Germany day 4.
So change of plan this morning. Last night after a quick check of the bike it was noted the front pads are awfully worn already. Ooops!
Found Triumph Autohaus Am Hafen in Trier online. Google translate with a phone call and an hour later I’m drinking coffee in the waiting lounge whilst the technicians replace the front pads! What a fantastic service!
Initially the guy asked if I could fit them myself and after a sheepish no, he squeezed me in.
Pads and half an hours labour and I’m good as new, and slightly lighter on the wallet.
I’m behind schedule, so replanned a less wiggly route to Bad Bruckenau and planned to avoid the autobahn where possible.
Quick lunch stop in Waldbuckleheim where a bakery had something beginning with Q and looked like apple crumble. No. It was a cheese base sweet pastry. But it was sustenance as I snacked in a lay-by.
Got held up in traffic in Oppenheim and the satnav was insisting I cross the Rhine, but I couldn’t see a bridge! The recent flooding in Germany is evident with the river full and running fast. As I’m crawling in traffic, I spied a ramp leading to a roll on car ferry!
€3.50 and I’ve crossed the river, interestingly not a chain ferry but powered and steered against the strong current. What a novelty!
On the otherside is Zum Fahrstubchen, a biker meet and cafe, that calimoto suggested. Chips, mayo and coffee on the river. What more could you ask for. Met a lovely gentleman on a GS who was on his way back from the Dolomites, heading towards home in the east. He spoke perfect English (to my shame) and we jokes about how bad fish and chips are in the UK (I humoured him).
Onwards and our chatting had gone on for too long. I now had to take the motorway to make up time. What a mistaka-to-maka. The autobahn at first was quick and the lack of speed limit in places was blissful, then I hit Frankfurt airport and the traffic ground to halt. Given the Germans their due, the variable speed limits ensured everyone was moving again, all be it slowly.
It opened up again and into the route 66 (ironic) east towards Fulda then dropped straight into Bad Bruckeneau. This is a spa town and supposedly the foul tasting water has healing properties. I won’t try but I think the tap water smells.
My Hotel Zum Mühle is NOT what it looks like on hotels.com. It’s in serious need of a gardener and there’s only 5 vehicles in the carpark, resulting in the restaurant and BAR being shut. It’s a good thing, as it ensured I walk into the very quiet town and found a lovely Pizzeria Da Rocco in the cobbled square, with a funky fountain for company.
Find me on:
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/mototraveldude
BLOG: www.traveldude.co.uk
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/mototraveldude
YOUTUBE: https://youtube.com/@MotoTravelDude
My video gear:
GoPro Hero 11 – https://amzn.to/41CqbRZ
Insta360 v3 Motorcycle Kit – https://amzn.to/3twe4ZW
My bike and gear:
2023 Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Pro
SW-Motech engine crash bars (top and bottom)
Molle pouches on top crash bars – https://amzn.to/3TUSmK7
Cinch straps – the most useful little Velcro straps – https://amzn.to/41I6mZl
Lomo Motorcycle waterproof leg bag – https://amzn.to/48mFqRe
Bull-it Icon II Covec Jeans – https://amzn.to/4b4CrPh
CamelPak Podium Insulated Waterbottle – https://amzn.to/493LUVx
Cheap hotel bookings? After checking on TripAdvisor, I find TravelUp have better deals: https://www.jdoqocy.com/click-101065671-15602558
Some affiliate links may be used. You won’t be charged a penny for clicking on them, but I may get some commission from any purchases
Like – Comment – Subscribe – Ride