A little potter on the Guzzi

The best days on a bike are when you aren't expecting what's round the next corner .
Today turned out to be just that kind of day.
Up earlyish and left Castellane with the temperature hovering on zero.
Straight on to the Route Napoleon heading north to Digne,and then my usual branch off on the D900A to route through the Clue de Barles and then the D7 up over the Col Du Fanget.

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After that I was breaking with the norm and plotted a route to head through the Vercors specifically to ride over the Combe Laval balcony road.

What I wasn't expecting before that was the Col de Rousset.What an amazing road with stunning views all the way up and especially at the top.

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After that the routing took me up over the Col de Carri and on through the beautiful Vercors to the Col de la Machine and the start of the Combe Laval.

Except,I was met by this ........


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Bollocks.

Time for a coffee


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On ordering coffee in the cafe at the top,I asked the owner why the Combe was blocked and he said that there had been a landslide but that it was passable and told me to ignore it.
Dozens of bikes turned up and turned around but having come all this way I took his advice and I'm pleased I did.

What a stunning piece of road !

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A great day to be on two wheels.


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On ordering coffee in the cafe at the top,I asked the owner why the Combe was blocked and he said that there had been a landslide but that it was passable and told me to ignore it.
Dozens of bikes turned up and turned around but having come all this way I took his advice and I'm pleased I did.

What a stunning piece of road !

0a81c3d89ef47fe027eca4b51c7d83b0.jpg


3f0b880ec4ef99473d80d88010896b77.jpg


45ca418d1672b91265071eb57c9d1227.jpg


3c6ab8b9ffb606e032549311a3f0988f.jpg


A great day to be on two wheels.


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That looks a great rd to have to yourself. It's been too long since i was in that area, and i think you have just realigned my priorities. :beerjug:
 
That looks a great rd to have to yourself. It's been too long since i was in that area, and i think you have just realigned my priorities. :beerjug:

I've ridden north up the Route Napoleon many times now but have never cut across to route through the Vercors. It was utterly beautiful.
The Col de Rousset was an unexpected bonus .
Will be doing it again in June with g/f in the car .
If anybody wants the route I can share it via Motogoloco.


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Nice write up & lovely pics Martin......wouldn't mind the route please :thumb2

Here ya go. This is it.Bare in mind that I planned it all in about 5 minutes the night before.A couple of the waypoints I added will need a short u-turn when you get near but you can just skip them as it will be obvious when you see them loom up.

Did about 300 miles today again all on D roads .Blue skies all day long.

Ended up in Amboise on the Loire Valley and booked this slum with a big discount on Booking.com as I passed !

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Only took a couple of pics today as wanted to crack on......


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Great day for riding here today

Took wifey for a spin on the new Bonnie

Bikes everywhere :D

Keep it coming, good report :thumb2

I'm done , apart from heading to Cancale tomorrow night for my almost traditional last night before catching ferry home on Tuesday morning .

Nice evening here though for having a
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really interesting stuff on the trip and the bike, thanks, am more than a bit jealous as i deal with bored kids on holiday here

i take it you got used to finding the pegs? and is there sat nav power near the clocks anywhere?
i assume first service is 600 miles then every 6000?

getting close to buying one, theres a dealer in Essex with a lump of cash knocked off a new bike

watch this space........................mark
 
really interesting stuff on the trip and the bike, thanks, am more than a bit jealous as i deal with bored kids on holiday here

i take it you got used to finding the pegs? and is there sat nav power near the clocks anywhere?
i assume first service is 600 miles then every 6000?

getting close to buying one, theres a dealer in Essex with a lump of cash knocked off a new bike

watch this space........................mark

Riding position is actually all day comfy !!!

With regard to sat nav power, yes you probably could mount one and take a feed but I used a really good Oxford tank bag with a special pocket for a sat nav or tablet within the top map pocket . It also has feed holes for power. I bought a double USB lead that plugs straight in to the Optimate plug and it meant I could use my cheapo bargain Halfords Garmin Luxe 50 AND keep my phone charged the whole time .

If you can get a 'new' Audace for a discount, just do it . Brilliant bike ! Goes like stink but cruises lovely at 80 mph at 4000 rpm


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On ordering coffee in the cafe at the top,I asked the owner why the Combe was blocked and he said that there had been a landslide but that it was passable and told me to ignore it.
Dozens of bikes turned up and turned around but having come all this way I took his advice and I'm pleased I did.

What a stunning piece of road !

0a81c3d89ef47fe027eca4b51c7d83b0.jpg


3f0b880ec4ef99473d80d88010896b77.jpg


45ca418d1672b91265071eb57c9d1227.jpg


3c6ab8b9ffb606e032549311a3f0988f.jpg


A great day to be on two wheels.


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That first picture, has got to be your new screen saver, surely. Unless you have picture of the tight little butt , you told us about.:D
 
Nearly journeys end.Back on the channel coastline at Cancale.

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Massive tidal range here.Oyster beds everywhere

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Staying at fav hotel/restaurant .

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Sole tonight.Yum yum


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really interesting stuff on the trip and the bike, thanks, am more than a bit jealous as i deal with bored kids on holiday here

i take it you got used to finding the pegs? and is there sat nav power near the clocks anywhere?
i assume first service is 600 miles then every 6000?

getting close to buying one, theres a dealer in Essex with a lump of cash knocked off a new bike

watch this space........................mark

Where's that in Essex?
 


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