Monday 11 November 2013

Back Home

Well thats the end of the wonderful "All roads lead to the Moon" adventure, 30,000 miles, 13 countries, 28 states in the USA, 3 provinces in Canada, a pretty amazing experience. First I'd like to thank everybody that followed the blog (and hope you continue to do so, life isn't over yet!) and a huge genuine thanks to all the wonderful people we met on the road, shared a conversation with, shared a beer with, shared a wedding with and put up with having two slightly smelly bikers doss in your homes!
It may be a bit of a cliche but the trip was life changing in that it opened my eyes further to the huge injustices in this world to both humans and animals but more of that in the book when it comes out.
The bikes at the end of the day got us to the end so thats a positive, we put them through their paces and we showed up a few weaknesses but I have to say the biggest weakness was with the dealers themselves, EVERY time the bikes were in a dealers they needed some kind of remedial work by myself to make them right, simple things sometimes but not the point, must try harder my BMW.
The big success stories were;
Metzler Tourance tyres, 3 rears and 2 fronts each and NO punctures, the fronts are still good!
Cardo Systems Scala Rider intercoms, worked amazingly for the whole year and were invaluable.
Scottoilers which ensured that despite the harsh conditions we put the chains through we only changed the chain & sprockets once in the whole trip.
The Exped camping mattresses, so good that they were often more comfortable than many hotel beds.
Our ARD Case Panniers, stayed waterproof, secure and in one piece despite the bikes being dropped and mine getting side swiped by a truck in Peru.
With the exception of Scottoiler providing suport and oil we received no help from any of the above so these are genuine testimonials.
We now need to re adjust to normal life, quite what that is I'm not sure but just to help we're off to Applecross later this week to chill so more photos from my favourite place in Scotland soon.
Finally a big thank you to Alex Dickson who looked after my admin, provided tech support and organised for our car to be ready for us when we returned, Danny & Jackie (Fi's Mum & Dad) who did the same for her and my brother John for loking after the admin on my fleet of bikes while we were away.
Welcome home, wet & cold, just as I remembered it! 
 

10 comments:

  1. So glad you made it ! Great adventure . Welcome home!

    Regards M&M

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    1. Cheers guys, see you at the Begonia next year if not before
      Gino & Fiona

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  2. Welcome back. When's the next trip? Just been reading about some of the earliest expeditions, by Harley-Davidson of course. Catch up with you both soon?

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    1. Hi Jake
      Not sure, in the early planning stage just now, need to get some work done first! Yes hopefully, I'll let you know when we are around, we'll not make the Classic club this week, off to Applecross
      Gino & Fiona

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  3. Chris and I are really glad you are home safe and sound . However it seems that you may not be so glad to be home? sounds like another adventure sometime in the future just to see if it could be bettered, eh ?
    From Bryan &Christine and all in the Notts NOC who followed your Blog.

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    1. Hello to you both (and to the Notts NOC of course)
      Not sure if we can better it but we will try!! Catch up with you guys in the not too distant future hopefully
      Regards
      Gino & Fiona

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  4. Aye Fiona and Gino,
    Thank you for keeping posting under duress at times! Hope you can sort the itchy feet, don't get stuck in snow on the Bealach na Ba and I look forward to reading the 'epistle', when it's published. Publishing it yoursel' or do you have a printer lined up? Good health.
    Our regards, Bill& Kat.

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    1. Hi Bill & Kat
      Again thanks for the comments and advice, makes writing the blog seem more worthwhile. Nae snow forecast so hopefully it'll stay that way. catch up soon
      Regards
      Gino & Fiona

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  5. Welcome home Gino and Fiona. That was an amazing adventure and I enjoyed reading every word of it. Once you have re-adjusted to 'normal' life, please drop me a message on talktostuart@btinternet.com and we can arrange to partake in a small libation sometime in the not too distant future. Cheers Stuart McLean

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    1. Hi Stuart
      Once we have re adjusted I'll give you a shout
      Regards
      Gino

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