In a few minutes I will be heading to the rally hotel of the 12 Days Rally. It’s not a big trip yet, as it is only 25 min away, situated in Eindhoven 😊. The bike is ready. Actually, it is exactly in the same state when I returned from the Iron Butt Rally some weeks ago, only that it received a thorough service at the BMW dealer. The had proven to be optimized and in good shape – no reason to change anything (“if your system is working, don’t fix it”). There is one difference though – I will ride without the panniers, only with the topcase and a small bag for warm/rain gear. I used the experience from the IBR to leave everything at home that I didn’t (really) need in America.

It will be a rally of a lifetime – with 12 days, it will be the longest LD rally in the world – one day more than the Iron Butt Rally. It will also be harder than the IBR – speeds are much lower than in the US, there will be much more, secondary, twisted roads and there will be border crossings outside the Schengen area. There will only be three IBR finishers among the riders, but even for them, it will be a new experience, as the physical and mental challenge will be higher here in Europe. I did some maths and I concluded that I just should continue the relaxed riding style of the Iron Butt Rally, I am still well trained in that respect.

I will ride to the rally hotel, do the Odo ride and the registration, check into the hotel and at 5:30 p.m. we will gather for the riders meeting…