Luckypant's Trip July 2007.

[Luckypants]

Hi All

I'm planning a trip round France and would welcome some suggestions. I plan to take in a stage of the Tour de France with my brother and meet my son who is working in the Ardeche. I also want to ride some of the spectacular bridges the French have. Here is a rough itinery

1. Drive through France to Grenoble
2. Find Pont D'Oxford in Grenoble
3. Bourg D'Oisons to meet brother.
4. Watch the tour on the Gallibier
5. Cross the Alps and head to the Gorges Verdun (see this month's Bike)
6. Pont D'Avignon (on foot)
7. Motor down to the Ardeche
8. Couple of days with son.
9. Millau Viaduct
10. Head North
11. Brotonne Bridge
12. Pont D'Normandie
13. Home

Any advise on roads in those general directions?
Any advise on which maps to buy?
Any recommanded camp sites / camp site guides?

Mike,

Have a look at www.alpineroads.com for some decent rods in the Alps and the Alsace region.

Other than that, do what I do, get a copy of MS Autoroute and study it, look for some "decent" looking roads and then google them, see what come up.

Fine part of France but I don't really know it well enough to give you anything reliable. There is a forum on Alpine Roads so somebody there may be able to help you.

.

[STRAMASHER]

If you get sick of the autoroute before you reach Grenoble, consider getting off it at Dijon( I always do as it gets you on the interesting stuff early!) and head to get on the N5 and head for Nyon in Switzerland. Over a small mountain range and as you head down to Nyon you see Lake Geneva ahead with the Swiss Alps in the background, stunning.Then head south to Annecy (gorgeous) Chambery,Grenoble.

Col du Galibier is a cracker. Had been beautifully resurfaced in 2004. We were there 3rd week in june and there was huge amounts of snow. The road had be cut out of the snow and but was not treacherous.

For Gorge Du Verdon, leave as early as you can in the morning to do the loop. Avoids a lot of the Dutch campeervans and tourist coaches. Take a spare set of footpegs as yours will be worn out! It really is something special, road and views.

Last year we made the mistake of crossing the Millau bridge south to north. WRONG! Dilluted the experience somewhat as you basically come round a corner and ,bang, you are on it. N-South and you can see it approaching for miles.

Orange Michelin maps are best. Show you all the twisties/viewpoints.

Have a good 'un and mind and post some pics.

[Lissa]

Hi Luckypants,

We've done Bourg D'Oisans/Alpe de Huez/Col de Galibier and the Gorge De Verdun in the last couple of years. Will happily bore you stupid about them during the Wales weekend

[Luckypants]

Originally Posted by Lissa

Hi Luckypants,

We've done Bourg D'Oisans/Alpe de Huez/Col de Galibier and the Gorge De Verdun in the last couple of years. Will happily bore you stupid about them during the Wales weekend

Cool! Will look forward to that.

Luckypants, what dates are you planning, as we are going to Switzerland, doing dover to calais Sunday July 8th morning and then having a week over there

[Luckypants]

Going out on 12th or 13th (not booked yet), I have booked those days off work so might even try blasting to Hull to catch overnight ferry to Ostend on Wednesday (11th) night to get early start on 12th. Then might take Stramasher's advice and take the Swiss route down to Bourg D'Oisons.

I can recommend the D902 (Route de Galbier). Last time I did it though it was cold, windy & raining, which fun (NOT). Cracking road.

[Luckypants]

Hmmm Been thinking of using the train to get from Toulouse or Brive, but it is soooo expensive. Website prices are for cars, £290 for the day I'm thinking. Anyone used this for bikes? (Jelster) what are the prices for bikes like? It might save me some petrol and a night or two camping, but seems to be pricey.

Luckypants, how did you get on with the ferry from Hull. We opted for ride to Dover, the Hull ferry seemed very expensive, now wondering if we have done the right thing!