I plan to run a basic trip to France in 2009.
I would like to gear it towards UKGSers who have either:
(a) Never toured much
(b) Never been to France much
(c) May perhaps have never been abroad on their bikes
It is not going to be 'hard core' mileage but (depending on your confidence / normal daily ride-out*) it may push some people. But that is part of the fun, surely? It will have to include one 350 mile day to come home. But, if punters wish, much of that can be knocked off on a motorway.
What's involved?
First off, I am not a professional tour operator. It's just a jaunt, nothing more.
Timing? Probably late spring or early summer. Possibly around the later May Bank Holiday.
Four days away. Possibly, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the Bank Holiday Monday.
Out and back on the Chunnel. OK it's more expensive than the ferry but it's less of a faff and the hour saved is handy. Book your own tickets.
Probably two hotels. Both Logis de France, The most southerly one near Dijon, from where we will be returning, hence the 350 odd mile run to Calais. I will make the reservations for everyone.
Cost: If you share a room and don't go too far off-piste on the beers / a la carte, it will not be huge. I am not though going to compete with the Formula 1 or homogenised hotels, which would be cheaper. I could do some likely costings in the New Year if anyone is desperate to know.
Deposit: I will (probably) require a deposit, only because I will need to secure the rooms in what are family hotels. Again, I can let you know this in the New Year.
Number of tourists? As this is geared to non-regular tourists I would like to limit it to six bikes. Pillions are welcome.
What to expect?
Weather, I can't do much about it, sorry.
Roads: A very good balance of major and minor roads, with a preference on D (local) roads. There will be no off-roading and nothing that you could not easily ride on a scooter, a GS, an R1 or a fully loaded Goldwing.
Preplanned routes in Excel and GPS (Garmin) format with suggestions for days out, if you want to do your own thing.
Nobody is forced to ride with me / the group. If you want to do your own thing, that's fine and we are all grown up. Everyone will know where the hotel is....but do bring a decent map (many often forget).
What do you need?
A sense of humour and probably a nagging fear that there will definitely not be petrol.
A decent map or two (I can help you if you are unsure) preferably of the bit of France we are going to.
Passport and documents. I can help you if you are unsure, the police certainly will should you be unfortunate enough to meet them in a professional capacity.
Medical and breakdown cover. It is a sodding long way to push a bent bike with a broken leg, after all. Seriously, you may be injured or fall ill (I have done both) and it will fall on your fellow tourists to help. That is so much easier if you have decent insurance, which covers you / your pillion - for the trip - on a motorbike of that capacity. There are lots of threads on the topic.
That's about it.
Post up on this thread if you are interested or have any questions.
PM if you prefer.
Richard
* If your normal day out is 30 or 50 miles and is a 'long way', with tea and lunch breaks, it will definitely push you...But that is the whole point of trying something new. All the routes will have major roads reasonably close and there is no shame attached to using them. It is not a marathon, nor is it a bimble.
I would like to gear it towards UKGSers who have either:
(a) Never toured much
(b) Never been to France much
(c) May perhaps have never been abroad on their bikes
It is not going to be 'hard core' mileage but (depending on your confidence / normal daily ride-out*) it may push some people. But that is part of the fun, surely? It will have to include one 350 mile day to come home. But, if punters wish, much of that can be knocked off on a motorway.
What's involved?
First off, I am not a professional tour operator. It's just a jaunt, nothing more.
Timing? Probably late spring or early summer. Possibly around the later May Bank Holiday.
Four days away. Possibly, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and the Bank Holiday Monday.
Out and back on the Chunnel. OK it's more expensive than the ferry but it's less of a faff and the hour saved is handy. Book your own tickets.
Probably two hotels. Both Logis de France, The most southerly one near Dijon, from where we will be returning, hence the 350 odd mile run to Calais. I will make the reservations for everyone.
Cost: If you share a room and don't go too far off-piste on the beers / a la carte, it will not be huge. I am not though going to compete with the Formula 1 or homogenised hotels, which would be cheaper. I could do some likely costings in the New Year if anyone is desperate to know.
Deposit: I will (probably) require a deposit, only because I will need to secure the rooms in what are family hotels. Again, I can let you know this in the New Year.
Number of tourists? As this is geared to non-regular tourists I would like to limit it to six bikes. Pillions are welcome.
What to expect?
Weather, I can't do much about it, sorry.
Roads: A very good balance of major and minor roads, with a preference on D (local) roads. There will be no off-roading and nothing that you could not easily ride on a scooter, a GS, an R1 or a fully loaded Goldwing.
Preplanned routes in Excel and GPS (Garmin) format with suggestions for days out, if you want to do your own thing.
Nobody is forced to ride with me / the group. If you want to do your own thing, that's fine and we are all grown up. Everyone will know where the hotel is....but do bring a decent map (many often forget).
What do you need?
A sense of humour and probably a nagging fear that there will definitely not be petrol.
A decent map or two (I can help you if you are unsure) preferably of the bit of France we are going to.
Passport and documents. I can help you if you are unsure, the police certainly will should you be unfortunate enough to meet them in a professional capacity.
Medical and breakdown cover. It is a sodding long way to push a bent bike with a broken leg, after all. Seriously, you may be injured or fall ill (I have done both) and it will fall on your fellow tourists to help. That is so much easier if you have decent insurance, which covers you / your pillion - for the trip - on a motorbike of that capacity. There are lots of threads on the topic.
That's about it.
Post up on this thread if you are interested or have any questions.
PM if you prefer.
Richard
* If your normal day out is 30 or 50 miles and is a 'long way', with tea and lunch breaks, it will definitely push you...But that is the whole point of trying something new. All the routes will have major roads reasonably close and there is no shame attached to using them. It is not a marathon, nor is it a bimble.
.... I am sure he hasn't forgotten my animal impersonations, ordering meals in the Picos with Judge etal.....
