Discovering the Massif Central.

[peejay]

Been to France quite a few times over the years but mostly the north. Always enjoyed it, so when my trip to far flung countries was postponed, I decided that I needed to get off and explore some other bits of france, the Massif Central being the main part to mooch around.

Booked the 0715hrs ferry from Poole to Cherbourg, and arrived at Poole Harbour at daybreak, it was a tad chilly-hense the blurry pics from shivering.

On board the fast ferry with the sun starting to warm up a bit.

Bon Voyage!!

 

[peejay]

Once across the channel I decided to ride down the west coast of the Cotentin peninsula, then down to the Vendee.

Been here a few years ago, with the family, so decided that there are ample camp sites in the region, and went to St Jean De Monts. Hit the garmin and searched for campsites, when camping La Yole came up it triggered my memory banks as a site we had used about 10 years ago so I thought why not.

By now the temperature was showing 29degs and at 430pm, I decided it was enough and I needed a cold beer. So Camping La Yole it was.

Booked in for 2 nights so I could have a ride around the next day and revisit some places.

Next day a trip to La Rochelle and Ile de Re. Still 29-30degs.

Back on the bike and head back to base via Les Sables d'Olonne.
Some nice empty French roads.

And a spot of lunch here at Talmont St Hilaire,

Chateux d'Adventures just up the road a couple of clicks.

 

[peejay]

The following morning a sea mist had rolled in so packed up and headed towards Limoges and the Massif Central.
The mist soon burnt off and with temps in the mid 20's I began to enjoy the D948 and D148.
A ruined Chateux near Charroux.

.
Then onto Oradour-sur-Glane, scene of one of the worst attrocities by the Nazis in WW2.

A very sombre and thought provoking memorial to the victims of this outrage.

 

[Aidan1150]

I hope to finally make it to Oradour next year PJ. Good report so far chap, keep it coming.

 

[peejay]

Leaving Oradour I rode through Limoges the across into the beautiful countryside of the Massif to 'Riders Rest'.
I had booked a nights B&B here and arrived to be greeted by Tony and Wendy.
It is set in the most peaceful and stunning location and I would thoroughly recommend it for a stop over or a longer break.
http://www.thewishingwellguesthouse.com/

 

[peejay]

With a couple of very cold beers from the well stocked fridge in the 'bunkhouse' inside me I met the other guests who trickled in from various rides they had been on.
Turned out that in the main they were a group of firemen, and mates spending a few days here and then moving on.
When Tony announced that the ride out planned for tomorrow was to be to Puy Mary, I decided to stay an extra night to take in this ride with a guide who would take me to the out of the way places and on some great roads, I would no doubt miss travelling on my own.
Brekkie at 0830 sharp followed by a 0900 departure, down to Egletons for fuel. Then it was off.

Stopped at Selars for lunch the off to Puy Mary.

 

[peejay]

After a good lunch of blue cheese and ham toasties we rode the Pas de Peyrol up to Puy Mary.

Puy Mary

Ruin at Aschot

Then onto Chateux du Val

Then back to Riders rest via Meymac on the D36 and D979 a wide and sweeping road, GSA on song
Wendy had again cooked a superb meal of roast duck followed by lemon merangue pie-yum. More beer and wine

 

[peejay]

Monday morning saw everyone setting off in different directions, so farewells said, I headed south for Argentat.
Stopping for coffee.

Argentat.

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Then onto Rocamadour,

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Found a nice campsite in the middle of Rocamadour, so set up camp and bought provisions for the night.

It was a very warm evening so the plan was to ride south east in the morning to Millau, then to start heading north and home.
In bed at 9pm, ear plugs in to drown out the French guy and giggly girl friend bikers in the next tent.
At some point during the night, I woke to hear rain beating on my tent, even with earplugs in
I was then treated to the mother of all thunder storms, ah well, back to sleep it'll clear the air and make for a cooler ride tomorrow.

Woke about 7.30, still raining, still thunder and lightning, shite!

Change of plan lets start heading north, once it has eased.

9.30am nope it aint easing, spoke to a couple who spoke reasonable english, well a lot better than my french. This weather was here for the rest of the week.

So packed up a very wet tent, and headed off soaked.

Got to Le Mans that evening and found a Formule 1, heard a lot about these on the site so gave it a go, 32 Euro B&B, not bad.

Next morning still pi**ing down, so a wet and boring ride to Calais.

Got the ferry and once back in the UK it had stopped raining so rode home.

Conclusion: The Massif Central is stunning with everything you could possibly want for biking, roads, little traffic, stunning scenery and friendly people too, (dont believe what you hear about the French, by the English who cant be ar*ed to try to speak a little of a different language)

 

[Mr Hat]

Nice RR peejay

 

[stolzy]

Excellent, looks like you found some real France.

 

[MikeP]

Thanks for taking the time to share.

 

[GrinningGSer]

Super photos Paul. Have you retired now ? I see that you have a new GSA

 

[Norrie]

Enjoyed the wee RR Peejay thank's for sharing



Norrie

 

[peejay]

Super photos Paul. Have you retired now ? I see that you have a new GSA

Hi Paul, yes been retired a few months now, and the 12GSA was a pressie to me!!

Now I will have to find meself a little job to keep me busy instead of spending my nest egg on more goodies for the bike

 

[david a hall]

looked great, shame the weather cut it short

 

[Riders Rest]

Good to see you made it back PeeJay here are some of the pics I have of the day we did The Volcano park...

 

[charlie brown]

Thanks

Cheers,

Nice report. I normally either slip down the west coast to the surf resorts and pyrenees, or, head straight to the Alps. food for thought for next time cheers.
Retired, new GSA I wonder if I can guess what you did for a living

 

[advancedbiker]

Great Write - I will have to try -Question First ?

Hello TJ

Great report and food for thought. I always go to Normandy to do advanced motorcycle training, basing myself in Carentan, but often wondered if a trip like yours would benefite the clients I take, instead of being based in one place. Are the roads good training roads for the majority of riders and can it be done in 5 days.

Regards

Nigel

 

[spikerjack 46]

I hope to finally make it to Oradour next year PJ. Good report so far chap, keep it coming.

Aidan, if you go, try and get in early (8am/9am) you'll have the place to yerselves and also the bods in the centre will lock away your biking gear for free. There's a great B&B called moto breaks just up the road run by Chris and Paddy. Next time I'm over will be calling in.

PJ great report and pics.

A few of Oradour without visitors..............

 

[peejay]

Retired, new GSA I wonder if I can guess what you did for a living

No prizes!