2007-07-22: Adventures this summer
Again the summer means motorcycle adventures for the Routa MC group.
Bergie returned in beginning of July from a troubled trip through the Alps and Romania. Accidents, engine malfunctions and theft were common themes on the trip, but also friendly people and amazing scenery.
Skoll, Janne and Vsq left on their trip on July 20th, intending to ride through Norway and Scotland. Their mobile blog can be followed in http://www.routamc.org/europe2007/
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Bergie)
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2007-04-11: New spring means new bikes
The spring is trying to enter in Finland after the ultra-brief two-week winter we had.
As usual, this means lots of motorcycle-related activity. This year some bike changes have happened too: Bergie has now a Royal Enfield, while Juha rides his old Triumph. People nearby this group have also interesting new bikes including a sidecar Dniepr...
Technorati Tags: motorcycle
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Bergie)
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2007-04-11: Review: Finding accommodation in Europe via eurobookings
One principle in the Routa MC style of motorcycle travel is getting around without much advance planning. This means that every day some time is spent trying to find accommodation. In small towns this is generally easy - just take the first gasthaus you run into. But in more touristic places some research before arrival often makes sense.
Since Routa bikers don't have the space for lugging around volumes of Lonely Planet, but are usually equipped with small, internet-connected technology, the web is a natural place to make research and possibly even book accommodation.
There are non-commercial sources for hotel information like WikiTravel, but these usually go only as far as providing the phone number of a hotel. The other option is online booking services like eurobookings reviewed here.
Instead of providing only a hotel guide like many competitors, eurobookings also runs a travel blog called Hotel Guide. This is a refreshing change, as it provides some cultural and touristic information about the locations, giving context to the hotels user is browsing.
The posts tell something about the place, and then point reader to hotels in the area. The hotel information system is quite similar to others provided on the web, though eurobookings says they're providing lower rates than for example hotels.com. On quick searches the services had different hotels featured so verifying this is a bit difficult.
In any case,
Pros
- Easy way to search for hotels connected with touristic information about the places
Cons
- Hotel map is some weird Java applet instead of a proper Google Map
- Availability finder seems buggy, making it impossible to change dates
- Lists only hotels, not cheaper hostels or motels
Note: This is a sponsored post via ReviewMe.
Technorati Tags: accommodation, review, travel
(
Bergie)
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2006-04-20: Spring is in the Air
After some moments of despair, the spring has definitely come to Helsinki. Rambo is on the road, Juha has managed to crash Bergie's Triumph, and Skoll has his new ride:
(
Bergie)
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2006-04-05: Spring snows in Helsinki
As can be seen from the picture, the spring weather in Helsinki is full of snow. This will definitely push back the riding season.
At least we can take comfort in the idea that either it will be The Day After Tomorrow or the snows will melt eventually.
Updated Apr 9th: Snow or not, we ride. Out on the sea the ice fishers are still at work...
(
Bergie)
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2006-02-10: Cape of Good Hope by scooter
Read story on Death Monkeys
(
Bergie)
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2006-02-03: To The Hell and Back
Routa MC member Bergie has just returned to Cape Town from his trip through the burning plains of Karoo to the valley of Hell.
The 2000km trip was made on a BMW 650GS Dakar and consisted of high, winding passes, empty gravel roads, river crossings and deep forests.
Expect to see more in the Journals section later.
(Bergie)
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