France - the Great '3 Day Bimble'

[WindyChuffer]

I just found these links on the web. Could be useful:

biking routes - brittany

and

Brittany Ferries Motorbike France Tips


Have also set up a google map here. Currently only showing Dieppe and the hotel, but will have a play over the next few days and see what interesting stuff I can find and add.

 

[GreatScott]

When we get there, I say its buy OldRascal a pint for organising the trip! Unless it rains all the way, then the beer is on him!!

 

[oldrascal]

 

[oldrascal]

Here is the Google map route that I posted earlier in the thread:

It will be interesting to see if the Zumos give a similar routing although I don't think that there is much option if we are getting it on. Its probably not worth doing a MapSource file for such a pissy distance but it is probably worth while working out fuel stop options. That said, we are a mixture of GS and GSA so our range is between 220-250 (?) miles and 400 miles.

I am going to fill up as near to Newhaven as possible as the fuel is cheaper this side. That means that if we all start with full(ish) tanks, the GSAs will make it to Saint-James (230 miles) with plenty to spare for a jaunt on Saturday. The GS brigade might just make it to Saint-James but I suspect that a refueling stop might be a welcome idea for them, actually we would all probably enjoy a stretch and a quick brew.

Which brings me to making sure we all stick together because a couple of the group haven't got GPS I believe. What's the perceived wisdom to avoid splitting up through towns and the like (Caen for example)? With such a small bunch, it should be easy enough to all stick together but a fall-back plan is worth considering. If you get separated from the group, get lost and don't speak the frigging lingo, I reckon it would be a charmless start to the weekend.

Unless a local lassie takes you under her wing in the guise of Anglo-French entente that is .

 

[WindyChuffer]

IMHO we should all have a copy of a map in case of splitting up / gps failure. At the very least, some print outs from Google maps or similar. I guess the boat will be selling maps / petrol station en-route.

 

[GreatScott]

I'm GPS-less so it would be nice not to lose contact, especially as I will need to stop for fuel. Can't we refuel on the go, like the Navy do, with a rig over to a GSA ? I suspect I'll find the place though even if we do get seperated. Another five minutes filled on the ferry over discussing what to do when we lose each other

Got maps

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Sounding good Will only use top box for this do, its normally all I take for a week over in France Also will bring the car gps with me, survived 26 days up North with rain
Now to finish off the long range tank do I fit greedy boards to it?

So who's buying the first round?

 

[GreatScott]

So who's buying the first round?

There are just some things its not polite to discuss in public

 

[Harlequin]

I will buy the first round.......

To ensure we dont get lost, hows about :-

- Get maps, agree a plan, and also agree where to meet/who from our group to call/text if one of us does get lost

- Work out a GPS route on mapsource to get there, and ensure all who have them use the same route. (will volunteer to put one together for group nitpicking! ). Then, when we get to major towns/cities etc put one gps in the lead and one at the back of the group.

- Or, get lost, stop to ask some nice lassie for directions, who takes pity on you and takes you home to introduce you to her twin sister. No more motorbiking ensues in this scenario

GreatScott, only a topbox? Where will you put the tuxedo then?onyack

 

[WindyChuffer]

I just ordered the following Michelin Regional Maps from Amazon:

Bretagne, Normandie, and just in case we venture off these a bit further south: Pays-de-la-Loire

BTW - I get free delivery with Amazon so happy to order you guys some maps if you want for personal delivery to Newhaven; just let me know. If we bin the trip, I'll send 'em all back.

I like the twin-sister theme that seems to be developing...

 

[oldrascal]

Strider, the MapSource route idea thingy seems like a good plan so we will at least all be singing from the same hymn sheet. And you are quite right about front and rear GPS equipped bikes through the difficult bits although in reality this should only be necessary leaving Dieppe, around Caen and the last section from Avranches to Saint-James, as the rest of the route is pretty straight-forward N & A roads.

WindyChuffer's newly acquired maps can be pored over during the ferry crossing so that we are all happy about the ride ahead. Funny how exciting this is getting as the weekend is getting closer and closer (duhh.....obviously).

 

[Harlequin]

I just ordered the following Michelin Regional Maps from Amazon:

Bretagne, Normandie, and just in case we venture off these a bit further south: Pays-de-la-Loire

BTW - I get free delivery with Amazon so happy to order you guys some maps if you want for personal delivery to Newhaven; just let me know. If we bin the trip, I'll send 'em all back.

I like the twin-sister theme that seems to be developing...

Thanks for that! Just ordered them. Cant wait,

The twin sister idea is an ideal fall back idea if the weather is poor!

 

[oldrascal]

Yippee

I've just had a brainwave and solved my luggage problem for the trip. As I have already decided not to fit the panniers and try and make do with the top-box plus a seat bag of some sort, I gave the great guys at Bahnstormer a ring to check on options.

Of course BMW do a bag for the back seat at £140 squids, but that just makes my eyes water. And then came the Eureka moment because the panniers have their own very robust BMW waterproof liners with handles and straps of one sort or another which can be adapted for attaching the bag to the seat and pannier frame. A quick word with the said parts department to confirm that I wasn't mad ...............and I'm not.

So that's that little problem out of the way then.

 

[oldrascal]

Just been doing a bit of scouting around to get a feel for the possible weather forecast for April 3rd through 5th and found this littel gem. Although it is a UK forecast, note the comment about an 'Atlantic ridge' and above all, the word 'slowly' as Atlantic systems which affect the UK pretty much do the same for Northern France.

Now having suffered nightmares swotting for my Yachtmaster meteorology exam (passed, natch ), I can confidently inform everyone that a slow moving Atlantic ridge is a high-pressure system giving gentle breezes, calm seas, no rain and a measure of warmth as the sun is getting reasonably high in the sky during the daytime at these latitudes. It also won't be getting dark until 2100 or so.

That said, 10-day forecasts can be way out but at least the prognosis at the moment is fair weather.


Monday 30 March 2009 to Sunday 05 April 2009

"Drier and sunnier later in the week."


<!-- start editable area for paragraph text -->It is expected to be a very unsettled start to the week with low pressure near Scotland bringing wet and windy conditions.
There is also a possibility of snow, mainly over high ground in the north.
Later in the week it is predicted that an Atlantic ridge will move slowly across bringing the potential for more sunshine and drier weather. However, this will increase the risk of overnight frost.


That's better than a poke in the eye with a kipper, I say.

 

[Scuba-Sparky]

Hi All
Sounding great

I'll stand for the second round!
Need you all to be sober when I buy, then you can remember me buying a round!!
Just need one more lenght of pipe for the ADV tank, 'Just sold the last piece sir' Typical!!

 

[GreatScott]

:
GreatScott, only a topbox? Where will you put the tuxedo then?onyack

I'll be wearing it of course

 

[Harlequin]

I'll be wearing it of course

THat would be something to see!!

Its all like a goer at the moment, so will start plotting a route there....

 

[Harlequin]

Maps have arrived, so will have fun playing with those tonight!

Looking at the route from Dieppe, hardly worth doing a route on the GPS methinks...... just shove in the destination and follow the motorway, Rouen (funny one way system) Caen etc......

Tank bag now sorted as well, so good to go.

Just need a reasonably settled bit of weather. Dont mind a bit of rain, but please not the whoile 3 days........

 

[oldrascal]

As Mont St. Michel is on our 'possible' list, I think that this new post by Joybringer is worth looking at: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1781529#post1781529

And Strider, it looks like you want a moody Rolex (or 'Bolox' as I prefer to call them ). So if mine hasn't sold and if you like Daytonas as much as Submariners, you can have it in return for dinner the 1st night.

 

[Harlequin]

As Mont St. Michel is on our 'possible' list, I think that this new post by Joybringer is worth looking at: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1781529#post1781529

And Strider, it looks like you want a moody Rolex (or 'Bolox' as I prefer to call them ). So if mine hasn't sold and if you like Daytonas as much as Submariners, you can have it in return for dinner the 1st night.

Ha ha. If it wasnt gold I would bite your hand off.........silver all the way for me......