Anyone ridden to the south of France?

Originally Posted by Corf

speaking of euro rides, and as am on first trip next week - how good are they at putting bike on ferry? what do they do? will i need to take something like a camping mat to attach to it as i assume they put right against a wall? any advice on how it shoudl be done so can make sure ferry bods do it appreciated.

Easy - you put it on the stand and they'll strap it down for you. Give the bike a good tug to make sure you're happy with the job. You might also want to take a tea towel or similar to put across the tank to avoid scratches (and handy to have one anyway). And your tail plastics should be well covered in tape for similar reasons and to avoid wear marks from your luggage.

[Luckypants]

most are pretty good now and supply ratchet straps to tie down your bike. Here is mine from last year....




Per Coogirl you can see my plastics covered in masking tape. Masking tape was a mistake as the glue dried out and became hard. Gaffa Tape is a better solution.

On the subject of gaffa tape, take a decent roll and some cable ties for repairing any minor bodywork damage if the worst happens.

You MUST go to Carcasonne in the pyrenees. Head for the centre of the town then follow signs to "La Cite". This medieval walled city has to be seen. Then if want a fantastic ride out of the town head to a place called Mazamet on the D118. The Millau viaduct is also a must see if you are going to the south of France.

[embee]

Just a tip.

South of France in August can be hellish, everyone and his brother on holiday. Avoid the med coast unless you really really must.

It can be hot with a capital H, make sure you carry water (a litre minimum)and stop regularly for a drink, heat and dehydration will give you serious headaches, and worse. If you're going to stop watch out for some shade to stop under.

Other than that, take it easy and enjoy.

[timwilky]

Many years since I last did it. When in France. first lesson is you ride on the right. Which means you also turn right at roundabouts. Whoops.


We dossed down at the side of the autoroute near Lyon and got down south next day. Preston - Lyon in one day was bloody hard work and I was knackered.

Plenty of places to camp down south. We usually used a site in Antibe. I saw one guy go metal on metal on his front pads before he got to Dover. I saw another need a new chain/sprockets in the south of France. So I guess the first thing is to make sure your bike is actually roadworthy before you set off.

Learn a bit of French. Enough to talk the camp site owner etc into letting you pitch in the shade. Be able to borrow his Facom toolkit etc. or to get directions to the nearest bike shop. A small English French Dictionary is a must.

OK now the really sensible things to take.

1) A pack of baby wipes. not just for your backside.
2) A credit card. Remember that you may not be able to get fuel in rural locations on sundays.
3) tie wraps, duck tape and a cargo net.
4) small first aid kit, include something to remove wasp/bee stings. Plenty of aftersun cream and sun block. I could not get a helmet on because of the blisters on my ear lobes.
5) Immodium/paracetomol etc.

The French are generally bike concious, courteous if you also make the effort. However watch out for Belgians in Volvos and Mercedes. They are down right dangerous.

As for August. Ideal time to visit Paris. The Peripherique is wonderful in August

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Looking back up the gorge from the bridge.

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These are the 3 standard issue Gorge Du Verdon photies that everybody thats evr been , takes.

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Col de Galibier. 3rd week of June. Even colder than it looks with the wind chill.

I've never been more excited about going!