This may seem like sacrilege to some ...

[Banjaxed]

... but has anyone used French Motorail?

I know, I know - why take a GS on the train? The fact is, we'll be very short on time this summer and were wondering about taking the bike on Motorail from Calais down to Brive or Toulouse and then riding back to Dieppe over 4 days, with plenty of small road detours to see local sights, chateaux, etc..

My girlfriend has never been on the bike for any distance and that, together with the limited time just made me wonder ...

Suggestions would be MOST welcome to this new GS owner.

Ta very much

 

[Banjaxed]

Now looking at Motorail to Avignon to start, with a 5 day trip back via Massif Central, Loire Valley and Normandy (end July/early August).
Thoughts please?

 

[luke scott]

Lucky Man.

I've just come back from the Gorge Du Verdon in the south of france......with my wife and four kids....no bike !. The roads and bikes there were incredible. Take the train and dont mind any other comments. If it makes the return journey better for you and she who must be obeyed then that's what is important. Enjoy the great weather.
From a wet fed up GS rider in Ireland (worst weather here in 115 years !)

 

[Banjaxed]

Thanks Luke.
Not sure if we'll have time to head over to Verdon, but photos of the general area look fantastic...

Rain? And people wonder why Ireland is so green ...

Say hello to the black stuff for me

 

[Rod Souter]

I took my GS to Narbonne on the train. Travelled from Denderleuw with Belgian Railways. On train at 17.00 of in Narbonne 08.00 next morning. Gave me much more time to explore the region. If you want further details e-mail me

 

[wessie]

There is an excellent hotel in Normandie.

It's about an hours ride from Dieppe.

Hotel la Marine in Caudebec en Caux. Excellent restaurant. Nice small town with an attractive square and several bars.

Hotel overlooks the Seine and is just a few minutes from the impressive suspension bridge at St Nicholas

Part of the excellent Logis group

http://www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/re...&action=fastadvsearch&logis=caudebec&x=10&y=9

 

[Jim McSharry]

French rail

Hello Paul,
This was my experience with Ford Escort, wife and 3 ankle biters several years ago:
Ferry to Bulogyne - Train (SNCF) overnight to Brive the stay in that and coastal region for 2 weeks before doing return journey.
Railway went on strike in the height of summer (French have a tendancy to do that kind of thing regardless though!) so we had a 'mare of a drive north on our way home.
Anyway - all part of lifes experience!
I think it's a great idea but beware of the Frenchies!
(Actually, we love em!!!)

:illbe


Jimbo

 

[Banjaxed]

Thanks Wessie - had a couple of trips to Normandy last year on the Cruiser (now replaced by a GS!) - and rode through close to Caudebec. I live on the South Coast about 30 mins from Newhaven, so a Seacat to Dieppe puts me right into Normandy. Fantastic area for bikes - little traffic and courteous car drivers (really!!) - they pull over to let you pass!
French bike signals seem to be - left hand wave to other bikes (except on Autoroute - flash headlamp) and stick out right boot when cars pull over to let you pass (after you've passed of course ...)
Stopped at a filling station with the other guy (Triumph Thunderbird) and the elderly attendant comes out to look at the bikes. Looks over the Triumph and says, "Oh, tres jolie!" - then looks over the Cruiser, scratches his head and says, "Hmmm, tres bizarre!".
Jim - bit of a bugger with the strike, eh? Three kids from Brive? Nightmare doesn't begin to describe it ... Was going to go to Brive, but switched to Avignon so that we could ride back through the Massif Central. It's booked now, so the Frenchies better not be up to their usual antics ...
Thanks for the feedback.