So here it is: The day before I fly to London, pick up a rented FJR1300 and head around Europe for ten days. Up until today, it’s been mostly panic mode. I made a late night dash to buy a cordura suit the other day as I figured my leathers were too hot and the waterproofs I have are anything but. Then there was the packing. I think i’ve narrowed it down now and I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t all fit in just the panniers, potentially leaving the top-box empty and therefore rentable at very high rates to the people I am off riding with…

While the panic is subsiding, it’s still there – I’m not what you call a great traveller, though it’s fear of forgetting something and not crashing that gets me. I should be fine: The hotels and crossings are all booked at least. My biggest concern is that the FJR won’t be available for one reason or another and them having nothing else for me to ride. That or I’ll have nowhere to stash my Ogio gear bag I need to take all the stuff on the plane.

Actually, I do have one more fear – jet lag. I take off 9am EDT tomorrow and land at 9pm GMT. I then am booked into a hotel that I have to be out of by 6:30am the next day. To my body, it’s likely to feel like 1am and then I’ve a full days riding across southern England to meet the channel tunnel. Maybe I’ll just stop somewhere and have a snooze on the beach.

I know it’s all irrational and that I’ll be fine once I’m off. Given that the bike and accommodation are all sorted, I only really need my credit card for food, drink and gasoline.

Anyhow, I’m off to wait for the taxi now. Granted, it’s only 12pm and it’s not due until tomorrow morning, but at least I am ready to go. Perhaps there’s time to go watch the British MotoGP before I head out. Come on, Toseland.

Tags: No Comments