I should have been in Belgium by now! But now I’m sitting far away from my friends place, without any key to his house. My things and bike are not packed and ready to go!
So what they forced me to experience on a sunny Sunday here in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Well, I don’t hope for my worst enemy to go through this. It includes a whole evening listening to ”dutch schlager music”, company of beautiful girls (I admit now that your girls here in The Netherlands are fine), beer of cause, and a get away taxi ride in a Volvo in the middle of the night with an old chauffeur called Mr. Lampie.
The story is that I intended to leave Beuningen, The Netherlands today, but things was going in another way for me!
Sanne was her name, the girl from the party yesterday at the park in Nijmegen. I stumbled in to this lovely girl after a couple of hours at the ”Dag van het levenslied” party. It’s a traditionally dutch party, with dutch classic schlager hits. I had a few beers (ohh his drinking beers again, of cause I am), had a good talk with this girl, I could tell there was something between us, maybe she was lonely? At least I like to think ;oP
After a couple of beers or at number 6 beer, the ”Dutch schlager music” got better and better. Yes I know the name sounds horrible, but the atmosphere of the crowd is just perfect.
I intended to leave the party early with my friend, but suddenly the guy was gone! Now what? Me standing there with a lovely ducth girl, and of cause not in the mood to leave the show already. One does not leave a good party, though I certainly was the only danish guy among several hundreds of dutch people. Well I was stupid enough to participate in a “Dutch heavy schlager party”, so I had to get the most fun of it, and I certainly did.
So one sticks to the end of the show and hope to find a place to crash, maybe at the lonely dutch girl’s place.
I assume she was about 25 years old, but no way, I was wrong again, when she told me she would turn 21 years next week. Ohh, so that was why her dad sticked around to look after his daughter, making sure she was not alone in bad company with a danish guy ;oP. But that was no problem, I got a nice evening with them all. You might wonder if I found a place to sleep? I did ;oP
Do you think I will arriven in Belgium this month?
Thanks to Jeroen, Linda and Mr. Lampie
Hi again folks. It has been some busy but great days here in Beuningen, The Netherlands. Yesterday I got the tyres changed on the bike, not that easy I can now tell. Four and a half hours to change rear and front tyres, including some small breaks. I got some rutine, which was the main point, in doing this. Matheu stood by the side and supported me with funny jokes and positive thoughts, but no more than that, cause I have to be capable of doing this all by my self. I learned that taking the old tyres of is harder than installing the new ones. As if this wasn’t the biggest problem, inflating them was a hurdle, as the carcase of the tyre was not pressed out to the side of the rim, meaning it wasn’t sitting correct. This can only be done with high pressure air, not a job my little transportable 12 volt dc compressor can manage. So after a small trip down to the gas station, I got the the rear tyre fixed, sitting correctly on the rim.
What about balancing of the new tyre? Just beside the local gas station here in Beuningen is a garage called “Vermeer en Kersten“. They fix cars, so I went to them, to see if they were able to help me? No one was present when I got to the garage, so I whistled, and a guy quickly came out from the backroom. I told him about my situation and what this was all about, me going around the world, and now wanted to have the rear wheel balanced after my hard try to change the tyre at my friends place. The guy’s name was Patrick and he was very friendly. He immediately put the wheel and tyre in the balancing machine, found a cone that fitted the center of the rim, and started balancing the complete assy. When he was done I asked him how much it would cost me, he refused to accept any money, so I told him I would drop by on Monday to take a photo of him, to show my gratitude.
So what about the front tyre. Well the job was not done yet. Back home refitting the rear wheel and then on to the next assignment, which of cause was to replace the front tyre as well. Same procedure, and again, taking the tyre of was harder than putting the new one on. So now I had the same problem, regarding inflating the front tyre. I then got a good idea, or at least I thought so. I did promise one of my sponsors Job Hoevenaars from the “SHUURMAN BV” a visit when I got to The Netherlands. So why not visit him now, and see if they where able to help me out? Matheu and I quickly left Beuningen to drive to Oss, a city located about 35 kilometres from Beuningen, The Nerherlands. When we arrived, I asked for Job, to say hello and speak to him. We were invited in for a cup of coffee, and sad there talking about all the stuff they had in their exhibition and my journey. I then asked him if it was possible for them to help me balancing a front wheel with a new tyre? He promptly said yes, and went to get one of their mechanics, so he could see if it was possible? We quickly found out that it wasn’t possible to do this job in their shop. But instead of sending us back home, with a wheel unbalanced, and a tyre without any air, they send us to the local bike shop in Oss, called Vos Oss Motoren. They did the job just perfectly, and guess what, neither did they want any money, they were more than glad to help me, and wished me good luck. So after 20 minutes Matheu and I was on or way out of the shop again with a balanced and inflated front tyre.
On the way home Matheu showed me the country site. I was very impressed of how beautiful the landscape is and the Dutch people’s gardens as well, they are well kept.
During the day Matheu had updated my laptop with more memory and bigger hard drive, so now I have much more space on the hard drive, about three times as much, as before.
Back home and install the wheel, and do some other maintenance, like checking engine oil, refilling the chain oiler. After that we enjoyed a nice evening meal prepared by Matheu, and of cause I got my weiss bier. That was how my Friday went…
After a couple of days in Odense in good friends company, with barbecue and saying farewell to Hassan, Jens and their friends, I packed the bike a headed North to visit Miss Viborg, a good friend of mine ;oP Of cause this was not the intended route, but what the heck, you never let a nice lady down. Stayed there for one day seeing Hald Lake and the Dollerup Hills, one of many spectacular sites in Denmark, I can be proud of as a Dane. My friend Marlene and I went on the VFR around the local areas of Viborg, visiting her mom and a German cemetary, as on this day it was the Danish Liberation day 4th May 1945, exactly 64 years ago that the WW2 ended.
On the 5th of May I went from Viborg, Denmark south down to the German border, to go to Kiel. The German department of the motorcycle club, Rotterne Midgaard MC had invited me to overnight in their clubhouse, as this is part of the “One day rule in every country”.
Reaching Kiel, after driving the hole day, I park the bike in front of the clubhouse, and got a beer right away. Nothing better than a cold beer after a long day in the saddle. Afterwards the guys helped me unload the VFR, and park it in their new build shelter. I finally got installed with all my belongings. After a good solid meal, we spend the whole evening drinking beers and talking. 
Thanks to all the guys in Rotterne Midgaard MC Kiel, Germany. It was a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to stay in your club in Kiel on my first night in a foreign country. I will remember you guys for ever. I woke up to a nice breakfast and coffee supplied by Dietsch and his friends from the club.
Day 6 of my journey I was heading to a good friend of mine, Matheu Swartjes, living close to Nijmegen, in a small village called Beuningen in The Netherlands. Drove from Kiel around noon, going through the north-west part of Germany. First thing to get on arrival was a Wieckse Witte bier straight from the barrel. So now I’m in Beuningen, The Netherlands in good hands and well supplied by my friend Matheu. He has also sponsored me a new hard drive and memory for the Medion Akoya laptop. He cleaned the laptop, before staring on replacing the memory. It was pretty messy inside, after one year of use, sorry Mat’. I will do some different maintenance on the bike, like checking oil, and also planning on changing the 
tyre’s as well. I will stay here until Monday or Tuesday next week. After that I will head for Belgium, to do an overnight there, before going for the Germany border again.
The clock is now 02.05 am. Matheu and I spend the day in the city, where we walked around, him waiting for me all the time, as I had to take “some” pictures ;oP We enjoyed a good meal and a weiss bier. Did some grocery shopping, and finally went home for a nice cup of coffee and of cause one more weiss bier.
The exact route, taking me from Odense, Funen to Beuningen, The Netherlands can been seen on, click the link: EveryTrail.com .
More news to come from Beuningen, The Netherlands. Until then Matheu and I say Prost!
Thanks for a fantastic day, on the very first day of my journey. Right now I’m sitting here in friends company, enjoying a Martini and thinking back on a good start. Though I did not travel far on day one, I can say that I experienced many things on this lovely start. Thanks to friends for showing up, to wave me farewell. Some all the way from mid Sealand, Aalborg and the South of Funen.
The people who showed up on my departure day was: Christer Green Henriksen, Sonnich Johannesen, Knud Dam, Bo Nielsen, Dennis Hellan Pedersen, Mikael Kristensen, Sanne (neighbour) and the Reverend (aka. Jacob). Also a big thanks to my mother and father for the support and help you offered me today, I love you both.
You might wonder how I feel right now? I can say that things haven’t really struck me yet, but time and conditions will change this. I’m ready to face all the challenges and exiting experiences waiting for me just around the corner, or over the next hill side.
After reaching Odense to Hassan and Kasia, we unloaded the bike and got us self a good dinner with Kasia’s parents from Poland who also are staying. This was not the end of the day. Hassan and I started the bikes (he also rides a VFR) and headed out to the local motorcycle club here in Odense, called “Rotterne – MC Midgaard” (the Rats). Stayed there for a couple of hours to see the new club residence of theirs and had a nice evening. German members was on a visit, and thay have invited me to drop by the local club in Kiel, Germany in the start of next week. So this will be my first possibility to have accomodation in a foreing country on my ride down to Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
This was just a short update from me, you will get more of the good stuff shortly. The Honda is performing just fine. Now I will get my stuff packed and start up the bike, to head for Morud, where my friend Jens lives, we have both been invited to dinner this evening at a club member…
The GPS log of the day. (Click the link for more details).
Departure day CPH – Odense, Funen, Denmark at EveryTrail
Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging
Today I can say that I’m ready to leave safe home, to head out on the road a face a new chapter of my life. Bike is serviced and packed, so am I. All things a set and ready to go. Big things are about to take shape and place, I’m heading out in the big world on my own to see all the great things, and also to mention all you good people I will bump into. You have all been brilliant during my preparations, thanks!
Got my last - (yes you read correct) document today, the “Carnet de Passage en Douane” remember this important document, that can save you from some of the trouble’s/ hassle’s regarding import duties on vehicles in countries where this can’t be avoided. Now that this is in house, I have some time to go through the gear and all my documents, to see if I remembered all the things? And the most important thing, say “auf wiedersehen” to my family and friends.
I’ve been ill for the last 4 days with a cold and fever, still coughing… might be the pigs flue ;oP So now I’m filling my body with all sorts of vitamins you could possibly imagine.
The bike has been upgraded once more, regarding the suspension, to deal with the weight of me and the gear. I spend a day in the company of my friend and sponsor Jan Krohn (Hyperpro) to modify, replace some wear parts, plus making some adjustments on the front and rear suspension of the VFR. So now the preload of the springs are within the limits, and it feels and handles a lot better now.
Did the final test ride today, both on the local roads and the motorway was tested with fully weight,me in Rukka suit, and the new Sidi boots. The result was good, it feels stable.
My mom insisted that I should have a mobile phone with me, though I was against it, but she persuaded me. If this will give her peace in mind, so okay, I will take it with me. I have promised her to write when I have the opportunity. I will add the number under the section “mhoey” together with all the other contact info’s, so you also have the possibility of contacting me in this way, in the future. But have patience, the mobile number will not be valid before mid of May.
To finish this post, which is hard, because I always have a lot on my mind. I have invited some motorcyclist’s/ friends to come on 1st of May to get something to eat, drink and to escort me the first couple of kilometres of the journey. All good people are welcome to drop by at around 10.00 am. Address is: Mortel Alle 35, 2791 Dragør. We will leave here at around 12.00 o’clock. Look forward to see you all…
My first destination will be Odense, Funen, Denmark to meet my friend and his wife. I have arranged with him, that we will go through all my gear, to sort out for the last time, which things are needed and which are waist of energy to bring along. Always a good idea to have another to look at things with a pair of fresh eyes, and this dude is looking forward to it, you can bet on that ;op . I will stay for a couple of days in Odense to have a good time and say goodbye to some of my friends. Last thing to say: Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines…
PS: More parts on the way to you Matheu (Dr. Nijmegen). My sponsor behind the Puig touring windscreen and Bagster tank bag - MC Topgear wasn’t able to get the Puig touring screen in time, so Poul from the store has been so kind to offer me to send it to Nijmegen, free of charge. Thanks Poul. It should be there in next week approximately. You can’t imagine how much I look forward to start this adventure!
Next story is on Friday 1st of May 2009, cheers to you all…
