This trip to the Pyrenees (between France and Spain) was my 5th to the area and the last planned for the group who have been going for 10 years. Part 1 Friday All trips start somewhere and for me this was Newport Pagnel services on the M1 at about 8 at night , filling up here to give a full tank of fuel for the run to Dover the next morning. Luggage is ventura system and you cannot tell its there. Stayed at Milton Keynes and headed off about 06:00 - rather than the normal Friday night boat to Caen from Portsmouth we had decided to go via Calais and stay in Limoges. All was good till about 6:30 on the M25 when a huge lump of plastic flew up from under car infront hitting my right foot just behind toes - hurt like fcuk, nearly stopped on M25 but thought no point. Met up with other on motorway heading to Dover and fuelled up at port to give us enough juice to get to Ruen on leaving Calais. No problems on ferry, good breakfast and chance to relax. I prefer it to the tunnel as you can have a break and its about 90 minutes but with breakfast and a quick look round the shops its soon over. Easy run to Ruen, but in my eyes poor choice of fuel stop - was a small garage with not enough for lunch, but everyone wants a brew, a fag, toilet break etc. and with 10 bikes always takes 30 mins. Left and headed on D roads to Dreux and McDonalds for a lunch stop of prob. 45 mins less than an hour after leaving Ruen - these 2 stops really slowed us down. Leaving McDonalds and one of the last bikes had its first miss-hap - snapped chain. real problem is getting message to lead bike 10 in front that there is a problem - but we managed it. 1.5 hours later, as it starts to rain its 17:30 and we are miles from Limoges - so we crack on, it gets dark, we hit the peage (motorway) and it starts to chuck it down - terrible rain that just soaked us all. felt like hours to get to Limoges - found hotel at 21:45 - which was a dump. Having been on the road since 05:00 I just turned in having made plans with my mate to visit the historic town of Oradour Sur Glan which was 10 miles away. Bike now has holiday plate fitted for use outside UK Saturday Headed to Oradour Sur Glan - photo montage here of the sights - very sombre place and well worth a visit [video]https://vimeo.com/50714580[/video] Had agreed to move on by 11:00 for the trip south, aiming to take D roads and avoid motorway all the way to Andorra. By lunchtime finally got sunshine so used stop at a supermarket (for food, fuel, toilet) to turn blade into handy washing line to dry waterproofs out and check map. Much cheaper than motorway services for fuel, food etc. - also one stop for all things saves loads of time. Continued to run down via Bergerac, Agen with weather improving all the time, soon seeing road signs for 'Espania 400km' which is welcome. Great roads road with easy , relaxed progress. Picked up Peage for 1 junction and toll of €1.20 as was getting late - stopped in St. Giron for my mate to get his wife some special aftersun - but none in stock - but chance for a brew and un-wind as getting late. Final push saw us roll into town square as darkness fell at 20:00 - really good run down. As is traditional my bike becomes covered in Pizza boxes (no idea why this started but its a trip tradition)
Part 2 Sunday was the first day and a chance for everyone to settle, clean bikes etc. Accomodation was 2 large Gites - first time we used them but perfect with large dining area, TV etc. and plenty of parking - also felt secure for bikes Heading for a cracking loop round France, avoided McDonalds and ended up at our favourite Repsol garage Return trip via a cross country ski resort - pure mineral water free flowing Typical Pyrenees view Back to Gite by sunset for a BBQ - used my bikes vast luggage capacity earlier in the day for a supermarket run which it complted without trouble Eating in saved us a fortune - generally a meal out is €20 minimum - often more with beers being the killer - if you divide up tasks and have a decent number its no hardship, but understand other say 'I'm on holiday, I want to eat out' - think €10 a head paid for general supplies, 2 dinners and a load of beer as a comparison. Monday - Woke to rain, bit of a relaxed start but we have a magic tunnel - you go into it in pissing wet, everyone wearing waterproofs, other side its like this So my bike then becomes the waterproof carrier and everyone puts them in the ventura bag! Up to the Col De Tosses (an awesome road) with great views Headed into Spain after very slow lunch stop (my preference would have been take lunch made at digs, buy drinks at a supermarket but others really like the sit down and order - but it takes an hour minimum with a group of 10, maybe longer Fantastic twisty roads to here and beyond!
Part 3 - Tuesday This was a day I was looking forward to - a chance to show the group a new area I had been to previously in central Pyrenees to go over the famous Col du Tourmalet which is the highest pass in the area and regularly used in the Tour de France. To get there we needed to go through the town of Foix to get to motorway and it was in Foix that disaster struck - in slow traffic (15 - 20) 2 bikes in front, 1 behind I look in mirror for a second too long, look up to see 2 bikes static - huge handful of front brake = endo to vertical, bike crashes down landing on me and kerb of very high pavement , right outside Police Station. Bike took a bash, I took a bruise but I was passed 'fit to ride' blade patched up with cable ties and gaffer tape I was carrying and within 15 mins I was on the move! Went to Lourdes on the way, some got some water, my bike and leg was blessed but neither were fixed so no miracles that day. Headed up to the Pass and as I knew the views were stunning - but the pain / shock of the day = few photos other than these: View at top The trip group shot Having another really slow lunch... Car park visitor Next col was the Aspin - will add some pics from there as brilliant views - then over another pass after small navigational error / bike ahead not stopping at a junction as previously agreed... By this time my foot is really bruised, cannot put weight through toes so keep catching toe slider on hairpins. Wednesday A wet day - we messed about all morning (after a late night before to be fair) when it was not too wet - I looked at my tyres, my smashed up bike and thought 'They won't be legal by the time I get to the UK, and I don't want points' so I headed off to get a fresh set of tyres - asked a price for a pair of BT-023's which I have used for years - in the UK you pay about £250 a pair, quote was €480 = £400 - totally shocked. But then offered a 'deal' on BT-021's - and ended up with BT016 front and BT021 rear for €280 fitted which is about £230 - not too bad but do know they are old tyres. I blame the Firebloke and Gary B for the long rides to the Borders and Wales.... (joke there - but the miles on those trips pushed my tyes over the limit to get me home).
Part 4 Thursday We had a brilliant previous night with dinner for all 10 at a house - benefit of 10 years trips is the friendships made in the town. This was out 'long ride out' to Spain - woke to crystal clear skies after a very cold night - and heading over Col du Pymorens saw that all the hills had a dusting of snow on them, and looking west mountains had proper covering of white stuff. Group was reduced this day to 6 which is a much more manageble size group. We know the route for this run well but planned to run it in reverse - will post route up as it really was awesome. Did not take many pictures - one thing I really regret is going over one col there were porb. 50 Eagles circling on the thermals just above us - should have stopped for a minute to film them - was awesome sight but our 'leader' can get touchy if people stop , but then told 'you should have stopped to film them - that was fookin awesome and nobody will beleive us' Was still not really able to ride properly with foot and leg pain - hardest thing was not being able to move round on bike at all - just could not push up on the pegs to shift backside off seat - really affects how you ride. On this evening we learn that our ferry company has gone on strike, so rather than a late Sat night overnight boat from Caen we have to go via Calais - 3 decide to leave Friday and split trip, was tempted to join them but thought better of it - after all I've travelled 600 miles to get here so why miss a day! Will edit this post in time to add some pics
Part 5 Friday Final day and we always plan an easy one to get us back in good time to pack , clear up etc. prior to a last meal in the local restaurant Weather was good for the same run as Monday but in reverse - and finally I could ride the bike and all my mates said 'your riding is transformed, you are like a different person' Cracking run through France and some favourite roads via this gorge - stunning place for photos Final 6 riders Stopped for lunch at Mont Louis and typically on the only day I'm not carry all the waterproofs it starts to rain - Heading back I see this - only learning later it was / is the worlds largest solar furnace - and I saw it in the rain! Purple panels on ground in front reflect sun into main parabola which then focuses it on the centre spot Wet run back via the magic tunnel, which this time worked again as it was almost try at the other side. Where we stay has the worlds largest cross country ski area with amazing views - while cloudy I thought I'd head up and see how far I would get till the cloud cover Found these which def. needed a photo Great final evening at the local bar - friends had dinner with us and felt really welcome - for once left bar before midnight on the last night (previous years have been nearer 3 or even 5 for some!
Really lapped up the tales Al and thanks for the photos and posting (Did you see Barney by any chance)?
Part 6 Saturday morning - traditional farewell to the bar owners Final fill up in Foix Long run back to Ruen, we had an hours heavy rain north of Tolouse - but dry after that and found hotel by 19:30 - all fuelled up to get us to Calais in one hit next morning. 3 decided to get up early and on the road for 06:00 to get 08:50 boat to Dover and home in good time. It was a good idea night before but freezing after crystal clear night - heated grips and waterproof over leathers saved me, but mate nearly froze on his gixer - my blade kept him going / warmed him up when we stopped at toll booth. Blade fan and heated grips dispensing warmth to Gixer and ZX10 riding mates! White cliffs of Dover
Leg on day 4 - now looking worse! Video fly by Bike repairs for snapped chain - shop did amazing job - new chain, MADE a clutch push rod from part of a display shelf - worked really hard (Click to watch video) Making parts from the display shelf (Click to play video) THat's my lot for now - should give an idea - Next thread will be 'The rebuild' - not sure when that starts yet - bike still works and way too early in year to put it to bed for winter!
Thanks all for feedback - a few had been asking about the trip both highs and lows) My foot has lost the bruising and swelling - still hurts a bit Leg still mega bruised after 2 weeks - still hurts / aches but getting better - it was a real whack when it landed on me. If anyone is interested this is a really good review of Oradour Sur Glane and what happened, even if there will never be a clear reason why Almost all the routes we did are on the large post I did about the Pyrenees in this section - GaryB has got the bug - anyone else tempted to join him on seeing this? (please don't let my spill put anyone off - if could have happened anywhere - just pilot error on my part when you switch off / look away for a second)
This is an excellent post, Al. I fancy that area next year. I hear your joys and pains of group riding! By the way, you state that 'you cannot tell it's (Ventura kit) there'. Well I've looked long and hard and I can just make it out in the first picture. It's above the pillion seat I reckon. Do I win a prize? How's the leg?
Cheers - I can tell its there when I try and get of the bike the normal way! Let still bruised and still hurts - think it will be a few weeks till the pain fully goes GaryB looking to go next June - look for his post up about it - Group riding a tough call - when numbers dropped to 6 it got so much easier than 10 I think 4 - 6 is perfect number for a road trip - large enough for banter, small enough to easily keep track of everyone when on the move
Al, I agree with you on the numbers. We went away last year, 10 of us. Chaos. Breakdowns, people getting lost, endless bloody fuel stops. So this year we went with...13! Including 2 BMW GS's with all the boxes. Too much. As you say, the banter goes and the group gets strung out, lost, irritable. I could not believe how slow we went. Hope your leg's healing.
Leg is healing well - but foot really playing up - to the point where I went to A&E this evening for an X-Ray - but asked to come back at 7:45 as too busy with urgent cases (and for better use of my time) - want to know if there is anything up internally as think pain should have gone by now from foot.
