Hoera. It's autumn!

Of course, the calendar has nothing to do with whether you drive or not. Fall and winter are just names. Our classics also had to ride outside of May, June, July and August in their youth. And if you have just read a story about the all-road winter tires, then you can start the winter again. Not because they are available in the sizes of my classic motorcycle, that is not even an all-road, but the idea gives peace. When you hear that Great Barr Motorcycle Breakers in Birmingham is such a nice motorcycle run, then you call two acquaintances who also have no Heidenau compatible allroads and you simply bet on your daily tires and the climate change.

There is a tunnel between France and England, so that entire stretch is covered

We bet we would avoid a hard Brexit. Pounds are not expensive at present. That also made the decision easier. For Calais we do a coffee & cholesterol stop to get the hands, knees and feet back up to temperature. Electrically heated gloves are good, but they are not charms. And there must now be 100% waterproof motorcycle suits, but that blessing has not happened to us yet. Despite the relatively safe distance to Calais, we check our suitcases for illegal passengers before we leave. After all, in the immediate vicinity of Calais, African fortune seekers try everything to get to the Promised Land? Somehow they have apparently heard that when they are in England, they are given shelter, money and residence permits. FAIL! That only happens in the Netherlands. Without being jumped or hijacked, we arrive at the tunnel terminal. It shows again how high the workload is and how little humorous Northern French can be. On the negotiation attempt whether it is cheaper to follow the train under your own steam, those sleepers, we will get over that, the French conductor or whatever petmans he is completely freaks out. We make soothing noises. And still allowed on board.

A motorcycle is simply placed on its jiffy on board the train

Lashing is not necessary. And because an engine has two wheels, the RECOVERY: journey by train only costs half the car fare. After just over half an hour we were just across the street, just warmed up. Because we only went shopping for a while, we grabbed the motorway and arrived cold at the motor scrap yard. That was closed. Because it is not only the Greeks who use unique opening and closing strategies. A friendly older Briton reported that a further demolition was still open. His brother's. But that only did in really old motorcycles. "Real British bikes, not that modern stuff."

We didn't find what we were looking for, but there was hot tea and the old fashioned pillowcase was endearing. And a pair of Dunstall Decibel 'Rad Cap' mufflers are never gone. In addition, we scored all kinds of easy-to-carry XNUMXs stuff for the Bonneville from an acquaintance who was not there. Huge, aluminum exhaust bend 'stars' - and a few of those aluminum bridges that allow the oil to travel between the rockerboxes jubilantly to its destination. And a large, embroidered back emblem with a Triumph logo and the text "I'd rather eat worms than ride a Japanese motorcycle," plus an old sticker with a hand grenade on it. Below it was: "Japanese motorcycle repair set." It was again a very nice weekend in England. Back in Calais we saw that Africa was still waiting for a crossing. We drove home. Through the rain.

Fortunately we ride Battlaxjes

These are not winter tires, but great all-rounders that just as easily raise the steering characteristics of many classics to a higher level. At a gas stop a gentleman walked in with us. He said: “I pay you coffee. You have earned that. " We agreed with him convincingly and thanked him. He also wanted to ride a motorcycle. It never happened. He thought we were cool. Our partners see it differently, shaking their heads. But there had already been apps. "Glad you will be back soon."

We came home without problems

The villager and Bonneville owner were already waiting there. And of course he regretted not having been with him. He was happy with his things and as a thank you had brought a bag of shivering chicken legs. Pisa has its tower. Paris too. Cologne has its Dom. But in Dieren we have the Yildiz Market. And there they have the perfect tanning bed for chicken legs. It's good to be home.

The next day my Lief and I went out for dinner and to the cinema.

That was nice too.

And warm.

And dry.

But in the meantime the weather is bad.

At BMW they were once very smart about it.