UK to Bosnia - R100GS
| Who | Nigel Smith ~ email |
| Profession | Facilities Manager |
| Born 1962 | Nationality British |
| Previous travel experience | Far East, West Central Africa, Eastern Europe, Americas |
| Previous bike travels | About 15 trips around Eastern Europe & Iberia, one across America, one around Morocco. |
| This trip | UK - Croatia - Bosnia |
| Departure date | July 1999 |
| Number in group | 3 (on 2 bikes) |
| Trip duration | 3 weeks |
| Distance covered | 4200 miles |
| Cost of trip (not incl. bike) | about ?1500 |
| Best day | Riding down the Dalmatian coast from Split to Dubrovnik in the sun on an endless, well-surfaced twisty road. |
| Worst/ hardest day | Arriving in northern France the night before the Eclipse, EVERYWHERE full up and nowhere to stay at all (not even a campsite). |
| Favourite place | Dubrovnik - a jewel. |
| Biggest headache | Massive traffic leaving France just after the Eclipse. |
| Biggest mistake | Not pre-booking accommodation for the Eclipse |
| Most pleasant surprise | The people in Bosnia, including in Republika Srpska - all very friendly. |
| Any illness | No |
| Other trips planned | North Africa, Turkey, Russia |
| One travel tip | A quote from Tacitus: "The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise." |
| Bike Model | BMW R100GS |
| Age/ mileage on departure | 9 years & 50,000 miles |
| Modifications | Krauser plastic panniers, crash bars, CB radio |
| Mods you wish you'd done | I wish the bike had the kickstart mod. |
| Type of baggage | Hard plastic panniers |
| Tyres used | Metzeler Enduro |
| Number of punctures | None |
| Bike's weak point | Motorway cruising - uncomfortable. |
| Bike's strong point | Indestructibility, great on twisty roads and bumpy ones. |
| Bike problems | Valeo starter disintegrated in Italy; replaced by Bosch item. |
| Number of accidents | None. |
| Same bike again? | Newer model (4-valve GS) |
| One biking tip | Get to know your bike well mechanically before you set out. |