French Alps (but maybe Germany, too)

[J biker]

I would recommend using at least two bases. If not, due to the mountains (quelle surprise!) you will end up doing the same roads many times.
Another vote for Bourg St Maurice, which is well located giving you Col de Mont Cenis, St Bernard Passes and more in reach.
Castellane, south and west giving access to many great roads including Gorge de Verdon and the tasty D955!
Barcellonnette has a nice ‘place’ with bars and restaurants but accommodation is more limited and less choice of roads if used as a base.
Lac Annecy, very pretty, but also very busy. It is tourist hotspot, personally I would do a max 1 nighter.

 

[J biker]

I thought maybe our first stopover would be Annecy, This would be 600 miles from Rotterdam done in two days.

There are some great roads just under 3 hours South of the ferry terminal, aim for Eiffel National Park, then head south on the twisties, down the Germany/Luxembourg border, then down through the Vosges. No need for days of motorway slog and no squared off tyres when you get there.

 

[EVskiy]

I thought maybe our first stopover would be Annecy, This would be 600 miles from Rotterdam done in two days.

I'd be tempted to slow down take the scenic routes. Such as French regional parks of Vosges or Morvan. Then skirt along or cross over into Switzerland and ride towards Geneva, before reaching Annecy.

There are some great roads just under 3 hours South of the ferry terminal, aim for Eiffel National Park, then head south on the twisties, down the Germany/Luxembourg border, then down through the Vosges. No need for days of motorway slog and no squared off tyres when you get there.

@Doc rather have square tyres and be on the bottle of finest rosé by 2pm.

 

[Doc]

I'd be tempted to slow down take the scenic routes. Such as French regional parks of Vosges or Morvan. Then skirt along or cross over into Switzerland and ride towards Geneva, before reaching Annecy.

@Doc rather have square tyres and be on the bottle of finest rosé by 2pm.

Correct Must admit I'm one for getting to our destination so generally motorways. Once I sit down at home computer I'll figure out our stays with all the good information provided by you lads thanks.

 

[Wapping]

I am curious as to why the image you’ve posted (and not just yours) seem to come up as a thumbnail, that one need to click or tap on to see it properly.

Yet Wapping’s, mine, Arsey’s do come up as a full size photo ready to be viewed within the text base surrounding it.

My (assumed) explanation for this, is that when photo was selected, you do not let it to upload into the post prior to tapping/clicking send. Next time try to select photo, then let it upload for a handful of seconds, then tap post. See if it works.


I am only asking this, as sometimes, for example in trip reports, there will be text, then photo, a bit more text, then a few more photos and so on. Then I read the post and photos are attached as thumbnails at the bottom of it, meaning that you either stop reading the post, , scroll to the bottom of the post, then sift through a selection of said photos, and have a look, then go back out of the selection to read the remaining text, scroll back up to find where you have stopped reading, followed by more photo viewing.
In reality, that is very distracting from the pleasure of following through with post and the story behind it.

Perhaps the Technical Department of this forum could enlighten me in more detail why does this seem to happen?

It is because the person who posted the pictures opted to post them as thumbnails, rather than embedding the full image.

As to why they chose this option, I have no idea.

Thread hijack over and back to Doc’s holiday in August 2024.

 

[EVskiy]

Correct Must admit I'm one for getting to our destination so generally motorways. Once I sit down at home computer I'll figure out our stays with all the good information provided by you lads thanks.

I’ve a speedier solution for you, in comparison to motorways



You could be there in 2 hours, it’ll give and extra 46 hours to be at your destination and enjoy a bottle or two of finest Rosé

 

[EVskiy]

It is because the person who posted the pictures opted to post them as thumbnails, rather than embedding the full image.

As to why they chose this option, I have no idea.

Thread hijack over and back to Doc’s holiday in August 2024.

I see what you mean now Richard.
Thank you for clarifying this.

 

[Doc]

I’ve a speedier solution for you, in comparison to motorways

View attachment 292232

You could be there in 2 hours, it’ll give and extra 46 hours to be at your destination and enjoy a bottle or two of finest Rosé

View attachment 292233

I'm not a alcoholic you know plus my Harley bitch wants to go on the bike.

 

[Arsey]

I'm not a alcoholic you know plus my Harley bitch wants to go on the bike.

Are you planning on riding the Routes des Grandes Alpes or just picking out bits of it ?

 

[Wapping]

He’s planning on:

a. Getting a map out

b. Starting in Annecy.

 

[Doc]

Are you planning on riding the Routes des Grandes Alpes or just picking out bits of it ?

Don't know yet

He’s planning on:

a. Getting a map out

b. Starting in Annecy.

Yup something like that.

 

[Arsey]

Don't know yet

Yup something like that.

I’d start with this then

But this will probably suit you better and you can miss out all the boring shit such as numerous cols

 

[EVskiy]

I'm not an alcoholic you know plus my Harley bitch wants to go on the bike.

Never said you were an Alcoholic

I guess Harley had come from the land of Straight (as an arrow) and Boring (as watching paint dry) highways, so perfectly suited for the French Autoroute jaunts.

Bon Voyage mon ami

 

[Doc]

I’d start with this then

But this will probably suit you better and you can miss out all the boring shit such as numerous cols

No need for that.

 

[Arsey]

No need for that.

Yeah but that direct route is perfect as it even turns left !

 

[g00ner]

If in and around Annecy at the right time they hold a wonderful firework display which is well worth a visit. Fete du Lac https://en.lac-annecy.com/event/fete-du-lac-annecy/ I was lucky to be on a trip which coincided, does get busy though.

I‘m only half an hour from the Chunnel so if any of our northern chaps need a lay up before crossing give me a call and I may be able to assist. I accommodated one of our Scottish friends en route to the Picos this year so hopefully he’ll attest I’m no Josef Fritz..just passing on the helpful approach exhibited by Chris 2gses whenever I get up to that there Yorkshire

 

[John Armstrong]

Some ideas for small trips out from Annecy here, I'd recommend the Cret de Chatillon one for views of Mont Blanc:

Breathtaking panoramas - Lake Annecy Tourist Office

Easily accessible or after a nice hike, discover panoramas and viewpoints on lake and mountains... the beauty of the place is everywhere for those who take the time to admire it.

en.lac-annecy.com

I've stayed here a couple of times, close to the old part of town and has parking available:

Hôtel du Château, Annecy, France

Hotel du Chateau is a hotel situated at the foot of Annecy Castle. It has views over the old town. The reception offers free WiFi.

www.booking.com

 

[Doc]

The boss likes this place for Annecy. Is it worth staying a couple of nights there before moving on to Castellane ?

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[EVskiy]

The boss likes this place for Annecy. Is it worth staying a couple of nights there before moving on to Castellane ?

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

Looks nice. A bit posh for a Rufty Tufty like you me think. Jayne will fine though.

 

[Wapping]

The boss likes this place for Annecy. Is it worth staying a couple of nights there before moving on to Castellane ?

By ‘There’ do you mean the specific hotel in Annecy or do you mean Annecy in general?