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Nooj · #1 Post by **Nooj** » Sun May 31, 2009 1:02 pm

Three weeks time and we'll be down in your neck of the woods, do you have any recommended roads to seek out or avoid? Any local knowlage we should know?

We're talking about doing a day on and a day off the bikes while there, you're welcome to come over and hang out with us for as long as you like. An unknown quantity for us will be whether we will be able to get a mobile signal there, we usually can't in Northern France, but Spain and Italy seem ok (we're on O2). Any ideas of how we gan get in contact if need be?

Also I'm wondering about getting some new tyres down there, would you recommend it, what are the prices and availability like? I'd like some Corsa3's again, are French tyre fitters to be trusted?

#2 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun May 31, 2009 7:42 pm

As usual, our plans are still 'fluid' although I fancy a sojourn in La Belle France on the Falco in late June/early July (which is when you're there, I believe). What will make or break this is work (as usual). If the planets align favourably, we'll be there. If not...

In our particular area, I have a 'loop' of around 40 kms which is bluddy marvelous, I'll try and figure out how to represent it in Google maps. Part of it is used as a hill-climb circuit by the locals. But roads in most of the area are wonderful. The D911 is a particular favourite. The synergy with Porsche may or may not be intentional...

Definitely go and see the Viaduc du Millau, and take the road from Millau to Cahors. Then come back. Go and see the Cathar Castles in the area (Queribus, Peyrepertuse etc.) Drink the wine. Eat the food.

I'm not at all sure about re-shoeing the bikes in France. I suspect it will be more expensive rather than less. Pete will know better on this. You're probably better off getting a new set of boots fitted before departure. Why would you want to spend your hols hanging around a tyre fitters...?

Mobile signals are generally good. Our little village was a signal black hole for many years, but has improved greatly this year. It would also be a good idea to Google phone cards that can be used in French payphones to phone home. In French Tabacs they are (relatively) expensive, but I'm sure they could be acquired from an Internet vendor cheaper before you go.

Oh yes - make space in your luggage for wine and cheese to take back... If you want to have a chat PM me and I'll give you my phone number. I really want to get down there at the same time, so hopefully things will work out.

<Edit> Thinking further about the tyres, I'd definitely get them fitted before you go. Bikes in France tend to be viewed as luxury items and spares and consumables reflect that. Bear in mind also that the pound is weak against the Euro. If you want a definitive answer it might be worth checking with Olivier (GoModemGo) on the AF1 forum. Tell him a guide price for the tyres you're interested in and he should be able to tell you the French equivalent. But TBH I'd get them fitted before and save yourself the hassle.

Falcomille · #3 Post by **Falcomille** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:55 pm

Nooj... sorry - up to my arse in it as usual... been back to UK to visit daughter and grandson etc. Can let you have a list of roads around here which are up to "must ride" spec. I'll spend a bit more time on this this weekend. As Graham said.. do what you need to the bike before you leave the UK as prices in France are what you would pay in the UK X 1.75! Also, stock availability is a bit vague.
PM me with your mobile number and we'll arrange a meet up down in Dept 11, where the wine and the beaches (and the roads) are better than Dept 34 where Graham is. (Local rivalry as you can see!)
Stick Carcassonne on your list, and if you or the wife have read the da Vinci Code, it will give us an excuse to ride through the mountains to Rennes le Chateau, or Peyrepertuse.
I'll PM my email and land line to you now. PS Graham.. are you here or there?

Peter

Falcomille · #4 Post by **Falcomille** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 5:55 pm

Nooj... sorry - up to my arse in it as usual... been back to UK to visit daughter and grandson etc. Can let you have a list of roads around here which are up to "must ride" spec. I'll spend a bit more time on this this weekend. As Graham said.. do what you need to the bike before you leave the UK as prices in France are what you would pay in the UK X 1.75! Also, stock availability is a bit vague.
PM me with your mobile number and we'll arrange a meet up down in Dept 11, where the wine and the beaches (and the roads) are better than Dept 34 where Graham is. (Local rivalry as you can see!)
Stick Carcassonne on your list, and if you or the wife have read the da Vinci Code, it will give us an excuse to ride through the mountains to Rennes le Chateau, or Peyrepertuse.
I'll PM my email and land line to you now. PS Graham.. are you here or there?

Peter

#5 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Jun 03, 2009 10:24 pm

Hi Peter! Well - I was there (in May) but now I'm back here. The trip in May was a working (house renovation) 'holiday' although precious little holidaying got done.

I'm hoping to get over again in late June, although it's looking increasingly like it will be early July. But this time it'll be on the Falco if I can possibly manage it. It's just had it's first service and is rarin' to go... How did registration of your bird go, btw? I've made sure to retain my airbox bung and OE silencers for the day when I need to do the same.

I can see we will have to have a wine and roads face-off, to settle which Dept has best in Category. How many weeks have you got for the judging?

Falcomille · #6 Post by **Falcomille** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:15 pm

Graham... the registration is... still on-going. The bastards at Piaggio France want to charge me 240 Euro's for a CofC that I can't get (as it's a 2002 bike, and CofC's are not issued to bike older than 2003). You should have no problem as your bike is post-2003, just a trip to the Hotel des Impots and the Prefecture I think. Piaggio UK have been quite helpful, and a dealer in Toulouse will get my airbox restrictor in after the 16th June (after 4 months on order).
If you go to this link here.. http://bikeclubfrance.com/forum/viewfor ... 8d02b8042e it's all listed what you need to do.

See you soon.

#7 Post by **mangocrazy** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 2:28 pm

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply. It's going to be a while before I try and register the Falco in France, but I do want to register my 1988 VFR750 in France - so it looks as though I will be jumping through the same hoops as you...

How much of an inspection gets carried out on the bike for non-OEM parts? Does it cover everything, or are they just interested in lights, speedometer and exhausts? The reason I ask is that my VFR has an RC30 front end and a rear wheel/brake off a CBR600. Or is it just a case of 'luck of the draw'?

I'm wondering if it might be easier just to take it back to the UK for an MoT every year and keep it on a UK plate...

Nooj · #8 Post by **Nooj** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 1:27 pm

Thanks for the info, dudes. We're still here, all being well we ship (train actually) out on the 19th June!

What's the local Plod's opinion on small plates and loud cans?

Falcomille · #9 Post by **Falcomille** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 1:56 pm

Generally OK, just keep your speed down and watch for oncoming "flashers", people are good at that. Police bikes tend to hunt in packs and cops with radars hide in fields, so keep an eye out, especially in small villages on the Route Nationales. Also, I mentioned it before and I'll mention it again... when not on the RN's (ie: Villages or Department or "D" roads, watch for right-hand junctions because they can have right of way and some old farts don't even look before pulling out! Yellow triangles with a white border means you have right of way on that road, but in villages and towns, they disappear and you sometimes see a red triangle with a black cross, which sometimes means cover your brake! Best thing is to look for stop lines at junctions.
I'm sure you'll enjoy it though! Weather is nice, got up to the early thirties last week, but just dropped to mid-twenties now though.

Peter

Nooj · #10 Post by **Nooj** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 5:02 pm

Looking forward to it, currently bolting the luggage rack back on for the panniers. Just need to find somewhere to relocate the new(ish) rear indicators where they can be seen now.

#11 Post by **mangocrazy** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 6:41 pm

Our plans still aren't fixed yet, although it's almost certain that we'll be flying down and using the old VFR to hoon about on, not riding the Falco down

I was dead set on doing a proper tour with the Falco, having already scored a set of pukka Falco luggage for just that purpose, but it was pointed out to me that:

1. We only have about 10 days hols, and riding down and back would swallow up at least 3 days of that.

2. The cost of two return Ryanair flights would only be about £150, whereas cost of petrol, overnight accommodation and ferries would probably come to twice that amount.

3. That was the whole point of leaving the VFR down there and getting the Falco to replace it in the UK.

Put like that, I couldn't really argue. (Well, I did, but I lost). So my cunning plan is to go over on my own on the Falco in September and let SWMBO fly out to join me. But I haven't told her that bit yet. I think Andy is up for a jaunt in September, so a plan might just be beginning to form...

Anyway - it's now down to when we can get the best Ryanair flight prices. So we might be down there when you are, Nooj. Then again we might not ('twas ever thus...)

D-Rider · #12 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:35 pm

mangocrazy wrote:So my cunning plan is to go over on my own on the Falco in September and let SWMBO fly out to join me. But I haven't told her that bit yet. I think Andy is up for a jaunt in September, so a plan might just be beginning to form...

Yep .... let's get planning .... I've even sort of mentioned the possibility to my Mrs and I still seem to be alive.

I'll be in Sweden between 20th and 25th Sept for the ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) World Congress - I've been encouraging a member of my team to present a paper and we've been accepted - so that's a fixed commitment now.
Could do with being in the office the week before that but there is a window of opportunity - just a case of whether it fits in with yours.

#13 Post by **mangocrazy** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 9:12 am

Just logged into Ryanair's site and picked up return flights for myself and Jackie for 2 weeks in early July - all-in cost of £40!

At that kind of price there really is no contest... Plus I arrive relatively fresh (not having ridden best part of 1000 miles). We're down there from 2nd-15th July - how does that fit in with your itinerary, Nooj?

Nooj · #14 Post by **Nooj** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 8:04 pm

We ship out for blighty on the 4th, so we could do something before then.