Ordinary Biker Oz: Riding the Alps

Sunday, September 1, 2024

Why I Write A Blog And Have A YouTube Channel

When I started riding motorcycles in 2004 I tried to read a lot of motorcycle magazines and books. I learned a lot. One thing I learned was some authors, especially authors of reviews, tried to be way more clever than they needed to i.e. "the engine started up with sound of a million angry hornets..."

So I started this blog September 2009 with a goal of posting straightforward, clear and useful information. On the first post I stated "part of this blog is to give straightforward reviews of items that I have personally used, places I have eaten, roads I have traveled, and/or bikes I have ridden. At times I will use the reviews of close friends that I ride with and respect."

Lower Falls in Yellowstone NP

I have strayed off motorcycle related topics a few time i.e. my WWII veteran dad, Honor Flight..., otherwise the gear, roads, restaurants and other items have been related to my motorcycle addiction. I have also had some "guest posts" including one by Warren Massey author of I Just Want 2 Ride blog.

Dad at WWII Memorial in Washington D.C.

With the same goal and desire to provide useful, honest information and reviews I launched a YouTube channel "Ordinary Biker Oz".

Ride on a great road in Oklahoma

The videos are much more varied and sometimes provide just a clip of a great road to ride, a neat place to visit, a motorcycle review or some other little nugget.

Indian Challenger Pursuit Review

I also post some "motovlog" videos, which are spoken blogs while riding the motorcycle. Topics will vary.

My first vlog is about upcoming trip in June, 2017

My son riding US 129 aka The Tail of the Dragon on his own bike for the first time

I would like to invite you to visit the YouTube channel and give me some feedback. I have a lot to learn about vlogging and all comments are welcome. If you like what you see please subscribe.

Be safe and enjoy the road.

Ride carefully and prayerfully!

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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

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Monday, September 18, 2017

Thoughts on my first trip out of the USA

Texan flies across the pond!

In October, 2016 I announced I would be traveling outside of the USA for the first time ever. I would be heading to Europe for a three part trip. I would be attending a MotoGP race in historic Mugello, enjoying 10 days of WW2 and castle sites with some friends and end with 7 days of riding in the Alps, both in Switzerland and Italy, on a rented BMW.

I left on June 2, 2017 and landed back in Dallas on June 26, 2017 with some amazing stories, photos, videos and memories. In one word the trip was AWESOME. There were a few moments of stress, but it all turned out good.

Beautiful lake in the Swiss Alps

The moments of stress included: trying to find transportation to and from the MotoGP races, having an older (with no service) phone pick-pocketed while on the train in Paris (I was using it as a camera primarily), getting to my Airbnb lodging one day and the host did not respond to messages or show up and finally loosing my passport (yes, that is right - I lost my passport). Each situation worked out in fine fashion.

Italian love their motorcycles and scooters - Florence, Italy

The six mile walk to find a train station after the race provided me the opportunities to burn calories (I then could eat more gellato!), see the Italian countryside and meet a very polite and helpful young man from the USA who was in Europe for six weeks by himself after graduating from college.

The MotoGP fans were awesome - great energy at the races

No valuable info was on the phone/camera (although I took precautions and changed passwords...) and I learned to keep my valuables in a secure pocket and stay alert. Airbnb customer service was helpful and quickly resolved the issue.

Enjoyed a river tour around Paris

The US Consulate General office personal are very friendly, helpful and prompt. It was on a Monday I discovered I had lost my passport (most likely as I removed my phone from riding jacket to take pictures in the Alps somewhere between Lucerne, Switzeerland and Bormio, Italy). I emailed the US Consulate General to ask about getting a replacement and I received a reply in about 30 minutes. I highly recommend having a couple of photocopies of your passport and drivers license stored safely in your luggage - that sure helped me.

The Lion of Lucerne was a very moving memorial in Switerzland

I have been asked "what was your favorite part of the trip?" There is no way to answer the question because it was like I took three trips: MotoGP, WW2 and riding the Alps. Each part had special meaning and moments for me.

The gates at Dachau concentration camp were haunting, humbling and saddening

I experienced the intense energy and excitement at a European MotoGP, the humbling atmosphere on the Normandy beaches , the thrill of riding Stelvio Pass, the beauty of the Swiss Alps on Grimsel Pass, the genius and talent in da Vinci's "Last Supper" painting and so much more.

I will share more reviews and comments about the trip in future posts as there is too much for one post. The trip was great and I hope to visit and ride in Europe again in not too distant future.

The road between Furka Pass and Grimsel Pass, Switzerland

West side of Stelvio Pass, Italy

Pizza!

BMW R1200RS and the Alps, Italy

Formation in the Dolomites, Italy

Pistachio gelato!

Duomo di Milano

Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper