How many bikers do we have on the fourum

I've just returned from my first Euro bike trip after over 20 years of biking and feel a total fool for not doing so before but I suppose I felt I never had the bike to do it before . I probably did a few too many miles but who cares , first stop was Beaune in France to sample some lovely red burgundy and then I headed through Mont Blanc into Italy and had a couple of days in Florence which was my target destination . That day was the most extraoadinary days riding in my life , heading through the Alps was just the start followed by a crazy run of tunnels and bridges from Genoa to Livorno (think total wacky races) and then a tricky run through the early evening Florence traffic . 

I had a couple of nights in Florence which gave me time to rest and explore this beautiful city . I also had a little ride out to Siena which is stunning . I then headed back north through Milan and and stayed overnight in Tremezzo on Lake Como , another wow moment . The following morning I had a nice ride through the Alps into switzerland , unfortunately the passes I wanted to try were still closed but the main road was still perfect and going through the Gotthard tunnel as the air temp was 34 degrees C at the halfway point . I pressed on as I needed to do some miles and reached Colmar in Alsace totally confused on what language to attempt . The next day I took the rural roads towards Nancy and then a final night in Lille old town . 

What a great journey , very tiring but just fantastic .  

Mont Blanc 

Wow! What a trip. Very impressive. Glad you had a great time. 

Thanks Clay , sorry missed your response . 

Peter.

Only just spotted this thread - interesting.

used to ride a Guzzi Le Mans III (850), but not had a bike since family came along - however the itch has returned in recent years, and I had the pleasure of riding my brother-in-law's Fazer 1200 around the Isle of Man TT course a couple of years ago (when it was quiet!) - enough to both remind me I'd need to go very easy until I get back into it, and remind me of the thrill.  My favourite last time I looked was Honda VFR800, but bikes and physique change over time!

I used to own a Yamaha 250cc Two stroke in the 70's.  I remember finishing work in the city (solicitors) and with my suit on and just putting on a jacket and helmet I would go back home to North London.  In those days there were many motorbike messenger firms and on the A41 road (going via Swiss Cottage) I would meet the same motor bike messenger (he worked for Pony Express) on his motorbike (a powerful Suzuki) who was going the same way, and we always raced each other on the road going through traffic.  I remember he would tend to over take the cars on the inside while I over took the cars in front on the outside (next to the traffic going the opposite way).  The race ended when I turned of left for the Hendon Way and he carried on straight for Golders Green.  I remember that I never was stuck in traffic like one does when in a car, but I disliked intensely riding in the rain and in the cold winter (the hands literally froze through the gloves)

Thanks Dave . Yes I was very lucky , it wasn't planned just very opportunistic and highly recommended .