Why am I doing this, you might ask (English)

This is how it started:
Around 7 years ago I read a book by Ted Simon, called ‘Jupiter’s Travels’, it’s about a man traveling the world by motorbike in 4 years. This romantic thought never really left my mind. Initially I figured that doing this with friends would be the best option. As I found out, people have their own dreams and plans, and that is how it should be. I decided to do the trip by myself. In the meantime, Evelien entered my life. She could not be drawn into this insane idea, and we decided that she would come along for a month. I can’t wait really till we meet again. Then my dad called. He was interested in a back seat position as well. Before I knew it I had said yes, and now he is coming too hopefully, for a week or 2, after Evelien.
I read many books, spend many hours on the internet and talked to many people. Now is the time.

These are the countries that I would like to visit:
Germany (done)
Poland (rolled into Warsaw yesterday)
Ukraine (day after tomorrow?)
Russia
Kazakhstan
Mongolia
– From here onwards it is pretty uncertain. if I can enter China (which is nearly impossible without paying a huge sum), than my route will be different than if I don’t enter China. In general I would say that Central Asia en Southern Asia are on the list. Riding the bike home is a bonus. These are the countries that I would like to visit after the first leg:
China?
Kyrgistan
Tadjikistan
Pakistan
Nepal
India
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam?
Iran
Turkey
Europe…

This is what it took to prepare for the trip:
I have spend the last year preparing this trip, and very intensely so the last 6 months, and almost too intensely the last 3 weeks. I nearly collapsed. Making dreams come true requires serious investments – money, time en energy:

The bike: a 1100GS BMW. A fucking great machine, already proved itself after 5 days. Super reliable, quick and agile. It seems that it likes heavy loads even better! Good boy. from 1998, 28K on the clock. Only big problem with the bike is it weight. Heard that before.

The extra’s: I have an alluminum pannier system, an extra big tank (41L), frame reinforcements, protection plates, etc. All from Touratech. Tough German stuff. I also carry many spare parts, like spark plugs, brake pads, cables, o-rings, etc. I am now a mid-size BMW dealer. I also brought a puncture repair kit and a 12V pump. Never done that actually, repairing tyres. Got the manual with me. NB, for the really interested people: I ride with Metzler Tourance all-road tyres. Should last 15K.

Gear: I brought a way too expensive suit, but already legendary in the Warsaw mooson, from BMW. Also some super ‘polizei’ boots from BMW. Mono brand travelling, nice. Not entirely, I bought an Arai Tour X helmet, to best protect the few remaining braincells. I also have custom-made earplugs. They are a miracle. It is the difference between being dead tired after 2 hours of riding, or just very tired.

Clothing: some socks and underwear plus a sweater and pants, t-shirts, etc. Not too much. Asics and flip-flops as well. Oh, and a hat when ticks start to fall from trees.

Camping: I have bought a sleeping bag, a 2-person tent, and a matras. I did not pack utensils to cook with, I’d rather spot some fine cuisine along the road. I also brought a mini mac light.

Health: thanks to a doctor-friend (Paul), the AMC in Amsterdam provided me with some killer first aid stuff. No idea how to use the skin stapler, but we’ll see. He also gave me a basic first aid course. On the computer. See if that saves lives. I have had a series of injections for all sorts of illnesses, including the Japanese tick, thislovely creature being active in Mongolia. Malaria pills are packed as well.

Paperwork: a constant worry now, everyday checking a 1000 times. Without it I am lost: a passport including already 5 visas, international driving licences, carnet de passage (bloody expensive), owners papers, insurance papers, etc. It;s all scanned in, available on my Hotmail (thanks Vincent for last minute help). I have copies as well with me, b/w and colour.

Electronics: iPod, digital camera, mobile phone (roamingggg), GPS (thanks Bob), and Ipod card reader to put stuff from digi cam on ipod (thanks Sander). As you’ll understand, this is daily worry no. 2. I charge the stuff while riding. Had 2 extra ports installed for that. Works well actually. Evelien, my girl, has read the entire first book of ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ into the iPod. This is for lonely nights, 5 hours of Evelien, supercool. I also have spoken messages from many
people on my iPod, once every couple of days I listen to one. Very happy with that.

Other stuff: home made cookies (thanks mam), flares – if I am in the desert with two broken legs, knives, diary, credit cards, debet card, cash money (euros and dollars), two super locks, a bike cover, books (travel guides, literature), alarm, all sorts of small stuff, duct tape

Seems like a lot, and it is a lot actually. I feel like a super sherpa, It is impossible when arriving to carry the lot inside a hostel for example. Rule no. 1 in motyorbike travel: take less…. I tried, failed.

Enjoy my stories.

Martijn