Sherringford Hovis
Guest
After a very enjoyable day trip the week before with SOC friends from Kent and Sussex, this time it was just Claire and me.
Earlier in the year I had a service booked in Arras, and had chance to meet up with Mark and Julie Seager, who were on a Suzuki OC trip to the town for Easter.
This time it would be just the two of us, although when I mentioned it to an old mate from way back, he said he join us for a drink. As he is one of the thousands of British that moved to France, Arras was quite local. As my main day-to-day bike is an 1150GS, I have to look for a local dealer for servicing, and Arras is the second local to where I live, and servicing is cheaper in France than in UK.
After another early start we were soon off the Shuttle and in the petrol station to fill the GS's tank, squeezing in under 20 litres for 201 miles. After a quick coffee and croissant, it was off at high speed for Arras. Cruising at about 95 seemed reasonable and we arrived outside the dealer's less than an hour after filling up. We met John, had a look round at the release of the new K1200S, and the impressive film of the test rider doing the 'Ring in 7m 13s., and of course booked the bike in.
We spent the first and chilly part of the day looking at the two main squares and the huge open air market. After a beer and a chat, John left for home and we had another walk round, looking in estate agent's windows and other shops. Judging by the number of opticians' shops, the French take their spectacles seriously!
We found ourselves outside a restaurant we have been to before on the Place des Heroes, and had lunch, once again choosing the €11 three course set menu, plus another beer to go with it. This time a refreshing Loburg. Afterwards we set off back to the bike shop. On the way we came across a great column of bikes, all sorts, flanked by a police escort, and on the return leg of a charity run.
The bike was having its "shower" as it was put to me. The bike is always valeted before you get it back. We went through what needed to be done and then set off back home, via a petrol stop and Eurotunnel's shop.
The riding day finished 13 hours after it had started!
Another excellent trip across to France and one I will continue to make as long as I continue to ride.
Panoramic pic of Arras Place des Heroes
Earlier in the year I had a service booked in Arras, and had chance to meet up with Mark and Julie Seager, who were on a Suzuki OC trip to the town for Easter.
This time it would be just the two of us, although when I mentioned it to an old mate from way back, he said he join us for a drink. As he is one of the thousands of British that moved to France, Arras was quite local. As my main day-to-day bike is an 1150GS, I have to look for a local dealer for servicing, and Arras is the second local to where I live, and servicing is cheaper in France than in UK.
After another early start we were soon off the Shuttle and in the petrol station to fill the GS's tank, squeezing in under 20 litres for 201 miles. After a quick coffee and croissant, it was off at high speed for Arras. Cruising at about 95 seemed reasonable and we arrived outside the dealer's less than an hour after filling up. We met John, had a look round at the release of the new K1200S, and the impressive film of the test rider doing the 'Ring in 7m 13s., and of course booked the bike in.
We spent the first and chilly part of the day looking at the two main squares and the huge open air market. After a beer and a chat, John left for home and we had another walk round, looking in estate agent's windows and other shops. Judging by the number of opticians' shops, the French take their spectacles seriously!
We found ourselves outside a restaurant we have been to before on the Place des Heroes, and had lunch, once again choosing the €11 three course set menu, plus another beer to go with it. This time a refreshing Loburg. Afterwards we set off back to the bike shop. On the way we came across a great column of bikes, all sorts, flanked by a police escort, and on the return leg of a charity run.
The bike was having its "shower" as it was put to me. The bike is always valeted before you get it back. We went through what needed to be done and then set off back home, via a petrol stop and Eurotunnel's shop.
The riding day finished 13 hours after it had started!
Another excellent trip across to France and one I will continue to make as long as I continue to ride.
