Impromptu trip to the Alps and Black Forest.

[littleoldman2]

I,ve had these routes in my sat nav since 2010 prior to falling ill. I got most of the route from here http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=152385&page=4 . Only decided to get off my backside and go at short notice, so not as well prepared as I should have been.

Day 1 Thursday 16/08/12. As this was a bit impromptu I had to book the Chunnel whilst still packing my kit on the bike, so was unable to get a crossing until Friday at 09:00. Managed to book a nights camping at the Drum Inn only 4 miles from the Tunnel link http://www.thedruminn.com/ . Boring and uneventful ride down of 351 miles. Tent up and 3 pints of “Old Trip” made for a pleasant evening before bed.
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8322.jpg

[littleoldman2]

Day 2. Up at 6, on the bike for 7 in the hope of getting an earlier crossing as I had it in mind to make the 600 miles to Millau that day. This was supposed to be the first half http://goo.gl/maps/wCqiq but I got well lost and as the Garmin is only interested in the destination rather than the route I did far too many miles on the motorway. The day overall was really good some motorway some straight D roads ,curves, villages and small towns. Good weather and managed to keep moving. Ended up camping here http://www.camping-indigo.com/fr/camping-indigo-royat-auvergne.html at Clermont Ferrand. Campsite was a bit expensive at 29 euro but included wifi and free international phone calls. A good day of 478 miles.
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8323.jpg

[littleoldman2]

Day 3. Saturday 18Aug. Set off for Millau nice and early at around 7 am and then onto the motorway and it was crowded. Turns out it’s the Saturday when the French take off on holiday. So a slightly slower motorway section before D roads to Millau. Into the town the back out and up to the motorway for a ride over the bridge. The road from the south side of town to the bridge was terrific. Rode over the bridge from south to north and stopped of at the Aire but did not walk up to the highest view point as the sun was roasting, I was in full leathers and the bike loaded with easily removable kit. Then back down towards the town along the same D road I first approached it on and the start of the run to Grenoble through the Gouge du Tarn. Rode through the gouge at tourist pace, There’s really no other way, it’s a great road but the views are such that you cannot make progress on the bike. Riding out of the gouge was brilliant and on over the top on the D31 then the D35. Then the run down into the valley. The road was through trees all the way. A winding road with many bends following the valley and river, what a joy to ride. Nothing to concentrate on but the next curve. Cannot remember where I camped. Route Millau to Grenoble is here http://goo.gl/maps/RTsBw A really enjoyable day of 353 miles
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8331.jpg
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http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8343.jpg

[littleoldman2]

Day 4 Sunday 19Aug Awoke and off the campsite early a bright sunny day arrived in Grenoble without problems a nice road in with very little motorway only near the city. Intended to do some shopping and get a local SIM card, but the supermarkets in France have the good sense not to open on Sunday. Had to visit 8 petrol stations before I found one that took cash. Was very hot riding slowly in the urban environment. In spite of these little inconveniences it was a pleasant time. Out of the city and onto the Route Napoleon which is a superb road with superb scenery for most of the way a bit congested in places. Camped at Camping International at Castellane. A good day of 278 miles would have been more but for stopping off at Grenoble, distracted into detours and getting lost a fair few times trying to get out on the right road. Route Grenoble to Castellane http://goo.gl/maps/emSv4 .
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8369.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8383.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8394.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8400.jpg

[Bluefish]

Nice trip lom, and cracking pics.

[Runako]

Now this is more like it! Did part of that route, Millau & Clermont. The Mountains are just amazing, especially in good weather. Those days were the best riding part of my trip and would recommend this to anyone. Would like to do part of this again if possible.

Balkans? Never considered that but, as I said, I'm open minded and would give it a go for sure. My only real concern is doing everything in the limited time.

Nice pics and write up there. I bet you wish you were back there now ;)

[Geodude]

Nice pictures and write up lom, looks like a good trip was had. Like all the links you've added as it makes it easier to copy your ride, ta.

xGx

[littleoldman2]

Thanks G. Was away 15 days and around 4700 miles so a bit more to come.

[Geodude]

Wow a few miles then, the sv happily ate up the roads then? looking forward to the next installment, more please :)

[littleoldman2]

Only real problem I had was my bike gear is suitable for northern Britain not southern Europe.

[littleoldman2]

Day 5 20Aug Up and off early a little chilly in the morning lovely run down to Grasse arrived about 08:50. Couple of old guys at the cafe were on the lager already, sat outside in the sun. Rode down to Cannes and followed a young lady of about 16 on a scooter who filtered very quickly through the traffic. She was wearing tiny shorts a tee shirt that almost met the shorts a crash hat and a tiny black bag with a silver skull on it. There was me in full leathers roasting my nuts off. She parked on the pavement very close to the harbour and I parked behind her. Went for a stroll round the harbour with all the bloody huge yacht’s, the place just drips cash in way I cannot describe or understand. Took a fair few photo’s on my phone as the digital camera’s battery was dead, but alas the phone later ruined the Micro SD card and they were lost. Rode though Cannes to Antibe then on to Nice . A red hot day in stop / start traffic on a very hot bike. The frame and tank were so hot I couldn’t bear to touch them, my legs were hot from the frame. Views over the bay at Nice were the highlight of the urban part of the day with even bigger yachts out to sea. Was going to go to Monte Carlo but I couldn't stand any more of the heat, maybe next year. Then rode north back towards the Alps. Arrived at Sospel and just could not carry on due to the heat. Got a pitch at http://www.camping-sainte-madeleine.com/anglais/welcome.htm . Had to lay on the roll mat in the shade for an hour to cool down before pitching the tent and heading back into town for beer and a look round. Nice little town with very little there. Should have got fuelled up but didn’t. Only 123 miles and I was all in. Route from Castellane to Cannes here http://goo.gl/maps/qxXqA . Route from Nice to Sospel is here http://goo.gl/maps/Bz4Tq .
Camp Site
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8403.jpg
Road back to the Village
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8405.jpg
Village
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8411.jpg

[littleoldman2]

Day 6 Tuesday 21 Aug. Up packed and ready for the off as the gates opened at 7 O’clock the ride north on the D2566 was wonderful and I had to stop many time for photo’s. First part of the route is here http://goo.gl/maps/HbBVT Took a detour round the loop on the D68 as I had been told it was worth it and it was. Progress here was very slow, Garmin MapSource shows the D68 loop but Google does not this may be because in places the tarmac gives way to mud / grass / gravel. A fully loaded SV650SY is not at its best on these surfaces. Got back to the D2566 and should have gone on the D70 but managed to get lost as I didn’t have the Bluetooth on. Getting lost wasn’t an issue at all as the road and scenery was great. However the fuel situation was not. Had to ride very gently until I eventually got fuel at Corniglion. Chilled out in Corniglion for about an hour round the local market and took a few photo’s. Back on the D2565, 2205, D64 to the Col de la Bonnet. As I started up the hill the road had wonderful sweeping bends and I was making super progress when a Porsche Carrea GT and a Ferrari caught me. I let them past and they gave me a cheery wave then zoomed of at serious speed. Then as the bends got tighter I started to catch them, by the time we got to the hairpins I was behind them, then we caught up with a camper van + 2 cars. I overtook all 5 between several bends and cleared off. The problem for the cars is they cannot look up though the roof as they approach the hairpins so have no idea if it’s safe to overtake immediately after the bend. Just call me Joe:). Stopped at the top to take in the scene (just WOW) The views from the top and all the way down the other side are out of this world. From there to Briacon and spent the night at http://www.campinglesgentianes.com/index.html . What a great day only 190 miles due to being lost and going slow but it was well worth it. I think that this is the route after the off road bit http://goo.gl/maps/pnW6o as I’ve looked at the GPS from some photo’s.
Just North of the camp site
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8413.jpg
D68 loop
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8425.jpg
More D68 loop
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8429.jpg
After fuel / break
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8457.jpg
Unknown bloke spoiling a good view
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8462.jpg
After the Col
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8467.jpg
Towards Briancon
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8479.jpg

[littleoldman2]

Day7 Wednesday 22 Aug Up nice and early straight on the road. N94 to Italy then S24 followed by SS25, back to France D1006, D902 and into Val-d’Isere. This route is simply wonderful, breathtaking, stunning and awesome you can just run out of words. Every time you crest a hill or turn a corner there’s more. Am I going back, you bet. Stopped for a break and fuel, you can see why this place is so popular with the moneyed crowd, a bit too built up for me but lovely. I should have gone round by Lac De Roselend but saw a sign for the Col De Petie St Bernard so decided to see that. This is the joy of travelling alone you can just do what you want. I have no idea what I missed out on but the pass was super. Then down the SS026 into Italy again. A break with a bit of exploring around Courmayeur, thinking I may be able to avoid the Mont Blanc Tunnel. Had to give up and shell out the 24.90 euros. So back into France then over the border into Switzerland following Tilts route I end up on the E62 Autoroute and see signs saying this, that and the other passes are “open”. Well I cannot remember these from the route, so I pull into Sion and go to the Tourist Information. Route Briancon to Sion here http://goo.gl/maps/FQEUj . I end up buying a map and realise I have the time to pull in these passes as well. I need to explain here that I am not in the best of health and so had anticipated having to have a couple of days off the bike resting, but had not had to do this yet. So change money, fuel up and double back over the Col De Grand St Bernard and into Italy camping here http://www.campingtunnel.it/index.php?lang=en .Route from Sion to campsite here http://goo.gl/maps/HwW41 . Switzerland at this point appears to be the land of ridiculously low speed limits and constant no overtaking signs. Consequently average speeds are low. Spent the evening sorting out the next day’s route over a beer or two and made the mistake of being too shy on the mileage. I took countless photo’s this day and every day so these are not the best but to give people a flavour.
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8535.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8527.jpg
Since taking this (above) I've been shown a menu option for taking picture into the sun, I really should learn how to use the bloody thing.
Had to do it.
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8536.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8544.jpg
Looking down from the Little St Bernard
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8563.jpg
Grand St Bernard
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8602.jpg
http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee437/littleoldman/SV650org/DSCF8604.jpg
268 miles of bliss this day

[maviczap]

You weren't that far away from where we were cycling in Bourg d'Osains, the road on both sides of Alpe d'Huez are great and there's plenty of other great roads in the area

[littleoldman2]

You have to hand it to the cyclists, they were on almost every Col. If I was fit enough and had the time it would be the way to go, time to take in the view (well on the way up) and smell the flowers.

[maviczap]

Yes they are the places I like to cycle, I can't say love, because it is such hard work.

But the reward is in the descents

[sv4me]

Great pics

Thanks G. Was away 15 days and around 4700 miles so a bit more to come.

Damn Mal, you weren't ****ing about! :eek:

With your past health issues, mega impressed right here :notworthy:

[STRAMASHER]

I recognise that church on the other page!

I made the mistake in the hotel directly below it, by asking the desk woman "Ou est la rue pour yur church?"
You should have seen her face. Utter disgust! :smt005
So we ditched the bike and lids, plagued by guilt and climbed the million steps. Scorching hot. Only Mad dogs, mozzies and a coupla daft Scots out.

Stopped in Castellane a coupla times now. It is lovely and the roads down and around to it are not too shabby either. Did you have a trip round the Gorge Du Verdon from there? Its a topper.

Very impressed you done all that on the SV.:cool: Bet you were glad in the twisties though.

Great pics and write-up. :thumleft: Keep 'em coming.........