Although not on the same scale as Stelvio, Furka, Grimsel, Gotthard, Simplon I crossed this little single track pass near Lake Idro in Northern Italy a couple of weeks back on my way to the Italian Horizons Unlimited meeting. No traffic and a gentle ride through the mountain air ..... ahhhh Bliss. I...

Sorry if this is old news but from next month the Visa Waiver system for UK citizens entering the US is changing. There will be a charge of £9 for each applicant. However, you can avoid this by registering online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta and getting a visa waiver valid for 2 years at no cost...

I use a Vango Banshee for long trips just because it's light and I'm only likely to use it for a quick overnight sleep. I snore like a devil's whore anyway so I always make sure that I pitch up well away from civilisation. If I go somewhere like Ripley I also have my Kyham Biker which gives me loads...

Central Cappodocia is on the list of things to do along with Lake Van and Mount Arrarat. Great Alne..... I was secretary of the Great Alne Social Club in the late 80's early 90's. Alcester is still a backwater but it has its little gems hidden away.

Of course its a bike ride to Eastern turkey - right across to the Iranian Border. Leave UK on August 17th and make my way down through France and then East coast of Italy. ferry from Brindisi to Greece. Across Greece into Turkey and then a circular tour - Black Sea over to the far East and then back...

I use Touratech Zega Aluminium panniers and they fit both my 1200GS and KTM 640. They have never leaked and I've been through some pretty shi**y weather on the continent. I don't use the expensive liners... Tesco's Big Green Bag fits just nicely and is easy to lift out and put back which means you c...

Talking of panniers.... did anyone see the two lads at the HU meeting in Ripley who made their own panniers for a RTW trip out of old fridge drawers ? I'd love to think that they will make it round with those bungeed to their bikes but I have my doubts.

As I live in Alcester near Stratford-upon-Avon this ride would have been ideal for me but on 18th September I'm on my way back from a trip to Eastern Turkey. Bugger

I own a business in Stratford-upon-Avon I got away early today to avoid the jams (I remember being stuck in Stratford traffic on a previous Global Gathering) - Just got over the Alcester jams at Ragley Hall for the game fair a week or so ago. Hope it doesn't rain though - got a guy coming down looki...

Kev P wrote: My bike came with TT 35L panniers, and I do find them handy when I need to carry alot of kit. At the HU meet at Ripley I saw the Wolfman Expedition soft panniers and I'm seriously considering replacing the TT ones. Kev I bought some Wolfman tank panniers at Ripley and used them on a re...