The trip is now but a distant memory.....
Wednesday pm 21st August
From the midlands it was a quick burst to some relatives in Rochester for overnight stay before chunnel in the morning.
Thursday
Rained over night but forecast is good for the other side.
Train trip was over in a nano second as we got chatting to a couple who were off for a bimble to Boulogne for the day.
Arrived in Calais and it was piddling it down.... great.
Satnav altered to read KM's (bloody godsend) and away we went. I mentioned in previous post that motorways weren't to be used. But like all best plans its best to be flexible!
So with naff weather we set off up to Lille along the dual carriageway. From there the weather improved and it was down to Laon for the first stop. Around Reims and down to Troyes for the overnight stay in the Ibis.
Friday
Got up and got cracking by 0730 as it was a beautiful morning. SatNav had been programed to go the wiggly way to Annecy. BUT in the 1st 5km we had a road closure. DOH. There deviation signs are a bit dodgy but we managed to get back on track. Headed down the D671 to Chatillon Sur Seine for a pastry. D971 to Dijon was fast with wide open scenery. Some of the corners were getting interesting too as the majority of the time we were going dead straight.
After Dijon we headed to Dole and then Lons-le-Saunier. Going south the roads started to get much more interesting. The scenery was becoming alot hillier too.
Over the D470 past the spectacular Lac De Vouglans where everywhere was nice and green and lush.
Absolutley mental roads took us beyond Oyonnax. We actually followed a HGV across the mountain section. Christ he was a good driver!!!
Finally arrived in Annecy after 240 miles and it was HOT.
Saturday
SatNav programmed to take us 240 miles down and around L'Alpw d'huez.
OMG!!!
Out of Annecy up and over Semnod, Col de Leschaux, Col du Frene and Col du Glandon. Across then to Alpe d'huez via Villard Regulars. That was the start of the best roads i've ever been along!!
We had major thunderstorms on the top and waited till they passed over. We came down the Col de Serenne. Jeeeeez what a road that is. My backside was twitching like a rabbits nose all the way down. You know its steep when 1st gear wont hold you back!!
Then came the Galibier. My senses had been shot to bits by the previous mountain but this nearly finished me off. Just off the top we hit thick cloud with only the satnav showing where the hairpins were. Totally amazing!!!!
The fog turned into biblical rain as wedid the Col du Telegraph. Eventually returning to Annecy via Albertville. 240 miles in 10 hours....
Sunday
A nice easy day today......!
Quick bimble to Chamonix and up the cable car to see Mont Blanc. There arent enough words to do the view justice up there. Awesome is a start though..
Back to Annecy via the Col du Colombier which seemed a little limp after Mont Blanc. Still very impressive though.
Monday
Time to start making our way back home.
Blue sky and sunshine on our way to Gex where the view of Lake Geneva and mountains in the background was amazing. We were due to stop in Metz. However when we arrived it was grey and grim. It didnt help that the HotelF1 we booked stank of stale smoke so the executive decision was made to head for Calais.
Time for the Peage. 300 miles in 4 hours and we were at the Tunnel. Trouble is it was bank holiday monday and it was RAMMED. No chance of getting on the train today. We booked into the IBIS in Calais having just completed a little over 600 miles. The GS had a bit of a thirst on too. A steady constant speed of 130km + whilst 2 up with luggage meant that the fuel light came on quite soon!!
Tuesday
No rush today so got the 1030 train home. Arrived in Folkstone in blue sky and sunshine. And then hit the M20 / M26 / M25 car park. I felt really sorry for those europeans heading for their holidays sat in that traffic jam for goodness how many hours. We just trundled up between the stationary traffic and finished up at home having covered 1865 miles.
Blood excellent time had!!!
Known issues:
Arse gets flat after 2 hours. No worries just stand up on pegs and wiggle. Gets a few strange looks but solves the problem.
I bought a throttle lock from a gentleman on here. Fooking AMAZING bit of kit for £10. Why didnt i buy one ages ago.
The tourance tyres have squared off quite a bit.
Other than that the bike was perfect....!!!
Wednesday pm 21st August
From the midlands it was a quick burst to some relatives in Rochester for overnight stay before chunnel in the morning.
Thursday
Rained over night but forecast is good for the other side.
Train trip was over in a nano second as we got chatting to a couple who were off for a bimble to Boulogne for the day.
Arrived in Calais and it was piddling it down.... great.
Satnav altered to read KM's (bloody godsend) and away we went. I mentioned in previous post that motorways weren't to be used. But like all best plans its best to be flexible!
So with naff weather we set off up to Lille along the dual carriageway. From there the weather improved and it was down to Laon for the first stop. Around Reims and down to Troyes for the overnight stay in the Ibis.
Friday
Got up and got cracking by 0730 as it was a beautiful morning. SatNav had been programed to go the wiggly way to Annecy. BUT in the 1st 5km we had a road closure. DOH. There deviation signs are a bit dodgy but we managed to get back on track. Headed down the D671 to Chatillon Sur Seine for a pastry. D971 to Dijon was fast with wide open scenery. Some of the corners were getting interesting too as the majority of the time we were going dead straight.
After Dijon we headed to Dole and then Lons-le-Saunier. Going south the roads started to get much more interesting. The scenery was becoming alot hillier too.
Over the D470 past the spectacular Lac De Vouglans where everywhere was nice and green and lush.
Absolutley mental roads took us beyond Oyonnax. We actually followed a HGV across the mountain section. Christ he was a good driver!!!
Finally arrived in Annecy after 240 miles and it was HOT.
Saturday
SatNav programmed to take us 240 miles down and around L'Alpw d'huez.
OMG!!!
Out of Annecy up and over Semnod, Col de Leschaux, Col du Frene and Col du Glandon. Across then to Alpe d'huez via Villard Regulars. That was the start of the best roads i've ever been along!!
We had major thunderstorms on the top and waited till they passed over. We came down the Col de Serenne. Jeeeeez what a road that is. My backside was twitching like a rabbits nose all the way down. You know its steep when 1st gear wont hold you back!!
Then came the Galibier. My senses had been shot to bits by the previous mountain but this nearly finished me off. Just off the top we hit thick cloud with only the satnav showing where the hairpins were. Totally amazing!!!!
The fog turned into biblical rain as wedid the Col du Telegraph. Eventually returning to Annecy via Albertville. 240 miles in 10 hours....
Sunday
A nice easy day today......!
Quick bimble to Chamonix and up the cable car to see Mont Blanc. There arent enough words to do the view justice up there. Awesome is a start though..
Back to Annecy via the Col du Colombier which seemed a little limp after Mont Blanc. Still very impressive though.
Monday
Time to start making our way back home.
Blue sky and sunshine on our way to Gex where the view of Lake Geneva and mountains in the background was amazing. We were due to stop in Metz. However when we arrived it was grey and grim. It didnt help that the HotelF1 we booked stank of stale smoke so the executive decision was made to head for Calais.
Time for the Peage. 300 miles in 4 hours and we were at the Tunnel. Trouble is it was bank holiday monday and it was RAMMED. No chance of getting on the train today. We booked into the IBIS in Calais having just completed a little over 600 miles. The GS had a bit of a thirst on too. A steady constant speed of 130km + whilst 2 up with luggage meant that the fuel light came on quite soon!!
Tuesday
No rush today so got the 1030 train home. Arrived in Folkstone in blue sky and sunshine. And then hit the M20 / M26 / M25 car park. I felt really sorry for those europeans heading for their holidays sat in that traffic jam for goodness how many hours. We just trundled up between the stationary traffic and finished up at home having covered 1865 miles.
Blood excellent time had!!!
Known issues:
Arse gets flat after 2 hours. No worries just stand up on pegs and wiggle. Gets a few strange looks but solves the problem.
I bought a throttle lock from a gentleman on here. Fooking AMAZING bit of kit for £10. Why didnt i buy one ages ago.
The tourance tyres have squared off quite a bit.
Other than that the bike was perfect....!!!
