Author Topic: You know it's always surprised me...  (Read 998 times)

guest18

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You know it's always surprised me...
« on: December 22, 2007, 05:33:15 PM »
You know it's always surprised me that afaik no-one has suggested a (summertime) run into Germany for all the charioteers to visit the locations of the Great Escape motorcycle chase, Where Eagles Dare etc etc*  ???

*amazing the thoughts that pop into your head when it's christmas time and you hear that theme music... Dah dah da da dah dah DA DA!  ;D

Bill Rutter

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Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2007, 07:53:34 PM »
Well Germany is a country I've never been to and one I have always wanted to visit. Doing it on a bike would be grand. Doubly so with respect to visiting Great Escape sites. I don't know where they are mind. But how about a ride down the Romantic Road to the south? That would be cool too. Well suggested Smudge, you've got the old cogs turning now. And with England not in Euro 2008 (thank God) there should be less chance of hassle.

guest18

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Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2007, 08:21:02 PM »

Andy M

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Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2007, 02:07:36 PM »
Allow me to reccomend Colditz. It's a long way east but well worth it. Stood on one balcony we were shown the evidence of four escape attempts:

The bell tower above and to one side was where the French started a tunnel. This came down the tower and under the church floor. The hole the Germans dug to try and fill it in are still open and you can look down and see where they started to go horizontally, cutting 12" oak beams. The were betrayed and caught when they'd started on the last wall.

The ridge above is where the British were building a glider.

The actual balcony was part of the "Franz Josef" escape where a prisoner disguised as the guard sergeant went round dismissing the other guards.

Up an to the left is a round stairway. A Canadian Olympic champion noticed that on the spiral stairs the middle man couldn't be seen. Causing delays they opened the sixth floor window and he jumped! Dropping probably 10 feet at a time from floor to floor, catching the window bars he made it to the ground only to break his ankle on the last drop.

Even the guide (they use local students) had a story. Her grandmother was working in a field and was offered cigarettes for food by two six foot chaps wearing RAF greatcoats. On the basis that you couldn't hide two huge Australians they'd decided to simply walk as far as they could before they got caught!

The museum and tour are fantastic. The town is very nice with good food and beer. The only place to avoid is the campsite, but there are load of B&B's.

I'd love to join you, but I doubt Karen would be happy if I invited you all on the honeymoon   ;D

Andy

002

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  • Stalwart(TM)
Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #4 on: December 23, 2007, 03:48:20 PM »

I'd love to join you, but I doubt Karen would be happy if I invited you all on the honeymoon   ;D

Andy

I aint gonna answer that one  :o 
At the risk of getting Thumped  ;)

Jethro
Cooey
Martini-Greener GP
Lee Enfield
ELG

guest7

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Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #5 on: December 23, 2007, 05:28:31 PM »
Talking of Germany, our Elefant trip is looking to be a washout as most riders have dropped out. At the moment only Simon Morgan is going.

However, I have a plan  ;) I have an immense amount of groundwork to take care of in the next week, but there's a slim chance I can get a pass for the trip.

If anyone wants to do the Elefant this year then let us know. The plan is to ride to the Elefant, stay one night and then ride on down to a small invite-only rally 130 miles away for the Friday and Saturday. The plan is to be back on the chunnel train on Monday.

Cheers
GC




trophydave

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  • Dave the rave
Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #6 on: December 23, 2007, 07:16:29 PM »
I would like to go to the Elephant just to see what it is all about.There is no chance of going in 2008 so the following year would be my first oppertunity-wife permitting-it is very near to my sons birthday.It would be my first time so I would rather travel in a group and not try to do too immense a mileage in one go.I would be travelling from near Nottingham.If any Elefanteers would get in touch and run through the logistics of it all I would be grateful.My email is davepearson16(at)ntlworld(dot)(com).

Bill Rutter

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Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #7 on: December 24, 2007, 12:47:19 AM »
There is an article written by GC in the Articles section (funnily enough) about his 1999 trip to the Elefantreffen. What these hardy chaps go through leaves me in awe. Big Bad Boyd gave it a go more recently but his trip was beset by misfortune. I'd have been suicidal by the end of that adventure.

002

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Re: You know it's always surprised me...
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2007, 12:07:30 PM »
GC cant go.....!

He still hasnt paid me for the Land Rover G/box,let alone for the parts I've got for his 650 motor !

If he dont I WILL tell Sue !

Thank You for rubbing salt into the wound. >:(

Jethro  ;D
Cooey
Martini-Greener GP
Lee Enfield
ELG