ISTANBUL BOUND

Motorcycling in Europe nowadays is relatively safe and easy. You don't have to negotiate borders; petrol is readily available; currency is easy; if you break down you just ring your insurance and someone comes to you. It is low risk and comfortable... but it lacks excitement, adventure and challenge.

Back in 1994 John, Allen and myself decided to ride to Istanbul, or at least somewhere in that direction. As we don’t like to have a plan we only researched visas and the ferry time out, then set off in late August to see what would happen next. We had allowed three weeks to ride across Europe, through Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria to the Black Sea, turn right to Istanbul then ride home again.

Northern France, Germany and Austria were uneventful, and the adventure (not to mention the fun) really started as we crossed into Hungary. It was only a few years since the fall of Communism in Hungary,