Around the World on a Motorcycle

Day 11 - Backlog Post
Deva, Romania 🇷🇴 - Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺

Leaving the (former) Roman Dacia region…

I didn’t say much about Romania when I first entered the country, but after spending three days crossing it mainly on the remote areas, it would be unfair not to write a few words about this amazing nation. Having already visited a “few dozen” countries around the world, there are only a handful that truly surprised me in a positive way. Romania is now one of them.

When I entered the country, my expectations were, let’s say, at least apprehensive and my concerns were significant. However, during the incredible days I spent in Romania, I encountered only kind, warm, helpful, humble, and amazing people. If my faith in humanity was at a low point, visiting Romania has given me a renewed sense of hope. These may sound like strong words, but they are not exaggerated.

Well, the purpose of these trips is to be challenged in several ways, including our assumptions and prove us wrong when needed.

Thank you Romania.

Day 6 - Backlog Post
Wadowice, Poland 🇵🇱 - Kaluža, Slovakia 🇸🇰

I didn't give much attention to day 6 because it was basically a riding day. I was leaving Poland, which I’ve already shared about, and entering Slovakia—a country I planned to return to later, which I actually did. But I don’t want to leave a gap in my trip diary, so here's the late post to keep the continuity of my journey.

Day 15
Söll - Top Mountain Crosspoint, Austria 🇦🇹 - Calliano, Italy 🇮🇹

This was the longest journey so far, with the high point being the visit to Top Mountain Crosspoint, which houses a motorcycle museum that was literally rebuilt from the ashes. It’s a must-see for every motorcycle enthusiast! As the name suggests, it's Europe's highest motorbike museum, which meant returning to snowy landscapes and colder weather. Ski slopes were open until just last week.

Unfortunately, entering Italy through the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road wasn't possible—it hadn't opened to traffic yet. This meant I had to ride back along part of the route to reach the Alto Adige region, in Italy. The silver lining was that, at the end of the long ride, I was rewarded with breathtaking scenery as the sun set over the mountains. It was a stunning end to a challenging yet rewarding day on the road.

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Day 14
Pyhra, Austria 🇦🇹 - Obersalzberg, Germany 🇩🇪 - Söll, Austria 🇦🇹

The “Berghof”, or what's left of it. This is where, at some point in history, someone believed they could rule the world...
From a distance, or as close as you can get at this time of year, you can see the “Kehlsteinhaus”, better known as the "Eagle's Nest." The significance of these places cannot be understated, serving as stark reminders of a dark chapter in history.

But on a different note, the day started with a visit to the Red Bull Hangar 7, where the brand displays its array of toys, including planes, helicopters, and Formula 1 cars. The brand's market presence is so strong that you'd barely notice they're primarily known for an energy drink.

This long day was unwinded with some relaxation in the Tirol region…

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Day 12 & 13
Budapest, Hungary 🇭🇺 - Bratislava, Slovakia 🇸🇰 - Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹

The river that gives the name to the 5th stage of the Around the World Project is the same river that runs through these three historic capitals. I must say, typically you’d need at least two weeks to explore each of them individually, but I managed somehow to visit all three in just two days. 😅

There’s not much to say about these magnificent cities because you’ve probably visited at least a couple of them yourself. They are filled with history, culture, and unique charm.

So I’ll leave you with a few photos that capture the essence of these cities. Enjoy!

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Day 10
Corbeni - Deva, Romania 🇷🇴

Transfăgărășan and Transalpina!
Those mountain roads are two iconic routes in Romania that are a must-ride for any motorcycle enthusiast. The former gained worldwide fame after the host of Top Gear declared it “the best road in the world.”, while I might not fully agree… The latter, Transalpina, is the highest road in the Carpathian Mountains, offering a different kind of challenge.

In my personal experience, without wanting to sound like a ‘hater’, I found the best part about Transfăgărășan and Transalpina to be the roads leading to and from these routes. They often included fast, winding riverside back roads, contrasting with off-road sections and enduro-style tracks with a bit of dust, adding a unique touch to the adventure.

Of course, these two mountain roads have their charm, especially with the snowy peaks creating a stunning backdrop. The curves and counter-curves are fast and exhilarating, though the tarmac could be in better shape. The wildlife along the way adds an element of unpredictability, and I was fortunate enough to visit during the low season, when the crowds were minimal. However, some stretches were closed due to snow…

Overall, it was a fantastic day for a long motorcycle ride.

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Day 9
Bran - Poienari (Transfăgărășan), Romania 🇷🇴

Bran’s Castle and the Transfăgărășan Road are two iconic symbols of Transylvania, each appealing to different interests.

I’ll share my thoughts on the road in tomorrow’s post.
As for the castle, even with all the folklore surrounding Vlad’s story, it’s definitely worth visiting the XIV century building. It’s beautifully preserved, with a well-told history, and the surrounding town embraces the vampire culture with references to bats, vampires, and other related beliefs. There’s a unique charm to the atmosphere that makes the visit quite memorable.

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Day 8
Baia Mare - Bran, Romania 🇷🇴

Romania! A country of contrasts with so much to offer, but I like to call it the biker’s paradise! For a country this big, there’s a surprisingly limited number of highways across the country. The upside, however, is the fantastic country roads with flawless pavement, full of twists and turns, connecting towns through mountains and plateaus. The speed limits are higher than you might expect, allowing for the kind of riding experience bikers dream of. And I believe the best is yet to come!

On the downside, covering long distances can be time-consuming, which is why I’ve decided to cut Moldova from my list of countries to visit. Adding Moldova would require an additional two days for the detour. Well, plans are made to be changed, right?

Heading south, I stopped to visit the Turda Salt Mine, renowned for its massive underground caverns and unique subterranean amusement park.

The day’s journey ended in Bran, Vlad’s Bran…

“Good Night out there. Whatever you are.” 🦇

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Day 7
Kaluža, Slovakia 🇸🇰 - Uzhhorod, Ukraine 🇺🇦 - Baia Mare, Romania 🇷🇴

Yes, you read it right, Ukraine. It’s no coincidence that I respectfully planned to visit this country on the day Portugal celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dia da Liberdade (Freedom Day).

I entered Ukraine via the Slovakian border at the town of Uzhhorod, a city where people do their best to live normal lives, even though the country is at war. It might almost go unnoticed if it weren’t for the air raid sirens—when they went off, foreigners were the only ones with apprehensive and concerned looks on their faces. Including me…

I then headed south, leaving Ukraine directly for Romania, encountering a few roadblocks along the way, both military and local police, but everyone had kind words to share and a smile, often wishing me a “have a good trip.” It was reassuring to experience such warmth and friendliness despite the challenging circumstances.

And if you’re wondering why I did this, the answer is easy! Spending a day in Ukraine was my way of directly and effectively supporting the local economy.

Day 5
Auschwitz (Oświęcim) - Krakow - Wadowice, Poland 🇵🇱

You can’t talk about Central Europe without discussing WWII, just as you can’t discuss WWII without mentioning Auschwitz. This was my second visit to the camp within two years, and it still gives me goosebumps. The gravity and solemnity of the site are deeply moving…

Changing to a different subject, I took a quick detour to the beautiful and historic Kraków, which, out of curiosity, was Poland’s capital until the 16th century. Like Prague, it’s a city that can’t be fully explored in just one day. However, and once it wasn’t my first time here, I managed to catch a glimpse of its culture, medieval monuments, and other historic sites.

Now, I’m heading south to get back “on track,” with Slovakia as my next destination.

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Danubian Countries - Day 4
Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿 - Auschwitz, Poland 🇵🇱

Prague, often called the city of a hundred spires. A week alone wouldn't be enough to visit all the monuments and points of interest in this city. One highlight, on my personal opinion, was the St. Cyril and Methodius Church and its crypt. If you're curious about the history surrounding this location, you might enjoy the movie "Anthropoid," which tells the story of what happened there.

Unsure of where to go after Prague, I decided to head to Poland. After so many days of snow, rain, and cold temperatures, the colorful sunset that greeted me as I arrived in Auschwitz felt like a turning point in this trip—at least when it comes to the weather.

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Day 3
Munich, Germany 🇩🇪 - Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿

On the 100th anniversary of BMW Motorrad, I couldn’t leave Munich without visiting the Bavarian brand’s museum. It offered a fascinating and comprehensive exhibit showcasing everything from the very first model to their vision of the future of motorcycles. There were a few four-wheeled vehicles on display as well, not as interesting though.

After saying goodbye to the limitless Autobahn, I set off for the Czech Republic’s capital, Prague. Still deciding where to go after…

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Day 2
Breil, Switzerland 🇨🇭 - Vaduz, Liechtenstein 🇱🇮 - Munich, Germany 🇩🇪 (via Austria 🇦🇹)

From the strictest country when it comes to speed limits and tolerances, to the boundless playground of the Autobahn, and everything in between. I left Switzerland behind, passing through a beautiful white landscape still blanketed in snow, which required extra caution while riding.

My route took me to Liechtenstein, with a stop in Vaduz to appreciate its rich heritage. Continuing north, I crossed into Austria, which I plan to visit again later on this trip, and then into Germany, heading straight to Munich. This vibrant city offered the opportunity to explore its rich history and visit major monuments.

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Day 1
Oleggio IT 🇮🇹 - Breil CH 🇨🇭

Today brought a bittersweet feeling on what was supposed to be my longest ride of this stage. However, the Alpine roads had other plans, as the warm spring days of two days ago turned into a snowy, cold, and windy winter ride. Despite the challenging conditions, the scenery was nothing short of epic, with the Swiss countryside painted white. Along the way, I was treated to unique views of the Maggiori lakeshore road all the way to the Swiss border. Unfortunately, I had to cut my ride short today to seek cover from the snow. I'll make it a priority to catch up on the lost kilometers in the coming days.

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Embarking on the 5th stage of my project "Around the World on a Motorcycle, a stage at a time..." Over the course of 17 days and 5300 kilometers, accompanied by my trusty companion, Yamaha Super Tenere (AKA The Bison), I will traverse the captivating countries along the Danube River, starting with the quaint principality of Vaduz in Liechtenstein and ending in the imperial grandeur of Vienna, Austria.

From there, I will explore the historic city of Prague in Czechia before delving into the cultural hub of Brno. Then crossing into Poland and discover the enchanting
town of Zakopane, followed by a journey into Slovakia to explore the medieval architecture of Košice.

Continuing onward, I will immerse in the bustling capital of Chișinău in Moldova before venturing to the underground wine city of Mileștii Mici. From there, exploring
the vibrant energy of Bucharest in Romania, where I will also delve into the mystical allure of Bran Castle in Brașov, navigating the legendary Transalpina and Transfăgărășan roads along the way.

Finally, planning to conclude my journey by experiencing the musical heritage of Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart. With each twist of the throttle, I will draw closer
to discovering the rich cultural tapestry of Europe along the captivating countries along the Danube River.
Please don’t forget to follow the page for daily updates on this thrilling adventure.

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With the 5th stage just "around the corner," I'm proud to announce that CMS Helmets will once again partner with the Around the World on a Motorcycle project for yet another great adventure, ensuring my safety without compromising style. And speaking of style, have you taken a look at their brand new 2024 XRDS 2.0?

Exciting news, fellow bikers! I'm thrilled to announce a new partnership with Vitorinos Seguros, who will be collaborating with me for my upcoming motorcycle adventure. This partnership will ensure I can explore new routes and destinations with added peace of mind. And if you need motorcycle, car, off-road, or any other insurance, or simply want to bundle them, they can offer better prices with unique insurance protocols and outstanding customer support. Stay tuned for more updates as we soon hit the road together!

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 17:
What a gratifying journey yesterday, what a wonderful way to end this trip! Riding along the California 1/ US 101 from Morro Bay all the way to San Francisco, winding for 250 miles between the mountains and the ocean, cliffs and beaches, one of the most amazing roads I have ever ridden a motorcycle on, breathtakingly scenic, memories I will keep forever. And for the 'grand finale', crossing the Golden Gate Bridge after 4130 miles (6647 kms), as if a symbolic Finish line for this adventure... I had no doubts I would love to do this trip, just didn't know I would love it this much... Would I do it again? Definitely, every single mile of it...

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 16:
Morro Bay CA - San Francisco CA

1, 2 - California State Route 1, AKA Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), Cabrillo Highway, Shoreline Highway, or Coast Highway... the Big Sur coast!

3, 4, 5 - More Gran Turismo, and the famous Laguna Seca corkscrew turn!

6 - Morro Bay CA - San Francisco - 279 miles in 8h28m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 15:
Los Angeles CA - Morro Bay CA

1 - 5 - Beautiful town by the seaside. The main economy relies on tourism and fishing activity, which makes the local gastronomy a "must try"! The rock on the back (Morro from the Spanish and Portuguese) was an important landmark for maritime navigation for more than 300 years, considered by many like the Gibraltar of the Pacific. I have been to the original one, now I guess I've visited both...

6 - Los Angeles CA - Morro Bay CA - 224 miles in 6h54m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 14:
San Diego CA - El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula CA (we know it simply as Los Angeles, or simpler as LA)

1 - The closest you can get to the sign before being shot by any upset neighbor which has to deal with these "peepers" on a daily basis...

2 - Walk of "Lame"!

3 - There's always time to visit some good friends, kind enough to give me a tour in town. Obrigado, amigo!

4 - San Diego CA - El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Ángeles del Río de Porciúncula CA (we know it simply as Los Angeles, or simpler as LA) - 97 miles in 3h14m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 13-14:
Las Vegas NV - San Diego CA

The West Coast!
14 days, 3475 miles, ~70 gallons of gas and 11 states after, here it is, the Pacific Ocean! My Coast 2 Coast may be concluded, but not my road trip... Heading North!

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 12:
Page AZ - Zion National Park UT - Las Vegas NV

1 - Las Vegas, the city of the blinding lights...

2 - Thinking I was a long way from home! Everything is so relative.

3, 4 - The #1... Shelby! — at the Shelby Museum

5 - As seen on TV... — at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop

6, 7, 8 - As seen on TV... — at the Count's Kustoms

9 - State #9 UT

10 - State #10 NV

11 - Page AZ - Zion National Park UT - Las Vegas NV - 322miles in 8h01m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 11-II:
Four Corners Monument AZ, CO, NM, UT - Page AZ
(Reverse chronological order)

1, 3, 4 - Sunset @… Colorado River Horse Shoe View Point

2 - Just breathtaking. The pictures to this place just don't do any justice to it!
The inconvenience of traveling alone... #3 @ Colorado River Horse Shoe View Point

5, 6 - On the other hand, this is not what I was looking for! Got into reserve, detour from my route to the closest gas station on an even smaller "town", literally where the road ends into the desert, arriving there running on fumes and definitely this is not the image you want to see from a gas pump! Well, the lady was kind enough to let me know that they were expecting gas to be delivered on the next day, hopefully...
Luckily, made it to the next gas station 15 miles away, almost sailing with the wind (not riding) and didn't have to pull my Plan B out of the backpack. — Shonto Trading Post, LLC.

7 - There's always time for coffee... — Silver Bean Coffee Shop

8 - Four Corners Monument AZ, CO, NM, UT - Page AZ - the remaining 185miles in 4h16m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 11-I:
Durango CO - Four Corners Monument AZ, CO, NM, UT

1 - The only geographic location in U.S. where you can be in 4 different states at the same moment!
"The inconvenience of traveling alone... #2" - at the Four Corners Monument

2, 3, 4, 5 - AZ, CO, NM, UT

6 - Well, someone messed up some calculations, according to Google Maps the monument is a little bit off, of the 4 states junction! Just a tiny bit...

7 - State #6

8 - State #7

9 - State #8

10 - Durango CO - Four Corners Monument AZ, CO, NM, UT - first 87miles in 2h39m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 10:
La Veta CO - Durango CO

1->5 - This is the off-of-the-interstate America that I was looking for! Population 600 (and decreasing for the past years!), where the town is basically the Main St. and everybody will be as helpful as they can. Ended up staying on this B&B (a beautiful house from the early 1900's that hosted a hospital for decades) where having the 2 only restaurants in town closed was not a problem, even before I arrive, hot food was already waiting for me. — La Veta, Colorado

6 - ...and some sand from Colorado... — Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

7, 8, 9 - Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.

10 - La Veta CO - Durango CO - 234miles in 7h49m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 9:
Colorado Springs CO - Pikes Peak CO - Walsenburg CO - La Veta CO

1 - The inconvenience of traveling alone, you become a fan of the selfie... Actually, from now on, I'm gonna just call them "The inconvenience of traveling alone...", and this is the 1st!
"The inconvenience of traveling alone #1" Pikes Peak Summit

2, 3, 4 - Know every curve of this road, too many hours playing Gran Turismo 2...

5 - Only 20 minutes apart from Leob's PP world record! A couple more tries, that's all I needed... Ah ah! — Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (Official Site)

6 - Didn't go faster because those are way too long...
These are the moments I would love to have the s1000 here with me, and no holiday traffic, of course! I could try to cut my uphill time in half... Try! Well, at least my personal record!

7, 8 - Race to the clouds...

9 - Colorado Springs CO - Pikes Peak CO - Walsenburg CO - La Veta CO - ~152miles

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 8:
Amarillo TX - Colorado Springs CO

1 - ... road! Rest Stop In The Middle Of Nowhere!!

2 - Found Skynet's Central Core location! But had to leave before being attacked by any T800s...
Who gets this one?! Cheyenne Mountain Complex

3 - Normally I don't do clichés, don't like them, don't share them, but the fact that I found this one in a small Harley museum, makes me chose it as the most adequate one to describe this road trip... The Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Museum

4 - Despite being the longest stage, it was definitely the most interesting one. Traveling in 3 distinct States, observing how the landscape, the geography, the temperature, the colors and even the road smell changed along the journey made it worth every single mile of it. And nonetheless, because most of it was off of the interstates. From the hot Texas plains, enjoying every curve on the New Mexico winding roads, to the chilly and colorful Colorado mountain roads. This is what I signed up for...

Day 8: Amarillo TX - Colorado Springs CO - 362 miles in 8h07m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 7:
Childress TX - Amarillo TX

1 - The famous one... Route 66!

2, 3, 4, 5 - at Cadillac Ranch

5 - Vandalism...! 🤭

6 - So, the HD dealer, as an exceptional favor after explaining where I was coming from and to where I was heading, would try to fix the tire (or tyre) yesterday, and a bill up to $300. Found this roadside truck's tire (or tyre) shop, where the answer was: "I will fix the tire (or tyre) if you take the wheel off and put it back on! I never removed a bike's wheel before...". Well, neither did I... but had a feeling it shouldn't be rocket science. Wheel off, fixed, back on and still there after a few miles more... After math, $20!
It's amazing what we can learn nowadays in 5 minutes on YouTube... 😉
All part of the adventure. Next stop, Pikes Peak CO

7 - Bad day for a road trip! Terrible headache, dehydrating a lot, wasn't able to ride more than 150 miles. Plus, wasted a few hours on the tire (whatever!) shop. Have a lot to catch up...
Day 7: Childress TX - Amarillo TX 158miles in 4h40m

August 30th -> September 16th, 2015
Day 6:
Dallas TX - Childress TX

1 - For real, this is the second offer I get to sell the bike! The drawing is happening tomorrow, I may be ending this trip in a brand new red Corvette...

2 - This doesn't feel right!
This doesn't look right!
This isn't right...
Stuck on the side of the road, in the middle of nowhere, under the hot Texas sun, wearing all my gear!
Game over for today, or is it?!

3 - First, getting from the bottom of the backpack (which was the most difficult part) this little kit designed by some folks in Munich. My hopes were really low up to this moment...
Insert the plug (no, its not gum), inflate, test it with water, no bubbles is always a good sign, and ready to go!
Not perfect but good enough to ride until the next HD dealer, 120 miles away.
Game on! 🙂
Out of curiosity, the only people that stopped to ask if I needed any kind of help were another biker (which doesn't surprise me at all); a towing truck (which arrived before I was able to get off the bike, damn coincidences!); and 2 ladies in a car... I did get a lot of thumbs up though! What's wrong with people nowadays!

4 - Well, plans are made so they can be changed. Decided to cut San Antonio TX from the places to visit because this detour would add 400+ miles to the trip and 2 extra days for it, and my Jolly Jumper is not exactly the most comfortable steel horse to ride! Quoting a good friend of mine, "The Alamo was built in 1744, it will stay there for at least 271 years more...!" Guess it has to be visited next time...
Heading North now!
Day 6: Dallas TX - Childress TX 227miles in 6h14m