Jacqui Van Ham

So, in my freewheeling travel style, I have managed to make a lap back to Frankfurt- and leave for Münich today!

I’m headed to the BMW Motorrad Days, and next week the MotoGP at Sachsenring!

Will update in Münich!

xoxo

-jvh

Starting out with a grey, rainy morning wasn’t my favorite- but, VERY typical in Holland…finally burned off late afternoon.

The MotoGP races were fantastic, got very lucky and scored an all access pit/paddock pass, and made myself comfortable on a start/finish line balcony…the people at Castrol oil didn’t know what to think of me, being there in my bug covered leathers and gear!

Stoner cleaned up, Nicky had a ROTTEN finish, and Rossi had an even worse start…I thought the bad luck was going around when I left the track and couldn’t find my bike!

Heart slamming in my chest, I walked around the parking areas 3 times, until I finally wandered through the motorcycle parking to the car parking- and found a group of locals gathered around my bike, taking pictures! They loved my Kentucky license plate, and thought it was because I was a HUGE Hayden fan….!

In my hurry to get to the track, I didn’t realize I had parked in the car zone! I had officially just used up my “dumb american” card, and will have to pay better attention in the future…Although in my defense, Assen is a very popular track and quite modern, but, the parking is literally in the fields around the track, with no markers….did I park by this tree or that tree?

Getting back on the highway, I remembered what had made me love this race so much last year….with all the traffic(90,000+) leaving at the same time, the cars hug the shoulders, and a 3rd line in the middle is created for the motorcycles to lane-split through! Very civil! This takes place all the way to the German border, and Dutch motorcycle fans line the overpasses to cheer at the parade of bikes leaving Holland. The gas stations become packed with all the bikers, talking about the races, bikes, traveling, whatever….very cool community.

The weather cleared up for the ride back to Cologne (about a 3 1/2 hour ride) where I was staying the night again, looking forward to a shower and bed!

Have already covered over 900 miles in 4 days, the engine is holding up well (thanks again to Motoworks Chicago and Bob’s BMW) and have been on the bike over 21 hours! Yeesh, IronButt! A super nice German couple asked me if my butt was going to look like a pancake (maybe a tasty German potato pancake, mmmm) and I’m starting to worry!

Well, actually more like Munich to Cologne, 6 hours on a good day….

People in cars cheering and waving at me, saying hello at rest stops..another long day on the Autobahn, needing to make good time to Cologne, to see friends and spend the night before heading to the Dutch TT, MotoGP in Assen!

After taking several days at Knopf Tours in Heidelberg to relax and get settled, I was on the move…..Heading straight away on the Autobahn to Munich, to meet up with my pals Zack and Scott, from Brittown.com.

It was a long ride, but pulling into the beautiful city and being greeted by the HUGE BMW office buildings was surreal, to say the least!

Euro Soccer semi-finals was on, so the party was a little small, but- it was awesome to see some familiar faces, and meet some cool locals…

After a little bit of paperwork/customs delay…I’m really here! Am in Heidelberg, staying at the AWESOME Knopf Tours Compound! Stefan came to my aid in Frankfurt, quickly getting my bike through customs…without any sort of extra “taxes”, He’s the best- if you’re heading through Germany, stop in and say hey!

Tomorrow, I head to Munich, to meet up with the fantastic Brittown boys, Scott and Zack. After that sure to be amazing visit, I scoot up to Holland real quick, to see the Dutch MotoGP; at Assen!

Busy,Busy,Busy…..

Will post some pictures, when I have some quality time with some WiFi….

Wish me luck!
Cheers!
-jvh

HUGE THANKS TO http://knopftours.com

A shot of the best motorcycle hotel/touring organization EVER

Sometimes, ya got to get a little dirty!

Awesome day at Chicago’s Mods Vs. Rockers! Dang near 1000 bikes, and a last minute bit of gas money-in the form of a BikiniBikeWash~!

The best vintage bike show in the MidWest. period.

See Tonupchicago.com for details

Awfully nice of Europe to make it EXTRA “interesting” just in time for me to head over!

Thank Goodness the Beemer gets good gas mileage!

*********************************************

Just wanted to make a space to personally thank some of the people who have helped make this project happen!

Whether it was through your hard work, belief, or cold hard cash- I am extremely grateful!

Vince Winkel, for Everything under the sun, and never saying No!

Mandy “Pants” Langston, for introducing me to this whole Beemer Family, and for not letting me be homeless in Italy!

Motoworks Chicago, for instant support, and believing in getting the job done!

Bob’s BMW, for accepting the “Hail Mary” pass, and making the impossible, possible.

Ton Up Club, for sending me down this horrible vintage path! It’s an illness! and allowing me to meet some of the coolest, nicest people on the planet!

My two fellow motorcycle world travelers: Kith (GA) and Doug (AL) for the shipping the bike and shipping myself hook-ups! See ya on the road!

Of course, all my deeeeelightful apparel/gear sponsors!

Brittown.com guys , for the beer money!

Larry Rockers, for gas money

Erin J Wright, for gas money

“Diamond” Jim, for “living vicariously through me” money!

Louisville BMW Riders, for the generous gas money

The funniest man I know, Chad Ladusaw, for Hostel/Sleeping Indoors money

To everyone who has donated at any of the Bike Nights- THANK YOU!

And to the little old lady, who I waited on, who pulled a $20 out and told me she was proud of me- Thank You…

xoxo

jvh

Last lap, heads mailed to Motoworks Chicago, BMW Munich knows I’m on the way….

Jittery nerves, “To Do” lists, anxiously awaiting my new top end, less than three weeks to go! (pic by kriech-higdon photo)