Late summer - Mozaberch-Impressions

Dear friends .

sometimes it´s good just to get off your bike and to pause for a moment.
To see, breath , inhale nature´s beauty - it is the major gift in our lives.
So I hope you can just relax a bit and enjoy some of last weekend impressions from our ride to Petras parents- in a tiny little laidback village named "Mozaberch" in the local accent.

Not a spot that would affect earth´s gravity center - but can well recenter your personal life by just relaxing and make you see.

Enjoy !
































BABA - looking for the light :-)









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Back to the track – The other end of the rainfall or the Struppen trout experience

Do you know that feeling – when you ride a track just the second time n your life- and things out of nothing seem familiar. You rember that mountain, the shalecovered traditional house across the street, the butchery with the funny name or even the feeling of riding that powerful unit of engine, frame, wheels and driver through everlasting curves and bends with hardly any traffic on.

And even going back to the other end of the city of “Rainfall “ left the same smile on my face, as when I passed the spot for the first time a couple of months ago. So the big hellos meeting Moni and Manfred in Struppen again felt even more familiar. The couldn´t be a better mirror of what results from overcoming longtime overdue borders , that were put up by politicians – not by the people. As a German-German-lovestory their warm hospitality kind of represents the good, that could only result from the daring changes in eastern Europe – and that was and is , what the Wind of Change was all about.

As much as the Ride-Of-Change followed the wind´s traces, to see where all the great ideas of the early nineties had been taken. And let us tell you – if it had not been for that – we would have made all the way through Saxonia for Manfred’s trout cooking – this was the ultimate Struppen experience from a gourmet´s point of view. Forget about 5-star-famous-celebrity-fancy-restaurants . If you can have such a dinner with friends near you and your bikes next to you ! And not to forget why people meet – though this might have happened anywhere – it happened for real riding a bike.

Another stunning symbol for peace and forgiving was next days visit to the city of Dresden.

Lots could be said and written about the city´s early and late history, its scenic baroque places and cites – all that has been shown, mentioned and described far more detailed and sophisticated, than this could ever be done here. 

What again impressed us deeply within all that Dresden was , is and will be, was to see the rebuild “Frauenkirche”. Bombed as senseless as any other bombed place in this world, this was a longtime memorial of reckless political ignorance and stupidity. How much more it has become a symbol for the “Spirit of the Common Man” – rising out of the ashes by a worldwide support of people expressing their will, to never allow this again. Though tourists inside tend to behave more than rude and reckless to a religious place ( that is why you do not see a single inside picture of the church here ) – it was and still is a breathtaking view , to see all the craftsmanship of the past being rebuild by the generous skills of those people , who have learned about mutual tolerance from the past.

 

As if this was not impressive enough , I got another , very personal déjà-vu right in front of the Frauenkirche. When I was a very small boy , my grandparents gave me a brass statue as a present. I then would not know, who was that man with mild, but serious looking eyes holding a thick book in his left arm. He stood on a columnlike base, inscriptions were on that base and the portraits of some other serious looking men . All I realized was the built in musical clock, sending me to sleep every night of my small childhoodyears . Well it was my brother to break this by firing my statue out of our bunkbed some day. The spring was broken, but my special relationship to that man on the pedestal stayed intact . The man I write and talk about is Martin Luther.

Growing older I learned more about the historic role he played , not only in Germany´s , but also the Eúropean and somewhat the world´s history. And if there was one thing for me to learn from his behaviour for my own live, that was to be authentic, have an opinion and stand for what you say and do. Even if this does not result in your personal advantage. Be a man – and do what you have to do !Like it or not.

Imagine my surprise, leaving the “Frauenkirche” and facing exactly that Martin Luther statue that so much accompanied my little boys life. Of course mine was a copy of this one – but if you had asked ma as a boy, I would have convinced you , that this was big copy of what stood next to my bed. Boys will be boys- say it ain´t so…?!

But his was just a start to more good Dresden experiences. Including we met Petras friends Dani and Robi, met the local people on and off the scene, toured Dresden at night with Moni and Manfred . Get some Dresden impressions here....

 

After we had said goodbye to our Struppen friends Manfred and Moni we toured on up the Elbe river – to meet Petras friend Wolfgang . Him being a Ducatista and KTM-Biker he spends the summer up in the Elbsandstein Mountains to restore a house near the river . That is where we headed for the next night, incuding late nite barbecue and full darkness badminton . Hey surprise – the more you drink , the more you miss your shuttlecock ;.) Great night again – and another pack of people to come back to .

Off the Elbvalley up the mountains east of Dresden : The Elbsandstein-Mountains. Writing these lines, I sometimes wonder where all the firwork of good, new experiences comes from in such short terms of riding- but yes:  There´s more to come. Not only the intense landscape with zigzagging montainroads, that sometimes follow their way back to the Elbvalley, as much as you all of a sudden land in the middle of a Vietnamese Sunday market – and it´s Czech without even seeing a signpost. Travelling gorgeous, greenish valleys that are formed by scenic little creeks inviting you for a spontaneous swim . 

Traditioal wooden mountainhouses clearly amrk the differences of lifestyles from Czech to Germany- as scenic they occur- you can literally smell long , cold and tiring winters in this remote areas far off major city centers.

And the “Kasachan road standards” express very obviously, that this is not the place where the money goes. So we enjoyed the friendly czech people, wondered aand smiled about some guy doing his garden work alongside the road fully nude ( well- maybe we were the only vehicles passing there in ages? )

On our way back to Dresden we firts passed a terrific 10 km  mountainracetracklike road  ( well , guess it made us right a bit too fast uín some places - which should turn out to be one of the oldest German mountainracetracks indeed - the former "Deutschlandring" .
As historic it is being  first started in 1912- as much fun this was .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wjYX2awqpjU 



Overlooking the track we passed the ancient Bikers`fortress of Hohenstein - and while we thought how to walk up the fortress I noticed a very special traffic sign at the historic entry gates : "Bikers access  permitted" !!! So you can imagine our big grin riding up the pasway on oru modern steelhorses - to find a bikersshop in the middle of the fortress, perfect places to eat, party and sleep - do not miss neither the racetrack nor the fortress , when you come along.

Our way home passed one of the biggest German windparks , growing bigger ever since the nuclear power catastrophe of Fukushima- at least one positiv result of unseen suffering in Japan.

Our way home was planned through the mountains of Thüringen - but blocked by a major coldfront rushing in from Northwest- so we decided for a short but scenic trip back through saxonia and Bavaria - leaving full of new impressions with the firm intention to come back and find out more about the region.

While the alpes get flooded with bikers in the summer months , this is pretty much an insider´s tip to check out.

And lust but not least the Almighty has made it very close to the 100000 km club with 99.200 km on the clock when we got back home .

More to come soon !

Baba

New WP EDS II electronic suspension for the ALMIGHTY

Whilst Petra is chilling out a day with her folks I have an early morning appointment with our friends at WP Germany in Neutraubling. Despite the almighty still felt pretty stable and fast , when we rode the Italin Trentino mountains and passes – I could see, feel and even more hear it from the edges of my panneers – almost any major curve and definitely each serpentine first started with an always increasing scratchy sound of either the left or right front edge , getting louder still and eventually lifting and levering off the bikes rear tyre of the road – at least what was left over of it after the Italian speed orgy with Domingo, Kare and Sepp .

So before my new nickname “Chief Glowing Edge” kept spreading further, I had to decide about how to ride on with the Almighty into Saxonia. And despite al temptation I felt to by a new bike ( especially there was this “I-should-well-reward-myself-for-long-2-years-of-remote-study-and-passing-a-final-maserexam-feeling” – guess you can imagine how these feelings comes and grabs you )- but when I first sat back on my old faithful companion in May this year, including her new clutch, reverted starter and gear box and partially renewed camshaft drive ( it all still worked –but for my latest Danubian adventure I paid a certain BMW-learners-lesson) .

When I did so , listening to the powerful sound and strength of that engine with permanent torque and always enough power – all the good memories the Almighty and me share in the meantime convinced me to say – NO REAL NEED FOR ANOTHER BIKE.

And after this was even improved by my new Borbro seat – everything was back to regular – just not the front and rear shocks – they had done a brilliant job for 96000 kms in serious conditions – but now it was time for a change !

So what can I say about the incredible WP –Team what I did not say before ? As much when we were touring round the world in 2008 this team is a source of joy to work with : I got up early morning to be there in time for our early morning date. And Christian,Klaus and Bernhard would not even let me touch a single screw to fit the new Electronic EDS II system onto the Almighty . Sit down , have some coffee and a lot of good bikers chat and enjoy your brandnew suspension just a few hours later. That is WP !

And my first testride on the new system immediately showed, that this was not only a superb service by the team – but also a great new shock and suspension performance – The almighty is back on track – and there was 10 days of highlevel testriding ahead of us now on our way through Saxonia and Czech. So if you guys consider a new suspension performance for your GS – give the WP EDS II a try - it is worth it.

Bringing in an additional 1-2 cm suspension height I meanwhile have the pleasure to combine this with another excellent improvement for the GS. The new BORBRO seat . When some debile scooteridiot obviously destroyed my old seat punching 2 holes inside ( hey scooterboy – we always meet twice ) I had to look for either repairing the old seat ( not a real choice though) or getting a new seat.

That is how by accident I came along some forum news about Gabor from Hungary, who is building brandnew seats in all different heights at a totally fair price – and as quality reports were good , we got in contact via email . Thus I met another great biker from Hungary, who made it possible to send me a brandnew , excellent quality seat in time to use it for the Saxonia trip – and believe me – I should have had such a seat 29 years ago, when I started riding bikes.

Totally comfortable, in my version 5 cm higher than the original vesion, antislip material and fitting right from the spot. Even “Iron butts” like mine enjoy the new position on the bike, a very relaxed knee angle and a much better riding position – all this for 218 € including DHL-transport- and leaving your old seat completely with you . And without knowing each other Gabor send me the seat just on a trust base from biker to biker – wonder , where in business life you still get that ? Thank you Gabor for your trust !

After various long 8-12 hour rides in the recent weeks the seat was an excellent buy – and an easy recommendation at an unbeatable price – unless you prefer to spend tons of money on overprized gear ? Check Gabors site – it’s a very good quality start up – and you get seats in various hights , colours and models .


Baba ( happy bikers butt onboard )

RETURN TO SAXONIA – THE EASTERN CONFERENCE TO BE CONTINUED

 …as promised in May´s blogging Petra and me decided , to see more of the Oremountains in Saxonia , visit Moni and Manfred in Struppen near Dresden and enjoy a chilling ride in and out of Czech all the way east to the so called Elbsandstein mountains near Dresden.

Sometimes it seems difficult to imagine all that can happen within 10 days , yet it does. Thus showing us how much adventure and great people we can meet pretty close next door – with no need to travel all the long way around the world – but to simply open our eyes and minds wide enough to see with our hearts : “It´s only the heart to see properly “ is what St. Exupéry´s Little Prince told us once . Still very true.

 

 

Just A highlight to pass by on our way to Petras Parents and the almightys new shocks was the pittoresque HUNDERTWASSER Tower in Abensberg LINK . And yes we confess here and now : We did not climb up this time – as we were pretty tired from the final day of the safety training at 35° Celsius with no shade to hide – plus we had another 250 kms to go from where we started to make it to Petras parents. But we know this place o be near enough to get back there another day. 3 hours later we got to the tiny little village of Atzmansberg – including a big Hello with Petras family and a cold wheat beer – do not miss this if you make it to Bavaria . As much as ist sounds like a cliché and as liitle as we drink it regularly – but German beer definitely still is one of many good reasons to come and check the place ;-)

BABA ( beerdrinker and hellracer :-) )
but never ever drunken driving - even less on bikes !

Hatt Sommer – the saviour of Japans Fukushima nuclear disaster

Well, folks . I will easily understand , if you do not believe the following story. I first could not imagine, what Petra and me came across, when Hatt told us his personal Fukushima story. He showed us proof of all he told us by all the emailtraffic he performed then.

And we only now know and understand , our friend has contributed very essentially , to stop the ongoing nuclear meltdown in the Fukushima nuclear plants, saving Japan and its people from the even much worse outcome, that otherwise would most likely have resulted. Driven by the GIER of irresponsible TEPCO management and blinded political supporters.

When things by the time of the earthquaking Tsunami developed to a point of technical helplessness of the responsible forces, authorities called worldwide for technical support and ideas to solve the major problem of cooling down the reactors. One of the main problems by the time was to supply sufficient loads of water and how to transport them to the reactors constantly. At this stage Hatt stepped into the scene. Being a very skilled engineer himself he contacted a major German company producing special concrete pumps. Suggesting his technical approach to the company responsibles , they were neither willing nor interested to support his solution approach.

But Hatt would not be him if he had simply given up. He finally got a contact to the withdrawn family senior-CEO of the company. Him finally realized the technical competence in Hatt´s plans and made the company staff go for it . All the rest is readable history. How by Hatts plans the nuclear reactors in Fukushima could be cooled down and controlled again . Saving countless lives - and leaving a minimum of hope to the people of Fukushima and Japan.

Hatt is nobody to walk around and make big news on what he did. Even less a financial profit, though he invested a lot of his worktime into the planning. But we think , the world should know more of one of its silent heroes – not only building brilliant motorcycle gear – but bridges for the world to walk on. We feel proud to know you as our friend , Hatt.

In honour of a great engineer and friend - Hatt Sommer

BABA ( sunpowered;-)

THE LEGENDARY HATTECH WORKSHOP PARTY 2011

Summer 2011 once more took us back to our friend Hatt Sommer from Hattech Bike solutions- this time for a workshop barbecue with mates, friends and customers – most of whom became friends after having been very satisfied HATTECH customers. Just like us.
Der Sommer 2011 hat wieder sein bewährtes Fest bei unserem Freund Hatt Sommer. Am Feiern wir sonst mit den nettestenWürtembergern der Republik auf den Wiesen am Ausgang des Schmiechtals, hat Hatt diesmal die HATTECH Werkstatt zum Festgelände „umgebaut“





It is a great biker community crowding the companies workshop – and we share a great party with lots of fun – especially when Hatt, his brother Franz and Hatt`s great new employee Nico dress up to celebrate the “Suckling pig"Spanferkel – pure comedy with a great sense of humour .

.Während das Spanferkel knisternd seine Schwarte über dem Feuer bräunt, feiert eine bunte Mischung aus Familie, Freunden, Mitarbeitern und Kunden miteinander – von denen viele wie auch wir , aus zufriedenen Hattech-Kunden zu Freunden wurden. Genau das war und ist es , warum Hatt und auch die anderen Unterstützer unserer Tour von Anfag mehr als „Sponsoren“ unserer Reise waren. Der Mensch in diesem Unternehmen macht den Unterschied.
Eine große Bikerfamilie kommt hier zusammen- mit viel Spaß und echt schwäbisch rumänischen Kabaretteinlagen vom feinsten mit der „Hattech- Spanferkel_Comedy-Boy Group“ – Spaß vom Feinsten beim „Kill & Grill“.

What a high level standard company HATTECH represents , we do not only know from our own experience – when 2 MONOTRACER limited edition special bikes run into the place – first we hear is the intense sound of the Hattech exhaust system fitted on a 70.000 and a 100.000 € custmized limited edition – which were worth half the money, without that sound ;-)

Das HATTECH eine Hightechschmiede ist, das wußten wir nicht nur aus unseren eigenen Erfahrungen. Und so wundert es uns nicht, dass das erste, was wir von den 2 MONOTRACERn auf der Anfahrt durchs Schmiechtal hören, ein extrem kerniger HATTECH Sound ist. Die den limitierten Motorradjets ohne Flügeln aus der Schweiz erst den Sound verleiht, der die limitierten 100.000 € Gefährte zum Fliegen bringt – und ohne den sie nur die Hälfte wert wären 


The only bike at the spot to compete with that sound is Gerds 1976 MV Augusta ,– but this is old style Italian sound design on its own and still very much an eye – and earcather - maybe as much , as the highend cylindric spaceshuttle like MONOTRACER concept bikes .

Das einzige Bike am Platz, um sich dem Sound entgegenzustellen, ist Gerds 1976er Guzzi Le Mans – denn das gute alte Italosounddesign ist eben immer noch ein ganz besonderer Hingucker- oder besser Hinhörer – mindestens so sehr , wie die Highend Spaceshuttle Monotracer Conceptbikes.


Well guess who got on an exclusive copilot testride- or should I say “testflight”. Of course , our first ladies : Hatt´s wife Thida and Petra - enjoy her smiles like we enjoyed the Hattech thunder sound , when their “flights” took off. Special yes , was their experience – yet nothing to compare with riding a real, naked bike with the elements of nature getting you in straight contact with all that means : Riding a bike ! That is maybe like the difference of snorkelling on a reef to ride the oceans in a submarine...

Und falls irgendjemand geglaubt hatte , Hatt, ich oder die anderen laten Bikerhaudegen würden mal eben auf einen Testflug mit den Bikeraketen gehen – dann schaut mal, wer die Copilotinnen waren : Tida und Petra. Geniesst ihr glückseeliges Lachen beim Abheben – wir haben ns als „Bodenpesonal“ einfach über den Sound beim „Abheben“ der Bikes gefreut.

„Sehr speziell, ja.“ Meinten sie beide nach der Landung. Aber nichts im Vergleich mit all dem, was eine nacktes Bike Dir an Erlebnis in und unmittelbar mit der Natur vermiitelt. Eben so, wie der Unterschied , nur mit Schnorchel und Flossen am Riff zu tauchen – oder im U-Boot zu sitzen.



What is definutely most memorable, isthe hospitality of the bikers around Hatt and his company fellows , that makes the place - and makes us come back as soon as possible to ride out with you guys .
Was aber vor allem bleibt, ist die unglaubliche Gastfreundschaft von Hatt und seinen Bikern. Versprochen, wir kommen bald wieder !





















Petra and Baba