2014 was a stunning year for trips and new countries – I travelled as far east as I had ever been on the bike, and again met so many interesting and diverse people during the tours.

What I remember most is just stumbling across multiple abandoned war artifacts, shelters and bunkers from past world conflicts or political tensions and the sheer thrill of riding the Großglockner and Nockalmstraße high alpine passes. I have to be honest and say the weather was less than kind – I got caught in so many torrential downpours that at times it was like riding and jet ski rather than an old BMW.

In 2015 I am returning to Finland, Sweden and Norway – Scandinavia holds a special place in my heart.