Hamburg - Poitiers

On the first day of my journey I ride from Hamburg to Poitiers. That is 1253 km in one day.

We set the alarm clock at 5:30 in the morning. I wanted to leave as early as possible so that I would not get stuck in the traffic jam around Hamburg. In fact, I managed to get away from home shortly after 7:00.

I pass through Hamburg surprisingly fast and the weather is well too. On the first leg I was a bit cold because of the cold wind and too less clothes under the motorcycle clothes. At the first fuel break I put on something more and that's working for the rest of the day. Fortunately, I only have one critical situation on the ride when a truck switched to the middle of three lanes just before me without checking his mirrors before, just as a car in the fast lane behind me was passing me. A hard braking with an evasive maneuver just behind the car, which overtook me, saved me. 

There is not much to tell about the trip to Paris. The further south the warmer, which is also evident in the vegetation. In the south, nature is already much further.

Bypassing to Paris was exciting. Unfortunately I'm passing at about 5pm, which is worst time of evening rush hour. Ufff, that's hard work with the wide GS with the panniers. The motos in Paris ride between the lanes as crazy. I did not dare to do so too. But when I realized that the cars are usually creating deliberately an alley for the Motos, I became increasingly courageous, otherwise I would have needed hours around Paris.

From Paris I still had to ride a quarter of the days distance to Poitiers, where a young couple on couchsurfing.org kindly had offered to host me. Actually, I would have liked to arrive in Poitiers a bit earlier, but in the end I did not make it until 9:00 pm. The last about 20 km it starts to rain, but I do not want to complain after 1230 km without rain!

Arriving in front of my destination I barely had found a parking for my motorcycle when Eszter came out of the house. I received a warm and friendly welcome from Eszter and Felix. Both are about 30 years old and Eszter had responded to my "public trip", a general, non-specific request, as she found it interesting that an elderly person on a motorcycle riding south was asking on the couchsurfing platform.

We're chatting eagerly until 2:00 clock. No time for boredom.