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France Tour

Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 3:11 pm
by DavShill
Well I know we wanted good weather but it really was a bit too hot at times especially when stopped to do some sightseeing. A great trip nevertheless and Jules played a blinder packing clothes for a 12 day trip into 3 boxes. I did manage to persuade her that she didn't need three pairs of shoes and hair drier!

So the route was:
Kent overnight with family - Friday afternoon queuing for the Dartford Crossing was a drag.
Then on to Rouen on Saturday, then Chartres for two nights, Bourges for 2 nights, Tours for 2 nights then one night each at Le Mans, Avranches (near Mnt St Michel), Deauville, Le Touquet then home. - 1800 miles in total.

Bike was amazingly comfortable and performed superbly. Longest day was the final run home from Le Touquet to Beverley approx. 300 miles (via the Barge at Newark).

So here's a few pics

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lots of highlights - see the Tour De France so close up - we were 50 metres from the finish line but Cavendish failed by half a wheel - you have to see it to appreciate how fast those guys ride.

Then the Normandy beaches. The USA cemetery was very moving but I learnt so much about the period of the war - I had no awareness of the temporary harbour masterminded by Churchill at Aramanche. building concrete sections in Britain and floating them over to create a harbour the size of a thousand football pitches.

A really good trip, great food and wine, caught some live music at the Bourges Jazz festival, friendly biker types all over the place and a warm welcome at all the hotels.
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Posted: Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:32 pm
by Falco Frank
Good write up and pics, looks like a blast.

Triumph looks such a good allrounder, been sorely tempted by one myself.

Textiles with removable linings are a good choice for riding in hot climbs I feel (I've used Halvarrsons in 40°C)

I plan to use the word 'good' in each sentence - LOL

Good Health - Frank

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 5:14 am
by blinkey501
Nice pictures dave. Looks like you had a really good time. I must get over to the south of france myself now I have a futura.

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 7:06 am
by Dusty
That looks fantastic, Dave, and you are so lucky that your other half will accompany you. My last trip to Europe on a motorcycle was in 1982 and it was a fantastic experience which has been on my mind a lot recently after my mate, who accompanied me then, passed away last week. So, I really need to get my act together and do it again. Every time I go in a car, I wish I was on the bike, but there is no way that my wife will go anywhere on it. In fact, she won't even sit on it when it's parked in the drive and I'm sure stifles a yawn every time I wax lyrical about bikes!

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 7:54 am
by DavShill
Thanks Dusty - Yes I am lucky that Jules enjoys the bike. I must admit I was apprehensive about a two week trip but we had a few days when we were off the bike completely and some days we only did short mileages. I like it because it's a totally different riding experience, slower, more relaxed, more time to take in the sights and smells as you bimble through the countryside.

Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 8:50 am
by Falco Frank
Itchy feet / throttle now after re-reading that :smt003

Just realised I didnt put my Italy write-up on here - I'll go and dig it out.

Tally-Ho