Falco Invasion: France 2009

[Nooj]

Debz and meself have been thinking about having a couple of weeks in France this year, staying in a bike specific campsite/B&B and exploring the local roads and cheese rather than slogging half way across Europe and back again.

Having seen Falcomille's comment on the posibility of a French meet has got me thinking that it's not a bad idea, would anybody be up for a week/two week meet at such a place, alternating a day in the bar, a day exploring on the bike etc. keeping one day aside for a collective ride-out somewhere?

We were looking at staying somewhere between Narbonne and Millau, there's some wiggly roads, a big national park and the south coast all within reasonable reach.

What say you, sirs?

[D-Rider]

Is this the same one that Aladinsaneuk's organising at the end of June or a different one?

...... I'm going to get confused ....

[Nooj]

Thought you were going to Poland with him, what's happening now then?

[Nooj]

Ah, found 'Laddin's post. The above will be something we'll do anyway, definitey a holiday rather than a mammoth tour. It could tie in with your plan depending on our dates, or it could be a totally different thing for anyone else who can't join you guys.

[Aladinsaneuk]

My our plans are fluid! Am open to any ideas - I am tied to those dates though

Poland was cancelled as it would be bloody cold!

The Alps trip just came up in discussion but nothing has been decided at all

[mangocrazy]

Debz and meself have been thinking about having a couple of weeks in France this year, staying in a bike specific campsite/B&B and exploring the local roads and cheese rather than slogging half way across Europe and back again.

Having seen Falcomille's comment on the posibility of a French meet has got me thinking that it's not a bad idea, would anybody be up for a week/two week meet at such a place, alternating a day in the bar, a day exploring on the bike etc. keeping one day aside for a collective rideout somewhere?

We were looking at staying somewhere between Narbonne and Millau, there's some wiggly roads, a big national park and the south coast all within reasonable reach.

What say you, sirs?

Count me in - that's (fairly) local to my place in France and you're right, there are some great roads in that area...

[Chabby]

Me and a couple of mates are looking to go to France last week May, first in June.

Ferry from NE to Amsterdam.

One hasn't got a bike yet having sold his VFR over the winter, the others looking to trade his FZ6 for something bigger before the hol - He's considering a Fut if the right one comes along.

[Falcomille]

Oo-er that sound like it might be the beginnings of a plan. The wife and I were wondering what to do for a holiday.... Lots of places to stay down this neck of the woods and it is out of season as well.

[mangocrazy]

Me and a couple of mates are looking to go to France last week May, first in June.

That's a bit of a bugger - I'll just be heading back to Blighty from the S of F at that time. I'm heading down to my 'project' for the middle two weeks of May for a working holiday; unfortunately with the emphasis on working rather than holiday...

Might be able to fly over for a few days, pick up the VFR and tazz about on that though - if that's allowed?

[Falcomille]

Get Nooj to make your VFR look like a Falco - that'll do

[Nooj]

Get Nooj to make your VFR look like a Falco - that'll do

With some old corks, the back of a cornflake packet, some double sided sticky tape...

AND A HACKSAW AND A FUCKING BIG HAMMER!!!!!!


Bwaaaaaaah-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaa!

[Nooj]

For the dudes that know the area, when is a good time to go there for dry weather and quiet roads? Any specific towns you'd recommend staying in or around?

[Falcomille]

For the dudes that know the area, when is a good time to go there for dry weather and quiet roads? Any specific towns you'd recommend staying in or around?

Weather....if last May is anything to go by, it can be "changeable". I saw the most threatening-coloured sky of my life last may, but generally you might have one crap day, but the sun always comes out next day. Temperatures late May/early June are typically mid-20's. As a rule-of-thumb, the nearer the Med, the better the weather. The roads are no problem, only August is busy. BUT France's classification of busy compared to an average wednesday on the M25, M6 or M1 is laughable.
On the trips down south, if the weather looks bad, you can put the bike on the AutoTrain from Paris Bercy to Toulouse (about 450 miles) and get the overnight sleeper from Paris Austerlitz and pick up your bike about 8:00am. Saves a day riding and a night or two in a hotel.

[Aladinsaneuk]

how expnsive is that train?

[Falcomille]

how expnsive is that train?

I bought a ticket at Calais station on the day of travel for 128 Euro's for the bike, plus the overnight couchette for about 80 Euro's. It is maybe cheaper booking ahead (SNCF are always emailing me with special offers), but when you consider fuel, Autoroute charges and hotels it wasn't so bad, considering we crossed the French prairie country overnight, and was only about 1 hour from the Med when we arrived.