day 17, monday 16^th august 99

After a good night's sleep in comfy beds, we're all up for around the 9 o'clock mark to scoff an excellent breakfast. We then stroll round to the hospital to see Jeff, who is in a remarkably cheerful state, for a man freshly equipped with a new metal spike in his leg. Isn't morphine wonderful stuff?

Jeff jokes that when he arrived there were so many Austrian medical staff hanging around that he became worried he may become an ingredient in some perverse Frankenstein style medical experiments. He also announces that he's not going to let this put him off bikes – top chap! After a brief chat we leave him for a snooze.

For want of anything better to do, Jeremy, Andy and I drop the TRX's yokes 4cm down the forks. Before leaving the UK, I had raised them to the top of the forks to aid ride comfort, but it doesn't feel right and I'd like to sharpen up the steering. I also move the rear sets forward and up into a rather 'faster' feeling position. In a mad moment I give her a good wash over as well – although polishing is not on the cards.

Andy, Jeremy, Jim and I go out for a spin, as the weather is OK, though cloudy, while Crispin goes off into town to look for a charger for Jeff's mobile. We hoon off into the countryside for some miles and then stop for lunch. Jeremy proves he's a lucky man again by ordering at random and ending up with what looks like the best lunch of the lot.

After the snap, Jeremy takes the keys of the Trixie off me and I have a go on his Tiger. I am embarrassed almost immediately when I can't get it off the side stand. Damn, that thing is tall! I am pleasantly surprised by how light the steering is (not a fault that anyone could accuse the Trixie of having) and by the comfort levels. The engine is also pretty enjoyable – this is my first time on a triple. It's a cool bike & I like it, but am not entranced as some are. It starts raining again and we take shelter in a petrol station until it lessens (but doesn't stop). Jeremy gets off Trixie and says, "you've done 4,000 miles on that?" after the firm suspension has shaken him about rather more than he's used to. Nevertheless, I think he enjoyed it.

Before I can get back on my bike, Andy decides he wants a go. This is well cool, 'cos I get to have a go on his FJ1100. I do like FJs and his is no exception. If I do a lot more cruising, I'll have to get one. The engine is lovely and I make full use of it as I overtake Andy and belt off. It's peculiar to see my bike in front of me and particularly when it's going slower than I am. The rain has now set well and truly in. On the return to the guesthouse, now back on our own bikes, I get thoroughly soaked. This ends up causing what turns into a long discussion about where we go from here. We all see little point to the 'Ring if it's raining when we get there. None of us have much enthusiasm for an already challenging track in the pouring rain. Iain went out before we did and has not yet returned, so we get very mildly worried until he potters in, also soaked.

Jim, marvin and Crispin (also soaked, but complete with charger) go off to visit Jeff. He's called and said that he's already been up on his crutches for a little walk, but was then violently sick over his nurse – probably from the pain/drugs combination. Recovery of the bike has been organised and Jeff's going home when the Doctors think he's ready.

The lady that runs the guesthouse cooks for us even though its actually her day off, which is terribly nice of her. We have yet to ask how much this place is going to cost us and are rather worried, as it's very good, that it could be a bit on the expensive side.

The rain continues all night. Jeremy telephones his wife, Karen, and asks her to look up the long range European weather forecast. We sit in the guesthouse, chat and get pissed.