I feel a little bit more of a man...

...Not that I've ever had any doubts about my sexual orientation, but... I, Suki Mokkie... RODE THE NURBURGRING. To those unfamiliar with the concept, you may as well give up trying to comprehend it now, but for those who do.. you know... Riding the nurburg is like a right of passage for bikers or car nuts. Not too dissimilar to popping your cherry, your first kiss (for girls that is) or sprouting your first short and curlies. We did it and man does it put some hairs on your chest.
We got there and the weather was brilliant. A little damp, but sunny. They were letting drivers on just as we got there. So we strolled up to the ticket office, and bought 2 laps each, each at a bargain 19 euros a lap. Boy were we not prepared. This course is immense. A true behemoth. 20km (thats about 14 miles for us brits) of unyielding bends (all 73 of them), straights, hairpins, s bends etc... varying a massive 300m from the lowest point to the highest. No wonder its regarded as the most challenging track on the planet.

You start at the middle of the long straight and start by pulling it all the way, more or less into top speed. Then it hits you. You can't see any of the exits. Just blind curve after blind curve. Some hiding behind the hill climb and some behind the trees of the beautifully dense forests. It was one of the most scariest experiences of my life. My brakes seemed to be made of sponges, all my gears were in the wrong place, and I was making a whole new definition of riding 'off' the racing line. The track is so bumpy and the bends so difficult. You really do need to know it by heart to really be able to push it. This, in addition to the fact my left mirror would flip back as soon as I would reach 80mph (which was the majority of the time) and I was being constantly overtaken by other (extremely fast) bikers, Porsche GT3s, M5s, Corvettes and at two points, a clio and a mini! Although, in my defense, it was a cooper S and the clio had been race modified :)

It was no surprise then that I had a few hairy moments. The worst being the time I totally misjudged, or should I say 'completely didn't see the turn' and slammed on all brakes making the bike slide, wiggle, skid and slither towards the red and white kerbing at the outside of the turn. You've all seen it. You know, when you see a bike start to lose control and wiggle frantically, and you sit there thinking, is he gonna lose it? is he gonna keep it upright? he's gonna go, oh no he's not...! Luckily, I managed to hold it together and make the turn. After we finished our laps and were talking about the track, we agreed with each other that that was potentially a very dangerous experience. I can't wait to go back next year... whos up for it?! (I'm serious)

After that momentus experience, and having ticked it off our list of things to do before you snuff it, we went for a big 'man steak' and Franzishofer beer to celebrate. Dan excitedly puts on his Nurburgring t shirt we bought the day before as soon as we get back in and we sit and re-live the badly riddem 2 laps. Wake up next morning, still with a big Cheshire cat grin on our faces and back on the bikes.

I'm in Utrecht in Holland now. Been crashing at Dan's friend's place for a few days. Mark has been extremely kind and driven us around to see the sights, such as the old industrial area where the traditional windmills are still running, the fishermans docks, the place where they make and sell Goda cheese and make clogs and of course an obligatory quick stroll around the red light district of Amsterdam. The rest of the time has been occupied with watching a LOT of films, playing PS2 and relaxing with a little locally produced herbal remedies... just a little.

Off tmrw morning to Brussels. Last week of the trip now. So will see you homies soon. Take care all.

Sukz.

Rain stopped play.

Ok so it wasn't rain. It was dense, dense blimming fog. Visibility was about 10m. So the track officials called it a day and closed the track. Damnit. We'd already bought the t shirts! Dan was especially disappointed. I could see those big bear eyes welling up. Big girl.
So, we waited until this morning. Called the ring to check on the weather. THey said they should be open today. Legend. So, we book another night at the Koln station hostel and prepare yet again for one of the greatest tracks in existence. We're off in half an hour.
Oh yeah before I forget. For those who watch Top Gear and saw the german girl who drove the transit van around the circuit in a record time. We saw her! She was driving a BMW M5 taking tourists around the track as part of a Nurburgring 'taxi'service. She would blast the M5 into the carpark. Pick up some poor unsuspecting victims and literally burn it out onto the track. All this with a huge grin on her face. I think shes a bit of a local celebrity. Lots of people recognised her. She was flipping fast as well. Would complete the circuit pretty quick. What a job. Theres also a BMW M4 racing school there. Will show you a pic of the fleet of M4s they have at the track. Incredible!
Fingers crossed the weather holds up for us! Will update you soon...

S