France Motorcycle Trip August 2018
Our French Holiday this year , a big loop of France taking in some fine roads and Towns. Some we have done before and revisiting others . New to us are,Fontainbleau ,Millau and the the Tarn Gorge, the Vercors balcony roads and Bescancon
Be patient if you will as yesterdays posting event went belly up at my end.. So may need a few goes. A pic of our intended route.
Friday 10th August
Looking at all the gear piled up on the bed to fit in smaller than our usual panniers makes me think , just go in the car its easier. Mardy panic moment over and I cut down on all the crap , put a clothes washing squeezee tube in and it becomes an easy pack. After all its saying good weather for at least the next week . Stuff will dry in our accomodation as we are in Fontainbleau,Saumur,Millau and Vercors for a couple of days each to explore.
Julie is working till 12 so I re check the bikes over and get them out on the road with panniers on ready for the off by the latest 2pm. Off on time we ride up to Hull for the ferry to Zebrugge, fill up on sans plomb a few miles out so we are ready to roll off the ferry.
We made it with time to spare.
Underway leaving the gathering rain clouds behind.
Saturday 11th August
Disembarked and away before 10am.
Fontainbleau is our first stop just below Paris , a little History and a chance to look at the magnificent grounds and gardens. Our route down is a mix of A routes , N and D roads. Nothing exciting - just get there. Booked an Ibis in the Town Center ,easy to find and a good base for exploring. The Market was as ever excellent, the best bit though for us was the Gardens and miles of walkways around the impressive Buildings.
A few photos.
Miles of treelined walkways.
Exiting the Garden we spy this , I bet their arse gets wet in the rain, ooh errrr.
Monday 13th August
Up and at em early we have a cross country run down to Saumur, we camped here in the 1990s and stayed by the river . I have booked another hotel , 3 nights right on the river as a suprise for Julie, a bridge walk away from the town. The riverside walks and old town are most enjoyable. Good weather is the icing on the cake. Night or day this is a very nice place.
View from our window.
As the day progressed and the light changes.
We go up the river path and back and visit the Chateau grounds , spotting these beauties.
View from near Chateau
Thursday 16th August
Up and off early, we follow the misty river.
On our way to Treignac we stop in Oradour sur glane for a couple of hours and then on to our overnight in L`Ancienne Maison ,a really nice place to stay, owned and run by an English couple. Recommended
Friday 17th August
Treignac to Millau
Its a good run down along some excellent roads.
We have a groundfloor apartment through Booking.com with offroad parking. Greeted by an elderly French couple , we are ushered inside , shutters are closed so it feels murky and payment was taken yesterday, no turning back now , however there is a 200 euro security deposit . Had this before with French Lets . There English is as good as our French but with loud voices and the medium of mime all is good. Once the shutters are open and the air is flowing all is good . The flat is very clean and well appointed. Unpacked and changed we head off to explore Millau. We find our bearings and decide to have an early tea and go exploring again first thing. We find the glove makers Millau is famous for its gloves. Tres` expensive.
WHO HAS A HAND LIKE THIS?
Best side on view of the Millau bridge is alledgedly from this Tower near Tourist info. Not for the faint hearted.
Two other beauties, both grip well in the corners, love the baby Gecko
Which reminds me its a bike trip so lets get on them local roads. We want to look at the bridge from different angles so off we go on one bike. Julie really pleased at not having to ride the bike as she is starting to find it a little heavy these last few trips.
I have prepared a 60 mile loop to look at the Millau Bridge and surrounding area. Julie on the back can take many more photos too.
Returning to find this cat warming Julies bike seat.
More to follow folks
Our French Holiday this year , a big loop of France taking in some fine roads and Towns. Some we have done before and revisiting others . New to us are,Fontainbleau ,Millau and the the Tarn Gorge, the Vercors balcony roads and Bescancon
Be patient if you will as yesterdays posting event went belly up at my end.. So may need a few goes. A pic of our intended route.
Friday 10th August
Looking at all the gear piled up on the bed to fit in smaller than our usual panniers makes me think , just go in the car its easier. Mardy panic moment over and I cut down on all the crap , put a clothes washing squeezee tube in and it becomes an easy pack. After all its saying good weather for at least the next week . Stuff will dry in our accomodation as we are in Fontainbleau,Saumur,Millau and Vercors for a couple of days each to explore.
Julie is working till 12 so I re check the bikes over and get them out on the road with panniers on ready for the off by the latest 2pm. Off on time we ride up to Hull for the ferry to Zebrugge, fill up on sans plomb a few miles out so we are ready to roll off the ferry.
We made it with time to spare.
Underway leaving the gathering rain clouds behind.
Saturday 11th August
Disembarked and away before 10am.
Fontainbleau is our first stop just below Paris , a little History and a chance to look at the magnificent grounds and gardens. Our route down is a mix of A routes , N and D roads. Nothing exciting - just get there. Booked an Ibis in the Town Center ,easy to find and a good base for exploring. The Market was as ever excellent, the best bit though for us was the Gardens and miles of walkways around the impressive Buildings.
A few photos.
Miles of treelined walkways.
Exiting the Garden we spy this , I bet their arse gets wet in the rain, ooh errrr.
Monday 13th August
Up and at em early we have a cross country run down to Saumur, we camped here in the 1990s and stayed by the river . I have booked another hotel , 3 nights right on the river as a suprise for Julie, a bridge walk away from the town. The riverside walks and old town are most enjoyable. Good weather is the icing on the cake. Night or day this is a very nice place.
View from our window.
As the day progressed and the light changes.
We go up the river path and back and visit the Chateau grounds , spotting these beauties.
View from near Chateau
Thursday 16th August
Up and off early, we follow the misty river.
On our way to Treignac we stop in Oradour sur glane for a couple of hours and then on to our overnight in L`Ancienne Maison ,a really nice place to stay, owned and run by an English couple. Recommended
Friday 17th August
Treignac to Millau
Its a good run down along some excellent roads.
We have a groundfloor apartment through Booking.com with offroad parking. Greeted by an elderly French couple , we are ushered inside , shutters are closed so it feels murky and payment was taken yesterday, no turning back now , however there is a 200 euro security deposit . Had this before with French Lets . There English is as good as our French but with loud voices and the medium of mime all is good. Once the shutters are open and the air is flowing all is good . The flat is very clean and well appointed. Unpacked and changed we head off to explore Millau. We find our bearings and decide to have an early tea and go exploring again first thing. We find the glove makers Millau is famous for its gloves. Tres` expensive.
WHO HAS A HAND LIKE THIS?
Best side on view of the Millau bridge is alledgedly from this Tower near Tourist info. Not for the faint hearted.
Two other beauties, both grip well in the corners, love the baby Gecko
Which reminds me its a bike trip so lets get on them local roads. We want to look at the bridge from different angles so off we go on one bike. Julie really pleased at not having to ride the bike as she is starting to find it a little heavy these last few trips.
I have prepared a 60 mile loop to look at the Millau Bridge and surrounding area. Julie on the back can take many more photos too.
Returning to find this cat warming Julies bike seat.
More to follow folks
. Maybe its last big trip as Julie finding bike a little heavy these days. Certainly be cheaper just taking mine (Yorkshire ` ism). The Fjr1300, just brilliant both solo and two up. Solid and planted, easy to ride and thus far no corrosion. Tyres are conti attack road 3 GT. Expensive but much better than oe . 
