Dutch Acro Festival part I

Trip Report

Name: Jesse Saunders / Anastasis Tzanis
Year of birth: 1979 / 1979
Occupation: Yoga instructor / Banker
Nationality: British / Greek
Previous Bike Travels: Thailand, New Zealand / France, Italy

This trip: London to the dutch acro festival in Haarlem NL and back
Trip Duration: 7 days
Departure Date: 19th May 10
Number in Group: 2 (2 bikes)
Distance Covered: 996 miles

Best Day:
J: From a biking perspective, travelling Lille to Rotterdam. We had started to connect + learn each others styles. The roads were good, the weather perfect and it took us through some nice smaller villages. Acro perspective, it is all a blur of wonderful things, beautiful people, growing connections. I cannot believe that it is only really 2.5 days!
A: the 2nd one. Countryside twisty roads, long chats over french coffee and cherry liquire shots.
Worst Day:
J: No bad days on the trip, so I guess that it ended!
A: One before the last. Lots of wasted time.
Favorite Place:
J: Apart from the obvious Haarlem, for its hundreds of happy acrobats; I really liked Lille, partly cus we found a park and played in it and also for the expansive openness of the centre. Amsterdam also has a nice feel to it.
A: Riding wise from Haarlem to Zandvoort Beach
Biggest Headache:
J: Have I got enough petrol!
A: Did Jesse read my finger signals right? + Has he got enough petrol?
Biggest Mistake:
J: I think it was difficult meeting Elte, because it left you in an uncomfortable space, not knowing how long etc. Think that would be better with more communication. OK for us to do different things on the bike trip!
A: None
Pleasant Surprise:
J: Your open nature. The way you ask anyone anything, with a warmth that suggests you've known them for a long time :)
A: Jesse
Any Illness: None
Cost of Trip: aprox 450 EUR
Others Trips Planned: Souther France with another biker joining us

Bike Model: Honda CB1000R / Yamaha Fazer 600
Age, Mileage: 1 year, 4,000 miles / 5 years, 24,000 miles
Modifications: G+G exhaust (gives slightly more torque allegedly but mostly just sounds and looks better) / None
Wish you'd done: None
Tyres used: bridgestone battleaxe 160's / round black
Punctures: None
Type of Baggage: backpack - net / A box at the back
Bike's Weak Points:
J: UK's speed limits!
Ability to carry any luggage.
Ability to carry enough fuel.
Wrist heavy when in town with a pillion.
A: none
Strong Points:
J: Fun, playful + lively ride. Handles well, and more power than I could use.
A: light, flexible, sexy
Bike Problems: None.
Accidents: None, thank god.
Same Bike again:
J: For weekend type trip I'd say yes. If its longer than that, I think I'd want some pannierage.
A: Oooh yea!
Any Advice:
J: Obviously, what's in front is the most important thing, but its good to stay aware of what's going on behind you too!
A: Always keep a good collection of songs in your ipod.