EuroKClub
General forum area => Ride Out Reports => Topic started by: raesewell on July 01, 2018, 02:55:22 pm
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It seems to have been a long wait since the Wrinklies trip until our Holiday in France this year.
It's a week today before we set off on our jolls.
We are heading south next Sunday 8th July hopefully meeting up with Rich on the way down to Ferndown, where we are staying before heading to Poole for the ferry to Jersey. I have contacted KLC to see if he's available for a meet up. The Nigel Mansell collection looks interesting and we'll take a look while we are there.
After a couple of days in Jersey we are off to Vannes, La Rochelle, Bordeaux, Chatellerault, Alencon and finally Le Treport before heading for the tunnel and home. As usual I'll try to remember to take pictures. I will also try to get as many bins in shot just to satisfy Toms bin fetish, no promises Tom.
This year, because of the weather the main concern is staying cool, with temperatures in France in the high twenties and low thirties.
I have ordered the cooling jacket that fits my Rev It jacket, I'll let you know how good it is.
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Have a great trip. Remember that the open road (non-motorway or dual carriageway) limit is now 80kph/50mph and that 81mph on an open road is enough for an on the spot €1000+ fine and an instant ban in France. Enthusiastic enforcement is apparently happening all over France.
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Tomtom just released an update yesterday with the latest speed limits. Most of our riding is across the largely empty rural roads where the forward visibility it good, so hopefully I'll be OK. I suppose I could just try to stick to the speed limit, I might give that a try, it'll be a completely new experience for me ;D :-\
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I tried it once, fell asleep...
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We set off this morning at 9am here is the bike in full touring mode
(https://preview.ibb.co/hHafBo/20180708_073846.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iJJNP8)
The first 100 miles were done on the M1. I used the cruise control and stuck to the speed limit (boring).
We stopped for a coffee in a nice air conditioned Mcdonalds. We then pressed on to meet Richard (richtea) for a spot of lunch. This was the Royal Oak in Tingewick, a really nice country pub with very friendly locals. It was nice to catch up with Rich for the first time since this years Wrinklies trip.
After lunch we pressed on to Ferndown and the Premier Inn. Temperatures were up to 34 C according to the bikes computer but having the cooling vest and being well hydrated made it bearable. A few pints of lager were consumed by Melanie and myself along with some nice nosh. Then off to bed as we have a ferry to catch in the morning to St Heller. More later ;)
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Hope the weather stays the same as the UK (it's not often you can say that)
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Much too hot at the moment for my liking.
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Yes, new grip hazard - melting tarmac.
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Today we are in tourist mode and on Le Petit Tren
(https://preview.ibb.co/fi5FE8/20180710_102558.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hmYfgo)
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After Le Petit Tren we took a walk to the Nigel Mansell collection
(https://preview.ibb.co/jHXScT/20180710_120521.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j26W48)
(https://preview.ibb.co/mvX4P8/20180710_121932.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jOwW48)
On the way back to town I spotted a dedicated bike park, never seen this in England, not just a few spaces.
(https://preview.ibb.co/knn4P8/20180710_132111.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j8CFWo)
(https://preview.ibb.co/jnNFWo/20180710_132215.jpg) (https://ibb.co/i14Uro)
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Struggling to see the bins, Rae. But that does force me to consider each picture nice and closely. Clever. ;D
Nerd spot: That red beast (3 wheeler?) behind the JPS looks like it might have a horizontal K engine in it.
(http://www.poqit.com/modulo.jpg) (http://www.poqit.com/modulo.jpg)
Keep the pics coming - its like being on hols with you. Eek.
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It was a bike type setup Rich, don't know what engine it was.
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It was a pleasant crossing from St Helier to St Malo, sunny and calm. Much like the journey to Vannes. The bike got a secluded corner in the underground car park.
(https://preview.ibb.co/dixbro/20180711_165717.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fmP0HT)
At Melanies suggestion here is one for Tom
(https://preview.ibb.co/dsyo48/20180711_165840.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jJmxxT)
And moving swiftly on, we walked into town and came across this strange offering
(https://preview.ibb.co/jUQ1P8/20180711_171535.jpg) (https://ibb.co/muJcxT)
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Another day another town, here we are in Vannes on another warm and sunny day.
We found ourselves another petit tren
(https://preview.ibb.co/dye7XT/20180712_104332.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kHT1sT)
Parking motorcycles is never a problem in France. Here are a few we came across while walking about Vannes
(https://preview.ibb.co/jDe7XT/20180712_101711.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ccPKe8)
(https://preview.ibb.co/dyt1sT/20180712_101626.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fdBXz8)
(https://preview.ibb.co/nCp7XT/20180712_102300.jpg) (https://ibb.co/meDZCT)
(https://preview.ibb.co/nc1Amo/20180712_101639.jpg) (https://ibb.co/g5EkK8)
(https://preview.ibb.co/fsrze8/20180712_111318.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cQFgsT)
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Love the last one - Solex(?) + bin. Quality.
Are you there for the Sunday footie final? Should be fun.
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We'll be in Bordeaux for the final.
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Whatever you do, don't wear that red & white checked shirt you packed.
Vive la France, etc.
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I think I'll nip out and buy a French team shirt.
When in Rome and all that, or in this case when in France ;D
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Do I take it that France are in the final ::)
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After a day of not hearing the 'football's coming home' song i can safely say we are not in the final..
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For those that are familiar with La Rochelle we are here
(https://preview.ibb.co/drdQnT/20180713_181030.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j9jbu8)
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Today 14th July is in France what we call Bastille Day, the French call it Fete Nationale. All over France are parades, street entertainment and later on firework displays.
There was a parade today in La Rochelle right in front of our hotel.
The French police have a good choice in bikes, not so much the attire
(https://preview.ibb.co/iNpEz8/20180714_105554.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nhRGCT)
We visited Le Bunker, where German Uboat crews called home during the occupation. An underground rabbit Warren of rooms and well worth a visit. No pictures, you'll have to visit it yourself.
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I hope the "La Rochelle motards" performed better than those in Paris :D
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They seemed to arrive and leave without incident.
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We have arrived in Bordeaux and I can tell you it's king hot, the bike was showing an ambient temperature of 35 degrees. We can now go and enjoy our complimentary drink at the Ibis bar :-*
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A quick weather update, here in Bordeaux we have some very welcome rain accompanied by thunder and lightning, who'd of thought you would be glad to see rain.
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Bottle it and bring it back with you. I'll gladly buy all you can smuggle under the tunnel ;D
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allez les bleus is the saying on everyone's lips.
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Mental it was
(https://preview.ibb.co/nRkQ9J/20180715_194142.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mtAspJ)
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They may have won the world championship, but after this world championship, for years to come, they'll still have their 80 km/h speed limit. So should they really be happy ? :-X
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The journey from Bordeaux to Chatellerault was pretty uneventful and mostly on N roads to get there quickly to avoid being in the heat any longer than need be.
The journey from Chatellerault to Alencon was a cooler affair but not by much. We took some nice twiddly roads in 22 to 25 degrees as opposed to the 28 to 30 degrees the day before. On arrival in Alencon I found a bit of bike sized pavement.
(https://preview.ibb.co/dOzE9J/20180719_102621.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f3JkGy)
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Who'd have thought you would be grateful for rain
(https://preview.ibb.co/kXoNwy/20180719_165828.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jFej9J)
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Bring is some back mate... ;D
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If I could I would. All the pictures we have seen of home showed very dry grass, so we are aware of how dry its been. I'll see if I can drag a cloud or two back with me.
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If I could I would. All the pictures we have seen of home showed very dry grass, so we are aware of how dry its been. I'll see if I can drag a cloud or two back with me.
Please don't! Warm dry summers are so rare I'll live with a bit of parched grass.
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You need to have a word with Brian, it's his request ;D
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We had a pleasant if somewhat damp journey from Alencon to Le Treport, a busy seaside town
(https://preview.ibb.co/jxjk3d/20180720_165936.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bMUw9J)
While meandering along the front I found this for you delectations
(https://preview.ibb.co/kpM9UJ/20180720_170132.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mNxipJ)
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You need to have a word with Brian, it's his request ;D
Whoo hoo - Miracle of miracles - its raining. First time in 4 maybe 5 weeks.
You are the Rae-N Man.
Now Rae, the bit that matters - can you stop it on demand too?
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Apparently Herefordshire is flooded out, here in Swindon, 247 drops at the last count...
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As you can see the Eurotunnel train was a bit on th quiet side
(https://preview.ibb.co/b1RnZJ/20180721_104809.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gQVEEJ)
The Rovers Return
(https://preview.ibb.co/mpEKgy/20180721_104925.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fQAs1y)
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A nice little write up with some interesting piccies Rae. Thanks for posting. :)