Motorcyling in France

[warg60]

Does anyone have any good books for routes that they would recommend? We are thinking of going right down to the med, although I think it is a bit far :)
And what would you say is a reasonable distance to cover each day?

[TC3]

Does anyone have any good books for routes that they would recommend? We are thinking of going right down to the med, although I think it is a bit far :)
And what would you say is a reasonable distance to cover each day?

Just come back from a week out in France. We went to the Alsace region which is near German border. Alsace has some real good riding roads and is about 5 to 6 hours ride from Calais. I would suggest you ride for maybe 5 hours a day or you may get too tired if not used to it. We rode 6 hours from when we left home and 2 hours next day and we were there. Spent 5 days at a lovely house we rented and enjoying the mountain roads before heading back. You might want to check this site out as it is pretty handy
http://www.bestbikingroads.com/
Do yourself a favour and dont go too mad on the motorways. On the way back my bro got caught doing 135mph and had an instant fine of 750 E as well as an instant ban in France. Had to get towed to Luxembourg and make his way home from there. Good thing it happened on way back. Good thing they did not get him at 160 which is a silly speed on the road to be honest. Deserves what he got and he knows it too.
I would highly recommend the mountain roads around Munster and Orbey/Colmar area as you have some very tight scary bends that command respect and have improved my cornering a hell of a lot.
Have fun

[gettin2dizzy]

I used this: http://www.mapsman.com/store/product.php?id=301

Really good. Waterproof pages, 'best' roads noted.

As for not using the motorways, I found I could travel at 80 mph on the equivalent 'A' roads, and never had to deal with motorway traffic. It was as quick staying off them, and I saw some fantastic places.

[Daimo]

Im leaving tonight :D

We're straightlining down to about 50 miles south of Geneva. From there on the roads get much better. Inital day is about 650-700 miles. I rode home by myself from there and it was easy (mind you, was on the bandit :lol: )

Google "best biking roads" and theres a website you can go to that has loads of roads around europe.

[Red Herring]

I've got a copy of the road book from this years classic Auto Tour. Starts in Paris ends up just outside Monaco....and the roads are brilliant. Took us five days mind.....

[Tim in Belgium]

Have a look in this section, plenty of advice and previous trips:

http://forums.sv650.org/forumdisplay.php?f=120

It all depends how long you want to go for, how many things you want to stop and see along the way etc.

Personally from the channel ports I'd do a few autoroute miles to get to some decent roads quite quickly.

Enjoy your trip planning.

[Spikenipple]

650-700 miles for your first day is a pretty big one if you're thinking of riding some nice roads for a few days straight after! You'll be knackered :D

[dizzyblonde]

Does anyone have any good books for routes that they would recommend? We are thinking of going right down to the med, although I think it is a bit far :)
And what would you say is a reasonable distance to cover each day?

If you think the meds a bit far, you could always aim for Fort Boyard, and the Charente region around it. Just as hot down there, and the coast is fab. Good roads in land and plenty of places to visit :-)

I did 600 odd miles each way from that neck of the woods, none stop. Way back permenant sideways rain. You need a cast iron butt, and its exceedingly tiring if you aren't used to it.

[thinone]

Does anyone have any good books for routes that they would recommend? We are thinking of going right down to the med, although I think it is a bit far :)
And what would you say is a reasonable distance to cover each day?
DO it

If you reach Grenoble - from there - there is a road called Route de Napoleon eventaully winds down to Provence and some great views and mountain roads takes all the way to to CANNES - I did it 2007 superb
Another Area is the Massive Central - plateau and gorges area rather suoer - brings you out at the Millau bridge and then on the Cevennes and eventually out at Montpellier -

France past PARIS becomes great - there are so MANY great routes to take

Last year I went down the west coast side to Bordeaux and then across to Touluose - Carcasonne / Minervois and back via Grenoble

I suggest good be certain pace on the motorways keeping an eye out for LES gendarmes - they hide and pounce!
When getting an area of natural beauty and twisty country roads get off and enjoy

In August I am thinking of going down to The Haute Savoie and crossing into North Italy - although I may go down to Provence too and do Gorges du Verdon then climb back up in to Italy - across into Austria nd back via Germany

[dyzio]

Do you need a high viz vest?

[thinone]

Do you need a high viz vest?


everyone needs a hi vis vest - butr is the question do you need to ride in a hi vis vest?

do car drivers drive in high vis vest? arrgghhhhhh


I never see many french bikers in hivis

[thor]

Hi Viz, yes, but not for riding.

Route napoleon is awesome. Well worth seeking out. Think fast twisty A road for 400 miles!

Lots around Geneva too, hit me up if you want a local guide.

Lots of motorway speed traps are just before the "peage" garages, easier to pull you over as you have already stopped. Watch out for parked unmarked cars on hard shoulder with no pedestrians near them. as you get closer you'll see the optical equipment pointing at you. 1 km later, past the garage, is the other copper. Especially around calais!

[thor]

Oh yeah, DO NOT speed in Switzerland!

[thinone]

Hi Viz, yes, but not for riding.

Route napoleon is awesome. Well worth seeking out. Think fast twisty A road for 400 miles!

Lots around Geneva too, hit me up if you want a local guide.

Lots of motorway speed traps are just before the "peage" garages, easier to pull you over as you have already stopped. Watch out for parked unmarked cars on hard shoulder with no pedestrians near them. as you get closer you'll see the optical equipment pointing at you. 1 km later, past the garage, is the other copper. Especially around calais!

cover your bike in SCOTTISH flags the French are out to get The English

[warg60]

Thanks all for the replies; I will check them out :)

[mjc]

Top tip- go to wales instead. Flash floods etc in france at the moment. I was there last week, got ****ed on, turned around and went to wales instead, where the weather was nice, the people spoke english (mainly), you can get a pint and you wont find a bad road anywhere.