France & Belgium WW1 tour

[YorkieGSER]

Just returned from a week away with my regular touring buddies. This year we went back to France with a couple of trips into Belgium thrown in. From the Eurotunnel we headed into Belgium and stayed at Bruges for the first night. I've not been before but it's a lovely place and I'd definitely head back. Last Sunday when we went it was raining all day so by the time we got to the hotel we were all a bit damp. Luckily the weather got much better after that.

On the second day we went into Ypres (Menin gate and the Flanders museum) and then Arras for the night. Then it was down to Verdun for a night, across to Reims and finally up to Saint-Omer before heading home on Friday.

It was my first trip on my new bike (GS) and was certainly more comfortable than my old CBR and easier on the neck, shoulders and back . The only negative was that I found the seat less comfortable than the CBR and was constantly fidgeting and standing up to ease my sore arse! Might have to try an Airhawk for the next trip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Un27wfoaGj0

 

[Dusty]

Great wee video there Yorkie... weather finally sorted itself then.

20 days and a breakfast till im off......

 

[Norrie]

Nice wee Video Yorkie

Norrie

 

[Snow White]

Having watched you video I see you stayed in a hotel with secure parking for the bikes somewhere on your trip.

Would you be kind enough to send me details of that hotel as I'm after somewhere for me and some mates, and would like to ensure the bikes are still there when we get back!!

Ta

 

[YorkieGSER]

Snow White,

Only two of the hotels that we stayed in had secure parking. The first was Hotel Les Colombes in Verdun (https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/ha-tel-les-colombes.en-gb.html) and the other one was a Campanile in Reims (https://www.booking.com/hotel/fr/campanile-reims-centre-cathaa-c-drale.en-gb.html).

In Bruges we parked in a covered area near the train station, not 100% secure but we never felt like the bikes were at risk. In Arras we just parked on the street in front of the B&B and in Saint-Omar we stayed at http://www.hotellebretagne.com and just parked at the front of the hotel.

Having been on a few tours we've never had an issue with parking and certainly never felt like the bikes were at any more risk than they would be parked outside Tesco over here, although I will admit to regularly. Certainly in France bikes seem to be parked everywhere around town and no one really cares. That's not to say of course that no bikes ever get nicked!

Just find somewhere nice and book it.

 

[paul08]

I recently stayed in Mons.

I used the Hotel 'Dream', which is only a very short walk from the main square. Parking is in an internal courtyard which has a secured gate onto the road outside.

I can recommend Mons and the hotel

 

[Snow White]

Many thanks guys.

I'll give it all look and make an executive decision for the group very shortly

 

[ymfb]

Great video, what sort of camera is it ?

 

[oddshapedballs]

Great little film, thanks.

 

[YorkieGSER]

Great video, what sort of camera is it ?

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