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Post by pilgrim on Apr 22, 2012 8:32:46 GMT
This time I've decided to host YDC in the summer and I invite you to come and join us 14th, 15th and 16th August 2012!It's a Tuesday to Thursday event including Porcaro on the Wednesday in between, an organized ride I've been on several occasions now along with thousands of other bikers. I plan to discover the Golfe du Morbihan and Vannes too. I'll put up more run details closer to the time. Accommodation can be found at Europhotel in La Gacilly. B&B. www.hotel-lagacilly.com There is also a campsite on the edge of the village. Ferry ports are at Caen, Cherbourg and more conveniently St. Malo. La Gacilly is situated just North of Redon, equidistant from Rennes, Nantes and Vannes. So, if you fancy a few days of summer sun (hopefully), good food and wine of course then come along.  ;D ;D ;D
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Post by pilgrim on Apr 22, 2012 19:55:57 GMT
This might be helpful (taken from Brittany 2011). Ferry information. Brittany Ferries:- St Malo overnight arrives 08:45 the next day. 90 minutes ride, dual carriageways N137 to Rennes and N24 to Guer then south past Carentoir to La Gacilly. It is sign posted from Guer! Cherbourg early morning arrives 10:30 am, 3hrs ride to here. Dual carriageway N13/N174 down to St. Lo, across country to meet the A84 motorway to Rennes, then Guer and La Gacilly as above. Caen overnight arrives 06:00 the next day, again about 3hrs ride to get here on the A84 to Rennes, then Guer and La Gacilly as above. LD Lines:- Le Havre overnight gets in at 08:00 am, a good 4 hrs ride on the motorway and tolls to pay. Take the Pont de Normandie, free for motorcycles I believe, then the A13 to Caen. Pick up the A84 from there, rest as for Caen above. There are no Tolls on the A84 Autoroute from Caen. There are ferries into Dieppe and Calais of course and the Tunnel too. They are a long way from here, 6 or 7 hrs plus toll motorways making them tedious and expensive. Worth considering if you're leaving from Kent or Sussex, maybe. The link below will get you to Google Maps. You can put in your itinerary (box in the left hand corner, eg: St Malo to La Gacilly) and scroll in to find the route. maps.google.fr/maps?hl=fr&ie=UTF8....9,11.590576&z=7 A few points to note:Make sure your documents are up to date. Insurance should be International Green Card and carry a 'Constat Europeen d'Accident' with you (and a pen). Make sure you have 'recovery' for you and your bike to get back home. Have a current European health card (was E111) so that you get equivalent treatment to what you would get at home. If you have to use it you might have to pay for treatment or medicines up-front and claim it back when you get home. Beware of Highway Code (Code de la Route) anomalies. Giving way to traffic from the right is the most confusing one. Look out, especially in towns and villages. Obey the speed limits! If you get caught you can be fined on the spot. Fines for some speeding offences are immediate and the police will escort you to the nearest cash distributor to get the cash if you don't have it with you. High-viz vests are not obligatory to wear or have with you. By all means make yourselves as visible as you want to. It will be obligatory to carry a breathalyzer with you (as from 1st July 2012). They can be bought for as little as 1 Euro. Don't get ripped off! Sorry it's a bit long to read through but you have been informed. ;D Get planning! Cheers, Pilgrim |
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Post by molestrangler on May 3, 2012 14:46:21 GMT
Brian,
Sorry but Pat and I will not be able to make this one, hope you have a great run and hope to get back to your area one day soon.
Ian
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Post by pilgrim on May 3, 2012 17:56:56 GMT
Brian, Sorry but Pat and I will not be able to make this one, hope you have a great run and hope to get back to your area one day soon. Ian Great to hear from you. Enjoy the summer, whatever you're up to. We were back in that little restaurant only last monday, memories of Easter 2011 and that band playing outside the bar afterwards............... . Brian. |
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Post by m40man on May 3, 2012 17:59:24 GMT
Tempted, but for the fact that I already know work will be taking up my time in August  . |
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Post by pilgrim on May 4, 2012 18:15:32 GMT
Tempted, but for the fact that I already know work will be taking up my time in August . Shame. If you really wanted to I'm sure you'd solve the problem....  Summer is for holidays, afterall.... ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by m40man on May 4, 2012 18:23:55 GMT
Shame. If you really wanted to I'm sure you'd solve the problem.... Summer is for holidays, afterall.... ;D ;D ;D If only - I'm working all through Christmas too  . Then after that, no contracts on the horizon  . |
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Post by CD on May 6, 2012 18:31:15 GMT
Its well worth a look. These are not far from Redon.   |
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Post by pilgrim on May 6, 2012 19:48:22 GMT
Thanks CD. The first photo I think is Rochefort-en-Terre and the second is the Chateau at Josselin. Rochefort-en-Terre is a short bike ride from here and will be on this year's itinerary. Josselin was in Brittany 2011 Meet, not in plans for the summer. Why not join us CD? ;D |
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Post by CD on May 7, 2012 10:17:34 GMT
I really liked Malestroit so this is what Google images say it looks like.
Its been a very long time since I was in Brittany. Work depending I will join you.
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Post by pilgrim on May 7, 2012 17:44:31 GMT
I really liked Malestroit so this is what Google images say it looks like. Its been a very long time since I was in Brittany. Work depending I will join you. It could be Malestroit, the top photo, but I don't recognise it. Hope you can join us, just sort that work out! ;D |
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Post by pilgrim on May 10, 2012 19:52:02 GMT
Your hosts............  Sunny weather crash helmets (not to EU standards). ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by pilgrim on May 27, 2012 21:28:37 GMT
The Wednesday Porcaro 'Ballade' on 15th August ends at Guer, just 20 minutes ride back down to 'Chez Pilgrim'. As at Easter 2011 I'll host an evening with us, food and water after the ride! Just get yourselves over here! BTW, we drove one of last year's routes today (in the car because there was three of us and we don't have a chair.... ). King Arthur is more than a legend, apparently.......  ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by ianrandle on Jun 18, 2012 3:27:04 GMT
This trip to France sounds great on 14,15,16 Aug. Where do you meet? Do you make arrangements together, boat, b & b etc? Any more tips. First time I have done anything like this although been a biker for many years. Ian (IR)
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Post by pilgrim on Jun 18, 2012 22:21:46 GMT
This trip to France sounds great on 14,15,16 Aug. Where do you meet? Do you make arrangements together, boat, b & b etc? Any more tips. First time I have done anything like this although been a biker for many years. Ian (IR) OK, feel free to make your own arrangements to be here in August. If others are coming, as some did for Easter 2011, they arranged to come on the same boat and ride down together, otherwise it's up to you when you arrive. Decide where you might stay, I've given ferry and B&B details (they speak good English BTW) in my initial postings but you can camp in the village too. Meets will be from the hotel, details of the rides to follow. All three days will be afternoon rides letting you do your own thing in the mornings, see and visit the locality, shop or just ride free! Above all it's your riding holiday and we'd be pleased to show you this part of France and lots of hospitality to boot! By all means ask if you want more info or help. Cheers, Mr and Mrs Pilgrim. |
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Post by pilgrim on Aug 1, 2012 18:05:38 GMT
Sadly so far no-one it seems will be over.  I'm away Friday 3rd until Wednesday 8th August so won't be in contact via these boards. Behave yourselves while I'm gone. ;D |
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Post by brandane on Aug 1, 2012 19:54:41 GMT
Could have been tempted; if it wasn't 700 miles each way, and if Brittany ferries didn't want £218 for the ferry (Portsmouth/Caen return, without a cabin)!
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Post by beeblemaster on Aug 2, 2012 16:51:58 GMT
Sorry to see this... 4 months since Normandy, I'd love another trip to France, but easier said than done.... and more holiday from work would be nice!
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Post by pilgrim on Aug 2, 2012 18:20:53 GMT
Could have been tempted; if it wasn't 700 miles each way, and if Brittany ferries didn't want £218 for the ferry (Portsmouth/Caen return, without a cabin)! I understand Brandane. Perhaps on a longer trip another time? I may propose a more open invitation to anyone to come by this way if they want to, but then I'd always welcome YDC to call by and let me show them a bit of the world here.  |
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Post by pilgrim on Aug 2, 2012 18:39:32 GMT
Sorry to see this... 4 months since Normandy, I'd love another trip to France, but easier said than done.... and more holiday from work would be nice! No probs Beebs! In the past three years I've invited folk over to Brittany with only the one super result of Easter 2011. Expecting YDC to come here by simple request from me is a big ask. I'll keep an open invitation to anyone in the Club to come this way when they like. I can assure all visitors the best welcome and hospitality both I and Mrs Pilgrim can offer. |
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Post by brandane on Aug 2, 2012 18:49:42 GMT
I understand Brandane. Perhaps on a longer trip another time? Sadly, I think my days of Continental trips by bike are finished. They died when the ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge was withdrawn. The Hull to Zeebrugge ferry is now stupidly expensive; so that leaves a 480 mile ride to Portsmouth, and a squared off rear tyre to start the French leg of the trip . I am more inclined these days to take the pedal bike by train to Portsmouth, then do the ferry bit and potter around northern France under my own steam. |
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Post by pilgrim on Aug 2, 2012 19:12:35 GMT
I understand Brandane. Perhaps on a longer trip another time? Sadly, I think my days of Continental trips by bike are finished. They died when the ferry service from Rosyth to Zeebrugge was withdrawn. The Hull to Zeebrugge ferry is now stupidly expensive; so that leaves a 480 mile ride to Portsmouth, and a squared off rear tyre to start the French leg of the trip . I am more inclined these days to take the pedal bike by train to Portsmouth, then do the ferry bit and potter around northern France under my own steam. If the 'Tour de Brandane' ever comes this way you'd be just as welcome. |
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Post by pilgrim on Aug 14, 2012 21:56:12 GMT
It's Porcaro tomorrow. The weather might be a bit blowy and wet in the morning but the afternoon 'balade' (as we French say) should be dry. So we'll be joining the thousands of other bikers to bimble our way around the countryside. Meeting point is Guer, 13:30 at the tourist office. ;D See you there! And yes, the YDC T-shirt has been washed and ironed since our Millau adventure and Mrs Pilgrim has put it top of the pile ready for the off. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2012 8:18:18 GMT
Have a good one Pilgrim.
I'm sure you'll post the photos.
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Post by pilgrim on Aug 15, 2012 18:01:05 GMT
Here's a quick taster. Pilgim and Mrs Pilgrim riding Porcaro today! I've put more photos in Club Run/Meet photos. J'ai mis plusiers photos sous 'Club Run/Meet photos'. ( pour le Monsieur j'ai rencontré cette aprés-midi et invité de voir notre Forum)  See y'all on the other board. |
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. Then after that, no contracts on the horizon 
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