RDGA and Route Napoleon Dash 20th June

I did the napoleonic route twice last year, once at Mach 1 and another a bit slower.... I'm happy to ride a bike for twelve hours in a day, not for everyone I know but Wreford isn't offering a trip to people who think 200 miles is a lot in a day....
 
Wreford Miles said:
Thanks for the tip to add in Gorge Verdon...

I appreciate the views on taking 3 days to do the RDGA but I like a challange and that's as intresting to me as taking time and stopping for photos and coffee - I'm not hearing that it cannot be done in a day although it could be a long day but the 21st of June is the longest day and the thought of starting early 6:30 ish on that day and arriving at the Med still warm at 8:30 PM already feels like a very satisfying day to remember.
Click to expand...

A challenge indeed, 436mls top to bottom. RDGA site http://www.losapos.com/great_alpine_road reckons on 22hrs 30mins. Even allowing for a long day and getting a move on, it still would be tough......
 
The 'Bunch at ExCel'

http://www.bikeshuttle.co.uk/

Basically £299 single and £399 return to ship the bike from Northampton to Geneva.

EasyJet flights are from about £30 each way.

Whilst I can't help but think, I go away on the bike to ride it, if you were short of time, there's not a lot of difference in the cost.

If you took a single trip, two nights accomadation, meals, ferry/channel, petrol and hours of motorway boredom the cost is reasonable, although clearly not a bargain.
 
mcinlb said:
A challenge indeed, 436mls top to bottom. RDGA site http://www.losapos.com/great_alpine_road reckons on 22hrs 30mins. Even allowing for a long day and getting a move on, it still would be tough......
Click to expand...

Looks like their timings are meant for a Harley not a GS - 2:30 to do 50 miles!

I does look like a very long day but what a challange.

As for getting to the start in a day, it's only 500 miles from the tunnel

PM me emails if intrested
 
You may encounter road closures, snow and ice, sheep herders, rock falls, road works and lots of walkers and cyclists on the RDGA, to me it's madness, still its your funeral.
 
I really don't mean to be insulting, but this is sounding like one of those macho bollox trips like a thread (that I forget the title of) last year. You guys are are talking 10hr+ riding days with no lunch breaks, no fuel stops, no rest or recuperation and no allowances for the unexpected. It's bollox... sorry. Possible but fatigue is a dangerous thing.
btw Col D'Iseran was closed in the 1st week of June last year and I believe opened second week. Col D'Galibier was open, but an icy arse clenching affair and only just rideable. One car went over the edge the day before (but with the help of alcohol). No chance for anyone considering May.
:hide
p.s. last week , sharing four drivers in a very comfortable car, with minimal stops,cruising at 130kph, it took us 12 hrs Calais -Annecy. No way you can do this with any enjoyment on a bike!
 
I would have thought that Thonon les Bains to Barcelonnette was do-able in a day, but of course - omits Col De La Bonnette and points further south.

That needs to be qualified with weather conditions, of course.

Al
 
GrinningGSer said:
I really don't mean to be insulting, but this is sounding like one of those macho bollox trips like a thread (that I forget the title of) last year. You guys are are talking 10hr+ riding days with no lunch breaks, no fuel stops, no rest or recuperation and no allowances for the unexpected. It's bollox... sorry. Possible but fatigue is a dangerous thing.
btw Col D'Iseran was closed in the 1st week of June last year and I believe opened second week. Col D'Galibier was open, but an icy arse clenching affair and only just rideable. One car went over the edge the day before (but with the help of alcohol). No chance for anyone considering May.
:hide
p.s. last week , sharing four drivers in a very comfortable car, with minimal stops,cruising at 130kph, it took us 12 hrs Calais -Annecy. No way you can do this with any enjoyment on a bike!
Click to expand...

I appreciate your comments on what some of the passes may be like, I've no experience of them. But the more I read the more I think that given good conditions it's a possibility and I find that an exciting prospect.

As for the enjoyment factor, each to there own - I happen to like long hours in the saddle thinking about nothing other than the riding, it's my way of relaxing I'm OK to do a 500+ mile boring straight slog, I like the idea of a challange especially when it has unknowns and I'm not asking anyone to come along - just inviting those with an intrest in a 'dash' to make contact if they wish and to get snippets of insight ( like that RN detour) that can help shape the planning.
 
Wreford Miles said:
I appreciate your comments on what some of the passes may be like, I've no experience of them. But the more I read the more I think that given good conditions it's a possibility and I find that an exciting prospect.
Click to expand...

As you say you have no experience of the passes.
Do yourself a favour and listen to advice from people that do, RDGA in a day, no chance:comfort
 
Pablo1 said:
As you say you have no experience of the passes.
Do yourself a favour and listen to advice from people that do, RDGA in a day, no chance:comfort
Click to expand...

What's your experience of the RDGA and other long days in the saddle?
What's the longest day you've done in the RDGA distance/time in the saddle?
Are you basing your advice on what you enjoy or have you factored in how I tackle things?

My original thought had been two days but I'm not getting any sound insight that's says doing it in one day is not possible - in fact one post suggests it can be done in 22:30 and that would appear to allow plenty of time so my current view is that given good conditions and a very long day it might just be possible.

If that's not your thing that's absolutely fine by me... If you have some factual insight to share I'm all ears and if you wish to patronise further feel free as it speaks volumes about you, bounces off me and if anything makes me more determined to give t ago if conditions allow
 
Wref

If you can do london to Malaga in less than 24 hours on a hp2 this trip will be a breeze.:bow

Go for it.

I can't make plans more that a few weeks ahead at the moment so can't say if I would join you.

It would be a spur of the moment thing so let me know a week before you go
 
Ive done the RDGA and the Route Napoleon twice, progress can be very slow and average speeds that would allow you to cover the distance in a day are just not possible, i dont appear to be alone in this opinion.
However you go for it big boy, im not getting in to a pissing contest about time in the saddle bollocks
 
When we did the RDGA in 2008 we had two and a half 9-5 days so doing it in one day is madness in my eyes.
We did it to enjoy the scenery and stop to take photos and suck in the view.
I'm sure if you get up at 3 am and are happy to ride till 11pm then it is do-able.
But I can't really see the point unless you have something to prove.

When we do it again this June,the group I'm with are happy to be led by the timings and experience of what is sensibly achievable and enjoyable each day.

But then again I don't really see a 20 hour stint in the saddle as enjoyable !!
 
I'm looking forward to it.... I love the ney Sayers..... If it gets to much you stop in Hotel, if the roads shut you go round, if you get back a day late who gives a fuck..... I like long days on my bike, my job is hard work, sitting on a bike isn't. As I said I did it twice last year, once with a group the other on my own.....
 
Dave, I think you are being economical when you say a 'day late'. This trip is being massively under planned IMO and you'll know that one pass closed here can mean a 3-4 hr detour or even a trip to Italy. This testosterone fuelled blast suddenly isn't a two day trip :augie Is the need for a carnet needed or are the Swiss motorways being avoided around Geneva i.e. more time ?
 
Fcuks me! There's a few people on this thread - determined to convince Wreford that he shouldn't contemplate this! :blast

It's a bike trip - not an attempt at a mission to Mars................

Al
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Wreford Miles
RDGA & Route Napoleon in June Q's
Replies
6
Views
629
Deleted account 250722001
grantmac
Route Napoleon
2
Replies
25
Views
2,037
Steve398
Steve398
2 wheel humvee
RDGA and Vercors 2018
2 3
Replies
45
Views
15,750
2 wheel humvee
2 wheel humvee
Wapping
Route Napoleon - 5 day thrash or 7 day bimble, courtesy of RiDE
2 3 4
Replies
60
Views
33,084
Rasher
mrtee43
Accommodation at the bottom of Route Napoleon.
Replies
17
Views
6,382
Wapping
Wapping


Back
Top Bottom