that part of the track. I only noticed once being on the road. However, it was a lovely ride over 850m altitudes (woohoo!) and some twisties. Finally, I can use a bit the side of my knobby tires ;-)
Once arrived at the MRT, I found immediately a place to park and pitch up my tent. Of course, people started talking to me due to my Portuguese number plate. Like that, I met Josef und Stefan, which took care of me during the whole meeting - Danke schön!!
On Saturday were some talks of various people about their trips, e.g. around France, to Iran or Wetzlos-Westwaerts about their partial RTW-tour. Joshua and Johana (IG: wetzlosweltwaerts) were also there selling their travel books, so we talked a bit; of course, I bought their book about South America. Thank you both for your time to share your experiences!
Sorry, I hardly took any pictures as I was enjoying myself too much with meeting all the people that I completely forgot all about it :-(
The next day, it took me all morning to pack up as people talked to me, as I was around my bike (Portuguese number plate). It was really nice, meeting same-minded people - and talking in my native language! Unfortunately, the after-party hit my head badly! I was glad that I had booked a B&B just 120km away. I cannot remember how I managed, as I was really poor! When I arrived I crashed straight away into bed, without even taking the luggage off my bike (OK, it was a very quiet village, so I was not worrying at all!).
As the owner told me to leave early, I was already on my bike by 9am! Actually, that was good, as I had another long day of riding to Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic. I found a nice track around Hohenwarte-Stausee and today's riding was a good mixture of land roads, twisties and nice hills. In the Czech Republic, I drove through Marianske Lazne before arriving in Karlovy Vary.
The next day I did mainly sightseeing in Karlovy Vary. I was really impressed by all the architecture! Also, I found a lady that will stitch up my trousers as it is again about time ;-)
As I felt so comfortable in the hotel, and Ludvik, the manager, was so mega-helpful mixed with a good sense of humour, that I stayed in total 4 nights at Hotel Alisa (www.hotelalisa.cz) instead of 2. The last night was a good choice as it was all day raining! Hopefully tomorrow the weather will be at least dry to carry on the journey.
Today is a sad day for the UK (especially): Her Majesty the Queen has passed away! RIP!
In the next blog, it will be time to meet my mum again and sightseeing in Dresden and Leipzig. So wrap yourself up in a warm blanket and have a nice cup of tea, and then I meet you and my mum soon again!
In the meantime in the Algarve, Portugal, James went to the Traveller Event in Avis. He had a nice ride through the Alentejo, exploring new tracks. Unfortunately, he felt a bit out of place at the event, so he left already Saturday morning and found on the way home a lovely camping spot at one of the Barragems (‘dam’).
Places | Cities:
GERMANY:
Gieboldehausen, Duderstadt, Bad Langensalza, Stadtilm, Schleiz, Oelsnitz.
CZECK REPUBLIC:
Cheb, Marianske Lazne, Karlovy Vary.
Driven km | Trip:
Total | Steffi: 26100 km
Maintenance | Breakdown:
./.
Health issues:
Migraine (after-party effect!)
Special thanks to:
Organisation and people at the MRT-Gieboldehausen (FB: MRT-Gieboldehausen) and Stefan who helped me not to feel lost at the event.
Ludvik at Hotel Alisa (www.hotelalisa.cz) to look after me and his good sense of humour.