VSOC Czech Trip 2003 - Part 1

23rd July - 6th August 2003

(By Pete and Mary Diccox - Centre 17)
Pictures from Ian Thoburn

Mary and myself set off from Wiltshire Wednesday afternoon for Dover where we were booked in to a hotel for the night before catching the early ferry the next morning.  At 5.15 the next morning six bikes made the short trip to the ferry terminal where we were met by some of the others that were on the 6.15 Ferry. In Calais we sorted ourselves out and set off. (We were Group One). The second group, South London and Surrey mob, were 45 minutes behind us on the next ferry. As we were going through Belgium it started to rain so into a service station we went to put on our wet gear. There were a lot of British trikes in there as they were on their way to a rally in Belgium. Funny really, as trikes are banned in Belgium. So off we set again into Germany with the sun shining (but not for long). The heavens opened again and it stayed that way for the next couple of hours. Visibility was very poor at times but the 21 bikes kept together ( I do not know how sometimes). During the last half hour into Koblenz, the sun came out and stayed out. I must say it was very warm so it was in to a hotel room for a nice cold shower. Then we had a walk into town which was not far - very nice it was too. On the way back to the hotel we saw some bikes from group two. We told them how to get to the hotel has they had been riding round and round Koblenz. Apparently their group got split up in to lots of bits and pieces and some of them got very wet.

Now we all know that Steve Tyson gets lost. Well he was back marker for group two. He did not even get out of Calais before getting lost. This time they turned left for Belgium and he turned right for Paris. I think he was looking for a romantic weekend in Paris, but when they got to the toll booth he realised the Lady had her partner with her so after paying the toll they turned round to head for Belgium. Also this must have been playing on Steve's mind because he chucked his bike down the road in Ghent with a bent mudguard and smashed head light has a result. But it shows he can read a map because he got to Koblenz still in front of some of the others in Group two and he never went through any rain!

Friday 25th July All 44 bikes set-off down beside the river Rhine. Beautiful views of the castles and, I believe, monasteries sat up on the hillsides. We stopped at this little village called Bacharach for an hour. Very much like some other villages we have visited in Austria. We set off again split into two groups twenty-one bikes in our group 23 bikes in the second group. We are now making our way to Nuremberg with no more incidents occurring.

Saturday 26 July We leave Nuremberg split into two groups again 15 minutes apart makes travelling and petrol stops a bit easier. We intended to meet up together at the Czech border but 10 miles from the Czech border we stopped at a little cafe come bar where they had spit roast chickens and hocks. Very tasty they were. The owner could not do enough for our twenty-one bikes and he thought it was Christmas. But 10 minutes later 23 more bikes (group 2) called in. Well you had to see his face! Tables, chairs, sun brollies... He and his chef had grins from ear to ear or after we had been fed and watered. Off we set again. It was decided that group two would set off five minutes after us as Otto had been informed there were long queues at the Czech border. When we got to the border Otto goes and sees the border guard and we are all made room in front of all the cars. Five minutes later Ann (Lead in group two) arrives and comes straight through also. Then the 44 bikes make our way across beautiful countryside to where we're staying at Trebon where we all arrived safely.

Sunday 27July Rest day some of us walk into Trebon with a half-hour walk round the lake through an avenue of trees. It is very hot today as it is for the rest of the holiday to come. The food and drink is very cheap here and the people very friendly. Now we come to the police. Some might disagree that these are friendly. Six or so bikes had a police guard. Why did they have a police guard? He was waiting for them to return to their bikes so he could fine them for parking. They were not the only ones to get fined as you will find out later.

Monday 28th July Otto takes us on our ride out to Cesky Krumlov about 45 minutes ride in beautiful countryside. Again this place is like a walled city. You can climb up to the top of the castle where they have bears in a bear pit. Plenty to see and do. After a few hours here we set off back to Trebon but on the way we all stopped at this restaurant for a lovely meal. I think four people would disagree with this... as we were about to leave they piped up and said that they hadn't had theirs yet. Still there were 59 of us so you can hardly blame the waitress for missing 4.

Tuesday 29 July Rest day again. A few of us are going to the town of Ceke Bude Jovice. This is a town we keep travelling around when we go out on our trips. So we decided to go in and have a look around the town. Very nice square, plenty of shops and being in Czech very cheap.

Wednesday 30 July Today we go to Prague. 34 in a coach, 10 on bikes (they are staying in a hotel tonight). Prague is a very beautiful city but very expensive, just like London, compared to the rest of Czech. Well worth the visit. We were there for 12 hours and still did not see all of it.

Thursday 31st July Today we have a long ride out to the north to Karlovy Vary, a spa town. This is where Otto lived as a boy. The roads to this place are fairy straight. More beautiful countryside. We went through the city of Plzen home of where they make Skoda's. There are plenty of old, beat up Skoda's. They seem to make them last forever! The scenery up to the Spa town is spectacular at times. We meet with Ann's group who rode over from Prague. 20 of us stayed at the pub tonight. The food the landlady and landlord put on was unbelievable - it was a banquet! We all went to bed very full up. Breakfast the next morning was just as filling. These people certainly eat well and look after their guests. Mary and myself decide to set off first stage and ride back by ourselves, as there are some places we want to stop and look at. All is going well until we go down through this village, when a policeman stops me and 3 cars. To cut a long story short he fines me for speeding, then tells me after I pay him that I am not going fast enough! ( bikes go fast so pay more money but I was not going very fast) at least I got a receipt which is more than some people did.

Friday 1st August Went to a handicap home today. Took a collection of gifts for the handicapped children and adults. If you people took them for rides around on the bikes it would be very greatly appreciated. Tonight we have fancy dress and a band. That they should be interesting because most of the week the Dutch on site have been complaining that we were enjoying ourselves to late into the night. But Mr Klapoff, the site manager, does not care because he does not like the Dutch as they spend no money and we spend plenty of money. Well when the drink is 25p a pint is that a lot of money? Anyway 59 of us is good for his revenue. A lot of people put in a lot of effort on their fancy dress and some were very good. The band started to warm up and then complaints started. Otto got on stage, made some announcements, then said to the band "It's up to you if you want to turn it down". Suffice to say, at 2 o'clock in the morning they are still beating it out. They were great.

Saturday 2nd August Today it was laze about day as it was very hot. People were swimming in the Lake which is green but has been tested OK. The chalets are under the trees so they stay cool but there are a few mosquitoes about as I found the first night. Bitten five-times in five minutes.

Tonight we have barbecue sausages and spit roast chicken done over an open fire. Lovely. I must say Otto has bent over backwards to make sure everybody had a good time. I can't praise him and Lynn enough for what they did.

Sunday 3rd August We leave camp and back for Nuremberg. So hot again today. On the way out to the Czech border, ladies of the night are stood on the side of the road for business €30 an hour but where you go is anybody's guess because they are in open countryside. Some of them are very young but on the other hand some are very ugly, whatever pleases... No air con in this hotel in Nuremberg so we have a restless night in the heat.

Monday 4th August Make our way to Koblenz. We catch a ferry across the River Rhine to stop at a lovely place but it is so hot so Mary and myself decide to ride on back up the right hand side of the Rhine back to Koblenz. This hotel has air-con - lovely. After a cold shower a few of us go out on the town. Otto gets back to work at 8 o'clock as there is a get together. He also gives a speech and hopes we all enjoyed the holiday. Yes we did (bar one person - I won't embarrass him by naming him you know who you are) So we made a presentation to Otto and Lynn for all they'd done for us. I do not think a professional tour company could have done any better. Cheers mate.

Last day - Tuesday 5th August We all split up into smaller groups. To get back to Calais for the ferry smaller groups make better progress. If you're interested in going next time talk to anybody who went - they will tell you what a fabulous time we all had (but just don't ask Paul oops the name just slipped out) this was some people's third time, so that says it all.

By Pete & Mary Diccox