So, I'm off for this years Euro Jolly in a few days. This year we've decided to head to the Dolomites via Switzerland and then back over the Grosglockner through Austria. I've been lucky enough to do these trips since.....a very long time ago... and with the same riding buddies every year since 2014.

But every year I swear I end up taking more with me, and trying to stuff it all into the same sized luggage.`And we'll being staying in Hotels in random places, not camping, so it's not as if I even have to take that stuff with me.

We go for 2 weeks, and I swear I take enough zip-ties and duct tape to reach back across the channel if you joined them together, more tools to cope with things that will probably (touch wood) never go wrong, or even need adjusting, and sensible spares that I've learnt from experience may well be needed.

And then I try and squeeze them all into some BMW Sport panniers which are reeaallly small inside because of the cutouts for bodywork and exhaust, and an old 30litre roll bag on which 2 of the strap clips have broken in the past, and get tied in place with the buckles.

I probably won't need all the clothes I take, or the tools or spares (fingers crossed - again..), but I can't help myself packing them all.

Good job that the only things I ever bring back are French stock cubes and chilli oil, not really enough room to squeeze in a bottle of wine.

Anyone else the same, and overpack for every trip you go on?

I'm a great believer in suicide clothes, old duds, socks and t-shirts are sent on one last trip, never to return.
I realise this may leave a trail of traumatised chambermaids 😆                                                                                                                                                                             

I've done the same Steve - Primark t-shirts at £2.50 each are very easy to say goodbye to. In 2023 our trip trip was sooooo hot and sticky, that as soon as we got in the hotel, it was into the shower and then socks, tshirt, and pants went straight in the bin, they were minging! 😂
Had to turn my textile jacket inside out and leave it in front of the air conditioner to dry out overnight.
But I still think I pack too much of everything else.

And I thought only us ladies packed way too much! Have a fabulous trip and take lots of pics to share. Keep it shiny side up!                                                                                                                                                                             

Back last weekend after another amazing time away.
Weather was mostly a little TOO good, with temperatures at 39 degrees as we were arriving at Bolzano in the Dolomites. With all the gear on and a hot engine beneath me, it was err....a trifle warm.
On the other hand, when we were at the top of the Fluella Pass in Switzerland it started to rain, then almost immediately turned into a hailstorm that was very painful whilst we were putting our wet gear on. Then the temperature dropped to 8 degrees, it rained for next 4 hours, so we were wet, cold, and tippy-toeing round haipins 8000ft up with no barriers...

The Dolomites were stunning. I love the Alps and have ridden them so many times, but the way the Dolomites are formed was something else, just breathtaking. First time I've been to them, but won't be the last. Loved riding all the usual Swiss passes, but now that we were aware of the blanket 80kph speed limit (we'd been soooooooo lucky in the past, not knowing this), it did put a small damper on things, but still loads of fun.
Oh, and the satnav took us on a few paved goat-tracks when it was set to the 'winding roads' option.

Food was good everywhere, and my jeans definitely shrunk along the way. In Namur in Belgium on the way back we asked our waitress to recommend a good local beer, so she brought us several bottles of 5020 Tripel - 8.4%! It only took a couple for our dehydrated bodies to stagger around quite a bit.

I absolutely packed too much, and luckily I didn't have to use it, but I'm glad I took it.
And when we stopped at a Hypermarche near Arras I was able to grab my french stock cubes (Pot au Feu - the best!), pizza oil, and coarse ground Pimento de Cayenne. Which apart from the duty free tobacco, was all I brought back.

But a great trip again. Arrived home tired, dehydrated, and with only with a mildly sore arse.
Roll on 2026.