The author of this Blog is touring through the baltic coutries and especially Estonia.
A lot of Impressions are captured. 🙂
Report follows.
Versya
My leaning Life
Jäneda (pronounced Joohhneda)
This place is located in Estonia and is the goal of this year’s Wima Rally.
Traveling there by plane? Naah! By train and ferry? Naah! By car? Naah!
The shortest distance between Vienna and Jäneda is approx. 1650 km, but where would be the fun and the charm if we would simply take the fastest route or to travel with another means of transportation?
If we could drive primarily via highway and expressways the route would be done in approx. 3 days, but the Polish and Baltic roads are
1. Not ready yet, and
2. Why should we cross countries when country and people are left aside?
Good advice is therefore hard to get: the journey should not last too long. After all we are still working and holiday days are scarce. On the other hand we also want to get to know the country and the people.
To solve this, Su, Renate and I have assembled to agree on the available days and to define a rough plan of overnight stays.
The rough framework was then enriched with sights and cities which are interesting for us and thus the route and days were further refined.
A little spare time is calculated for each day (except the first one) , prefering to arrive early, or with time buffer, than always hurry behind the plan.
With this method we have put together a “small” fine route, which takes us about 2400 km to our destination in Estonia.
Along our way are interesting places and areas such as. Malbork, Masuria, Kryžių Kalnas, Gauja, Riga, and of course Jäneda. 🙂
We will get to know Estonia via our week in Jäneda.
Naturally our report on our travel and adventures will follow after the Rally:-)
Again and again we are confronted with the dangers of motorcycling:
A driver who overlooks us, an oil puddle in the roundabout, splitt in a narrow corner, a fall at the Enduro drive.
And we try to protect us against it: protective clothing, safety driving training, better tires, higher attention …
But sometimes, sometimes it does not help and a second later we are there, down to the ground …..
In the best case we have a few bruises, a damaged garment, bent or scratched parts on the bike and thats it, already.
Jump up quickly, and go on riding the motorcycle …
But unfortunately, unfortunately, the story is not always so auspicious and then you can only be grateful that it has not gone worse.
This is the case with one of the last tours of 2 Wima women in some Styrian spots, around Admont, where one of our youngest members (P.) fell disastrously. This time, unfortunately, it was not so light-hearted because her ankle was broken by the falling motorbike.
The first care was exemplary but still she had to follow for about 2 weeks to the hospital in Bruck an der Mur and the procedure plaster, surgery, gypsum, as well as many more days in the hospital.
Well, so a hospital stay is not tingly. At least, when the motorcycle sun comes up for the first time.
Even the whimsical accidents of the other room maidens could not help the invading fades.
In order to raise the mood at least a little, Su and I have decided to combine the useful with the pleasant and to go on a motorcycle to the nursing visit.
The weather forecast was mixed, but also not bad, so we met early in Altmannsdorf to start from there, by Südautobahn to Mürzzuschlag.
From Mürzzuschlag we went via Mürzsteg, over the Niederalpl – with its beautiful turns, Seebergsattel – big dark clouds and really cold, we slip on to the rain gear, further over Aflenz, to St. Katharein – over an gravel road and with small sweeps (New discovery!) to Bruck an der Mur in the local hospital to visit our dear P.
T
he operation is now 2 days ago, and the urge for movement – lying plaster! – is limitless. Immediately, we pack a wheelchair and push her into the open space:-)
We talk about God and the world, her bike, which has already arrived in Vienna, and the further course of the treatment and the further recovery. Thus the early afternoon passes quite fast. When another visit came in, we took our leave and started to went back to Vienna.
The day is young, the highway is not an choice, the weather has become somewhat better – so optimal conditions for motorcycling.
Therefore, we decide to use the opportunity to return to Vienna via Teichalm, Birkfeld, Feistritzsattel, Gloggnitz, Reichenau, Schwarzau, Hainfeld, Klausen-Leopoldsdorf.
The trip went along in wonderful weather, almost empty streets (in our direction of travel) and the area always invites to small stops. We should have taken a picnic basket with us! 😉
P. is now better, she has already left the hospital and is on the road to recovery.
The IFRD (International Female Ride Day) was introduced 11 years ago by a female Canadian motorcyclist who wanted to bring motorcycle-riding women together, and to make a statement.
Even if her homepage has become very commercial over the last years, the idea has become autonomous and worldwide women’s motorcycle clubs use the first Saturday of May, for a joint tour and coming together.
Su and I were on the road the last IFRD in 2016.
This year, our small party counted 9 riders. So, finding an agreement on a tour is correspondingly somewhat difficult.
But, in this case Renate, who had picked up an information at the Seiberer MountainRace, about a special exhibition: MotorMaiden, at the 1st Austrian Motorcycle Museum, did have the right input for us.
So, the target of the tour was fixed, the route planning that followed was relatively relaxing, so the tour could start!
My little misfortune with the broken footrest mounting plate had provided Juniors SuMo with a new front tyre (a Metzeler M7RR), as i didn’t wanted to travel with an almost zero millimeter profile 😉 .
I fetched the tyre on Friday, at Zweirad Pauer. The change was done in 15 minutes, the quality of the work faultlessly, the price …. oh, well 😉
Will the virgin tyre keep what it promises?
So, 6 May, early – around 9:00 😉 – there was the first meeting point in Hütteldorf, outfitted and on time the first Wima Bunch was there.
So we rode on to Untertullnerbach, to the second meeting point, and even there, despite tankstop, all the Wimas were ready in time to leave at 9:30 am.
We rode on through the beautiful Irenen Valley, to Tulln, where we had our 3rd meeting place (!), for our northern area members.
Still, punctual to the clock, we did set off again and headed along the Wagram to Langenlois and to continue north, along the Kamp river.
Then, we rode north, along the rounded bends of the Kamp, to Gars, where we turned to Sigmundsherberg and soon reached our destination at the Motorcycle Museum.
Lily and Birigt were (as native Waldviertler) already at site and so we could theoretically start with the visit of the special exhibition and the rest of the museum.
But, only theoretically, as we had to pass a JukeBox and it took it’s toll. A few classic earwigs were released before we actually went on to the small, but fine special exhibition.
Mr. Ehn was well-informed about the relevant epochs in austria, and motorcycles anyway. 😉
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This might be the reason why the Wima Founders were not on the radar, as they started in the US and UK first.
After the visit of the museum we went to the Restaurant Surböck where the Innkeeper offered us a wonderful ambience and good cuisine at very reasonable prices, in the garden.
Well fed and refueled we wanted to head back to Vienna.
But, Su had a quite better idea and so we drove along the Kamp to Zwettl and from there we went south via Ottenschlag, Pöggstall and Weiten to the Danube river, where we crossed at Melk and rode into the Wachau region.
At Schönbuehl we took our last stop, at a friends of Su rest station, and enjoyed the wonderful sun.
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In the meantime, it was getting quite late, so we mounted our bikes again very soon , to get closer to Vienna via the darkstone forest and the B1.
My reserve gas light lit up at the foot of the Riederberg, but the tank still covered the 15km to the finish line.
Hip hip hurray for transparent petrol tanks! 🙂
And the tyre? The Metzeler M7RR? Attentive readers will still ask ….
In my opinion:
Never before has a tire impressed me more right from the first minute.
Very high class, it conveys a great feeling in the curves and a great stabile run on the straights, despite the hypernervous Husaberg.
It’s grip is magic, I even managed to do my first short stoppie as i had to break surprisingly.
Yes, I confess, I was distracted from the wonderful scenery at the Dobra barrier lake. 😉
I didn’t had the opportunity to test it in rain (thankfully), but if the reviews are right (as I assume from my experience in dry state) , then the tyre is worth further consideration……
Finally, the tour we rode:
In the morning, the ordered spare parts arrived.
Now, in the evening they are mounted already:
As it seems my interest in dismanteling my moped in the past is paying off. 😉
Although I do not have a spare part yet, that did not prevent me to start the dismantling of the Versys already 
And, of course, there was another unpleasant surprise:
The ram for the brake piston of the rear brake cylinder is bent, of course it must be so.
So, I did order this part too…
And because this is not enough, a new construction site opened, too: 
The battery of the transporter has shown the first signs of weakness lately. Yesterday it has completely failed.
The idea was actually quite simple,
drive another car close by, attach the starter cable, start the engine, and go to the battery dealer for a replacement.
Really quite simple, but: Junior was probably so focused on his task, that he simply miscalculated.
The result is probably the most expensive car batterie exchange in history:
OMG! is it possible, since the end of December I am not coming out of the workshop?
I had to wait for almost 3 weeks (in words: three), until the front fender and with it the tires were exchanged on my Versys. On Tuesday, right in time before the Wima round table, I was able to receive my Versys again .
- And here was the first nasty surprise: The tires were the wrong type!
Or, in other words: the tires might have been my possible choice weeks ago, but in the meantime, I decided to go with the Pirelli Angel GT and I told so to the workshop.
Hmmm, what to do? But, the Faux Pas isn’t so painful with a smart price reduction. 😉
Not, that the pilot road tires are of poor quality,they are quite the opposite – I know from my own experience -, but a training at the race circuit will be a little difficult, though.
As it seems, I will have to look for a rather cold and wet day there 😉
- When discussing this, I realized that the metal valves are not mounted, but the standard rubber valves. ->
Thus meaning, that my idea of installing the pressure and temperature sensors for the tires, which have been lying around for a year at home, is again postponed. Merde 🙁
Now, to tear everything down again, and completely re-assemble the tyres would be madness.
So, with the promise to do the next tire change in goodwill, I leave the workshop to drive in the Marchfeld – as good as possible there 😉 – to get rid of the lubrication layer .
Gloriously feeling again, vibrating over the roads. 🙂
The evening at Wima was in a wonderful mood, the main theme were our new members and the planned tour on May 6th with the scope of the IFRD,
and also the return home, after the meeting, was wonderful.
But, the next morning, the next nasty surprise:
- My Versys is laying on the side?!?!!
Unfortunately it is unclear whether a passing bus took the front wheel, or whether other influences were to blame, it is down on the tarmac. 🙁
In general not a big drama, protectors are installed in all neuralgic places, but after the errection the inspection shows, that the drop was not without consequences:
Why the footrests have not given way is a riddle to me, but the break is respectable, I could not have done better 😉
Of course I looked in the instant where to get a spare part in a reasonable time. But the minimum delivery time is: 4-5 days!
*** I want to cry, Saturday is the tour and today it’s Wednesday !! ***
The rear wheel brake does not matter to me, but without a footrest a day tour? It does not work!
Drill some holes, and screw it together, somehow? I still have to try ……….
To be continued …
Ok, it’s april, so every weather condition is possible, theoretically. but why? Why!
Why does it have to snow again?
It already had so good weather conditions, spring was already there
I’ve been looking for a new multipurpose motorbike for some time now, so that I can move on the road, but also in a light terrain (not just on a gravel road).
The Triumph Tiger 800 XCA looks very well from the setup, the price however look less favorable.
If I count some paniers, etc to the basic price, it sums up to about 16,000, – € easily …
Some may be fine with paying a nice sum for a new bike, i, for my part, do not strive for it.
Even more, as I have no problem to drive a motorcycle not as the first (owner). For me it is – with all my love for my Versys – a vehicle, basta.
Thats why my motorcycles (but also cars) get no names, which would be really ridiculous, in my opinion …
Heeeyy “Speedy”, I will throw you down these slope now , you are not angry anyway? Muhahaha
Ok, but wrong topic, or not, depending on the perspective. 😉
To make matters worse, my current job is only 8 months old, and is limited until the end of June.
Who knows if I still have a regular (a regular, and not the constant income of the PES :-P) income after that date?
The last 2 years have shown me personally, in a very harsh way, that a safe workplace can become unsafe and new jobs in my area of activity are very rare.
With so many job changes in a short period, and accompanied with this, a worse income for some period, a large part of my savings is spent, ie. at the moment I am a little short on savings.
And again wrong topic, or not, depending on the perspective. 😉
I therefore follow the current second hand offers, etc … in order to snatch a bargain, but so far the result is disappointing. Even the long winter has caused very few people to sell their motorcycles and to look into something new.
And despite the crowds at the bike in Tuln the number of used motorcycles in the usual ads has not changed ….
I therefore consider a new (used) motorcycle as a rather long-term project and only do look just a little over the horizone what is currently in the pipeline with the manufacturers.
Accidentally i found the in Motorcycle news article, that reports on a KTM Adventure 790?
Sounds exciting, even if a serial production probably will not happen before 2018 and as far as I know KTM, the first motorcycles will not appear until autumn in the market. 😉
It would fit into my own definedlimit of 800cc very well, and would probably not be as gigantic as the current 1090 Adventures from KTM.
Alone the thought of this motorcycle semi-loaded down to the ground, brr …. how can men lift them?
The question now is: Waiting for the KTM, or waiting for a cheap Tiger 800 XCA?
For days I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do at the WE.
The problem: Sun and heat are announced, but my Versys is not yet in the repair. And so I would have to do ride with a damaged front fender (no real problem as it still holds fast- Gaffertape for the win! ;-)), but also with an almost profilous rear tire.
Yes, Versya was bad in the last year, and the attempt to drive the tire really to the limit now revenges itself.
On the other hand, sun also means: No rain! And if there is no rain, I need no profile at the tire – now, once just forget about the traffic laws 😉
So risk was weighed:
Will the police wait for me? -> Yes, as the start of the season is to be expected, they will not miss the opportunity for easy prey.
Will it catch me? -> No, as I avoid the usual “biker” main routes, I don’t think so .
Why I then just choose the Kalte Kuchl (translate to: Cold Kitchen, a famous bike meeting point south of vienna) as a waypoint, is, in retrospect, actually a mystery to me….
It probably just slipped between accidentally. And since I have already visited it now, I do not have to ride down there for the rest of the season. Puhhh, thats releaving 😉
Probably I was just too late to get into the catches of the traffic control at all . I met quite a few police cars, but these were obviously already on the way home, when I arrived at about 17:30 in the KK.
There were only 2 motorbikes still on site, so I could go on with my lap.
As expected, the name was program: It just had 7 ° temperature there and on the further way home the temperature should not rise above 9° again. Definitely not icy cold, but with time, the coolness creeped slowly into all cracks.
The route was all the more beautiful, the roads were for the most part – have I already mentioned that I basically avoid the main routes? – very beautifully cleaned, and the sun, combined with the clear air, colored the sky blue, the wood green, the meadows too. Actually a postcard mood! And so I stopped – quite unusual for me – to take photos along the tour.
Despite the late start, thanks to summer time, there was still enough daylight left to ride home relaxed and go through the last corners with my PiPo 3.
But this week it’s his turn to be exchanged, promised dear race managment! 😉
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