Post by the-big-biker on Jul 24, 2011 21:23:01 GMT
Just back from the wettest 10 day camping trip I've ever had on a bike in France! But great fun nonetheless - two bikes, Mrs Big Biker and oldest son, sharing the riding on the Bandit/pillioning with me on my D9. Happy to say, both bikes never mnissed a beat.
In summary, did 1240 miles split over the week: Day one: Buxton to East Hendred via the back roads.
Day two: To Portsmouth via Chiswick (west London) as Phil had fortgotten his passport so we had to go back to his place to get it
Then ferry to Cherbourg, camping at Anse du Brick just outside the town (big site, but okay for a night as near the port).
Day three: Spent a long time getting lost on the backstreets, eventually camping in a fantastic 'camping naturelle' in the middle of nowhere near Granville. Met by 'Fitou' the St Bernard puppy.
Day Four: Via Mont St Michel (impressive view but didn't go up) then through Dinan - lovely town, decide to visit it again for longer. Camped in Merdringnac, really good camping municipal.
Day Five: Starts to rain. Day trip from Merdringnac up to the north coast road to Cap Frehel - great roads and superb scenery - despite the heavy showers. Back to Merdringnac via a visit to Dinan old town - the rain now coming in frequent heavy showers.
Day Six: Non-stop heavy rain - decide to stay in the tent all day
Day Seven: Still raining, but head north east anyway. End up in Sourdeval after fantastic riding on brilliant raods - rain has reduced to frequent showers with sun in between. Set up camp in camping municiapal (vert simple site) and walk into town - it's Sunday and not even a bar tabac is open - no food bat all - we search our kit and find half a brie and a packet of Lange de Chat biscuits - very hungry night and very wet and cold. Everything is soaked
Day eight: Not much sleep last night - noisy rain, too cold - decide to give up and find Chambre d'Hote for tonight. A good morning's ride despite more rain takes us to Bayeux, where we find the brilliant Pomme de Nuit B & B - right in town centre. Check in, dry out, visit the tapestry and catherdal, good meal, warm beds...
Day Nine: It's sunny! But forecast is for more heavy rain. Sure enough, by mid morning we're donning waterproofs. Great roads though, take us to west coast of the 'Cherbourg peninsular' to Surtainville, where we stay in the fabulous B & B "Les Orchidees".
Day Ten: Short trip through torretntial rain to Cherbourg - sit on the ferry ringing out gloves, fleeces and socks. Back in UK, have trouble finding a reasonable price B & B so end up in Bath at Travelodge. Oh yes ... it's raining here too
Day Eleven: The rain's stopped. Decide on a very scenic route from Bath to Buxton, via Chepstow, Builth Wells, Bishops Castle, Shrewsbury and Stafford. Fantsatstic roads, notching up 220 miles to round off the holiday.
What did we learn? So many places I want to go back to, as well as many we didn't reach - too much to see... too little time. You don't have to camp to be flexible on destinations in France - I think my bike camping days are over, I'm going for comfort next time ;D
In summary, did 1240 miles split over the week: Day one: Buxton to East Hendred via the back roads.
Day two: To Portsmouth via Chiswick (west London) as Phil had fortgotten his passport so we had to go back to his place to get it
Then ferry to Cherbourg, camping at Anse du Brick just outside the town (big site, but okay for a night as near the port).Day three: Spent a long time getting lost on the backstreets, eventually camping in a fantastic 'camping naturelle' in the middle of nowhere near Granville. Met by 'Fitou' the St Bernard puppy.
Day Four: Via Mont St Michel (impressive view but didn't go up) then through Dinan - lovely town, decide to visit it again for longer. Camped in Merdringnac, really good camping municipal.
Day Five: Starts to rain. Day trip from Merdringnac up to the north coast road to Cap Frehel - great roads and superb scenery - despite the heavy showers. Back to Merdringnac via a visit to Dinan old town - the rain now coming in frequent heavy showers.
Day Six: Non-stop heavy rain - decide to stay in the tent all day
Day Seven: Still raining, but head north east anyway. End up in Sourdeval after fantastic riding on brilliant raods - rain has reduced to frequent showers with sun in between. Set up camp in camping municiapal (vert simple site) and walk into town - it's Sunday and not even a bar tabac is open - no food bat all - we search our kit and find half a brie and a packet of Lange de Chat biscuits - very hungry night and very wet and cold. Everything is soaked
Day eight: Not much sleep last night - noisy rain, too cold - decide to give up and find Chambre d'Hote for tonight. A good morning's ride despite more rain takes us to Bayeux, where we find the brilliant Pomme de Nuit B & B - right in town centre. Check in, dry out, visit the tapestry and catherdal, good meal, warm beds...
Day Nine: It's sunny! But forecast is for more heavy rain. Sure enough, by mid morning we're donning waterproofs. Great roads though, take us to west coast of the 'Cherbourg peninsular' to Surtainville, where we stay in the fabulous B & B "Les Orchidees".
Day Ten: Short trip through torretntial rain to Cherbourg - sit on the ferry ringing out gloves, fleeces and socks. Back in UK, have trouble finding a reasonable price B & B so end up in Bath at Travelodge. Oh yes ... it's raining here too
Day Eleven: The rain's stopped. Decide on a very scenic route from Bath to Buxton, via Chepstow, Builth Wells, Bishops Castle, Shrewsbury and Stafford. Fantsatstic roads, notching up 220 miles to round off the holiday.
What did we learn? So many places I want to go back to, as well as many we didn't reach - too much to see... too little time. You don't have to camp to be flexible on destinations in France - I think my bike camping days are over, I'm going for comfort next time ;D
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