Advice for a couple of routes

[stonehenge]

Hello,

I am part of a group going to France in August and have been assigned a couple of routes to lead.

They are:

Millau to Grasse, and;
Grenoble to Avallon

Are there any roads that I must do on these stretches? Likewise, any to avoid like the plague? Or any preferred routes?

Any help greatfully received.

BTW - the bridge is part of my route out of the town - going North is best so I am told.

Thanks .......... Steve

 

[Tim Cullis]

It seems the excellent ADAC maps are no longer available for free download, the MR7 has some routes for the Grenoble to Avallon stage, see http://www.mapsman.com/store/product.php?id=99

From Grenoble take the D512 north via St Pierre de Chartreuse and St Pierre d'Entremont towards Chambery.

From Aix les Bain take the 'Route d'Aix' (D991) on the right hand side of the lake, then at Culoz take the D120 to Lochieu, the D69 to Brenaz, the D30 to Ruffieu, then the D31 and D979 to Bourg en Bresse.

 

[Wapping]

As you are a part of a group and have been assigned a section or two (which suggests that others are doing their bits) maybe you should set about trying to do it, instead of getting it done for you?

There are lots of threads on assorted topics, including:

Maps (see sticky)

Roads (see sticky)

80 or more lovingly created routes, to be pawed over, cut and pasted, for just such an event as yours (see sticky)

Enter the place names into Search, either here on UKGSer and or via a Google search of: 'insert place name motorcycle road' or something equally inventive.

You will find it much more rewarding, learn something and have a bit of fun.

PS When planning, if you have a large group of mixed ability riders, fuel stops will eat into your time, as will lunch stops, fag breaks, picture pauses and flower pressing.

If you are going all down D roads, you will be lucky to average much over 40 mph, so 250 miles will seem quite a long way... depending on when you intend to start the day, have lunch and stop again.

 

[Our Gee]

Never actually done Millau to Grasse but looking at my map I see that it would be possible to include the D94/D994 from Nyons to Serres which is a blinder. The section through the gorges near St May is superb. The whole road is very well surfaced. After Serres the E712 takes you down to join the
N85 (Route Napoleon) south of Sisteron down to Grasse. The problem (if you could call it that) is getting from Millau to the Rhone Valley across the Parc National des Cevennes. The way we did it a few years ago was to use the free stretch of the A75 (about 30 miles) up to Jnc. 39.1 then we followed the N88 and N106 to Ales, again another good road with lots of twisties. From Ales it's the D6 to Bagnols-sur-Ceze, N86, crossing the Rhone to Bollene, then the D94 to Nyons which is a lovely market town (Thursdays and Sunday) with plenty of Bars/Cafe's for meals or coffee. After Nyons it's as above. Just had a thought, if it,s too busy in Nyons such as on Market day another handy coffee stop just after the Gorges is Remuzat which is just off the D94 a short hop up the D61. You can sit and watch the Vultures soaring overhead at the Bar/Cafe.

 

[stonehenge]

Never actually done Millau to Grasse but looking at my map I see that it would be possible to include the D94/D994 from Nyons to Serres which is a blinder. The section through the gorges near St May is superb. The whole road is very well surfaced. After Serres the E712 takes you down to join the
N85 (Route Napoleon) south of Sisteron down to Grasse. The problem (if you could call it that) is getting from Millau to the Rhone Valley across the Parc National des Cevennes. The way we did it a few years ago was to use the free stretch of the A75 (about 30 miles) up to Jnc. 39.1 then we followed the N88 and N106 to Ales, again another good road with lots of twisties. From Ales it's the D6 to Bagnols-sur-Ceze, N86, crossing the Rhone to Bollene, then the D94 to Nyons which is a lovely market town (Thursdays and Sunday) with plenty of Bars/Cafe's for meals or coffee. After Nyons it's as above. Just had a thought, if it,s too busy in Nyons such as on Market day another handy coffee stop just after the Gorges is Remuzat which is just off the D94 a short hop up the D61. You can sit and watch the Vultures soaring overhead at the Bar/Cafe.

Thanks very much, I will take your advice when I try to do Basecamp for the first time (a route planning virgin here!).

 

[stonehenge]

It seems the excellent ADAC maps are no longer available for free download, the MR7 has some routes for the Grenoble to Avallon stage, see http://www.mapsman.com/store/product.php?id=99

From Grenoble take the D512 north via St Pierre de Chartreuse and St Pierre d'Entremont towards Chambery.

From Aix les Bain take the 'Route d'Aix' (D991) on the right hand side of the lake, then at Culoz take the D120 to Lochieu, the D69 to Brenaz, the D30 to Ruffieu, then the D31 and D979 to Bourg en Bresse.

Thanks very much for this.

 

[John Roberts]

You are going east from Millau, and nobody has mentioned the D907B through the Gorges du Tarn- I don't believe it!

At the other end of the leg to Grasse you could fit in the Gorges du Verdon and then join the Route Napoleons at Castellane.

As for Wapping, he certainly knows his stuff but can be a grumpy fucker occasionally, CAN'T YOU, RICHARD?

Enjoy!

 

[Bury_Dave]

I thought Richard's advice was the best - even if it appears the least helpful at first glance.

The whole thing about "give a man a fish ...... etc ,etc"

There is a veritable plethora of info already on here !

If you can't find your way with that kind of resource ..........

Dave

 

[Allan Davies]

As you are a part of a group and have been assigned a section or two (which suggests that others are doing their bits) maybe you should set about trying to do it, instead of getting it done for you?

There are lots of threads on assorted topics, including:

Maps (see sticky)

Roads (see sticky)

80 or more lovingly created routes, to be pawed over, cut and pasted, for just such an event as yours (see sticky)

Enter the place names into Search, either here on UKGSer and or via a Google search of: 'insert place name motorcycle road' or something equally inventive.

You will find it much more rewarding, learn something and have a bit of fun.

PS When planning, if you have a large group of mixed ability riders, fuel stops will eat into your time, as will lunch stops, fag breaks, picture pauses and flower pressing.

If you are going all down D roads, you will be lucky to average much over 40 mph, so 250 miles will seem quite a long way... depending on when you intend to start the day, have lunch and stop again.

Best bit some times I think, I have just finished planning a 9 day tour of Austria, Switz, Dolimites and Black forest. took me nearly 3 weeks leaving in August, Changed the route umpteen times and its now done, I hope. I have to stop looking at it as there is always a 'Ohh thats looks a nice one, lets see where that leads '

 

[Our Gee]

Hello again Steve, John says that he "can't believe it" that no one has reccommended the route through the Gorge du Tarn (Well it is early days yet and no doubt others will be along to offer advice). However, I myself would only offer advice if I have done a particular route myself and as I have not been through the Gorge Du Tarn I can't comment. I have heard though that particular road can be extremely busy, especially on a weekend. The
N88/N106 Route we have travelled was both good and quiet. Also to include a side trip into the Gorge du Verdon would add time and distance to an already busy day as it must be over 300 miles and about 7 hours from Millau to Grasse via any of the twisty senic routes. If you are having a couple of nights in the Grasse area you could then take a look at the Canyon du Verdon as a pleasant ride out.
So much to see, So little Time !!.

 

[Tank]

I have done the Gorge du Tarn and my comments would really depend on what type of rider you/you group are.

If they are used to getting the pace on a bit then the Gorge du Tarn is not the route to take as, already mentioned, it can be very busy and slow!

If you are into meandering along and taking in the scenery then it is OK.

With the advent of google earth you can pretty much 'virtually' ride the route before you do it as I have found out recently when planning a trip to Austria, Switzerland and the Alps.

Have fun plotting.

 

[John Roberts]

I've done Gorges du Tarn and Verdon twice in the last three years and the Castellane-Grasse part of the Route Napoleon three times, once in late August and also in May when traffic was no problem at any time. I would agree that G. du Tarn isn't a road for getting a move on, indeed, the OP wasn't asking for a road to get a move on, he simply asked for "any help", but any road of such beauty would be wasted to some extent if you were only interested in making progress. If that is what they want then there are plenty of those elsewhere in France. Should he decide on this road then I would suggest that he turned up to Point Sublime and stop at the little cafe at the viewpoint looking down into the gorge at Cirque des Baumes.

As for the Gorges du Verdon, again, not a fast road, but on the plus side it is virtually directly in line between Millau and Grasse, (so not necessarily a side trip) and after the Route Napoleon bit it takes you right into Grasse.

Again, Enjoy!

 

[stonehenge]

Thanks everyone, route planning starts tomorrow

 

[Wapping]

Excellent. Ping up what you decide on, please. It's a popular enough request down ssome well trodden roads, so your final route may well be of interest to others.

 

[Wapping]

Best bit some times I think, I have just finished planning a 9 day tour of Austria, Switz, Dolimites and Black forest. took me nearly 3 weeks leaving in August, Changed the route umpteen times and its now done, I hope. I have to stop looking at it as there is always a 'Ohh thats looks a nice one, lets see where that leads '

I think you are right. It is one of the best bits. When plotting out the latest Wander, I changed it three or four times.... And then once more when it suddenly dawned on me that it might be done better, using three hotels instead of two. That earth shattering idea struck me not whilst I was looking at a map, but when I was watching a rugby match. Odd how your brain works.... Or doesn't It was as if it needed to do it in its own time. I have no idea how or why the thought came into my head but I was convinced I would forget it..... So I sent myself a text!

 

[adventuredon]

Quick question - yes I have maps and Google etc et al..and have an idea but it all looks so awesome. Too many roads, too little experience etc. So, when you say do the RN, are you literally meaning stay on the N85 all the way? or do peeps dip in and out? All roads around that area look awesome so would hate to miss out on a special col , or miss out on the RN stretches. So far my thinking is plan a stretch between 2 or 3 points, (grenoble/castellane/grasse and then plan separate routes around that area if time is available for me to dip into. I have 2 and a half days to get from Troyes to Nice, so want to maximise..

 

[Wapping]

Awesome...

Look at the map, it (and the time available to get from A to C via B) gives you all the answers you need.

Yes, you can dive off the main road as often (or as infrequently) as you like, just as you can dive off the A5 through Bedfordshire to take in the country road through Woburn.... If time allows it.

Your plan is exactly right. The N85 sets the broad direction you probably have to take. Dive on and off, cut off (or extend) corners as often (or as infrequently) as you like, the weather permits, your calendar allows..... Try something for yourself; nobody has the answer to 'What's the best way, what's not to be missed, how long will it take me' other than you.