Post by Pooh(c) on Jul 15, 2009 21:37:01 GMT
Trip Stats
Pooh 16 days -- 2,533 miles
Molestrangler 14 days -- 2,004 miles
Both bikes Sat Nav’d up and bike to bike comms in place.
Thursday 25th June -- Strathaven to Ilkeston (284 miles)
Left home 9:00am
Arrived Ilkeston 4:15pm
The journey begins with the 1st leg being getting down to Ian’s place in Ilkeston. Rather than blatting down the motorways we decided to take the scenic routes when possible. Ended up going through Kirby Lonsdale ( Devils Bridge ) and Wetherby. Good weather all the way down and as we were taking our time, a nice relaxing start to the venture.
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Friday 26th - Day 1-- Ilkeston to Calais (214 miles)
Left home 5.30am
Arrived at Motorail Station 3.00 pm
Day 1 of the tour with both bikes, saw us heading for Calais via Sea France ferry at Dover. With the early start the roads were relatively quiet and with a stop for breakfast at Toddington services M1, J 12 at 7am and a leg stretch at Thurrock Services we ended up at Tesco Express, Dover at 10am for supplies and fuel. Just as we left for the docks some 2 miles away, the heavens opened up and we got caught in a thunderstorm and got soaked by the time we got to the docks. Turns out we were the only 2 bikes on the ferry so we were 1st on and off. Good crossing then a couple of miles to the French Motor rail terminal in Calais. Rather than wasting 3 days to blatt down to the South of France on motorways we decided to load the bikes on the train and overnight them and us to Avignon and start our tour from there. It’s definitely the way to do it. The method for tying down the bikes was somewhat ‘Heath Robinson’ as they used rolls of what looked like packing tape. It works though as the bikes were fine the next morning. The train left at 7pm and got us in to Avignon about 6am the following morning. All we had to do was to drink and eat the supplies we bought earlier at the Tesco Extra as we watched the miles disappear.
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Saturday 27th- Day 2 -- Avignon to Vileneuve Loubet (206 miles)
En route 8.00 am
Arrived 6.20 pm
We had breakfast at the station then a short bus trip to take the bikes off the train. Now we were in proper touring mode. After figuring out some tech issues with the Sat Navs ( a waypoint in the wrong place ) we were on our way . Stopped at Malaucene for coffee and cakes in the sun and then onto Mt Ventoux. It’s fair to say that it was not at all what we expected. A real introduction to the French Alps and switchbacks. A really steep climb, lots of bends & push bikes to contend with. Noticeable temperature differential as well. It was 28 degrees at Malaucene and only 10 degrees at the summit. Next part of the run was a long run down to Sault and across to the Route Napoleon, good fast-ish roads. Stopped for lunch in the sun and then a really relaxing run onto Castellane. The road then got very twisty again. Castellane to Grasse is a great road, really twisty but fairly quick, would be better without the weight of the luggage. Eventually arrived about 6.20pm at Vileneuve Loubet knackered. We had done too much on the first day bearing in mind we had an early start, not much sleep the night before, insane twisties with pillions and full luggage and also dammed hot. About 140 miles would have been a better target. After arriving at the digs and freshened up we ended up walking about a mile in the wrong direction ( bl**dy French directions) to get to a restaurant. When we doubled back we found a decent grille 100 yards from the digs for dinner ( DOH !!). Some nice stakes and beers put the pain of day one to bed
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Sunday 28th - Day 3 --Villeneuve Loubet –Monaco - Col de Turini and back (117 miles)
En Route 10.00 am
Back for 5.30 pm
Toasty hot today. Got onto the bikes around 10.00 am and headed off to Monaco. The goal was to try and get round the F1 circuit. En route a rather confusticated Pooh managed to jump the toll booth on the A8 towards Monaco – set off the alarms but no police – seems to have got away with it. Not long after getting into Monaco it was apparent that due to the high buildings and very narrow streets the Sat Navs were pretty much useless. We managed to find the F1 circuit and just as we were about to turn onto it a very kind local plod pointed out that bikes were not allowed but pointed out some free bike parking right next to us. A German biker who managed to get 50 yards down the road before being pulled back failed the attitude test and ended up getting a ticket. A short walk into Casino square to sample the local delights and to let the girls do the first round of ‘Tat’ shopping followed. 40€ lighter after some cold refreshments we decided it was time to head back to the bikes as it was melty hot. While manually navigating out of Monaco we ended up going on part of the F1 circuit, the tunnel to be exact, more by good fortune than by design. We eventually managed to get back on the A8 to Sospel on the route to the Col de Turini where we stopped for lunch. What a superb place, quiet, warm and full of bikes. On talking to a local bar owner we found out our planned route up the Col de Turini was closed but with local help we found an alternative route and off we went. Roughish roads but views to die for and eventually we made the top of the Col deTurini. Spent time chatting to local bikers before taking a great run back along more stunning roads. The first 5K of the descent however was covered in ‘chuckie stones’ from having recently been resurfaced so it made for interesting riding. There was a police speed trap at the bottom but plenty of drivers warned us in advance. Once back at the digs we bought some beers from the local patisserie across the road and knocked back a few cold ones before heading off on the quest for a restaurant for the evening. We ended up wandered across to the Marina area and found an excellent restaurant at good prices, wine & 4 meals for 70€ with some free shots thrown in, all while overlooking the marina.
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Monday 29th - Day 4
Rest Day
Cannes via train
Day off the bikes. Walked to the local beach but not really equipped for it so we got a train into Cannes, 5€ each. Had a walk around and spotted a Ferrari ‘Tat’ shop. Had to go and have a look around and saw a 1ft long F1 model car which was on sale for a very reasonable 4,500€. The ladies went shopping and the boys, after ogling some of the mega yachts moored up ended up in the bar and forced ourselves to drink some cold beer and watch the world go by while the girls did their shoppy thing.
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Tuesday 30th - Day 5 -- Vileneuve Loubet to Gap - (137 miles)
En Route 8.45 am
Arrived 4.00 pm
Early start, breakfast at McDonalds 8.00 am. No sandwiches available at the patisserie so we set off about 8.45 am, got some fuel on the D6202 and made really good pace. Stopped at Isola for 2nd breakfast. Very picturesque village and we managed to get some baguettes made up for lunch. Great run up to the top of the Col de Bonette (9870 ft). About 1 mile from the summit we saw 2 sports bikes with pillions, on their way down, almost Hi-side off the road. Mega brown trouser moment for them. Once we got to the top of the Col the boys climbed the last 150 meters to the viewing galley at the summit while the girls took the easy option and watched our manly ascent. We stopped on the descent for lunch and sat and watched the loonies cycling up the Col, all mad. Too hot to stop too long so soon on our way again. Next stop was in Jausiers for a comfort break. For some reason the girls didn’t want to use the ‘ big hole in the floor’ public toilets so an alternative had to be found. We found a local bar and while we were waiting for the girls and as it was so dammed hot Pooh tried to buy a couple of tins of cool liquid. Shock & horror but no cannettes of beer. No problem - as one of the staff disappeared and 5 minutes later appeared with a carrier bag with several cool tinnies in. All problems solved we headed into gap at speed, great views but at 29 degrees plus, too hot to stop. The Ibis in Gap was good with free bike parking in underground park. Time to find a laundrette as the panniers were starting to unpack themselves with all the hot weather we’d had. Managed to find one a couple of minutes from the hotel and while the wash cycle was running we forced ourselves to have a cold beer to pass the time. Met a guy at the laundrette who not only showed this numpty how to work the machines but also gave us pointers where to go in the town for food & beer. He was one of the local barmen. He directed us to the ‘Diversion’ bar and restaurant for an evening meal followed by several beers and rather nice they were. The evening was finished off with a stroll back to the hotel to watch the lightning storm sweeping in.
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Wednesday 1st - Day 6
Mileage c.30
Another really hot day, and another scheduled rest day. We did our own things during the day with Molestrangler & Mrs heading out of town some 15 miles to Lac de Serre Poncon to go and play on the water while Pooh & Mrs headed into Gap to explore some of the town history and meet the locals. Headed back into town for our evening meal and a couple of sherbets. Nice to be able to recharge the batteries. Just what the doctor ordered.
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Thursday 2nd - Day 7 Gap to Grenoble (135 miles)
Out 9.15 am
Arrived 4.30 pm
Did a wife swap for the first hour today, both ladies found the bikes different and not completely to their liking. Bought lunch in Gap and stopped at the top of the Vercours Massif (Col de Rosset) to eat it by a biathlon training track. Awesome road up to the top, a classic alpine road. Very much like the Col de Turini but wider bends and a faster road. Stopped several times in the afternoon for drinks and rest – temperature reached 33 degrees at one point. Unfortunately the Sat Navs took us through the center of Grenoble to get to the digs and with the temp over 30 degrees it was less than pleasant . Straight to the hotel and booked in, air conditioning great. Cold shower a must. The evening meal was at the Hippopotamus restaurant next door, good food at French prices which was OK but the beer prices were silly . Fortunately the restaurant owner was a good guy and he told us how to get to a local supermarket so the boys jumped on Pooh’s bike and headed off to the supermarket clothed in shorts & T shirts to stock up on cheap beer for the digs while the girls forced themselves to sit in the air-conditioned restaurant quaffing cold drinks. After dinner we ended up sitting outside the hotel playing cards and drinking our supermarket beer & wine.
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Friday 3rd - Day 8 Grenoble to Alpe d’Huez and back (82 miles)
Out 8.00 am
Arrived 2.00pm
Down to the supermarket for breakfast. Fuelled the bikes and bought sandwiches for lunch then off to Alp d’Huez. Good paced run to the village at the bottom of the hill ( le Bourg-d’Oisons) then a brilliant run up the alp to Huez. Unbelievable road, lots of bikes. Much steeper than it looks on TV. Through the village of Huez and onto the ski resort at the top. Very hot by now. The boys took a cable car ride down the valley to catch the views whilst the girls wandered around the market. We had a beer at a bar run by an Italian who grew up in London, good English & told us a great deal about Huez and its people. The market was great with loads of places to eat. Even though it was about 6000 feet up it was still really hot though. Absolutely worth the visit. Run back took us through Grenoble again, very hot still. Called into the supermarket for some ice to cool the beer we’d bought the night before and then back to the room for some rest. For the evening we wandered down the road to the tram stop and caught a tram into Grenoble, cheap & fast. Had a beer in the centre of Grenoble, great place & very busy. Managed to find air conditioned Vietnamese restaurant and had a good meal. The owner was a dead ringer for the bar owner in the film ‘Good Morning Vietnam’ and he was really funny. After dinner we had a walk round the town. 10.00 pm and Grenoble was packed with students. The atmosphere though was very relaxed and it all seemed very Bohemian and a rather jolly place to be.
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Saturday 4th - Day 9
Rest Day
Another really hot day, and another scheduled rest day . We caught the tram into Grenoble around 9.30 am and after coffee and croissants walked to the cable car station & went to the fort at the top of the hill. Shame the museum was closed. Had a walk around the fort & its tunnels but far too hot to hang around. Had some lunch and headed back to the digs to chill out in the afternoon heat. Caught an early tram into Grenoble but most restaurants did not open before 7.30 pm so had a beer to pass the time and we eventually settled for a place to eat in one of the many squares and had a pasta fest. Had a whale of a time trying to explain garlic bread to the French, they eventually got the idea and sure enough it was served. They were so sure we wouldn’t eat it they didn’t even charge us for it. Lots of hen & stag parties in Grenoble, must be an expensive night out
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Sunday 5th - Day 10 Grenoble to Moutiers (175 miles)
Out 8.00 am
Arrived 4.00 pm
Reasonably early start today. Bikes loaded and on the road by 8.00 am, already stifling hot. Ran out past Alp D’Huez, stopped at a hotel for breakfast then onto the Col de Galibier, great views from the top, car park packed. Fabulous run down into the valley, found a petrol station on the main road and sat on the grass verge and ate lunch. Mrs Molestrangler had fun with an automated toilet that decided to wash the floor just after she had put her gloves down. After lunch went up to the top of the Col d’Liseran, what a place. Loads of bikes, several signposts (including one claiming to be the highest pass at 9180 feet), a chapel and a souvenir shop. Good fast run down to Val d’Isere where the ladies wanted an hour for shopping. Sunday afternoon and it was all shut (what a shame ) except for a bar where we managed some cold refreshments. Good run along the valley to Moutiers which is where the fun started. Our hotel booking said that check-in was from 3.30pm but the hotel receptionist did not start work till 6.00pm . Fortunately her sister was passing by and saw these 4 grumpy bikers standing by the entrance and a swift phone call later and the receptionist was on her was to open the place up early for us. Not the best place we stayed at, bit like Fawlty Towers, but that in itself had it’s own charm and it was hilarious. Dinner was a bit of an adventure as well. We tried 2 restaurants but couldn’t find what we wanted. First place we sat down, ordered a round of drinks, got the menus to be told that the pizza and pastas were not available. Bit of a problem when Molestrangler fancied a pizza. Finished our drinks and headed off to a nearby ‘Oriental’ restaurant and this time checked the menu before we ordered drinks. Turns out the entire menu was cuscus based so that forced another exit. Next place was a good steak house and after some good food and several bottles of house red the waiter brought out some of the local hooch at 40% proof and gave a few shots on the house. The waiter was a great laugh and before long some local kids came over to talk to us as they wanted to try their English skills.
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Monday 6th - Day 11 Moutiers - Italy - Mont Blanc Tunnel to Dijon (273 miles)
Out 8.30 am
Arrived 4.45 pm
Another earlyish start today, heading into Italy and the Mont Blanc Tunnel. On the road for 8.30 am with a lot of distance to cover. Back through Bourg St. Maurice then a steep twisty climb up to the Petite St Bernard pass through lots of low cloud. Once we punched through the cloud base the views were stunning. Crossed over into Italy, first time we have needed our passports on this holiday. More super views, dropped down to La Thuile in Italy for coffee, more photos and some more ‘Tat’ shopping for the girls, and then onto the Mont Blanc tunnel. Nothing special, 22€ and 11.6 kms long, very warm in the tunnel. The remainder of the run once we came out of the tunnel was pretty boring with very long motorway sections to get us up to Dijon, run for 45-60 minutes at 130 kph then stop and stretch the legs. Today was the last day of the Alps unfortunately. Time to munch some miles now and start to head North.
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Tuesday 7th - Day 12 Dijon to Cambria (259 miles)
Out 9.00 am
Arrived 4.00 pm
Lots more motorway today so made good miles, found a café in Bar-sur Aube for coffee and cake. Land now very flat and lots of wind. The cross winds make riding hard work. Eventually found a rest halt for lunch around 1.00 pm, quick stop and on our way. Had to stop on A26 to put our waterproofs on and shortly afterwards the heavens opened. We were lucky and missed the worst of the various downpours that were tracking across our route. On the road up we got pulled over on the A4 motorway by a British biker looking for Calais. His mate had left him at a toll booth doing warp speed and had lost him ( some mate eh! ) he was doing 100mph+ without a map, he was 270kms from Calais and his ferry was leaving in 2 hours, his only question was ‘Is this the right road for Calais?’ Not much preparation there then – we didn’t see him again so he either made the coast or made a ditch somewhere. Good meal in the hotel, the first time we have eaten where we are staying
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Wednesday 8th - Day 13 Cambrai - Vimy Ridge and back (75 miles)
Out 8.30 am
Arrived 2.30 pm
Steady run out to the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge. Stopped at a café on the way for coffee, walked down the main road to the bakery for croissant and pastries.
The memorial is an awesome sight, huge pillars dominating the countryside. Great guided tour through the tunnels and trenches, full English commentary and all free – not even a box for donations.
Booked a taxi for a run into Cambrai for a night out – heading home tomorrow so time for the last dinner in France. Had a wander around Cambrai and visited some local sights, dank some more beer and then found a pizzeria near the railway station. Cracking restaurant and served the best pizza Ian had eaten in years. Good food, good drink and good company rounded off the evening.
Panniers packed, home to Blighty tomorrow.
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Thursday 9th - Day 14 Cambrai – Calais – Ilkeston (302 miles)
Out 8.30 am
Arrived 4.30 pm
All packed and ready for the off then it started to rain so a small delay whilst we put on waterproofs. Rain stopped about 5 minutes after we had put on the waterproofs. Straight blast to Calais saw us arrive just after 10.00 am and for a £10 surcharge we were on the 11.15 am ferry instead of the 12.30 pm sailing. Met an Aussie couple on a VFR at Calais, over for a 3 month holiday and on their way back from Italy.
Managed to get home to Ilkeston with only a couple of stops for fuel and coffee at the second stop, motorways much busier than in France.
Rounded off the day with fish and chips for tea, and a couple of cans of Guinness for good measure.
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Friday 10th July -- Ilkeston - Strathaven (275 miles)
Left Ilkeston 9:15am
Arrived home 2:35pm
Last leg of the oddesy was the blast back to Strathaven. Pretty much a grind to get the miles done. Straight back up to Scotch Corner, Across the A66 and final leg M6/M74.
Summary
A fantastic holiday albeit a bit too hot a times. It’s been an ambition of both of us for a few years now and we’ve all ticked a few of our ‘to-do’ boxes now. The company on the trip helped make the event . All-in-all a great time was had.
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