Today was the day we planned to leave Cherkassy. We had studied the map and worked out our route. We found out about a LARGE motorcycle rally in Odessa, on the Black Sea, where motorcyclists from all over Europe congregate. What they do we don't know but figured it was our duty to find out.
We did a quick jaunt up to a local market to get something for breakfast. Our food stocks had been depleted and we hadn't bothered stocking up as we were leaving. All we found was some bread and some tomato. That will do. We didn't have a lot of spare time. Our bags were packed. Roman was going to collect us at 11.00am so Paul could do 'technical survey' on the bike. We waited and waited and eventually the door bell rang at 2.00pm! Roma set up his computer and we got to see photos of his family (great-grandparents, grandparents, mother, god-mother, uncles and aunts, etc!) and many photos of the Cherkassy area. All very nice but when are we going to test ride the bike...??? We have been in Cherkassy 4 days and Paul has ridden the bike 50 meters in first gear!
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We found ourselves at Igor's late in the afternoon and we learned that Bodya was coming around to give Paul a riding lesson. It began to rain heavily. Paul was not keen to go out in that weather. It soon passed though and Bodya on his 1953 Dnepr M-72 and Paul as pillion took off. I learnt that Bodya was a 'bit of a rebel', 'bad on the bike'! They soon returned and Paul was as happy as. He reckoned Bodya was a good, skilled rider and enjoyed the ride and understood his Ukrainian explanations of what to do with these bikes.
Another taxi was hailed and I was ushered in and Paul was told 'no'. Jeez, what's happening now? Turns out Bodya was taking Paul on the M-72 and I was going home in taxi. Part way along the road I realised that this is not the road to our apartment - I've learnt now not to ask too many questions! A few minutes later we end up at a cafe on the outskirts of town where we were about to experience a Ukrainian barbecue. Bodya, Paul, Roman and myself sat outside with the stray dogs (nice dogs) and enjoyed some of the best meat we have tasted.
Back home just on 10.00pm.
Imagine how Paul is feeling - no bike, no red wine, no Ukrainian version of Just Bikes...!!!
On another note, happy 50th birthday Aldo.
Hi folks. I have sent info to WDMCOC for them to join and take in your journey. When you get mobile could you check your position on Google Earth and log your cordinates. We can track your journey from that info and watch the progress. Sure you will have a great time when the wheels start turning. Keep the info coming in. There is never to much Kerry.
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