Chartres to Clermont Ferrand 31st July 2012

I actually found a channel on tele that wasn't the Olympics - unless Fishing is an Olympic sport! I couldn't understand much because it was in French - aquatic French even!








A good old F1 brekkie except they had run out of muesli after a tablespoon in my bowl do I topped it up with chockie stuff! Worked ok surprisingly.




Art shot!




Fuel prices are not too bad with the strong pound - 1€ 50 average so about £1.30 a








This is the only stop made other than services - I am so ashamed because there was some superb scenery en route but this decision to go via the Route National makes it a speed drag and stopping when you want is not quite like the D Roads.




I have a new map - its different to my old 2006 one and my 5 year old Sat Nav. Looks like so many roads have changed I will have to invest in a new Sat Nav!!!
Best laid plans - I didn't book Clermont Ferrand F1 and when I got there it was full!!! Luckily an ETAP 15 miles down the road I need to be on had room albeit quite a bit more expensive.
Tomorrow is a shortish ride to Millau to see if I can camp and then over the Millau Bridge - looking forward to riding in the clouds!




Yikes!




Unfortunately the meal was awful - note to myself - Don't eat at Buffalo Grill again it's not what it used to be!




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Calais to Chartres 30th July 2012

Nice view from the window last night.




Today was not an early start - in fact it was 10.30am before I left the F1. The usual breakfast was eaten although the coffee was not very good.








Today's route was a departure from the norm in previous tours - instead of D roads I stuck to the Route National. It is now all dual carriage way but there is still some good scenery all along the route.








A stop off in Abbeville gave me a surprise - pity I couldn't find the owner though. The church here is quite impressive but with rain clouds looming it was a quick iPhone photo.








A quick lunch stop was made near Vernon - I think it was Loviers in good old MacD so I could check emails!
Final blast to Chartres was quick and in sunshine - checked into F1 and tucked into a KFC which was conveniently opposite.




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Calais France July 29th 2012

About to get off the Ferry.





I had to buy these - new law in France - you have to carry your own breatherlizers!!! Scope for some adjusted ones here eh!


I had to buy these - new law in France - you have to carry your own breatherlizers!!! Scope for some adjusted ones here eh!

Got to my hotel and guess what is on television!?


Aaaarrrrggghhhhhhh!!!!

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Day 1 - Sunday

I had a good ride up and ate one of Britain's finest (not) Bacon Rolls in our wonderful services (!)




It took a good 6 hours or more with stops and slow traffic on a rain soaked M25. For the first time ever Customs pulled me over and asked a few questions - all ok though - I must have a friendly face.
The bike is strapped down and the ferry is leaving.




Next stop Calais!
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Final prep.

France Tour 2012

Well the bike is packed and ready to go. It's been a struggle getting everything in because of the camping equipment. My panniers are not the jumbo sized ones seen on some bikes and neither am I a lightweight survival specialist - I like my comfort so my sleeping mat is big as is my sleeping bag. My tent is quite spacious and offers a degree of comfort not found in micro tents do I pay the weight and size penalty. Now it's packed and tied down well it is quite ok and the bike copes well - handling is good.



The ferry is booked for Sunday afternoon so it will be a motorway ride to start with.


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France Tour 2012

This year I have been less organised - funnily enough I have had loads of potential time as I took an early retirement in January but my weeks seem to have been filled with sorting out investments and dealing with stuff that I let slip because of work.
Anyhow with the recent bad weather and lack of planning on my part I have not organised my trip so this year I have just booked a return Ferry crossing and a hotel for the first and last nights.
I have a loose plan to ride down to the Millau Viaduct so watch this space!
I will take my Honda Africa Twin again but this time to keep some costs down with also take a tent - once I work out which part of the kitchen sink I can leave behind! I can never seem to get my kit down to the small lightweight levels I have seen others tour with - so I going Motorcycle Glamping!
This year the UK Pound is strong and so exchange rates against the Euro are favourable however fuel costs have risen considerably over the years and does have an impact on any tour. Ferry crossings seem reasonable at £50 return from Dover to Calais but every other crossing is very expensive. This is a shame as I would have liked to have crossed to the West of France.
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Location:France