Bunker hunting in the Hürtgen forest and my touring COSTS! MT10 trip ep 3.

We round up our 5-day trip to Europe by leaving Germany for Belgium, stopping on the way for a quick look around the Hürtgenwald - home to the longest battle ever fought by the US army. Join me as I search for bunkers and try to get a taste of what happened there. Then it's out into Belgium, the rain and on to how much the entire trip cost me.
------
📸 Follow me on Instagram: / timrodie
🚗 Check out my car channel: / timrodiedrivesstuff

[@Wollestar]

Glad to hear that you don´t care too much about the views on this series. Of course it would be nicer if they were big hits, but I personally enjoyed the videos. So I hope you will do something like this again. Gives me some ideas where to go on some of my next trips.

[@timrodierides]

I’ll do these trips a few times a year Hopefully. Thanks for watching them, I do appreciate it!

[@churchofbrap876]

​@@timrodierides Do u have a video showing mods done to the MT10 for touring??

[@chrisbest84]

Love these historic touring vids! Look forward to the next trip in September..

[@keithinch34]

The videos are great and I like you doing the European disagreement between 1939-1945 never seen them dam photos before

[@Neutronb0mb]

Honestly mate some of the best bike content on youtube

[@timrodierides]

@@Neutronb0mb ❤️ thank you! That means a lot

[@Neutronb0mb]

Sadly my tour ended at the side of the road on literally the first corner in Luxembourg when my S1000 broke down and BMW decided not to recover me for 8 hours

[@wltrlg]

Thanks for the ride, looking forward to the videos of the September trip!

[@timrodierides]

Thank you... I look forward to making it!

[@HW-kf7hi]

I really enjoyed following your trip over these 3 episodes and found this more interesting than most trip vids on YT. Look forward to seeing future ones too 😃

[@timrodierides]

Thanks - that means a lot and inspires me to do more!

[@blitzer109]

I am gald you want to keep making these types of videos as I love them. Keep them coming!

[@JohnB998]

Congrats. So so much better than most vids. Great mix between joyous riding and history. Very informative and helpful. So pissed off I wasn’t able to visit Struthof in June due to a friend of a friend dropping his Multistrada yet again at zero speed in Obernai. I’m doing Ardennes in Sept. Thanks.

[@timrodierides]

Thank you! I keep trying to improve the format. Does your friend have a habit of buying bikes a bit too big for their legs? Hope you get to visit someday

[@JohnB998]

@@timrodierides Yes, he should never have gone from a 125 to the Ducati ! Apparently last year he made a habit of tumbling, and on the fateful day this June it was his second time when he broke his leg. All the Gear, no idea ! Down to two, we had a great time nonetheless but some lousy weather challenges especially on the Timmelsjoch. I’m itching to head back on my second BMW 1250RS in Sept. Maybe solo. History and riding, two of my passions,too !

[@matthewsmith1925]

Love he bike trips, love the bike and love the war history element. Keep doing em 🙏

[@timrodierides]

Thank you very much - I'll keep doing them as often as I can

[@jasonneve8498]

Already looking forward to your Vosges tour, I will be there on my S1000r in September so this video has been very relevant on touring on a non touring bike. Keep them coming 👍🏻

[@timrodierides]

Thank you! And have fun in September, let's pray for nice weather!

[@garysmart5341]

Please keep doing the touring/war trips I find them great fun and interesting, keep up the good work. Ive watched your GoPro 12 video about three times now trying to get a good set up.

[@richstevens5767]

Thank You Very much for a great tour.

[@mikejgriffiths]

Nice one Tim, very interesting. Got back yesterday, went to Remagen, we were going anyway :D and Zundstorf in Edersee. This may be an option for next time. The only issue I have with the MT10 as a tourer is the number of visits to the petrol station you have to make. I think in 5 days I counted 18 visits from Pendine in Wales to Edersee in Germany via Maubeuge, Dinant, Malmedy, Remagen etc. The major plus point is when you get to the awesome twisty German, perfect roads it's amazing.

[@oliw3664]

Superb stuff, please keep doing these whilst my wife and child stop me. 😁

[@iancharlton5530]

I love these vids and yes nothing better than riding your bike in Europe . Cheers Tim 👌

[@timrodierides]

Cheers Ian!

[@dalemeadows225]

Great series, loved it. Definitely inspired me to do a trip

[@timrodierides]

Hooray, thank you! It's one of those addictive things though...

[@JIMMER15]

Loved this series. Great mix of bikes and history 👍👍

[@timrodierides]

Thank you Jimmer!

[@TheGray1967]

Great video, I really enjoy these touring ones with the history chucked in , keep em coming 👍👍

[@timrodierides]

Thank you!

[@leewtv1]

Great videos sir. Thank you

[@Randrew64]

Great inspiration. Just returned from a trip to Arnhem, Remagen, Eiffel (went to see the Ordensburg Vogelsang- a military training area) and Waterloo- on the battlefield tour with a mate. After seeing your previous video, want to return to Vosges mountains. Nothing beats biking and battlefield tours in Europe where roads are smooth and empty (and no police). Keep up the videos.

[@timrodierides]

Interesting - I was just reminded of Vogelsang by a mate. I'll go there later this year or next! Thanks for the kind words

[@alanprice9938]

I’ve said it before, but I really like these mixed history/biker vids, I think it works really well……. The Mrs and I just watched and decided we’re gonna do a similar search in Germany later this year, possibly ending up in Heidelberg where her brother lives. Gonna do the Obersalzburg region too. Very cool 👍👍

[@timrodierides]

Thank you! I love Heidelberg… had a dubious nightclub experience there when I was much younger

[@alanprice9938]

@@timrodierides yeah we go there a lot, for obvious reasons, but haven’t explored any war history. I had heard it’s the only major city that the allies didn’t bomb, hence lots of old stuff survives, but I don’t know if that’s true.

[@stevetee4145]

Great video. Thanks.

[@magikdethmonkey]

Really enjoyed these videos, looking forward the the next ones 😊

[@timrodierides]

Cheers!

[@BossGT500]

Love the touring videos Tim Keep doing them.

[@timrodierides]

Thank you so much. I will!

[@MrRitchy]

Ditto to most of that! Been touring over there now for about 20 years, like to see the extra bits you put in which I can keep adding to my trips to make them even better. Keep the vids coming!!!

[@amar1997a]

Great video thanks for sharing, totally agree with you points at the end about the post trip feelings

[@timrodierides]

Thanks! Do you tend to fall in love with your bike or change it?

[@mattpower5320]

Really enjoying this trip Tim. As an Aussie I'll probabably never get to ride in this part of the world. So, thank you for the great content.

[@timrodierides]

Thank you for the kind comment and watching!

[@-danlaw46thebigkidinme-24]

Really enjoy this type of video and love the mt10 sp new to the channel and really like seeing your travels and all the history on the way 😀 👌👌keep up the good work 👏

[@davegreenwood9110]

Excellent tour and vid. Love that region. Many trips by car but desperate to get the bike over there. You've wet the appetite! Cheers.

[@timrodierides]

Cheers Dave!

[@davecree867]

Really enjoyed that thanks Tim. Looking forward to seeing how you get on in the Vosges in September 👍

[@timrodierides]

Thanks Dave! I should probably book a Eurotunnel…

[@marcusrichardson3472]

These tour films are great, very inspiring and shows you don’t need to be on an adventure bike to have a great adventure. Can’t wait for my trip this summer, not sure where I’m going yet but that’s half the fun, so many options and such great value all things considered

[@jamesturner6117]

Great series again Tim!

[@timrodierides]

Thank you kind sir!

[@SuperWellington1815]

Enjoyed all of that thank you Tim 😊

[@timrodierides]

Thank you!

[@johndillon1027]

Brilliant

[@russellbrowning2732]

Great series Tim

[@timrodierides]

Cheers Russell!

[@mattmutane5502]

Great video, great series Tim!! :) Imagine my surprise to get back from touring this very morning from 9 days in Germany (8 days riding, 2300 miles), on my MT10 to find these videos waiting for me (seeing as I went to (out via the chunnel), The Eifel (Nürburgring), Kauserslauten forest, The Black Forest, Stuttgart, Nürnberg, Czech Republic, Thüringiawald, Harz mountains, Möhnesee, Edesee and then home (via the hook ferry) ;) :) (I hooked up with Shaun and his German mates for a weekend thing too (and Mike & Rachel came, so there were 3x MT10s!! ;) :D :D ). I completely agree that when you do some big miles on the MT10, apart from fuel costs (I got an average of 38mpg), it's an amazing touring bike that's fun and worthy - "take the bike you want to ride when you get there", as AMC always says! (as long as you have the comfort seat!! ;) ) I've now done 30k mostly touring miles on mine, it's 6 and I'm keeping it forever!!!

[@averagebiker]

I'm really glad you do these videos - really inspiring for the riding adventure and the war stuff. I'll be booking a short trip on my sad little V-Strom 800 ASAP 😂

[@timrodierides]

No bike is sad - any bike is good! Have fun!

[@Mike_P646]

Really enjoyed this series, brilliant 👌🏼

[@timrodierides]

Cheers Mike!

[@robertmiazek2926]

Another brilliant video! And what a fantastic weather to ride. Thanks. Keep them coming Tim. How do you find travelling with R30 on your shoulders? I’m off to Belgium and France for a weekend in a month on my S1000R and trying to get my luggage options right. So far I’ve crossed off tank bag (to much faff to install and for so little gain) panniers didn’t make the list either (too restrictive with filtering and not cost effective as I don’t tour frequently enough) using pillion seat for storage is a joke (tiny seat and anything on it would stop me from getting my leg over properly) I think I might have answered my own question here 😂 Looks like rucksack is what I’m left with.

[@theheroblob5036]

Great video! Eastern Belgium (the Ardennes) and the Eifel/Hurtgen forest area are fantastic for the WW2 history-obsessed biker. So many great roads and so much WW2 stuff! At 18:40 you approached the two railway underpasses at Trois Ponts... it was just next to the entrance to the first underpass that a small group of American engineers from the 51st ECB tired to stop the advance, with an anti-tank gun, of Kampfgruppe Peiper, SS Leibstandarte Division during the early days of the Battle of the Bulge. If you haven't already, check out the book "Kampfgruppe Peiper - The Race for the Meuse" by David Cooke & Wayne Evans. Very detailed and identifies loads of locations were the action took place 🤓😊👍

[@timrodierides]

Ooo thank you! Excellent war nerding. I did think something must've happened there. I'm foolishly trying to read some fiction at the moment to break up 10 years of military non-fiction, but I'm not enjoying it...

[@theheroblob5036]

@@timrodierides I read the book, and then last September rode over to Belgium and stayed in Malmedy for a few days. Tried to visit as many locations as poss! The place we were staying had a couple of pictures, in the hallway, of US troops on the street outside the building in 1944 (which has hardly changed since then). Just love all that stuff... like you can almost touch the history!

[@BN1960]

Great video man, thankyou I tell you, if you're ever up for it, a vlog through Bavaria and up to Berchtesgaden would be bloody awesome viewing!

[@timrodierides]

I'd love to with enough time! I've spent a lot of time in Bavaria (and Berchtesgaden...), but all pre-KZbin. I'll go back with cameras one day.

[@marksmith8663]

Absolutely brilliant with history lesson, if I lived that close to the tunnel be over more often . First time I did a euro trip was in a street triple come back next bike must have cruise control.. so bought a super duke with panniers . My best friend is half German keeps telling me the places must visit in Germany . But he doesn’t ride a motorcycle so not a real friend lol . I’ve only been the black first twice so more to see unfortunately not enough time off work this year might be able ti sort something out in September. It’s 275 miles just to get to the euro tunnel for me . The horrible bit round M25 😢

[@malcolmhansen8276]

Really enjoyed the trip Tim. Gotta love the “10”. They really do get under your fingernails don’t they. Great blend of performance, comfort, sound, handling, and reliability. Looking forward to your next video!

[@ajamesofalltrades]

Lovely stuff Tim, a fine mix of action and information. Some Wish You Were Here Two Wheel vibes with the tour details too. Definitely inspirational/ aspirational!

[@timrodierides]

Are you saying I'm the Judith Chalmers of biking? Or Pink Floyd? I'll take either...

[@ajamesofalltrades]

@@timrodierides Ha! I removed a Judith Chalmers reference for fear of appearing too niche!

[@timrodierides]

@@ajamesofalltrades Should've gone for Jill Dando or Joanna Lumley... there's a thought haha

[@BrendanBaxter-md4vk]

These are my favourite type of vids. As a few others have said the mix of history & roads is 👌🏻Heading for Spain & Portugal late Aug for 2 weeks 2 up & then hoping to head for the Voges (1up) with a mate next spring. Look forward to the vids of your Sept trip & hope the old fella survives the Eurotunnel barrier this time!!!

[@timrodierides]

Thanks! My Dad's just gone to Belgium with a group very last minute. He took the ferry this time haha. The dent from his face is still in the barrier at the Eurotunnel almost a year on...

[@user-hx2mt5bg7e]

Really enjoying the vlogs Tim they are right up my alley. Much as I love holidays with the family what I really look forward to is a bike trip or two in Europe with a couple of mates. There’s something special about leaving home with all your gear packed away on the bike and being totally independent all the way to the destination. I can highly recommend Colditz as part of a trip. Very interesting indeed you would love it.

[@timrodierides]

Totally agree about them being the best trips! I visited Colditz in 2006 when I was... 21. Need to head back and have another look!

[@timhaslum7461]

A Tim here, loved my MT10 too. Great video the war stuff is so interesting i’ve read so much about it all. My grandfather talked a lot about when he fought to. Gotta Diavel V4 now and I have to say it’s flipping awesome.

[@timrodierides]

Thank you! I've love a Diavel V4... maybe the next bike

[@markcostello9514]

Great video. Thanks for doing this kind of stuff Tim, its really hepful for those of us who havent done much European touring. I'm going UK to Nice later this year on my Triumph Rocket (Apprehensive but excited 👍) PS: Glad to know i'm not the only only with a camp German accent 😆 Cheers!

[@timrodierides]

Oh you’ll have an amazing time! Make sure you break up the motorways with some scenic twisties!

[@alechopkins6545]

Enjoyable series, makes me want to take annual leave and go on a trip 👍🏻

[@timrodierides]

Haha thanks! I need more annual leave...

[@rdc3397]

Boss 👍

[@mrcintheuk4641]

Just goes to show, I find these videos your most interesting! At the beginning of June I spent 10 days (7 days riding - went by boat 🥱zzzz) to the Picos and Pyrenees. As you say, I came back even more impressed with my CB750 Hornet (it's not a Hornet).

[@timrodierides]

The boat is underrated (and overpriced 😂). Glad you had fun (I think it’s a Hornet!)🐝

[@onaroad4505]

Good video love it S1000 XR guy

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

Military History & Motorbikery Fun!! My 2 favourite hobbies! Nice one mate…. Keep making these even if only a few sad geeks like myself watch them 🤩

[@timrodierides]

Haha thanks. There's a very friendly passionate group who like them, so I'll keep making them as and when I can.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@timrodierides Excellent…Keep us geeks happy!! Planning a biking trip soon to visit the Hyderabad Redout near Fampoux where my Great Granddad was killed in 1917! On my own though as my ‘mates’ think I’m very sad indeed 🤣

[@paultownsend3696]

Great content as usual Sir. Do you think you could have done this trip as well (however you quantify that!) on the new MT09 with it’s revised seating position?

[@timrodierides]

Yes I reckon so!

[@sagalout]

These are definitely my favourite videos - partly because I’ve done similar trips (did the Dams a few years ago with my son - if you go back you should do the Technic Museum at Speyer which isn’t a million miles away) but also because the content is much more unique and I like your travelog style. I’m bored of road tests of bikes, where you see 10 reviews from different KZbinrs of the same bike over a few days!

[@timrodierides]

I've done the Sinsheim museum - it's amazing!

[@sagalout]

@@timrodierides ah yeah, that’s the sister museum. I’ll have to do that one next time!

[@twist_of_the_wrist]

I can't wait till sept, but make sure your dad keeps his visor down till he's in France.

[@timrodierides]

Hahaha

[@PhilipCoakes]

Thanks for sharing this tour Tim, it's definitely giving me ideas for time off in September! Silly question; what are those summer riding boots you are wearing at the end of this episode, whilst giving the cost breakdown?

[@timrodierides]

Not a silly question! They're my new Furygan Stockton Air D30 boots. They're great for hot weather... so expect to see them about once on the channel

[@davidnunnerley9084]

Very interested in the history in which was a very dark time in Europe. My dad was involved in the liberation of Belsen and saw a fair bit of Germany as the third Reich collapsed. Such a crazy time then and hard to imagine now. Oh and the motorbike bit was good as well. Thank you.

[@timrodierides]

Oh wow - your dad must have had some stories. Thanks for the comment

[@davidnunnerley9084]

Yes he did. They were ordered not to talk to German civilians, which he did anyway. Years later we found a letter from a German woman,em. Surprise Stuka attacks and not being able to enter Hamburg because it was rubble. He found himself in charge of some German prisoners. He didn’t speak the language but managed to convey what he wanted by waving a big stick around. Got on quite well with them apparently. He was a very mild mannered man so the thought of the big stick thing was quite funny. Of Belsen he remembers the bodies being bulldozed into a big pit and a Jewish who came up to him with a flower to thank him for her freedom. Chilling stuff.

[@DontPanicDear]

Lovely open roads and Euro freedom Tim ❤ You now join Harry Metcalfe, in making automobil-unsinn my partner will watch with me 😮

[@timrodierides]

Hooray! Thanks man. That's an achievement I think?

[@brucekendall52]

Sounds like a good trip.Do you ever compare with your previous KTM and your thoughts on that?LOve the history,thks.

[@timrodierides]

I haven’t compared it to my KTM but will do soon in a 3000-mile review of the Yamaha. KTM is comfier, more creature comforts and still naughty, but I prefer the Yamaha on noise, cornering confidence and it just suits my riding style more

[@stubbk3]

cool trip,, how do you plan a trip, do you book hotels before you leave ect, be interested in how to go about it,

[@timrodierides]

I book hotels as last-minute as possible - I tend to only book the first night's hotel before I leave the UK, and then only a few days before. Then I book hotels as I go. If it's high season I'll book them a bit further in advance, but I want to be as flexible as possible when it comes to the weather! I just plan by using Google Maps and my obsessive geography knowledge and mildly photographic memory...

[@stubbk3]

@@timrodierides cheers for the reply.. not sure my anxiety would cope with lack of destination let alone fuel paranoia .. but maybe a random trip would help with this .

[@bcgraham3512]

The Americans didn't want to talk about the battle of the Hurtgenwald afterwards because they pretty much adopted a foolish and costly strategy. Some may disagree. However, Ernest Hemingway who was there as a war correspondent and witnessed the slaughter, wrote that it would have saved the American military a lot of time and inconvenience if they just shot their (inexperienced) reinforcements as they got off the trucks.

[@davidbarton7463]

Nice ride out, thanks would have to hear your version of speaking German more often, perhaps do a video speaking only German sometime when your next in ze Father Lund!

[@timrodierides]

I would be shot I think. But danke!

[@churchofbrap876]

Anybody touring on an MT10 deserves my click !

[@timrodierides]

Thanks! One of the easiest bikes I've ever toured on

[@gerryryan2302]

great set of vids …I’m sure you can forgive her drinking habits …i really wanted an MT10 but i cant deal with the seating position ..also is some of the footage different quality ? especially the action stuff

[@timrodierides]

It’s a GoPro 12 so about as good as it gets from an action cam but the quality depends on how much light there is

[@gerryryan2302]

thanks for the reply…enjoy your Sunday

[@Dan-56]

Actually not a bad cost for five days away 👍! But no dinner and no beer just because you were the only two guests 🤨, Das ist verboten! 👎

[@timrodierides]

Es war ein bisschen scheisse to say the least

[@rardentony7664]

Evening Tim I'm going to Germany in Sept 4 to the 11 th staying in winterberg there's gonna be 4 of us would like to email you to ask a few questions if that OK with yourself regards .Tony

[@timrodierides]

Hello! Fire away - my email address is on my channel page somewhere... there's a contact me thing somewhere.

[@rardentony7664]

Evening Tim can't seem to find a contact you button on your chanel cheers