Hi Alex, yes a good touring year with variety and thanks so much for your epilogue and ever interesting videos - don't be so modest the quality is excellent. I would like to chip in on ferries, luggage,insurance and POI. I live on the Fylde coast and ride a Vulcan S 650. Retired and knocking on a bit I use camping whenever I can, get more trips for same amount of cash and so had 3 4/5 day trips in various parts of Yorkshire camping. I have toured abroad many times but not since covid so this time pushed the boat out (sorry for pun) and took the Brittany ferry from Plymouth to Santander and meandered around northern Spain (Picos, Galicia etc) and then down to central Portugal.Staying in small hotels suited me for comfort and convenience. It was dearer of course but the hotels are cheaper out there and the campsites dearer so no big deal. The ferry was absoliutely superb, overnight 24 hrs with cabin but more cruiseliner than ferry - only downside was deck choc a bloc with bikers and with all the lumpty GS's around space was tight. Highly recommend Brittany Ferries but expensive £800! Hull has withdrawn the Zeebrugge route so Rotterdam is not only expensive but inconvenient as I prefer France as a touring destination. The channel ports and indeed Plymouth are an absolute nightmare, even with an ovenighter, to get to the Mways are a disaster and getting worse - Ireland is my 2 yearly alternative to overcome the dreaded M5/6. So I have good qulaity soft panniers which lock onto bike but they are not thief proof (but neither are aluminium ones) and when I camp security is pretty irrelevant - simp[ly have to rely on fellow campers, but 60 years camping I have never yet had an issue. I also,like you, have the large LOMO panniers, they are roomier, look quite smart and although it takes time to lash mine on I simply bought waterproof bags from Amazon and remove the inner bag with contents - works well. Incidentally bin any bungees you might use and invest in ROK straps - best touring tip I can give you! This year however, although I had good quality travel and breakdown insurance, and brought good selection of tools, 12v jump starter and tyre repair kit etc I did ponder whilst in the middle of nowhere how that would work if anything happened- insurances relied on ringing UK and waiting for a call out. Well sorry but where I was it was not always easy to get a signal, and any physical assistance would be difficult. Giving my location in remote area would be an art by itself and the language a real problem. Alas my Spanish is feeble to say the least and the area I was in they largely didn't speak a word of English (the best part of the trip!!). Other bikers were few and far between so it became an issue when I struggled with a stomach complaint. But hey you always get over these issues and I don't want to p[ut a damper on the edventure but I'm certainly not complacent any more! P.O.I - that's really interesting. Although my ancient background was highly technical it is as irrelevant today as a letter year mechanic being let loose on a BMW today. but I must try to use my Garmin more effectively so thanjs for that. I will try it on my projected trip to Northumbria and east coast of Scotland later in the year (lived for 5 years in tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire and got to love Perthshire). There may be an opprtunity to takje a trip to France in September but oh those motorways and the A roads are no better. Have a nice Christmas to you and yours, keep our chins up and get us out there next year. all the best. Steve
Hello Steve, what a fantastic comment, so much terrific knowledge to share and many thank for great feedback on the quality. I do want to do the Picos but do not fancy riding all the way to Plymouth but never say never. I been to the Rotterdam area last year and so many motorways but I did them at time of the day that was not too busy (thankfully) and it a bit closer to south of Europe than Amsterdam. I do indeed think about the scenario you mention being in the middle of nowhere and not able to speak the language, it would indeed be a nightmare. I was in Lisbon with work a good few years ago and got food poisoning and getting home was a nightmare and that was from a capitol so cannot imagine how bad it would have been if out in the sticks. I mention phone problem in my first touring video and the problems with signal so it is no stranger to me. I am trying to make sure I do not have to rely on the phone but it near impossible at times such is the reliance of the worlds on the mobile phone. The POI approach worked very well for me. I always found the routes I planned on the PC never correctly translated to the TomTom so works better for me. I am still huffing about Europe, I would like to the French Alps this time but we shall see. Whatever trip you get on next year have a great time and a merry Christmas. Alex
Morning Alex. Enjoyed part 1 .waiting for this one ..this is where i lost your channel i had 372 channels i watched. Now down to 184 ( yes i know ridiculous but I'm retired and it passes my nighttime routine lol) getting caught up now mate thank you old dave
Morning Alex, very interesting reflection on your years touring and the lessons learned, I definitely agree with you that you should embrace the unplanned journey 😂 it often takes you to some very interesting places, looking forward to future adventures, all the best for Christmas and the new year 👍👍
Morning Paul, I have had a blast doing these tours and am already looking forward to 2024. Europe was almost one big lost journey 🤣🤣🤣and gave me fantastic memories. Have a great Christmas.
Hi Alex, thanks for all the videos you have put out this year. Excellent viewing especially the NT content as I own one myself. All the best for Christmas and the new year. Andrew.
Evening Andrew, I have had a blast recording my adventures and glad to hear you have enjoyed. I am hoping to use the NT a lot more in 2024 although looking at the number of rides I have had in 2023, I have ridden the NT the most. Have a great Christmas.
Evening James, many thanks, every day is a school day and it sure does help improve things and am certain that next year will bring steady improvements, I have a few ideas to make things interesting and involves a 360 camera :) Thank you for all the entertainment and funny ilnes in your videos, loved them. Merry Christmas James to you and your family.
What a fantastic year of touring you’ve had Alex and some really useful tips and advice for touring. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Have a great 2024 👍🏻
Hi Alex Excellent, informative and helpful video. I’m very much like you, live in Scotland and travel on many of the same roads. I also have three bikes, Triumph Tiger 900, Bonneville 865 and a Classic 350. Love using them all but particularly love exploring on the wee 350, it’s just such a fabulous little bike. I’m planning a possible long trip on the Enfield for next summer. In the process of equipping it with more secure luggage for the trip, a Classic 350 adventure bike 🤣 Looking forward to following your adventures. Have a great 2024 👍 Tiger Ness on RUclips
Morning TN, I have watched many of your videos and have exchanged comments around the time we both got the 350 from the now gone Ecosse dealer. I have left my Classic stock and just love it, such a wonderful package. Will be interesting to see where you are off to on the Classic. Thanks for watching. Alex
Lovely vid Al, good insight into things we can all learn from. Been great watching all your videos, watching the channel grow but also watching the quality of editing get better and better. Look forward to 2024 and more adventures on the bikes, who knows, I may even get up there for that coffee some day fairly soon! Wishing you both a very Happy Xmas, and an exciting New Year ahead. Ride and stay safe mate.
Cheers Nige, it been a very enjoyable year for touring and great to hear those words from someone who I consider to be a brilliant cinematography (your drone stuff is outstanding). Once you get that shoulder sorted then we can defo do the coffee. Merry Christmas mate to you and your wife and legions of kids and grand kids :) I am looking forward to playing with my new Christmas present from Sata :)
Morning Alex. Excellent video, very informative. One day, I would like to buy a “mile muncher”, possibly a Honda CB500X to go further afield. I found this video very interesting for that. Yes I could go on Clementine, but something with a better touring speed and carrying capacity, would be more enjoyable, I think. I haven’t found your videos or editing to be lacking in any way. I like the belt and braces (a Mercia Moto saying) approach that we (yes I include myself), record and edit in. I think the overly polished production’s lack realism at times. All the best.
Morning Ian, thank you very much. Touring solo on a bike is not for everyone but it is something I really enjoy and it is certainly a plus having a capable tourer certainly. My video edits have changed a lot over the year and I suppose they will always evolve, even if the change is very subtle. Have a great Christmas.
Hi Alex, have a really good Christmas and a great New Year. One or two things on your video, Both last year and this year I went across to Europe through the tunnel, it did add an extra day but an early start got me in France by 10am, I came back on the Hoek of Holland to Harwich ferry and can only recommend Stena Line. Got onto the ferry the back of 8pm and arrived in the UK arount 7am, also the lowest cost of the ferries so if I get back to Europe next year this is the way to go. When I went to Orkney a few years back I used the Pentland Ferry service from Gill's Bay near John O' Groats, it was the shortest and cheapest at the time and gives a good ride up to Kirkwall once you reach Orkney. I was lucky and got good weather all trip. On Sat Navs I use a Garmin Zumo XT which has proved fully waterproof , even in Thunderstorms and downpours. I had the original TomTom Rider which let water in in a heavy drizzle although it eventually dried out. I always set up my routes on a PC first in advance although road works and road closures do give it a nervous breakdown. However you are never lost on a bike just riding roads you have never been down. Instead of a hard drive get yourself an M2 NVME SSD drive, In an adapter case with a USB C connector it's smaller than than a pack of cigarettes even with a large storage capacity. I used a 4Tb one this year. I use Ghost XL and Insta360 One V2 camera which are on full time on the route so have large files. I now have a good 17in laptop with 6Tb storage so hopefully can do without an external drive. I do have plenty of storage on the Spyder so it is easy to carry in a safe position.
Evening Jim, the cost of ferries are mental these days and did look at the Harwich ferry but it did not look like it took motor vehicles. I am going back to Orkney in April/May time with my wife but it will be in the car but will probably go the same route even though it a bit longer. I am going to move my satnav out of the rain and back onto the handle bars behind the windscreen, I have used a gasket sealant and it all back together so will see how that gets on. I will have a look at the storage you suggest and see if it works for me but it is a nice tidy solution. The Spyder is responsible for me coming back to biking, I saw one down in Filey about seven years ago and instantly wanted one. However, their scarcity meant I went down the two wheel route but maybe when I get to the point two wheels are too much for me. Have a great Christmas. Alex
@@blearyview2254A bit easier to get a Spyder now as we now have a Scottish dealer although they are near Ayr. The trike shop at Bechin accasionally stocks the smaller Ryker second hand in conjunction with the Trike Guy.
Hi Alex, Thank you for another goodun, I enjoyed your video and learned quite a lot from your advice and experiences, just one question about the tank bag, did you use one on the NC when you had the Frunk available, All good advice and so useful Thanks again for all your videos which I really have enjoyed throughout the year. Take care ride safe and have a great Christmas.
Good evening Paul, no I have never used a tank bag on the NC, the frunk is such a brilliant thing on a motorbike. Glad you enjoyed and have a great Christmas.
"Embrace getting lost" - I certainly did that on my tour of the Somme battlefields last year and can thoroughly recommend the experience!
haha, nice one, not been but would be good to visit for sure.
Hi Alex, yes a good touring year with variety and thanks so much for your epilogue and ever interesting videos - don't be so modest the quality is excellent.
I would like to chip in on ferries, luggage,insurance and POI.
I live on the Fylde coast and ride a Vulcan S 650. Retired and knocking on a bit I use camping whenever I can, get more trips for same amount of cash and so had 3 4/5 day trips in various parts of Yorkshire camping. I have toured abroad many times but not since covid so this time pushed the boat out (sorry for pun) and took the Brittany ferry from Plymouth to Santander and meandered around northern Spain (Picos, Galicia etc) and then down to central Portugal.Staying in small hotels suited me for comfort and convenience. It was dearer of course but the hotels are cheaper out there and the campsites dearer so no big deal. The ferry was absoliutely superb, overnight 24 hrs with cabin but more cruiseliner than ferry - only downside was deck choc a bloc with bikers and with all the lumpty GS's around space was tight. Highly recommend Brittany Ferries but expensive £800!
Hull has withdrawn the Zeebrugge route so Rotterdam is not only expensive but inconvenient as I prefer France as a touring destination. The channel ports and indeed Plymouth are an absolute nightmare, even with an ovenighter, to get to the Mways are a disaster and getting worse - Ireland is my 2 yearly alternative to overcome the dreaded M5/6.
So I have good qulaity soft panniers which lock onto bike but they are not thief proof (but neither are aluminium ones) and when I camp security is pretty irrelevant - simp[ly have to rely on fellow campers, but 60 years camping I have never yet had an issue. I also,like you, have the large LOMO panniers, they are roomier, look quite smart and although it takes time to lash mine on I simply bought waterproof bags from Amazon and remove the inner bag with contents - works well. Incidentally bin any bungees you might use and invest in ROK straps - best touring tip I can give you!
This year however, although I had good quality travel and breakdown insurance, and brought good selection of tools, 12v jump starter and tyre repair kit etc I did ponder whilst in the middle of nowhere how that would work if anything happened- insurances relied on ringing UK and waiting for a call out. Well sorry but where I was it was not always easy to get a signal, and any physical assistance would be difficult. Giving my location in remote area would be an art by itself and the language a real problem. Alas my Spanish is feeble to say the least and the area I was in they largely didn't speak a word of English (the best part of the trip!!). Other bikers were few and far between so it became an issue when I struggled with a stomach complaint. But hey you always get over these issues and I don't want to p[ut a damper on the edventure but I'm certainly not complacent any more!
P.O.I - that's really interesting. Although my ancient background was highly technical it is as irrelevant today as a letter year mechanic being let loose on a BMW today. but I must try to use my Garmin more effectively so thanjs for that. I will try it on my projected trip to Northumbria and east coast of Scotland later in the year (lived for 5 years in tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire and got to love Perthshire).
There may be an opprtunity to takje a trip to France in September but oh those motorways and the A roads are no better.
Have a nice Christmas to you and yours, keep our chins up and get us out there next year. all the best.
Steve
Hello Steve, what a fantastic comment, so much terrific knowledge to share and many thank for great feedback on the quality.
I do want to do the Picos but do not fancy riding all the way to Plymouth but never say never. I been to the Rotterdam area last year and so many motorways but I did them at time of the day that was not too busy (thankfully) and it a bit closer to south of Europe than Amsterdam.
I do indeed think about the scenario you mention being in the middle of nowhere and not able to speak the language, it would indeed be a nightmare. I was in Lisbon with work a good few years ago and got food poisoning and getting home was a nightmare and that was from a capitol so cannot imagine how bad it would have been if out in the sticks.
I mention phone problem in my first touring video and the problems with signal so it is no stranger to me. I am trying to make sure I do not have to rely on the phone but it near impossible at times such is the reliance of the worlds on the mobile phone.
The POI approach worked very well for me. I always found the routes I planned on the PC never correctly translated to the TomTom so works better for me. I am still huffing about Europe, I would like to the French Alps this time but we shall see. Whatever trip you get on next year have a great time and a merry Christmas. Alex
👍
Very nice Alex, all the best for 2024. I think it's a really good point about embracing getting lost.
Morning BM, have a great Christmas and a great 2024.
Good morning Alex. This is a wonderful resume of your year which you've shared with us. Best wishes to you and your family Alex 🎄🎉
Morning Peter, glad you enjoyed and it has been a wonderful year for touring. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Morning Alex. Enjoyed part 1 .waiting for this one ..this is where i lost your channel i had 372 channels i watched. Now down to 184 ( yes i know ridiculous but I'm retired and it passes my nighttime routine lol) getting caught up now mate thank you old dave
YT is way better than tele and I have a good few myself so know what you mean. Cannot have enough of good channels, especially in the winter months.
Morning Alex, very interesting reflection on your years touring and the lessons learned, I definitely agree with you that you should embrace the unplanned journey 😂 it often takes you to some very interesting places, looking forward to future adventures, all the best for Christmas and the new year 👍👍
Morning Paul, I have had a blast doing these tours and am already looking forward to 2024. Europe was almost one big lost journey 🤣🤣🤣and gave me fantastic memories. Have a great Christmas.
Hi Alex, thanks for all the videos you have put out this year. Excellent viewing especially the NT content as I own one myself. All the best for Christmas and the new year.
Andrew.
Evening Andrew, I have had a blast recording my adventures and glad to hear you have enjoyed. I am hoping to use the NT a lot more in 2024 although looking at the number of rides I have had in 2023, I have ridden the NT the most. Have a great Christmas.
Evening Alex, for a novice, you do a very good job 👍 Have a great Christmas and a fabulous Hogmanay 🎉😂
Evening James, many thanks, every day is a school day and it sure does help improve things and am certain that next year will bring steady improvements, I have a few ideas to make things interesting and involves a 360 camera :) Thank you for all the entertainment and funny ilnes in your videos, loved them. Merry Christmas James to you and your family.
What a fantastic year of touring you’ve had Alex and some really useful tips and advice for touring. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a happy new year! Have a great 2024 👍🏻
Cheers Dave and a Merry Christmas to you and family.
Hi Alex
Excellent, informative and helpful video. I’m very much like you, live in Scotland and travel on many of the same roads. I also have three bikes, Triumph Tiger 900, Bonneville 865 and a Classic 350. Love using them all but particularly love exploring on the wee 350, it’s just such a fabulous little bike. I’m planning a possible long trip on the Enfield for next summer. In the process of equipping it with more secure luggage for the trip, a Classic 350 adventure bike 🤣
Looking forward to following your adventures. Have a great 2024 👍
Tiger Ness on RUclips
Morning TN, I have watched many of your videos and have exchanged comments around the time we both got the 350 from the now gone Ecosse dealer. I have left my Classic stock and just love it, such a wonderful package. Will be interesting to see where you are off to on the Classic. Thanks for watching. Alex
Lovely vid Al, good insight into things we can all learn from. Been great watching all your videos, watching the channel grow but also watching the quality of editing get better and better.
Look forward to 2024 and more adventures on the bikes, who knows, I may even get up there for that coffee some day fairly soon!
Wishing you both a very Happy Xmas, and an exciting New Year ahead.
Ride and stay safe mate.
Cheers Nige, it been a very enjoyable year for touring and great to hear those words from someone who I consider to be a brilliant cinematography (your drone stuff is outstanding). Once you get that shoulder sorted then we can defo do the coffee. Merry Christmas mate to you and your wife and legions of kids and grand kids :) I am looking forward to playing with my new Christmas present from Sata :)
Awesome riding.
Thank you Jibon 👍
@@blearyview2254 I want to contact you. Do you have any social accounts?
blearyview@gmail.com
Morning Alex. Excellent video, very informative. One day, I would like to buy a “mile muncher”, possibly a Honda CB500X to go further afield. I found this video very interesting for that. Yes I could go on Clementine, but something with a better touring speed and carrying capacity, would be more enjoyable, I think. I haven’t found your videos or editing to be lacking in any way. I like the belt and braces (a Mercia Moto saying) approach that we (yes I include myself), record and edit in. I think the overly polished production’s lack realism at times. All the best.
Morning Ian, thank you very much. Touring solo on a bike is not for everyone but it is something I really enjoy and it is certainly a plus having a capable tourer certainly. My video edits have changed a lot over the year and I suppose they will always evolve, even if the change is very subtle. Have a great Christmas.
Hi Alex, have a really good Christmas and a great New Year.
One or two things on your video, Both last year and this year I went across to Europe through the tunnel, it did add an extra day but an early start got me in France by 10am, I came back on the Hoek of Holland to Harwich ferry and can only recommend Stena Line. Got onto the ferry the back of 8pm and arrived in the UK arount 7am, also the lowest cost of the ferries so if I get back to Europe next year this is the way to go. When I went to Orkney a few years back I used the Pentland Ferry service from Gill's Bay near John O' Groats, it was the shortest and cheapest at the time and gives a good ride up to Kirkwall once you reach Orkney. I was lucky and got good weather all trip.
On Sat Navs I use a Garmin Zumo XT which has proved fully waterproof , even in Thunderstorms and downpours. I had the original TomTom Rider which let water in in a heavy drizzle although it eventually dried out. I always set up my routes on a PC first in advance although road works and road closures do give it a nervous breakdown. However you are never lost on a bike just riding roads you have never been down.
Instead of a hard drive get yourself an M2 NVME SSD drive, In an adapter case with a USB C connector it's smaller than than a pack of cigarettes even with a large storage capacity. I used a 4Tb one this year. I use Ghost XL and Insta360 One V2 camera which are on full time on the route so have large files. I now have a good 17in laptop with 6Tb storage so hopefully can do without an external drive. I do have plenty of storage on the Spyder so it is easy to carry in a safe position.
Evening Jim, the cost of ferries are mental these days and did look at the Harwich ferry but it did not look like it took motor vehicles.
I am going back to Orkney in April/May time with my wife but it will be in the car but will probably go the same route even though it a bit longer.
I am going to move my satnav out of the rain and back onto the handle bars behind the windscreen, I have used a gasket sealant and it all back together so will see how that gets on.
I will have a look at the storage you suggest and see if it works for me but it is a nice tidy solution.
The Spyder is responsible for me coming back to biking, I saw one down in Filey about seven years ago and instantly wanted one. However, their scarcity meant I went down the two wheel route but maybe when I get to the point two wheels are too much for me. Have a great Christmas. Alex
@@blearyview2254A bit easier to get a Spyder now as we now have a Scottish dealer although they are near Ayr. The trike shop at Bechin accasionally stocks the smaller Ryker second hand in conjunction with the Trike Guy.
@@JimGDMAC Did not realise there was a dealer in Scotland, good to know.
Saddlebags recommendations 👍
Thank you Paul 👍
Hi Alex, Thank you for another goodun, I enjoyed your video and learned quite a lot from your advice and experiences, just one question about the tank bag, did you use one on the NC when you had the Frunk available, All good advice and so useful Thanks again for all your videos which I really have enjoyed throughout the year. Take care ride safe and have a great Christmas.
Good evening Paul, no I have never used a tank bag on the NC, the frunk is such a brilliant thing on a motorbike. Glad you enjoyed and have a great Christmas.