Day 41. Salzbergen DE to Utrecht NL. 241km

A big day today.  Not in kilometers, but in emotions.
   
I returned the bike back to RB Motoren at De Bilt in Utrecht.

After a good wash, chain oil and fuel up, I gave the bike back to Jan.   The bike now has 13,633 kms, from the 3,046 km when I picked it up on the 9th Jun 2012, five and a half weeks ago.

No problems with the return, just a lot more Euros, because I did so many extra kms.   I had an allocation of 6,900 km and completed 10,587.  All worth it though.   Adventuring costs now, but the memories last.

Two problems with the bike:
1.   The GPS power cable fractured, (not my fault)  and
2.   I scratched the right pannier (my fault). (Got to close to a guard rail)

Things about the bike.
1.   It was black.
2.   It went without a hiccup, all day, every day.
3.   It's light and easy to handle.
4.   The panniers worked very well, after I made some changes and oiled all the locks.
5.   The seat seems to takes in water when it rains!!!, so next day you get a wet bum.
6.   It rode easily on the back roads, and still pushed 130 kph on the autobahns.
7.   It cruised best at about 100-110 kph.
8.   It was black

(It was interesting to note that I got no comments or looks from anyone about the bike, yet on our previous trip with my red KLR650, I received comments and looks everyday.)

All said and done:  A fine machine and a fine ride.

LN2N2012

Day 07. The Ride Starts. Luttelgeest to Margraten NL 306km

Today the big trip started.   I left after coffee with Wilma and Cees.

    

It was not nice to know that Murphy was also in The Netherlands!!   I stopped on the road by the driveway of a house in a backstreet to take a photo.  (The edges can be very soft in other places.)   I got off the bike, turned on the camera, about to shoot, and a truck then wants to drive up the driveway.  What lousy timing on my part.   Mumble, mumble.  Not to worry, I shifted the bike and then the side stand got caught on a rock and the bike fell over.  Bigger mumbles.  $%^&*.  No damage, but very annoying.  Just a sore shoulder.  It happens.

The rest of the ride today was fantastic and the weather was warm and fresh.   I even rode on some smaller roads, too. The little villages are fascinating.

I enjoyed Maastricht too. The coffee was nice

Wilma suggested I visit the American War Grave at Margraten.   Sad and beautiful.

And lastly my hotel for the night.   A little hotel in small village.

LN2N2012

Day 05-06. Some Photos of The Netherlands. 330km

Not much to write about today.   It's been great been visiting family in North Holland.  I thought I would just add some nice photos.

(Petrol today, 15.32L @ €1.729/L = €26.49.  Distance 333Kms.  21.7 Km/L.)
LN2N2012