Hi folks. Back in November 2012 I hit the road for an impromptu trip from Sitges, Catalunya up to Chamonix in the French Alps. Long story short, a friend of mine bought a Ducati 748 back in the UK, and I persuaded him that it would be a great idea (when I had no idea that would actually be the case in November) to jump on his bike, get it down to his place in Chamonix, I'd burn up from Catalunya to meet him there, then he'd follow me back to Spain to house his Ducati for the winter at my place. The weather would make or break it. It had the serious possibility to be the most foolish plan, or an epic trip up to the Alps, via the Pyrenees and the south of France up into the big mountains. Now I realise that the routes I took may not be the best (but dam good all the same), or the ideal, but I was under a touch of time pressure with the limited day light hours at that time of year (and hence didn't have the chance to stop as much to take photos as I would have liked). 2 days each way, best part of 700 (country) miles each way. But if this review serves to do anything then I hope it shows that it is possible to get out there at short notice and cover a fair chunk of ground, ride some amazing roads, and see the world (which ever part that may be), in a few days. Kit wise I had a Kreiga US10 Tail Pack and a Kreiga R35 Back Pack. Sufficient for 5 days, but a fully loaded R35 does start to take its toll on the long days, and I'll be looking at new luggage for next time for sure. No GPS, just Michelin Maps. Never been a fan of the GPS for riding (although there have been times I wish I had one) but I love maps, its old school, you get to look a map over and see alternatives, better routes..etc, but thats just me. No heated grips, wish I had. Winter gloves too restrictive and numb for me, so bought a pair of Dianesse silk under gloves, which actually worked a treat! Rest of the kit was fairly standard stuff for a long trip...basic tools, puncture repair kit...etc The route Day 1 (240 miles) I reckon I hit the road in Sitges about 8 am. Aiming to make the French boarder in the Pyrenees by 12.00, and then the B&B just outside Narbonne by 16.00. It was getting dark by 17.00, and I couldn't find my clear visor. Point number 1, alway have a spare clear visor if you ride with a dark tint, because invariably you will at some point get caught out, which i did. Not funny. The route from Barcelona to Berga is fairly mundane, dual carriage ways etc, but the scenery is still not bad. But the ride proper began in Berga. From there its up into the Pyrenees, and its motorcycle heaven. Cold in November mind you. Stopped in Berga, jumper on, wind proof jacket on, silk under gloves, scarf. No worries after that, snug. Pic. Just over the boarder into France, north west of Bourg madame. Bike looking shiny. The road down the Pyrenees on the French side was a great. Took the N116 through Prades and onto Perpignan. The sun came out, temp unto 20 degrees. Lovely road through sleepy french towns and villages, quiet as a mouse, hardly anyone on the roads. The only think that really stood out was the change in the quality of the road surface. As good as you'd want it on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees, not so great on the French side, but ok. Perpignan to Salleles d'Aude (near Narbonne, and site of a great biker friendly B&B), was motorway, nothing exciting. Just about getting through the miles. Arrived in good time at about 16.00 at the B&B. It's called Les Volets Bleus, great place to stay if you're in that area. Run by a couple of brothers, one of whom is into his bikes. Beautiful big house, massive garage under the house, in a gorgeous french village with all the basics at hand, €50 and worth every penny. The Route Day 2 (355 miles) Big day. 350 miles to cover. Big ask with the day light hours restriction. But I was up for it, weather was gorgeous, and on my own, so i could crack on. But it took me longer than I hoped, and left a the B&B an hour later than planned, at 9am. The route from Narbonne to Orange was motorway, and with a stop or two got me to Orange at midday. On schedule. From Orange to Serres I took the D976 - D94 - D944 roads, B-road equivalent. This part of France is absolutely beautiful! The weather was perfect, blasting through the rolling hills and vineyards of the South of France. Roads empty, no police, no speed cameras. Mega. The particular highlight of this section was the D944 between Rosans to Serres, constantly climbing through the valley and gorges, fast flowing sections punctuated with tighter more technical road. Probably the Highlight of the trip! The plan from Serres was to join the N85 which forms part of Route Napoleon, and take that up to Grenoble. But time, and the sun were starting to elude me. So as a slightly shorter route I took the D1075/E712. Incredible piece of A road, beautiful scenery, fantastic road, and again dead quiet with only a few fixed speed cameras. But the R35 back pack was starting to takes it toll! My shoulders were killing me, and I was having to stop more frequently than I wanted to get off the bike and dump the back pack for 5 mins. Made it to Grenoble, much later than planned. should have jumped on the motorway from here straight up to the Chamonix valley, but ended up sticking to my original route, via Albertville and Megeve. Pic just outside Albertville. Weather was still great, but sun going down fast along with the temperature. When the sun did finally disappear I realised I was fucked. No clear visor, cold, roads damp. No fun. The last 45 mins of the ride I had to ride with my visor up. Eyes streaming, lips going blue. Never again will I travel with out a spare visor. School boy error no doubt. You live and learn. But finally made it to Chamonix. What a place. Beautiful. Had a day off the bike before the trip back. The trip back was fairly dull in comparison. My mate is back on a bike after a bad accident a few years ago, and not quite got his confidence back for cracking on through the twisty stuff, so it was motorways most of the way back. But the weather was still fantastic, and just being out on your bike is pure gold, so it was all good stuff. 5 days after I set off on this impromptu trip we arrived back in Catalunya. The weather had been perfect, chilly in hills, but it never rained. So lucky really, the weather could have been horrendous, but it justified the trip for sure. The Alps, Pyrenees and the south of France are wonderful places to be on a motorcycle. It's one of the things that makes me smile when your ever I'm out on my bike, just how great it feels to ride motorcycles, and just be out on the road purely for the sake of it. Chuck in some breathtaking scenery and some empty roads and you're laughing. The star of the show was undoubtably my wonderful Honda Fireblade. When you set off across continents your bike is your wingman, your partner in crime, and mine was fabulous. The bike did not skip a beat, faultless. I know people say it's not the most exciting bike in the world, and i'd agree, but it does what it does so well, and I love it, and have no desire for out else for the time being. Cracking little trip, wonderful bike. Thanks for reading. Hope it's of some use to someone, and wets the appetite for trips coming up this spring and summer. Cheers
Really enjoyed the write-up Mike, you're absolutely right about the road surface on the french side of the Pyrenees, it's far inferior to the spanish side. Scenery more than makes up for it though!
Nice write up and stuff. And I suppose the trip was probably fun and everything. But like am I bothered? Or jealous or whatever? Nope. Not me.
Brilliant - well worth the wait and pics are stunning. No idea when I will be back there but so envious you have that on your door step.
Got me thinking ferry to Spain, Valencia MotoGP 10th Nov home via motorail if a service running. Just looked at first pic again, I've been for a piss behind that crash barrier a few times! Its at the top of the Col De Tosses which we know / call 'Cow shit road' - have some epic footage of 2 identical GSXR-750's chasing each other up that from Ripol!
THought this would make some folk laugh - Pic of Mike's bike last Novemeber.... I think that's the same back drop but if I'm wrong it looks really similar -Mike, is that the huge car park opp the hotel at top of pass as you head from Ripol to Bourg Madame?
