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My 1996 ST1100 Pan European kept me alive.... I had to pick her up off the floor a few times but she never faltered...(and THAT'S a story all of it's own) Picking that thing up in the blistering heat of the SIERRA NEVADA (over a third of a metric Tonne) In the middle of August !! knowing you only have one more try before your energy has completely gone ..little bottle of water and the the few people who pass don't stop to help.
OK... I will document my road trip here, but the the REAL reason why I am starting with it, is because it is a spring board to telling MY own personal story of Alcoholism, and how I personally have dealt with it in the past, and how I am dealing with it now.
I was first made to face my problem when in 1999, when my girlfriend at the time, dragged me down to the local AA meeting.It was quite an experience, and I will never forget the words I used when I was nudged into saying a few ...' I am going to try the 'litmus test' I exclaimed'.... dithering in my shoes....This was the start of a new , different type of rocky ride. I relapsed about 70 times after that , yes... a chronic re lapser..
" The Present"...
It was time for a 'blow out'.. And that's the reason why I decided to hit Spain on my bike.
I actually felt like I was nearing the end of my relapses and I wanted to seal my recovery with a bang, doing Spain and back on the bike seemed overdue...something that I really wouldn't forget !... Plus I always wanted to do it on a bike....booze or no booze...
Also I knew there would be a certain amount of damage done on this trip...
I knew I would have a drink,but I also knew that it would be one of my last. I booked the ferry for the 1.30am crossing .I set off from Chorley at 8pm on the evening of 24th August 2010, 'overloaded' and headed for Dover. I missed the ferry and cauught the next one half an hour later. I got over to Calais and carried on going.
That first day I covered 920 miles in 22 hours. I got to Valence, in Southern France. 'mission accomplished...' I wanted to take a BIG bite out of the trip on that first leg..,I saw a Formula 1 hotel as I was passing and was able to swing off the autopista and grab a room..I was lucky..I got the last one. It was 7pm.