A couple of years back I went on a trip to the Alsace and surrounding regions, it was organised through a Suzuki owners club website. Only five went and three i did not know but we all got on well. One of the guys is an Egyptian living in London and I have seen him once or twice since, usually over a steak after some bike event, we have exchanged to occasional email. He is probably in his mid 30s, I was oldest the second oldest being about 45.
Yesterday I was surprised to hear from him, wishing me a happy new year and saying that he was planning a "little" trip for October to last the full month, ride across Europe to Turkey (not sure if through Balkans or Italy and ferry) head south through Syria and Jordan to Egypt the head east through Libia and Tunisia, ferry from Tunis to Genova in northern Italy, over the alps (presumably) and then head north to UK and home. He wants a group of about four, max six, of people he describes as "He would be happy to ride with"

I am very attracted to the general I dea and I probably could wangle the time. My areas of doubt are that I will be pretty near my 65th birthday and i don't want to be a drag on anyone, also my mechanical skills are pretty basic. In Europe there is the "safety net" of recovery insurance, I'm not sure what is possible in Asia/Africa though.I have no concerns about Moslem culture in general but some of the places could be a bit "wild frontier" especially just south of Turkey. He says no "off roading"  but I suspect that some of the roads are a bit basic. He, and one other guy I think he may have asked both ride V-Stroms which are probably better than the Bandit in poor road conditions. I have done some long rides alone into Eastern Europe and through the Pyrenees but I think riding for more than 14 days is likely to be new territory for everyone, I am not too bothered about that aspect. Believe it or not it can be very very wet in the Eastern Med in October, apocalyptic rain! so it means loads of gear probably.

Obviously I will have to look into costs etc and personal implications but I suspect these will be manageable and it will depend a lot on who exactly the others in the group are and decisions about routes etc,.

Anyone have any thoughts on the matter?

Sounds like a great time Cal.. You only live once  I say go for it.

My Dad is 68 and he just bought a Vulcan 1500 a few years ago after not being on a bike in over 20 years. He puts LOTS of miles on and did his first long trip just this summer.

If you dont go, you will always wonder what it would have been like if you did 

I take your point, I make a point of doing a couple of fairly long trips each year, my reasoning, for riding and pretty much everything else is that, who knows, I may not be able to next year.

To be absolutely honest i suppose my main concern is "bandit country" through Syria and Jordan. It's a bit near Iraqi border, should be OK - don't mention the Crusades!

There will be at least one Arabic speaker in the group which goes a long way to reassure me about things, I've always managed language-wise throughout Europe, except in northern Spain where there spoke the basque language but i doubt I could manage Arabic.

It would be useful to hear from anyone who has ridden that neck of the woods, advice re tyres would be handy as I'll probably fit new ones before leaving.

Whoa, talk about "little" trips!!

I have no useful advice suggestions to give you Cal, but if you're going for it, feel free to send me a PM or something when you're on your way back,
I live some 50 kms (30 miles) north of Genoa Italy and it'd be nice to meet and say hello, if you please and/or you're not too tired of course. (Provided you're ferrying Tunis --> Genoa as mentioned)

All in all, a trip like this is sure going to be a challenging yet incredible experience. Do what you feel like!

This site is more off road oriented but you may find someone there that has toured the area:  http://www.advrider.com/forums/

-Jessie

Cheers guys. I am pretty sure this is still at the embryo stage and I have some further complications about getting away but in principal I'm up for it.

I recon a lot will depend upon how many and who else, if enough, say yes.

Simon79, if it all happens and Tunis/Genoa is the route it would be nice to shake a hand and put a face to a name. In studying maps i was looking at Tangier to Gibralter or southern Spain which would be a much longer ride but a much shorter and quicker sea trip - I dont yet even know comparitive times and costs but I suspect Tunis/Genoa would be favourite for the return ride to UK.

Quote from: Cal Price on January 13, 2010, 08:39:10 AM
I take your point, I make a point of doing a couple of fairly long trips each year, my reasoning, for riding and pretty much everything else is that, who knows, I may not be able to next year.

To be absolutely honest i suppose my main concern is "bandit country" through Syria and Jordan. It's a bit near Iraqi border, should be OK - don't mention the Crusades!

There will be at least one Arabic speaker in the group which goes a long way to reassure me about things, I've always managed language-wise throughout Europe, except in northern Spain where there spoke the basque language but i doubt I could manage Arabic.

It would be useful to hear from anyone who has ridden that neck of the woods, advice re tyres would be handy as I'll probably fit new ones before leaving.

once i get teh estate settled, going to finish the v8 conversion in my rx7, then going to do the silverstate classic, in nevada, like cals trip idea, its one of those " would be fun as heck to do"

GO FOR IT!  I'd love to do an adventure like that, and time to do it won't happen until I'm 66.   You can bet I'll be looking for challenges and this one looks FUN.