Ace Cafe Send Off

Location:	London
Mileage:	1

At only 36 hours to departure, we collected the last of the passports from the Kazak Embassy. Not originally part of the planned route, these last minute extra permits will allow us to travel through Kazakhstan should the revolution in Kyrgyzstan not be settled by the time we get there in a few weeks. Fortunately, the three Americans and one Polish rider had all ducked in under the volcanic

ash, before UK airspace was closed and so every-one was present and correct. What a close call - only 30 minutes of airtime making the difference between landing in London and all bets are off!

On Saturday morning, we headed to the Ace Café - three riders succumbed to early morning nerves and took a wrong turning just to get there. Only another 12,000 miles to go! Anxious riders and excited friends and family and well wishers alike had all gathered. With yak and onions and ducks head soup ahead of us, it was complete orders for full Big British Breakfast Special, as riders took their last chance to tuck into bacon, black pudding and fried bread.

Then at 9am prompt, we rode off down the M25 and M20 towards the Euro Tunnel with a convoy of bikes stretching in our mirrors. Our support van was already carrying passengers– our Polish rider, Robert, needed to get his family back to Poland and their flights had been cancelled! It was then a few hundred continental miles to Bouillon in Belgium and the first night of this epic ride. From here, we follow in the footsteps Godfrey of Bouillon, one of the first Crusaders, to Istanbul by the weekend, although with less

drunkenness and pillage en route – maybe! Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia are already under our belts in less than 48 hours, which has already left one rider stranded on the motorway, having failed to fill up with fuel. I know that this will be the least of the problems that will lie ahead.

Istanbul is already looming, where we’ll meet up with some Turkish riders, who previously supported our Guinness World Record ride back in 2002. The true start of our Asian adventure awaits!

Photos:

1) Isn't she nice and clean in the early morning sun at the Ace Cafe.  GlobeBusters F800GS.

2) An American finishing of a full English - Aaron enjoying the excellent Ace Cafe Breakfast.

3 A riders fond farewell - Darran says goodbye to Diane for the next 12 weeks

4) The Team - The final photo call before riding away