Crossing the Bosnian Boarder - P2T EP11

The eleventh installment of my 5000 mile solo road trip to the Balkans on board the mighty BMW R1250 GS Adventure.
In this episode, I accomplish something pretty worthwhile, to me anyway, and make it through the Bosnian Boarder. What an incredible country this is - I adore it.
Comment "Well Done" if you read this. haha.
Permission to Torque is a Mental Health movement set up to show others that you "get it" by displaying a discrete symbol for others to take comfort in. Its not about sitting around in a circle feeling sorry for yourself, its about shared experience and getting out there to find out what makes us happy - this is the aim of my trip and why I am sharing it on KZbin, the good days and the inevitable bad ones too.
I hope you enjoy the journey with me and find it at least vaguely useful! :)
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UWLIVOTQTMMVMIC6

[@Tonys-Adventure]

Her Majestys Armed Forces sent me on a couple of sight seeing tours over there in the 90s. Patrolling through Sipovo one afternoon we were accosted by a shouty man weilding a machete. We thought he fancied it until the translator explained that the goat he was grilling in his back garden was almost ready and he wanted us to stay for lunch. Nice chap as it turned out.

[@kidda74]

Probably not best to approach someone wielding a machete they might get the wrong idea 🤣

[@Tonys-Adventure]

@@kidda74 He approached us mate. Just a little too enthusiastically.

[@DaveJMcGarry]

Loved this whole trip. Awesome work Chris. Showing the highs and the lows and opening up about your mental health. Bravo

[@themotobrits]

Hey Chris, Just wanted to say thanks man. As I lie here waiting for a new hip, having spent the last 12 years living for touring on my GS’s and my ZX12R. I had descended into to quite a funk. Living vicariously through these travels has perked me right up. I loved Bosnia, I was there in 2019 en route to doing the Transfagarasan Highway. Quality stuff mate, thanks again.

[@BaronVonGrumble]

Glad to hear and hope you mend up soon!

[@brandonamison8950]

I hope you have a speedy recovery.

[@mickfinn2596]

Keep your chin up. There is biking life after a hip replacement. I had my left hip done early last year but still managed tours of Scotland, Pyrenees and Alps later in the year and best of all the excruciating pain whilst riding has gone

[@r12004rewy]

Hey Chris you certainly seem happier and calmer in this epside, you are riding some fantastic roads, just can't believe how quiet everywhere is.

[@jukka1996]

I'm from Germany but my fathers side of my family is from bosnia so I'm there quite often. I'ts nice to see someone appreciate the nature and the country so publicly. Hope you had a great travel. Stay safe

[@gobface]

It's great to see you in better spirits after the last video. The highs and lows of travel and life, eh?

[@johnsumser9743]

Glad you made it to Bosnia, Chris! Your comment about the 20 grand motorcycle reminds me of a time in Afghanistan, when I was in the Peace Corps in the 1970s. I was sitting beside the road drinking a cup of tea in a small dirt-floored tea house when two fully-leathered guys shot past on BMWs heading, I suppose, to India. The shop keeper and I watched them until they couldn't be seen anymore then looked at each other. "That's the world I come from," I told him.

[@jackfisher9990]

What were you riding? 🤔

[@johnsumser9743]

@@jackfisher9990 I was in the Peace Corps and we weren't allowed to drive. Or ride. The point was that we were supposed to be living at roughly the economic level of the average person -- not a lot of motorcycles (or cars) in Afghanistan.

[@milesfinch]

Why do us Brits put a stupid foreign accent on but still speak English when abroad??!! ;-)

[@RaiderTheGhost]

Well Done Sir Baron! Loving every moment of this series.

[@belly450]

Nothing says i am english more than speaking in english but using an east european accent , ha-ha......love it BVG

[@Trotters222]

Chris you need to check out Ed March C90 adventures and it will put things in perspective. It will make you feel more at ease when going on your adventures.

[@bryanlewelling4435]

Chris if your ever in the states come to The Tail of the Dragon US129 .I’m local here and I will give you the tour. 11 miles 318 turns

[@dlicen]

The bridge in Mostar was constructed in the 16th century and at the time it was the widest arch-bridge in the world. During the '90s wars it was ruined by the Croats and then rebuilt after the turn of the Millenium. Bosnia and especially Herzegovina is a wonderful place, but I am worried for their future. It never ends well when other governments "bring you" democracy.

[@colingoldthorpe5918]

Like many other guys I was stationed in Bosnia in the 90’s in Gornji Vakuf. We had a really tough tour there, mentally it left a lot of scars that still exist in many guys. There’s a lot to be said about the conflict, but the Muslim population definitely got the short end of the stick. Ride safe out there Chris.

[@stonkerontheroad9609]

I went to Bosnia alone on my Goldwing in 2018. I had a great time riding all the way through to Greece

[@UCCLdIk6R5ECGtaGm7oqO-TQ]

Well done, just like your arms. The place looks beautiful. Reckon I'd like to go for walks around there in the wild, maybe pitch a tent, and stay the night. Seems peaceful.

[@russellbrowning2732]

Better than watching call the midwife!

[@Crsf84]

did you ever get to the bottom of the ticking noise? Sounds like my old ford orion.

[@Destijl86]

Would love to know the answer to this too!

[@CPUspeed]

Great series! Thanks for bringing us along. My first experience seeing this area.

[@jimyjazz327]

Good to see Von Grumble back on YT. Missed your rants and double bloody deckers.

[@kellyabercrombie9769]

Been there. Beautiful country. I wasn’t on a motorcycle though. I was there for that little dust up they had. I’d love to go back but on a bike this time. Great video by the way. Love your style.

[@persundblad175]

Thank you! Appreciate each and every episode, good on you sticking through.

[@madscottishmtber435]

Bought one of you're stickers and it hasn't turned up !! There's no way of contacting you via this

[@BaronVonGrumble]

Oh no! OK email [e-mail] and we'll get it sorted!

[@mudshackracing]

Well done Chris. I'm planning this years trips while the Irish rain is a fallin! Got any good tips for visiting Portimao as the Motogp rd 1 is the first outing this year. Keep up the good work and little goals here and there builds a strong person.

[@grantbrown8176]

I’m impressed too Chris. Loving this series. Fair play to you, no mean feat to do all this on your own. Thanks for sharing and bringing us along for the ride. Great stuff.

[@hoodyr6799]

My kinda loon buddy, most defs my kinda loon maannn!!! 👌😕👍 What an absolutely stunning change of scenery, a better & more chirpy you, coolwr temps for a while, & that awesome mountain road.....epic mate. Very well done on ya! 🎉💪👌👏👏👏

[@SteveInskip]

Excellent journey! Loving this series.

[@mondo_stunts27]

If you ever get the chance riding a bike on the west coast of the USA in May ish is amazing. The mountains and volcanoes, the coast and trees and plants, All worth it.

[@DerredmaxTRIAX]

"Well Done" Chris!!! Thanks for bringing us with you!!

[@daveo9844]

This is what it’s all about🏍💨😎 Great trip that perfectly highlights all the emotions that one might experience when solo 🍻

[@BenDavies1977]

Great videos Chris. Really appreciate everything you do. Also.... kzbin.info/www/bejne/mqCukoyebLKrr68 Why is Croatia split in two by Bosnia? (Short Animated Documentary) by History Matters

[@stewy62]

I was wondering if there was any cross over between History Matters subscribers and BvG ! If I hadn’t found your comment I was going to say the same thing.

[@Caljkusic1]

When i saw you where going to split i was so excited but then you destroyed it 😂😂, but you where right what you said but there are a LOT of beautiful places to do excursions on around split and a lot of great food in split just need to find it, and split is a small town you don't need to be close to the center and pay a lot of money for hotels. Hope you give split another shot 😊

[@roey600]

Lovin the videos Chris, getting me giddy for my Spanish picos, Pyrenees and MotoGP trip later this year

[@1984mIvan]

hi m8. U are riding through Herzegovina. Its part of Bosnia but there is majority of Croatian populace living there. This is why there are chatolic churces there. During the war croatian populace even formed the republic of Herzegovinia but it was not to be. Croatia is benefactor to Croats in this part of Bosnia because many of them still lives there.

[@markf4018]

It struck me when you talked of “recent” conflict…in the 90s…that’s 30yrs ago…when I was primary school in the 70s…WWII felt a long time ago…but it really wasn’t. To quote Spinal Tap…”too much perspective”…

[@garymckee1569]

That brought back some memories, was in Tomislavgrad in the 90’s with the Royal Engineers. It looks a lot nicer now than it did then. 👍

[@craigstanger4137]

You have brought the house! 😂 I just know I will pack the same for a week in Ireland in June....

[@martybartfast]

"Is this the dreaded Srebrenica “massacre,” commonly referred to in the media as the “worst atrocity in Europe since the Second World War,” perpetrated by the “evil” Serbs led by Ratko Mladic, who has now been arrested to be brought to justice? No. This genocide was carried out by the Croats-the “good guys”-and thus, it was encouraged and praised by the West."

[@jsleeio]

well done! Those Bosnian/Croatian roads look amazing! but as a biker who's had no-shit heatstroke, via a 3day/~2500km ride in merciless 42-45C Australian summer,... please be careful. Once it gets really hot the air flowing around you will gradually (or not gradually) turn you into that solitary raisin in a forgotten old jar in a dusty corner of a forgotten pantry that's been there for 10 years losing the very last of its moisture through a tiny flaw in the jar's seal. It can be better & more comfortable to wear rider gear with all the vents closed. Also stops most of the skin cancer.

[@TomStorey96]

Funny you talk about border guards being grumpy and all. Maybe the most grumpy guy I've ever come across was in Dubai, which was completely the opposite of what the Emirates video said. The guy in the video is all smiles and chat. The guy I had didn't say a single word to me, or even look at me while processing. Yeah, welcome to Dubai, where you're just an annoyance?

[@daniMo555]

Looks really nice! Do not be surprised about christian churches in Bosnia, half of the population in Bosnia are Christians so Bosnia is not a muslim country. Historically it is christian if you go back to the medieval times. Bosnia is sometimes called ”the Jerusalem of Europe” because of its religious diversity. Christian churches stand all over the Bosnian landscape. In the capital Sarajevo you can see churches, mosques and jewish synagogue in the same square. :)

[@diegocella6791]

I have 476 km range, Love the GSA!

[@cisium1184]

That is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

[@BaronVonGrumble]

Isn't it just ❤️

[@SuperAdventureR1301]

5:18. Wow, I knew these bikes went longer than sport bikes obviously, but I had no idea they had that kind of range. I'm so used to filling up every 200km or so on my 1290r, that would be wild being able to go more than double that without any fuel.

[@tshds5826]

You're quiet correct when it comes to the war and things. Yes, majority Muslim, without the genocide probably even more, but we don't really care for religious differences when it comes to common living terms (except the nationalists which are mostly Serbs). You can see a mosque and a church in the same street, maybe even next to eachother.

[@Nenad9785]

I m not denaying that Srebrenica didnt happen no way, but how no one knows for serbs casulties, muslims did the same thing, but for BBC and CNN we need scenario that only one can be the villian and thats Serb, maybe because of Russia

[@mol3y]

"Look, look at this landscape" just as my connection shits itself and I'm down to 240p 🙄🙄

[@xjr13john]

Bosnia is so easy now, much more fun and exciting or so it seemed when it was Yugoslavia! How vain do you need to be to put a sun tan before gravel rash. Black riding may make you look slimmer but riding in the summer in southern Europe is asking for trouble!

[@TheBarnz91]

Road rash was a great game! I still remember the vampiro being my favourite bike on there! IM A BREAK MY RUSTY CAGE AND RUUNNNNNN

[@sweet-triple-UK]

I love you man...."You brought the whole house with you?"..."It's a long way from London" Good question, why are most boarder guards such sour krauts?

[@tonedcos]

Well done buddy. A milestone considering. But that's the trick, not let the crap get to you, and push trough the pain. I realized recently as well, being prone to depression myself, most of my life, it's a comfortable space to withdraw to, kinda familiar i think. Anyway, keep it real init. ;)

[@jay26cee]

Hi Chris. My missus is from Bulgaria ... and the village property they owned is quite similar to what you are seeing in Bosnia. If I recall, she sold it about 6 years ago for less than £10k - 2 houses on a 1/2 acre. Most people out in Eastern Europe have very little, most have to try survive on less than £300 a month. EU investment pulled a lot of people away from villages with promises of city work in good jobs and better money. The hole system was corrupt, and still is, and most are worse off that before. It is really really sad!

[@wreckerbill4465]

Hay knob mould You spelt border wrong Ps love the knob chat⚡⚡⚡⚡

[@1Witcomb]

Well done indeed!! You're in a much better space now as well. Great roads and blissfully quiet - a long way from Split huh? Keep it up.

[@spiritusinfinitus]

Bloody hell.. I came to the comments looking for the religious makeup comment, didn't find it so it'll be me I guess. Kosovo. 95.6% Islam / 3.7% Christianity. Bosnia. 51% Islam / 46% Christianity. Croatia. 87.4% Christianity. You get the idea.

[@chris-ryan]

I've been following your trip and also have issues with "the black dog" and thus have insight into the mental mountains you have overcome to do this. Just wanted to say I'm proud of you buddy, you're killing it.

[@adnnor8682]

I was there in 93. Saw the Mostar bridge smashed- looking forward to the rest of the trip

[@40scotsman]

Class mate that was funny did all those roads and decided nobody owned cars as there was none then cops pulled me overtaking in no overtaking it was a set up but bribed them 40 euro...end of....

[@bajo76]

I don’t want to disappoint you, but technically you didn’t made it to Bosnia but Hercegovina. 😅

[@Mowser63]

You should start your own adventure channel… ItchyHelmet 😎

[@shuttlefish59]

That is funny 😁

[@maxwilson7051]

Chris's "talking to foreigners" accent is class. sounds like one of the meerkats.

[@soterman77]

A pint on me if you come by Ioannina, Greece. And twisty roads nearby for your enjoyment.

[@austinspacious1885]

I look forward to these updates and save them up for my lunch break. Loving the honesty and the bravery to step outside your comfort zone. I’m living vicariously through these but one day, when I can get away for more than a few days, I plan to do something similar. Thanks for the inspo 😊

[@scottishguydownunder544]

Great series, absolutely loving these. Super quality filming and sound 👌👍

[@destinationyonder9752]

Well done Chris, i remember the first time i went to Norway (yes alone and first real long distance trip) the sense of accomplishment... yes, feels so nice!

[@DucatiDale]

The comment section always seems like a X factor audition in these 😂on the other hand love the content and keep it up

[@mototrips1]

This is a cool series…keep ‘em coming looking forward to the next installment

[@bazwax77]

Love it baron……..feeling your good vibes this upload 🔥👏🏻

[@PredatorFishKnowledgeNumberOne]

Where is Boothy these days saw him in IKEA Glasgow the other week?

[@Raghujiii]

bro you are the biggest moto vlogger in the world I searched Google 😮

[@JOEJHN]

Lmao just saying document with an accent haha the man understood instantly what he wanted

[@melycakez]

When you asked for the petroleum, the guard said 5-6 kilometers 😊

[@irisgardener4141]

Oh brilliant!! I was flagging with ten minutes of work left to do this evening and this pops up! This can keep me going whilst I draw graphs

[@Dombennezon]

Well done fella. That’s some achievement to add to ya life for when you doubt yourself. Hats off to you.👍

[@dozer877]

Chris has his own channel! An unlikely result for a Tuesday

[@mrSabic]

11:00 less than your Bike :) Greetings from Bosnia

[@bvonm9557]

Ok here here, I come from that place and I've used roads countless times.. In the begging you are driving from Sinj into Western Hercegovina trough Border way called Vaganj, it's relatively new and not many people use it, that's why you didn't see anyone or better said only two cars. About 10-15 km cca from there you have official border crossing with a lot more traffic so basically you did yourself a favour for driving where you did (without knowing it exactly) also exactly after border into Livno (BiH) there were wild horses nearby, Livno is one of only 3 places in a world that have those FYI. Prolog and area and all villages where most of the people are working and living in Germany,coming back only on vacations (myself included). The 🪦 that you have seen have have people that died in war of course but it's mostly local village 🪦.. if you have sticked around for few more days you would probably get a chance to learn more since most of the youth can use English properly I think.

[@Defender3d]

I love how us brits always put on an accent so they will understand us more.

[@azzman4516]

Fantastic effort buddy, really pleased for you. Stay strong 💚

[@elarr8733]

You never want to get that big a laugh when you tell a local you have a tent to sleep in.

[@sandybre1]

Well done! I need to do something like this one day once my son’s a bit older an I have a few less life commitments. Top job 👍

[@hugodacosta]

In my search to find Info about the balkans, I have found your video. I'm planning a motorcycle trip from Barcelona to North Macedonia this summer. Chris, can you tell me where's the border crossed you used in this video? Where is it located?

[@BaronVonGrumble]

Head inland from Split in Croatia and you'll find it 👍

[@paracott82]

Have you stopped filming now in Bosnia ?

[@m4ttb4sh]

You've made me want to do a Europe trip myself now 👍 great tip on getting white gear from the last video

[@nirboom]

Well done! Love these vids btw

[@benjibradshaw69]

Well done Chris. Another great episode.

[@egg750]

Seeing you on those dry roads made me very jealous ……. Come off my gsa 1200 on Tuesday on some black ice ….. facking shite …. Good old bike didn’t moan though …. Only scraped the bars and pannier

[@1234321JR]

See some Baron Von U-turn at the end there and well done!

[@michaelbreuker7338]

Great on getting out there mate and well done.

[@BLUETERRIER7]

Mission accomplished Chris …well done Sir 👌👌👍

[@ShutterUp]

Well Done! I've enjoyed the series.

[@lolman77]

Amazing trip once again. Indeed, it’s very wild and “pure” there. As I said in previous videos comment, I lived in Croatia for a little while. And as you said: the war memories are very vivid. Lots of orphans, lots of people with horrible scars. Even the young people in their 20s… Actually, when you go around the Serbian border (Bosnian or Croatian side), you have A LOT of houses still covered in bullet holes, grenades marks etc. Enough to make you feel weird and have goosebumps… You’re pretty right about Bosnia being fucked. And even though the fact they are in majority Muslim (but not only at all ; the whole Balkan is a very interesting mixture of orthodox, catholic and Muslim), they were not really fucked because they were Muslim. They were mostly hated because they were… Bosnian. And Croatians because they were Croatian. And Serbians because they were Serbian. A very weird war… Because ultimately, when you live there, you quickly realize how much they are mostly nice chaps…with gorgeous women. Maybe that’s what started it haha

[@senadpezerovic9850]

Hi Chris You mention about Bosnian religious population,,yes Muslims are slight majority, just over 50%,Ortodox Christians are around 32%and Catholics 12% ,the rest are mix them 3 groups. I am also glad you like the Bosnia 🇧🇦!

[@BikeLikeMike92]

Might have to copy this trip. Looks insane. Nice vid Chris.

[@bobarchbold275]

Hi Chris! Assuming you are back home I have to ask if you and the Ex. have reunited?.....hoping you are a happy chappy once again!....

[@conkerman01]

Splendid work Chris. What a great trip.

[@simonmallett7784]

Well done Chris 👏

[@glyncoates8253]

Well done Chris amazing achievement 👏

[@TheBiggerrich]

Do you think BMW will ever put the screen from the Dirty Bagger on the GS? Maybe for the R1300 when it comes out?

[@alemspreco]

The worst thing I can think of is going to Bosnia alone voluntarily. Every time I visit relatives I hate every second. From the people to the roads and overall infrastructure. Can’t stand it

[@LIKWID]

It's an absolutely stunning country with some incredible and breathtaking scenery but myself and my wife would agree with the roads. They were really rough and downright dangerous in certain places. I spend a lot of time in Serbia but last September was my first time travelling into and around Bosnia.

[@alemspreco]

@@LIKWID the scenery was gorgeous but maybe my trip is “bad” because I have stuff I have to do that means I have to deal with the people I don’t want to deal with and deal with their outdated processing of all paperwork and similar items

[@LIKWID]

@@alemspreco yeah I can understand that mate, it would put a bit of a downer on things for sure.