Ducati Sporting Club UK > General > Idle Chat > My Weekend

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Let me update you about my weekend. Well it started on Friday morning at 6.30am when I met Robin (Belthead) for the ride down to Dover. We pulled in to the meeting point to find out that we had turned up first, but quickly others started to arrive together with the support van to take all of the luggage. I noticed a number of familar faces from the year before and it was just as though we had parted yesterday as old acquaintances and memories were recounted. However, I was the only Duke, there being 4 GSXR1000s, 1 new R1, an SP2, new GSXR750, Busa, Blackbird, Fazer1000 and a GSXR600. In the back of the van was another GSXR1000 and a road legal supersport spec CBR600. A motley crew in anyone's books.

Soon it was time to go, and we headed off to the ferry. First mistake we were on Sea France, and anyone who has travelled with them will know what I'm on about - they were at least three ropes short until we kept complaining. Anyway we were off.

Arrived at Calais and we were off. First 100 miles or so on the motorway, then turning off to cut across Luxembourg and into Belgium for the lunch stop. Back off again through Belgium and into Germany as the roads got better and better, until the last run along the side of the Mosel which just consists of fast sweepers following the river which little traffic to worry about. We pulled into the hotel and there were two crates of cold beers and food on the barbie waiting. 430 miles from home, and the 996R is still going well, so its off to the pub for a beer or seven.

Next morning we set off at about 11am to do a 200 mile loop of the most awesome roads you will ever expereince ending up at the Ring. Anyway we got 25 miles into it and it lashed down, so its time to pull over and agree to head back - thank god for that!!! We arrive back and it starts to look a bit brighter, so we agree to leave it for a while and see what happens. It starts raining again so nothing better to it was time to adjourn to local hostelry for some falling down liquid. After supper - which was excellent - we decided to go and try the local night life - which was poor and quiet until we arrived!!

Sunday arrives and its sunny - hooray!!! So off we go for the 200 mile loop that we missed the day before. By 2pm we'd arrived at the Ring just in time to see an R1 and GSXR1000 (not one of ours) being bought in smashed - good start!!! I decided not to go round this time but some of the others did. It is one of the experiences and not to be missed, although very intimidating when you do it. We left there to head back to teh hotel via the Cochem bends which are just the dogs and worth trip on there own.. Back at the hotel the beers were waiting and another evening beckoned.

We set off early on Monday to catch the earliest ferry we could, so we were chasing on a bit. Of course we had rain, sun etc, but still got to Dover in time for the 3pm ferry. This time we had the Sea France flagship, which is enormous and has special channels for bikes so they are totally secure.

Back in Dover it was time to say goodbye and head our seperate ways until next year when we could do it all over again.

I travelled 1,200 miles and the 996R never missed a beat. It was very very fast and has served to start rebuilding my confidence. Would I go again - you bet yer - roll on next year. Sorry I've got no piccies but I do have a big grin