Corsica Catch Up

The last time we spoke, I wrote that in 24 hours I was setting off on my 10-week motorcycle trip to Corsica and the Picos de Europa.

Since then, I’ve travelled through France, Switzerland, crossed the border into Italy (twice), and enjoyed the stunning French Alps before finally landing in Corsica on the 1st of July.

And now it’s full circle. Because as you read this newsletter, I’ll be enjoying my final 24 hours on Corsican soil - the last 24 hours of a month that’s been an absolute pleasure.

For riding smiles, Corsica is hard to beat. It doesn’t have the marketing prowess of the Alps, but that’s precisely what makes it so good! Every road is twisty. Every route is technically challenging. Some are fast and inviting while others are tight and twitchy. But at least you’ll come home with zero chicken strips.

You’ll navigate around wild pigs (and wild pig sh*t), wild cows (and wild cow sh*t), goats (and… you get the picture), horses, turtles, and lizards. And you’ll witness everything from turquoise coastlines to dense woodlands.

In the coming weeks and months, I’ll be chucking some route guides and road write-ups your way - so if you ever make it here, you’ll know exactly where to go.

#RoutePlanning

Onwards to the Picos

Next, it’s the Picos de Europa in northern Spain. First, it’s a ferry crossing to the South of France, and then across the Pyrenees into northern Spain. For nearly 5 weeks!

I can’t remember what’s planned, but I know there are routes-a-plenty stored on my phone.

As you might expect, there will be route maps and road write-ups to follow when I get home in September.

Furygan Winter Collection Sneaky-Peeky

As many of you know, I’ve worked closely with Furyan for a few years now. Their head office is in Nîmes in the South of France, and my ride to the Pyrenees just happens to take me past their factory.

So being the lovely people they are, they kindly invited me to go for a factory tour and a sneaky look at their winter collection - and a wardrobe fit 😉 - before the collection is officially released.

Oh, and they’re treating me to lunch. Perfect!

I’ll see what information I can glean about the new line and let you know what to keep an eye out for.

#Furygan

The SW-Motech Pro Rackpack

We partnered with SW-Motech on this trip and I was lucky enough to get my hands on the 32-42L Pro Rackpack. And to be honest, I can’t believe just how much I’ve enjoyed using it!

It started off as a necessity to carry my kit to Corsica. But as I’ve reached my locations along the way, I’ve found myself using it every single day - both on and off the bike.

It’s been everything from a tail pack to a shopping trolley and even a makeshift barbell for home-based workouts 💪

The full review will be coming soon.

SW-Motech

Scenic Motorcycle App

I’ve had a bee in my bonnet about motorcycle sat nav units since about 2014. Tired of the costs and the sheer amount of technological faffery required to work them, I started to look into mobile apps. Back then, all I could really find was Tyre-to-Travel. Remember that little throwback?!

Fast-forward a decade, and I’m still on the hunt for an app that actually works, so I was pleased when we got the opportunity to work with Scenic. I’ve used Scenic almost exclusively for my current trip - and it’s BY FAR the most accomplished motorcycle app I have had the pleasure of using.

(FYI - as a tester for Scenic, I’m using a Beta version of the app that is currently not available for download - but you can have it in autumn when it’s all perfect and pristine and bug-less!)

Oh, and you know how offline mapping never works? Well on Scenic, it really does! 😲

You can find the full review in the Motorcycle Tourer catch-up section below. And it’s worth reading - because there’s some important pricing info there which will save you a decent wedge of cash 😉

#Apps

3 THINGS I’VE LEARNED

We never stop learning. Even those who have toured for years learn as they go along. They make mistakes and then make provisions to ensure those mistakes don’t happen again. And I’m exactly the same. Here are 3 things I’ve learned so far that you can apply to your own trips this summer.

1. Get wise with your luggage:

For years, this has been my routine at the end of a ride:

1. Get back to my Airbnb, and take everything out of my panniers/top box/roll bag.

2. Cart it all to my room (usually upstairs) whilst trying (and failing) to carry my helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots.

3. Make ANOTHER trip up and down stairs to collect the jacket, helmet and gloves I’ve just dropped.

4. Do it all in reverse in the morning.

But this time I had a brainwave. Stop carrying your riding kit to and from your bike when you reach your accommodation! Leave your helmet, gloves, jacket (and boots, if you can park by the door) in your luggage. Not only does it save you from carrying it up and downstairs (twice), but it saves you from getting hot and sweaty by trying to put it all on indoors. Game changer!

2. Get nifty with Airplane mode:

I never worry about running out of mobile data - because I never run out of mobile data. But it turns out that riding from the UK to Corsica, whilst permanently running navigation and Spotify, properly crucifies your mobile data! Download a few playlists (enough to get you through the day), and download an offline map of the area you are riding. Then set your phone to airplane mode and enjoy music and navigation with impunity. Saves a tonne of battery, too.

3. Get friendly with the locals:

I’m not one for going out of my way to make friends. It’s not that I’m unsociable - I just usually don’t have the time. Or impetus. But whilst queuing up for the ferry in Toulon, I got talking to a local guy. Turns out he was Corsican and was getting the ferry back home. We exchanged Instagram handles on the ferry and arranged to meet up at some point during my trip - which we did. Turned out to be a great ride, taking advantage of local knowledge and roads. Well recommended!

SUNDAY MORNING MOTO QUIZ

So you think you’re bright. You know your bikes, eh? Fine, test your knowledge and mental prowess with these pesky Sunday teasers to start your day 🤯

1. Why do we use the term HOG when referring to a Harley-Davidson? (Hint: If you think it’s because of the Harley Owners Group, think again.)

2. What are motorcycle tyres made from? (Don’t say it!)

3. What is the longest ride ever completed in 24 hours? (According to the Guinness World Records, not your mate Andy from down the pub.)

Answers at the bottom.

BIKE NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Here are a few things that caught my beady eye this month when I wasn’t out ruining my clutch or shredding my tyres. Damn, they’re going to cost me a fortune…

Ducati posts record sales in the first quarter of 2023

I remember around this time in 2022 reading an article about the same subject - and being somewhat perplexed by it.

And then what followed was three more successful quarters, and 2022 turned out to be Ducati’s most prosperous year ever.

As the company rocketed into 2023, 14,725 new Ducati’s made their way into the hands of happy customers - a 9% increase on 2022.

Now, I’m not what you would consider to be a Ducati fan. But over the last few years, what with their ever-improving reliability and 4-year warranties, it makes you wonder if, actually, they have it right.

Read it here: Ducati

BMW to offer Intelligent Emergency Call feature on many 2024 models

It looks like it’s going to be another big year for BMW - with many updated models making their way into showrooms for 2024. And that’s not to mention the eagerly-awaited (by some) R 1300 GS that will be unveiled in Berlin on 28th September.

I had a look at the list of bikes that will include BMW’s intelligent emergency call feature, and was surprised at just how many there were.

Read it here: BMW

Muc-Off Tracker Holder: An affordable deterrent to bike theft?

I have to say, I quite like this!

The Secure AirTag is a new way to install an Apple AirTag to your bike, allowing you to keep tabs on it via the FindMy app.

It’s securely housed in a heat-resistant holder, surrounded by an aircraft-grade aluminium clamp and frame.

If you connect it to a wire or hide it on the engine somewhere, I can see it being pretty hard to find - and even more difficult to remove.

Not bad for £80.

Read it here: Muc-Off

BMW release ConnectedRide Smart Glasses

Fancy some BMW smart glasses from (that’s FROM) £749? If you’re a BMW fanboy/girl, of course you do!

The ConnectedRide glasses project speed and navigation into your field of view - to save you from glancing down 3mm with your eyeballs.

I bet they’re great - especially if your favourite thing to do on tour is charge stuff up.

Read it here: BMW

MOTORCYCLE TOURER CATCH-UP

Even we, as regal and as accomplished as we are, have to accept that you fine people are busy beings. From sorting out the kids, doing the school run, pretending you like your boss, and flirting with the hottie in accounting, we get how you might have missed a few of our posts. But fear not. We have a selection of our favourites below.

Scenic Motorcycle App: Unlock Your Adventure (Real-World Review)

Motorcycle route-planning apps always sound good on paper. But they never quite live up to the promises made by their developers.

Until now.

Because now we have the newer, better, updated version of the Scenic Motorcycle App.

If you’re currently hunting for a motorcycle route-planning app (that works), this is the post for you. I’ll explain Scenic’s functions, my likes and dislikes, and the pricing structure to help you decide if it's right for you.

How to Make Better Motorcycle Videos on Your Tour

Motorcycle touring videos are a great way to document and share your motorcycle adventures with friends and family or keep them as a keepsake.

However, creating memorable motorcycle touring videos requires more than just pointing your camera at the scenery (or your bike). It takes planning, creativity, editing, and effort!

So in this article, we’ll discuss the basics of capturing footage to make high-quality motorcycle touring videos to show the excitement of your trip.

10 Top Places for Motorcycle Touring in the UK

With plenty of must-see places to visit on a motorcycle, you don’t really need to step out of the UK!

With its winding roads, stunning scenery and unique attractions, our little island has some of the best motorcycle routes around. If you know where to look!

From the North Coast 500 in Scotland to the A2 Coast Road in Northern Ireland, there are plenty of options for an unforgettable ride. Explore the Peak District or take the tumultuous route around Snake Pass.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not take a journey through Wales and visit the Brecon Beacons? Or the rugged coastlines of Devon and Cornwall?

No matter where you choose to visit, plan ahead and check out some of these must-see locations on your bike.

Everything You Need to Know about Renting a Motorcycle in Europe

Are you looking to explore Europe on two wheels? Renting a motorcycle is worth considering – particularly if you’re between bikes or don’t have the ‘right’ bike for the tour you want to experience.

Motorcycle rentals are becoming increasingly popular in Europe. Not only is it an economical way to travel, but it also allows you to experience the sights and sounds of Europe.

And even better for touring riders, you can pick up the bike from one location and drop it off at another.

QUIZ ANSWERS 🤓

1. In the 1900s, the Harley-Davidson racing team, The Wrecking Crew, used a small pig as their mascot. After a victory, the winning rider would do a lap of honour with the pig on the fuel tank. Many years later, HOG became the acronym of the Harley Owners Group. And to this day, it’s the trading symbol of Harley-Davidson on the Stock Exchange.

2. These days, motorcycle tyres don’t actually contain any natural rubber. The tread is made of synthetic rubber, blended (usually with fine carbon powder and other chemicals) to provide a balance between durability and traction.

3. If you guessed 2,492.7 miles (4,012.53 km), you’d be correct. It was achieved by Iván Cervantes from Spain on April 30th of this year. He rode a Triumph Tiger 1200 GT Explorer (hurray for the Brits! 🇬🇧) at the Nardò Technical Center in Italy.

SHARING IS CARING!

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