France Holiday

[DarrenSV650S]

Sorry if this drags on a bit
Got the ferry from Rosyth as I didn't fancy riding down to the eurotunnel in the rain.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/003-18-08-07.jpg
Made the mistake of leaving my sleeping bag with my bike so had to sleep on the floor. Didn't get much sleep. 19 hours doesn't half drag on the ferry, but watched the simpsons and transformers in the cinema :D
Pishing with rain in France and got totally drenched so had to dry everything out after I eventually found a hotel.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/005-19-08-07.jpg


Next I went to Paris. The traffic was really scary. Was sitting eating lunch and a guy on a scooter got knocked off by a van. Hardly anyone even batted an eye. Gave him a hand picking up his bike.
Took some pics and quickly left :lol:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/008-20-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/013-20-08-07.jpg
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http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/019-20-08-07.jpg


Got a campsite in Orleans and found out my tent had a small leak
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/021-20-08-07.jpg


Then I went to Bordeaux but it was a really dodgy area and didn't look very nice so headed off to Agen. Went exploring up the hills and then got some pics before getting a B&B
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/023-21-08-07.jpg


I think these were in Toulouse
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/026-22-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/027-22-08-07.jpg

This road was the D612 to Beziers which is brilliant in the middle.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/028-22-08-07.jpg


Then on to Nimes, Avignon, Aix-En-Provence, Marseille, Toulon. The weather here was roasting. The bike kept overheating and so did I lol. Was going to go to St Tropez but it was so busy. Filtered through the jams and just about got there but couldn't be bothered going all the way in so stopped here then turned back:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/031-24-08-07.jpg

Saw this outside the post office and had to get a pic. Love these cars
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/033-24-08-07.jpg

Then I continued along the coast through Frejus, Cannes, Nice, Monaco (through the tunnel)
Nice:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/034-24-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/037-24-08-07.jpg

Then did some more exploring up the hills from nice. Fantastic roads and views
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/040-24-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/041-24-08-07.jpg
Some of the corners were so tight I couldn't physicaly get the bike around in my lane, felt like I was practising my U turns again :lol:
I tried a few hotels up these hills but they were all full so had to go back into the city for the night.


The next day I headed for the alps. This was the best bit of the holiday for sure. Wish I'd spent more time there
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/042-25-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/043-25-08-07.jpg
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http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/052-25-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/053-25-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/054-25-08-07.jpg
Went up the D2565 to Lantosque and had a great meal at the restaurant while enjoying the views and the weather
Got to the skiing resort Valberg and got a hotel for the night.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/056-25-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/057-25-08-07.jpg
Later that evening I went for a wee ride (without all the luggage) down to Peone and back. The roads are practicaly all just hairpin turns, brilliant.


The next day I dropped the bike. Stopped at a layby and my foot went in a wee dip. Managed to hold it for a bit but my leg was too close to the bike so couldnt push it back up so down we went onto my leg. Buggered up my back lifting the bike back up but not much damage to the bike. Just a scuffed mirror, crash bung and slight scratch on the exhaust. Didn't let it spoil the trip and just continued on

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/060-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/063-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/064-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/065-26-08-07.jpg

Took the wrong road and ended up at the Italian border in this little town
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/068-26-08-07.jpg

So turned around and went back the right way, along more great roads
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/069-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/071-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/072-26-08-07.jpg

Got to this great little section, loads of bikers here, and pushbikers :lol: They all seemed to be pensioners for some reason :roll:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/082-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/075-26-08-07.jpg
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http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/083-26-08-07.jpg
Saw this car a few times on the way up through the Alps and then spotted it here, not sure if it had engine problems or what but couldn't see the two guys that were in it
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/079-26-08-07.jpg
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http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/081-26-08-07.jpg

These things in the towns were a blessing in the heat
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/085-26-08-07.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/086-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/087-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/088-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/091-26-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/096-26-08-07.jpg

Got a campsite and what amazing views to wake up to
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/099-27-08-07.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/101-27-08-07.jpg

The next day I got out the Alps at Grenoble and started thinking I might not have enough to time get back up to for the ferry. So over the next two days I blasted up north stopping at a few cities. Got to Dunkerque and tried 3 hotels but were all full so went into Belgium and got a room at Da Loft which was like a cafe, art gallery and hotel all rolled into one, cool place, would recommend. Tried exploring the roads but my god they are so boring. My chain was extremely loose by now after nearly 3000 miles so went to a bike shop to get it tightened but it had a serious tight spot so got it replaced. Just relaxed the next day then got the ferry home.

I think next time I'd just go straight for the Alps and skip out the touristy stuff, because you can't really enjoy it with all the bike stuff anyway.
One thing I liked about riding on the right was when you are coming onto a road from a sliproad you can let go of the left bar and have a really good look behind to see whats coming.
Oh and the speed limits are more sensible. On the motorway it was 110kph in the rain and 130kph in the dry (not that anyone stuck to them anyway) French drivers are nutters. I had to give a people carrier a boot in the drivers door once as it tried to wipe me out. He was more than half way across my lane, pushing me towards the central reservation. He got the message after that. I was crapping it though, thought that was me finished, so filtered off :oops:

Bad idea using soft luggage and bungees. The paintwork is in a state, just as well I didn't get it resprayed before I went. I think hard luggage is definitely a better option. And I should have taken one of those blow-up lie-lows. Those ground mats for in the tent are useless. The lie-low would take up less space and plus it has a pillow.
But anyway I'll know better for next time 8)

[Demonz]

Nice read and top pics. How good is this one... http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/013-20-08-07.jpg

[mclarenmike]

Thanks for sharing your adventure!.

Great inspiration :D

[markmoto]

Thanks for posting this and sharing your adventure darren i always enjoy these posts about peoples travels hope to post some of my own someday. And you did it all on your tod how cool. 3000 miles eh you must have bums of steel who says svs arnt comfy lol.

[injury_ian]

:notworthy:

I'm starting to envy you, wasn't it you that did the fabulous tour of skye too?

Just out of curiosity how much would you reckon the holiday set you back? was it a week? - tell me to 'flubber off' if you wish!

[rob13]

Excellent pictures, stunning views

[tigersaw]

Superb mate, thanks for sharing it with us. I take it this adventure was taken alone?
I've probably spent a grand on a holiday only 10% as enjoyable as that looked, good on you. :)

[mister c]

Nice pics & good story. I want to do some serious touring, but always find an excuse not to go. I think this has given me a bit of inspiration to get off my fat bum & do something about it :)

[Tim in Belgium]

Nice pics, glad you made your trip, and looks like you had a good one.

Are some of those shots of the Col dueVars / Col D'Izoard? The mountains look stunning in the dry there, when I was there it was all mist rain and clouds.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/075-26-08-07.jpg

[Wideboy]

real nice

[DarrenSV650S]

:notworthy:

I'm starting to envy you, wasn't it you that did the fabulous tour of skye too?

Just out of curiosity how much would you reckon the holiday set you back? was it a week? - tell me to 'flubber off' if you wish!
No I've not been to Skye but it's next on the list. I had a wee trip to Mull earlier this year though if thats what you're thinking of.
It was 2 weeks I was away but I wish it was 3. Not including the ferry cost, I took £1000 worth of euros to spend and only came back with a few hundred euros. And that was sleeping in the tent a few nights. If you only used hotels I would take more. It's the fuel and food thats costs a lot too. I can't see how I could have saved money on food because you can't prepare any food (unless you took a stove, pots etc and had room to carry food on the bike, which I didn't). And it's not like I was eating lavishly, I usually only had 2 meals a day and went to sleep hungry. And lost weight while I was away! lol


Superb mate, thanks for sharing it with us. I take it this adventure was taken alone?
I've probably spent a grand on a holiday only 10% as enjoyable as that looked, good on you. :)
Yeh I was on my own. I didn't want someone to argue with and say stuff like "but I wanna go that way" so just did it on my own
I spent over a grand when you include the ferry costs and the panniers etc

Nice pics, glad you made your trip, and looks like you had a good one.

Are some of those shots of the Col dueVars / Col D'Izoard? The mountains look stunning in the dry there, when I was there it was all mist rain and clouds.
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/075-26-08-07.jpg
Not sure what they were called but that picture was taken at the top of this section:http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/083-26-08-07.jpg
Just looking to the right of that. Just beside this sign:
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/082-26-08-07.jpg

[tigersaw]

Well if you ever decide to be a tour organiser, count me in, though I'm too old to fanny around with tents these days.

[Luckypants]

Superb shots! Sounds like you had a superb time. Makes me nostalgic for my trip and I only been back a month! Can't wait for next one now!

[duibhceK]

Not sure what they were called but that picture was taken at the top of this section

That is the Col D'Izoard indeed, excellent ride :thumleft:
We did a tour of France last year, didn't go down south quite as much as you. It was way too hot for us ;)
We did The Ardennes, Vosges, Jura, Alps, Provence, Ardeche, Bourgogne, Champagne, Ardennes again. France is just a great country for motorcycle holidays and the Alps are the highlight.

Great pics and story!
If you are interested, I made a little write-up of our holiday last year: here (http://users.telenet.be/sofie.jacobs/vakantie06/holiday_France_06_EN.html)

[Frank]

you must have had abrill time.Just come back from 3000 miles round Germany with the wife and kids and a car full of ****.Should have followed them on the bike.Maybe one day

[Richie]

Enjoyed looking at the photos and reading the write up.
oneday soon I'll be doing the very same.... just have to convince the wife that separate holidays are a cool thing..... ;-)

[Luckypants]

just have to convince the wife that separate holidays are a cool thing..... ;-)Take her as pillion....... ;)

[markmoto]

Take her as pillion....... ;)

Nah he doesnt want to do that! :cool:

[Warthog]

Lovely pics, great holiday, a real inspiration!

[grh1904]

AWESOME !!!

I find some of that non slip black matting in between the bungees & luggage and the paintwork does the trick. Just cut it up to the size needed.

Click on the link below to MSGBIKEGEAR, he sells it.

Click on OXFORD ACCESSORIES, it's on page 2:-

http://msgbikegear.co.uk/images/blanket.jpg (http://msgbikegear.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=34) Oxford Tank Bag Blanket
...more info (http://msgbikegear.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=34)

[thor]

Thanks very much for sharing that. You've pretty much done the holiday I was going to do but had to cancel. Great photos too.

Two weeks on your own is a long time. Did you get lonely at any point? I think I would probably have needed some company after a few days. Mind you, being on your own can be very liberating too.

Jealous!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Did you have to pay for a pitch for your tent? I stayed in hotels when I went touring a couple of years ago - Formule 1 hotels are great if you're riding around France. ~£20 a night including (very basic) breakfast, although that price was split between 2 people.

[Luckypants]

I used a mixture of hotels / Formule 1 / camping on my trip. Most expensive campsite was in Millau, 12 euros for the night. Next night I paid 3 euros to camp! Formule 1 were around 30 euros and and a decent hotel 50 euros (http://www.hotel-de-paris.fr/affiche.asp?arbo=2&num=1).

For a cheap trip, camp at the 'Camping Municipal' which can found via the tourist information office. 3-6 euros a night for tent and bike, one person. Travelling two up, I would opt for hotels and dump the camping gear.

[DarrenSV650S]

Did you have to pay for a pitch for your tent? I stayed in hotels when I went touring a couple of years ago - Formule 1 hotels are great if you're riding around France. ~£20 a night including (very basic) breakfast, although that price was split between 2 people.
Yeh the camp sites were usually about 7 or 8 euros a night. Which I thought was very good as some had swimming pools and washing machines etc. I suppose you could just pitch the tent anywhere but I would be worried about security.
I only saw one formula 1 hotel and it was full. But there are loads of similar places (basically a huge warehouse with bedrooms). But that was fine with me because I just wanted as cheap as possible.
I found that I didn't get a very good nights sleep in the tent. I think next time I'll just take more money and ditch the tent. It took up one full pannier with the tent and sleeping bag.

[Luckypants]

I suppose you could just pitch the tent anywhere but I would be worried about security.

Camping Sauvage Interdit

Basically you can't pitch a tent except in a camp site almost everywhere in France.

[DarrenSV650S]

Camping Sauvage Interdit

Basically you can't pitch a tent except in a camp site almost everywhere in France.
Oh I didn't know that. But Im sure you could find somewhere out of sight, especially in the Alps

[Luckypants]

Well it may have happened sometime, somewhere in the Alps.... ;) But TBH I'd pay the low charges of the comping municipals and have a shower available.

[falc]

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k164/DarrenStewartTait/France/096-26-08-07.jpg


Great write up Darren, sounds like an awesome trip and the pictures are fantastic, this one has to be on of my favourites, got it in a larger format?

[Jelster]

In my experience, the cheaper hotels (F1, Kyriad etc) all offer excellent value, but they tend to be a little "out of town", which is probably why they're so cheap.

We usually like to have a decent meal with wine which is within walking distance of the hotel, so we opt for about €50 per person per night, plus the cost of the meal.

I don't think I could camp with the bike, I like my creature comforts too much !

.

I used a mixture of hotels / Formule 1 / camping on my trip. Most expensive campsite was in Millau, 12 euros for the night. Next night I paid 3 euros to camp! Formule 1 were around 30 euros and and a decent hotel 50 euros (http://www.hotel-de-paris.fr/affiche.asp?arbo=2&num=1).

For a cheap trip, camp at the 'Camping Municipal' which can found via the tourist information office. 3-6 euros a night for tent and bike, one person. Travelling two up, I would opt for hotels and dump the camping gear.

[Banus]

Thoroughly enjoyed those pics and the write up - not too much - just enough. How many of us wish we had the time to do this sort of tour - me included. Instead we all seem to be caught up in the Bl**dy rat race and seem to miss the point of living - me included :( I'm depressed now !

[Jelster]

Thoroughly enjoyed those pics and the write up - not too much - just enough. How many of us wish we had the time to do this sort of tour - me included. Instead we all seem to be caught up in the Bl**dy rat race and seem to miss the point of living - me included :( I'm depressed now !

All it takes is a weeks holiday. I usually combine it with the late summer bank holiday, so I go on Friday, or only take 4 days vacation...

.

[Luckypants]

He's right you know..... :D

[DarrenSV650S]

Great write up Darren, sounds like an awesome trip and the pictures are fantastic, this one has to be on of my favourites, got it in a larger format?Yeh thats my favourite too. The photo size is 2848 x 2136 but photobucket automatically resizes it when you upload it