Yes looking at those photos makes me feel very old. I'd have been 23 when I took that
Massif Central - Where as a Base and Routes
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alesupper
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Thanks for the info @leadfarmer. That road looks dreamySome good suggestions alreadyI probably wouldn’t recommend Issoire as it’s fairly industrial
Le Mont Dore is nice, we met up with some of the French posse there recently as mentioned above, La Bourboule is nice too
The Puy Mary is a good ride up and the roads around there are great
I’m in Le Puy en Velay, so a little to the south east of Clermont Ferrand, I tend to go even more south east of here and into the Ardèche or south into the Lozère and the Gorge du Tarn, we really are spoiled for good riding
Pretty much anywhere south of Saint Etienne and Clermont you’re into good roads and nice villages and towns
My favorite local road….
View attachment 471444
Stayed in the Ibis in Aubenas after the rear shock failed on my R1100S many years ago. Took a few days for a replacement shock to arrive from Germany so was driving around in a hire car courtesy of the breakdown cover.
The Ardeche is a lovely area to ride in. The caves at Orgnac l Aven are worth a visit. Vallon Pont D Arc is a natural arch carved by the river. The Ardeche can be busy in the summer.
The Ardeche is a lovely area to ride in. The caves at Orgnac l Aven are worth a visit. Vallon Pont D Arc is a natural arch carved by the river. The Ardeche can be busy in the summer.
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digby
Registered user
Consider going a bit further south to Millau
Close to many gorges and lots of places to visit and ride
Issoire is ok but not so touristic
Clermont is ok if you want a « city » base
Mont dore, la Bourboule etc are already at some altitude so good mid summer when it’s hot
Besse is also an option
Close to many gorges and lots of places to visit and ride
Issoire is ok but not so touristic
Clermont is ok if you want a « city » base
Mont dore, la Bourboule etc are already at some altitude so good mid summer when it’s hot
Besse is also an option
Two suggested routes in the latest edition of Motorrad & Reisen magazine (124) which might be of interest.
I have cut them (near enough) into MyRoute.
I have cut them (near enough) into MyRoute.
Motorrad magazine (7/2023) has offered up a suggestion.
Download here: https://www.motorradonline.de/news/tourentipp-gpx-roadbook-pdf-zum-download-ride-no-15-europa/
Download here: https://www.motorradonline.de/news/tourentipp-gpx-roadbook-pdf-zum-download-ride-no-15-europa/
alesupper
Registered user
Thanks to all who have given their advice/opinion so far. Following that advice I have decided to use La Bourboule as our base in the Massif Central. Because we are travelling down from North West England, we won't get into France until quite late on the first day, so we are booked into a hotel in Boulogne-sur-Mer as it isn't too far from Calais (Le Shuttle). I can cancel the hotel I have booked, so if you think there is a better place near Calais to stay, please let me know.
On our way to La Bourboule, we have allowed for one stop over somewhere and on the return journey to Calais we have time for two stop overs. Obviously we would like to do different routes to/from La Bourboule so any suggestions for routes and/or places to stay would be really appreciated.
TIA Alesupper
On our way to La Bourboule, we have allowed for one stop over somewhere and on the return journey to Calais we have time for two stop overs. Obviously we would like to do different routes to/from La Bourboule so any suggestions for routes and/or places to stay would be really appreciated.
TIA Alesupper
alesupper
Registered user
Nice one @WappingMotorrad magazine (7/2023) has offered up a suggestion.
Download here: https://www.motorradonline.de/news/tourentipp-gpx-roadbook-pdf-zum-download-ride-no-15-europa/
i understand Ardeche is the only Department that does not have airport, autoroute or SNCF main station.Some good suggestions already
Le Mont Dore is nice, we met up with some of the French posse there recently as mentioned above, La Bourboule is nice too
The Puy Mary is a good ride up and the roads around there are great
I’m in Le Puy en Velay, so a little to the south east of Clermont Ferrand, I tend to go even more south east of here and into the Ardèche or south into the Lozère and the Gorge du Tarn, we really are spoiled for good riding
perhaps all the better for it
For the one nighter, swing west of Paris, crossing the Seine south of Rouen somewhere. Head down to the Loire. Orleans or Blois maybe. Ibis Styles in Blois has a garage and is fine for a single night. I have used Blois a couple of times on the way further south.
For the 2 nighter, swing east of Paris via the Morvan to Troyes. Brit Hotel in the centre has a garage. Then up through Champagne to an overnight in St Omer, Ibis Budget has secure parking.
For the 2 nighter, swing east of Paris via the Morvan to Troyes. Brit Hotel in the centre has a garage. Then up through Champagne to an overnight in St Omer, Ibis Budget has secure parking.
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I tend to go the other way to avoid Paris, down the A26, I often stop in Saint Quentin on my way down on but it’s about 2 hours from Calais
Dijon is also nice on that side
Dijon is also nice on that side
I am a big believer in getting ideas from anywhere:
blog.kurviger.com
It’s in foreign (as that’s what the bod speaks) but it translates OK. Maybe steal some bit of it?
Or try this:
www.quazyrides.com
And a video thing…..
Motorradtouren Zentralmassiv - Kurviger Blog
blog.kurviger.com
It’s in foreign (as that’s what the bod speaks) but it translates OK. Maybe steal some bit of it?
Or try this:
Volcanoes of the Auvergne | motorcycle tour Clermont-Ferrand, Auvergne, France
The natural parc of the Volcanoes in the Auvergne in the Massif Central in France is truly different than other mountain landscapes. Maybe less know amongst bikers, but we think perfect for a beautiful motorcycle tour. So we made the Volcanoes of the Auvergne to explore this part of France in a...
www.quazyrides.com
And a video thing…..
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A bit left field but:
www.campingmotoroute99.com
Accommodation, from your own tent to a twin room. Ride out advice, road books and a pool when you return. Also a bar and restaurant full of fellow bikers in the evening - sometimes with a live band.
No stolen bike worries either.
For me it’s a lot better than an impersonal hotel and a restaurant but, obviously, not for everyone.
It’s a great region that deserves 3/4 visits to reach all it has to offer.
Enjoy
Qui sommes-nous ? | Camping Moto Route 99 | Auvergne
Le Camping Moto "Route 99" est situé dans les Gorges de la Sioule, au cœur du Puy-de-Dôme, dans les Combrailles. Étape idéale pour les motards Européens qui souhaitent découvrir l’Auvergne à moto. Nous proposons des emplacements nus, 4 tentes militaires pour des groupes, des chambres de 2 à 4...
www.campingmotoroute99.com
Accommodation, from your own tent to a twin room. Ride out advice, road books and a pool when you return. Also a bar and restaurant full of fellow bikers in the evening - sometimes with a live band.
No stolen bike worries either.
For me it’s a lot better than an impersonal hotel and a restaurant but, obviously, not for everyone.
It’s a great region that deserves 3/4 visits to reach all it has to offer.
Enjoy
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I did wonder about that, it just looked too cheesy and less potato.
Had that in Salers a few years ago, it and Salers was lovely.
The previous year the TdF had passed by, which in that area meant they were racetrack smooth. Looks like they're in the area this year: https://www.letour.fr/en/overall-route
alesupper
Registered user
Glad to hear Dijon is nice. We’re staying there next Wednesday night. Not been to Dijon before so looking forward to it. It’s a trek from Rotterdam but hopefully we’ll have enough time for a look around.
