Successful mini road trip concluded. Just over 3500 miles, average of just under 60mpg on the D roads and route nationale. Only one fully dry day and ended up basing myself in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes… whilst some may meditate, some play sports… for me 6 - 7 hours of riding, just focused on the road, just me, the bike, and the trip – it’s my inner zen provider.
Interesting start to the journey in as much with only two bikes in the carriage, I shared my breakfast with another rider and his wife, the sort of simple gesture we would all do on a long road trip… they were travelling to Italy in 20 hours on an 1200 Triumph Scrambler (via the Péage so pretty hardcore on an naked twin)… bit later the same day I had an IG post and an invite to stay in an Italian villa… turns out the bloke was the film director (if you’re a 60s kid you will know him) Peter Richardson with his wife… so now have an open invitation and free digs in an Italian villa.
Overall, the Guzzi performed faultlessly… no punctures, no oil (unlike my R1150GSA (which would have used at least a litre)), nothing fell off or broke… but it true Italian style after 3 days of torrential rain the right hand switchgear and screen wobbled and worked intermittently but after a dry out and squirt of contact cleaner we were back in action… three days back in my warm workshop we are now both in denial that anything ever happened…
Things I learnt.
• Spending a lot of money in the spring on Klim Bandlands Pro 3 Jacket and Trousers was not “an unnecessary extravagance” as Mary called it… not a drop of water got in via the Gortex Pro.
• That despite the Badlands, water will still track in via a Buff and the Pinlock on my Arai X4 is useless.
• Waterproof gloves are not…
• ‘Tenting’ is for the young or foolish – Ibis Budget all the way between £43- £47 a night with breakfast.
• I am very good at making cheese rolls under the cover of a table out of site of the owners of said Ibis Budget.
• Petrol is subsidised in France.
• Drink is subsidised in France.
• Food has gone up in price a lot… eating out is expensive but you can cobble together a hot meal in the bedroom of again… an Ibis Budget.
• The Cols shut early... even in September lots of snow at higher altitudes and the temperature fluctuates from 1 to abut 17 degrees.
• Popping exhausts and overrevving in tunnels is funny no matter your age.
• Michelin Anakee Adventure tyres are good in the wet but square off quickly.
Sure, there is more to say, and you can follow my musings and past trips @tyclyd.com. the days went in a heartbeat and although it was nice to be home and out of the rain… I do it all again tomorrow if I could.
Interesting start to the journey in as much with only two bikes in the carriage, I shared my breakfast with another rider and his wife, the sort of simple gesture we would all do on a long road trip… they were travelling to Italy in 20 hours on an 1200 Triumph Scrambler (via the Péage so pretty hardcore on an naked twin)… bit later the same day I had an IG post and an invite to stay in an Italian villa… turns out the bloke was the film director (if you’re a 60s kid you will know him) Peter Richardson with his wife… so now have an open invitation and free digs in an Italian villa.
Overall, the Guzzi performed faultlessly… no punctures, no oil (unlike my R1150GSA (which would have used at least a litre)), nothing fell off or broke… but it true Italian style after 3 days of torrential rain the right hand switchgear and screen wobbled and worked intermittently but after a dry out and squirt of contact cleaner we were back in action… three days back in my warm workshop we are now both in denial that anything ever happened…
Things I learnt.
• Spending a lot of money in the spring on Klim Bandlands Pro 3 Jacket and Trousers was not “an unnecessary extravagance” as Mary called it… not a drop of water got in via the Gortex Pro.
• That despite the Badlands, water will still track in via a Buff and the Pinlock on my Arai X4 is useless.
• Waterproof gloves are not…
• ‘Tenting’ is for the young or foolish – Ibis Budget all the way between £43- £47 a night with breakfast.
• I am very good at making cheese rolls under the cover of a table out of site of the owners of said Ibis Budget.
• Petrol is subsidised in France.
• Drink is subsidised in France.
• Food has gone up in price a lot… eating out is expensive but you can cobble together a hot meal in the bedroom of again… an Ibis Budget.
• The Cols shut early... even in September lots of snow at higher altitudes and the temperature fluctuates from 1 to abut 17 degrees.
• Popping exhausts and overrevving in tunnels is funny no matter your age.
• Michelin Anakee Adventure tyres are good in the wet but square off quickly.
Sure, there is more to say, and you can follow my musings and past trips @tyclyd.com. the days went in a heartbeat and although it was nice to be home and out of the rain… I do it all again tomorrow if I could.
