Route de Grande Alps 2007 : Photos and log

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July '07 saw another trip into the fantastic French mountain regions, but not forgetting some fabulous time in Italy and Switzerland.

July 12th: 3 of us on this trip. Moi leading on the GS, Barry on his 900 Hornet and Mak on a Speed Triple. Shot down to Hull to join P&O with their overnighter to Zeebrugge. Not much to report except for that incredible left hander where the A1 meets the 62 !!!
Miles travelled from Harrogate : 70miles

July 13th: Off the ferry and we need fuel. Anyone knowing the road out of Zeebrugge will know there's only the 2 fuel stations heading south. The first one was shut and the second one had 2 pumps running....just enough to cater for the cars / trucks / bikes coming off the ferry. Poor lass inside the kiosk was at her wits end with the hassle she was getting...not that we gave her any....we were on our hols. Target for tonight : 'Nevers'....know matter how you try and pronounce this one it just doesn't come out right. A long hoof down the motorway and pitched up at a great site right on the Loire.
Miles travelled: 372miles

Excuse the heavy compression on some of these photos:
 
On to the Gorge du Tarn

Day 3: Left Nevers early and headed down past Magny-Cours circuit, then down to Ferriers-sur-Sichon. Roads starting to get a bit more interesting the further we move into the Central Masif. First Col of the trip: Col des Pradeaux, heading towards Ambert. Typical French road..suberb surface and more importantly 'empty'. Headed down towards Le Puy and eventually picked up the Gorge du Tarn road. Heard a lot about this particular trek and 'yes' great scenery but heavy going on the road surface. Not too bad on the GS but it was an uncomfortable ride on the Triumph and Honda. Camped up at Millau.........brilliant night in town with fireworks and bands playing in the town centre....'Bastille Day'.
Miles travelled: 309miles

Somewhere near Le Puy
 
Day 4: Packed up and off round to the Millau Bridge. If you're venturing down here and see the bridge from a distance...get a photo there as its difficult getting the thing in when close up. It means a ride back (cheers Baz) to get the snap. Eventually found our way up to the bridge and across. Riding South to North you get a brilliant view of Millau :
 
Day 4 cont : Moving on, we came across a superb road from Mende to Ales, coming over the Col de Jalcreste. It's when you find roads like these and then see Clarkson and his mates declaring the Stelvio to be the best road in Europe you realise they haven't got a clue.......Stelvio is good but perhaps too technical to enjoy..especially the North side. The N106 (Mende to Ales) is for the majority of time fast flowing, with excellent visibility and tremendous scenery.

Col de Jalcreste
 
Day 4 cont : Moving over to Dignes les Bains via Nyons and finishing up camping just outside Dignes.
Miles travelled: 298miles

Day 5 : Down the Route Napoleon to see a friend living nr. Mons. Fierce fires burning North of Nice........not far from where our friend George lives. He leaves his house empty for quite long periods in the year and it struck me he might get his fingers burnt one day.........literally.

Just off the R. Napoleon nr. Seranon........don't ask !
 
Day 5 cont : Moved back up the R. Napoleon to camp at Castellane. Brilliant little town. Found this great bar where the tip is to move tables (we needed a bigger one) during a round of drinks at the bartenders shift change....hey presto.....free drinks. We did.....yes, we did try to explain but they were having none of it..........!

Short day today: Miles travelled: 106 miles

If you've been to Castellane you'll recognise this
 
Day 6: So, if you're in Castellane you've got to visit the Gorge du Verdon. Road the south side then up round the north. Busy, loads of bikes, not as many coaches as I was expecting but loads of cars. Not the best road to overtake but why would you want to with scenery like this :
 
Day 6 cont: Time was moving on so we pushed it over to St Sauveur sur Tinee, via Daluis. Stopped on route at this location (nr. Daluis) where getting on the bike didn't quite work out. Lost my footing and down it went. I wasn't too keen to be squashed so 'dived for cover' and bruised a rib in the process. Took the 3 of us to pick the bike up....slight scuff to the cover and the pannier took the rest. No problem.

Dropped it here :
 
Day 7: Started the ride north up along the Route des Grande Alps, heading for the Col du Bonnette. Stopped for coffee before the climb up and was met with lots of 'tuts' 'hums' and 'ha's' from this stroppy gite owner.....good laugh at her expense though :

View looking down on the strop :
 
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