Saturday 31 March 2018

Death of the trailer

OK so what happened, will try and keep it short.
When we visited the UK we left the trailer at my mates in north wales while we visited Ireland. Lui, my mate being who he is, went over the trailer as if he was going to buy it, when we got back he complemented me on how good and solid it was, couldn't find any faults other than the brakes didn't work, I knew that. He said he had spoken to a friend and when I was ready to sell to let him know.
So, we set of for Manchester and to visit the various places we had stored the last of our belongings, eventually heading south to Felixstowe later that day.
We left the trailer at the rear of a friends house while in Felixstowe, one wheel, drivers side, tight against another trailer. We left Felixstowe and headed for the 14.15 hr. ferry at Dover at 09.30 hrs. the Tuesday, easy non stop drive, arrived on time, didn't leave the trailer for one moment, we boarded the boat and set sail, 1.5 hrs later we rejoined the trailer and headed down to Belonga Mick.
About 70/80 miles in to the trip I heard a flapping sound, looked in rear view mirrors and noticed the over size tarpaulin flapping on my side, we stopped at the next service station and I  tucked the offending tarp in, we set off, the noise seemed to have stopped so we continued on our way.
As we exited Rouen and entered the on ramp for the short stretch of auto-route I again heard the noise, looked in mirrors and noticed tarp flapping away on both sides, I stopped at the services again after the toll road and tucked it in.
As we entered Blois I again heard the noise, this time a lot loader and more like a thud than a flap, checked mirrors and lowered windows, taup wasn't flapping but we had this thud thud coming from both sides of the trailer, more my side than Julies but non the less both sides. We stopped as soon as we were off the motorway in a car park.
I got out and had a look around the trailer, first inspection, in the dark all looked well, bent down and tugged at a wheel, it was loose, first thought was bearing, but as I looked closer I noticed the wheel nuts appeared to be loose, I went and inspected the other side and sure enough they too were not tight, WTH?
So, I got the wheel brace out and, well it being for a modern Volvo and the trailer wheel being from an older English car you guessed, it didn't fit. 
I remembered we had brakdown cover and I had taken premier cover that covered trailers and caravan, so I found the number and called, didn't take them long to confirm I wasn't covered for trailer in France only car, but they could arrange a recovery service for a one off fee of £400, I put the phone down, start rescue, wont be renewing with them next year.
At midnight there wasn't anyone about so had no choice but to unhook the trailer and go and collect my tools from Belonga Mick, some 80 miles away, remember most roads I use are back roads, so 1.5 hrs each way.
When we got to the cottage we emptied the car, loaded the tools and headed back, I tightened the wheel nuts but wasn't overly pleased with the one on my side, so I took the wheel off, the nut holes were egg shaped and the wheel stud bolts were beginning to wear thru, best bet was to put the spare wheel on, at least the mounting holes were round, I did that and gently tightened the bolts, as I did the last one it snapped clean off.
We decided we'd stop every 10 miles and check all was still good, first 10 miles, we stop, only one bolt holding wheel on, 3 now sheared off, decision made, the trailer was going no further. we quickly decided to get as much in the car and get as much as we could the last 70 miles that way. Now unloading the trailer and trying to fit as much as we could on to the back seat and in the boot of a Volvo C70 wasn't fun, did I tell you it was raining? No? it was raining. First load back to the house and unload, returned to trailer for second load. I am now getting very tired, eyes not working so good and MJ poking me to keep me away. that was when she was awake, I had a feeling this wasn't going to end well but could not see an option other than leave our stuff to the mercy of any passing vultures, I was sure if we had left the trailer there it would have been emptied before long.
I think we did another couple of trips, on the last one about 09.30 hrs. we decided to call at our neighbours, Paul and Carol, they had a hatchback and we had a couple of things left in the trailer that would not fit in our car, main one being a new oak door I had purchased in the UK. Thankfully they said they would come with us and bring a load back, Julie rode in Carol's car, Paul came with me and boy are we glad he did. I have to admit I nodded off a couple of times, if it wasn't for Paul chatting on and giving me the odd nudge I wouldn't be here now, we stopped for a coffee about half way back, first break Julie and I had had since leaving the boat. Back at the trailer and we managed to get everything loaded in to the two cars, left nothing behind other than a now useless trailer, we finally arrived home at 15.00 hrs to empty the last load into the house.
Again on the final leg Paul managed to keep me awake. Now you may ask why didn't Paul drive? he is recovering from a badly broken arm, just had pins removed so he couldn't take over. At one stage when my eyes closed I heard him say "white line" as I crossed over the centre line, I opened my eyes to see a white van fast approaching, like I said, if we had done this last trip on our own it would have been our last.
So, why did the wheels come undone? I don't know, I do know that last February, 2017 I serviced the trailer greased the bearings and replaced the wheels, since then it has done at least 10 trips to France, each trip being about 1500 miles, I had no issues with any aspect of the trailer, I'm sure you will agree, if the wheels were going to come loose on their own, they would have done so long before now.
I have tried to figure what and how, even excepting the possibility of one wheel maybe coming loose on its own accord, but both wheels at the same time, sorry, this was no accident.
I have contacted the ferry company and asked re possible cctv on car deck as that was the only time the trailer was left unattended, we await their response.
I missed my trailer the day after, I'd forgotten I'd bought a stove and had to collect it, I'm sure I am going to miss it a lot more in the future until I can get sorted with a replacement.
Pictures, first is the wheel on my side, 2nd is the other wheel, you can see that the bolts are/have been loosened on that wheel also.


Friday 29 September 2017

Why do we do it?

Been a while since I "blogged", here goes.
Today I was asked, "Wouldn't you rather be in a car on days like this?"
To understand we must go back to how the week started, bear with me please.
I went to the casino in Blackpool last Saturday night with my brother, something we do now and again, just to keep in touch, you know, anyway, we had a good night, bite to eat, played the wheel and came away with folding in my pocket, £250 to be precise, I also retained 100 in chips for next time and Dave kept 50, we had gone in with 130, I'll let you work it out. Anyway, it's not about the winning it's about brothers, and there in is another story. I always put my chips on 4 numbers 1-3-13 and 31, why? if you have to ask you don't need to know, but again staying with the theme of the week.
Somewhere between coming out of the casino and getting to my hotel room I managed to misplace £100, yes I know, how can you do that, hope whoever picked it up needed it more than me, I was still up so heyho.
Sunday was the ride down to Felixstowe and collecting Dave Martins ashes to take to Belonga Mick, Monday being the anniversary of Dave's passing I wanted to mark it in an appropriate way, what other than riding a Valkyrie through France and with a little bit of the great man with me.
Steady and uneventful ride down on the Sunday left me feeling optimistic for the 5 days ahead, along with friends and family of Dave's we had a few drinks in the bar before I retired for a fit full nights sleep (note to self, always book a double room never a single, it costs the same).
Up early on the Monday and a ride around to Andy Damant's for a quick coffee, he'd been on nights so couldn't join us the night before but didn't think it right to leave without popping in.
With some of Dave's ashes in my left breast pocket of my jacket I set off at 07.30, nice steady and again uneventful ride down to Folkestone and the train to France, one stop for petrol just before I got on the train, I wanted to hit the road on the other side and not stop for a couple of hundred miles.
Dave always enjoyed, if that's the right word, visiting the war graves when we traveled through northern France, respect n all ya know, I made it a point to stop at a foreign field this trip and spend a few quite moments giving thanks for the sacrifices made.
I pushed on, couple of short showers but nothing to get me wet and I arrived at Rouen, found a Tabac on the outskirts and dropped in for a coffee, we had spoken about making Rouen a stopover on one of our next trips. It looks such a nice place and Dave always said it was a shame to pass it by, I rode though the town and up and down one or two streets, yes we should have spent time here and in the not to distant future I will, lovely city and worthy of far more than a half hour ride through on the bike.
I did try to take some pictures but my phone kept shutting down whenever I hit the picture button, I had bought a new phone, unfortunately it took a different sim so I couldn't use it on this trip, so making do with my old one that, well, has seen far better days.
About 20 miles after Rouen is the usual gas stop, usually our second with Dave, for me my first on the new 1800, fill her up and on auto pilot I went round to the supermarket and bought a sandwich, again it was what we did, Dave would stock up on whatever treats he took a fancy to and away we'd head.
I like to take the back roads to Evreux, having had a good stretch of dual carriageway to Rouen it makes a nice change, then I pick up the dual carriageway again and down to Dreux, rain started just as I approach. now a word of warning, getting around Dreux is not the best even in the dry, in the wet it has to be approached with care due to the number of Roundabouts and the French HGV's habit of dumping diesel on every last one of them. I did at one stage look up to the sky and check the weather, apparently I do that a lot, Dave commented that when he followed me and saw me looking up he knew we wouldn't be going the way we might have but rather following the sun, brought a smile to my face remembering how he'd point that out to me after nearly every ride, "I knew when I saw your head looking up and going from side to side we weren't taking the direct route" he'd say, happy days. 
Today it didn't look like it would clear so I approached with care and continued on my way, got though there no problem and pointed the bike towards Chartres down the N154, as I did the car in front slowed, just for a moment I let my mind wonder, twisted the grip and pulled out, the back wheel snapped to the side and I fishtailed the next 50 yards, I was in 5th and maybe doing 45, by right I should have been lying on the road, I wasn't, I pulled back in behind the slower car and decide, for now I will be content to follow, 45 - 50 aint such a bad speed in the rain. 
By the time we got to Chartres the rain had stopped, I had another visit I had to make, a shop that Dave would never pass without going in TYDARKTRISKELL https://www.facebook.com/tydarktriskell he usually came out with some little treasure, today it was closed, so I didn't get the chance to go in one last time, instead I rode around the estate, visited the diner we'd eat at and just contemplated the reason, no still can't figure it.
From here on the riding gets better to Belonga Mick, the roads sweeps away as only known roads do, only one more coffee stop to make, Saint-Aignan, another "usual coffee stop" and always welcome.
We are now on the Bis out to Limoges from Paris, scenic tourist route and well worth travelling, I've been this way more times than I can count, on the bike and in the car and I still find the roads and scenery rewarding, the roads continued to disappear and we soon arrived at our destination.
I lit the fire, took the top off a bottle and drank to a friend and Brother, gone but never to be forgotten, forever in our hearts and soon to have his own little corner of France.
The next two days were taken up with a couple of visits, a little shopping, French bread and cheese, along with one day stacking a couple of cords of wood, unseasoned so good to burn in winter 2018/19, I already have this coming winters in the wood shed nice and dry.
Thursday and I'm back on the road but this time alone, one last walk around the place to make sure I've locked up and turned off what needs to be and I saddle up and away. I'd gassed up when I went shopping so wouldn't need to worry about stopping for a couple of hundred miles, I pushed north. First stop was about 11.30 low price garage for petrol just after Saint-Aignan, yes I stopped for a quick double espresso but didn't sit. I used this opportunity to go in the supermarket and grab a sandwich and coke, quick bite and drink and I was on my way again, figured I could make the hotel for tonight just outside of Calais for about six, I pushed on. 
One more stop for petrol and I'd be done, that time came again, at the same place I stopped on way down just south of Rouen, figured this will give me enough to get all the way to the UK. I was making a point of using cash to purchase petrol as I seemed to have landed with a little more in my pocket than I usually would, wood wasn't as expensive as I had allowed and they like being paid in cash, so I was carrying just over 250 euro. In France I'd rather use the French bank card, safer than carrying cash I always think and easier when it comes to buying fuel as most petrol stations are now auto, so card only. Another thing I had done was mix my wallets, I have a french wallet and an English wallet, helps keep cards and stuff separate so I don't use a UK card and pay daft charges, for some reason I had used my UK wallet for the French cash and the French wallet had £'s in it, anyway, reason to follow.
So pushing north and making good headway I start to feel a little peckish, decided to stretch my legs and get a bite to eat at a service station. As I pulled in and parked up I noticed two UK reg bikes, thought not much more about it and went in to get fed. When I came out one of the UK guys came across and started chatting about the bike, as you do, we had a natter while I ate and drank, then we parted company, they also were heading north but I resisted the temptation to ride out with them and waited a  time before I also left, next stop the hotel for the night.
I arrived at the hotel about 18.00 so bang on schedule, when you've done the trip as often as I have that doesn't really come as any surprise, went to check in and was asked the usual do I require breakfast, why not says I, nice easy ride tomorrow, no rush, leisurely coffee along with some stale bread and jam, and all for 5.50 euro, I reach for my wallet, you know I can't describe the feeling, pit of the stomach stuff, I drop my helmet on a table and quickly go out to bike, check bags, recheck pockets, no It's gone, mind races back to last stop, must have been there, I paid for a drink and chocolate, can't remember putting it in my pocket but it's something you do automatically I guess, must have been the distraction of the chat, anyway it's gone now, went back in and paid for breakfast with the last of my change bar a 2 euro piece.
I checked my travel folder and found the French wallet, looked through and realised I still had the French card and UK cash, well that was something, I could use the card to buy my steak and beer for tonight. I made a couple of calls without any luck but eventually MJ managed to get on to the bank to cancel my UK cards, nothing more to do than eat and sleep, see what tomorrow brings.
Thing is, that wallet I bought in the states, barb wire, matches my belt and is too big for my bike jacket, that's why I have a separate wallet for France and travelling, every time I got it out this trip I thought "must swap them over" lesson learnt, we move on.
I walked down to the Buffalo Grill had a steak and a couple of beers, paid with the card, left my last two euro's for a tip and retired for the night back at the hotel, but the story doesn't end there.

Had a restless night, think with events of yesterday and all, decided at 04.00 to make tracks and head for train, missed breakfast but thought it was not worth waiting around for over two hours for some stale bread and jam and I wasn't going back to sleep. £25 to travel early on the Chunnel is the norm, I begrudgingly used my French credit card and paid, straight round to train and away.
I made it to a Sainsburys just off the motorway for petrol, arrived at 05.20 and had to wait 10 minutes for them to turn on the pumps, reckoned this would do me with maybe a splash and dash nearer home, as it was I made it all the way, reserve light started flashing just as I pulled into Newton some 260 plus miles, not bad. another thing worth a mention while I'm praising the bike, the lights are the business, two lower spots and the headlight and at night middle of France dark as Dark can be and I turned it into daylight, can't fault them and made the last couple of hours riding down a pleasure.
The rain started as I joined the M25 and didn't give up, getting progressively worse as I approached the M6, I'd stopped at the services on the M1 to have a glug of coffee and change my gloves, grateful I'd brought a spare pair, by now they were wet again. I elected the Toll road, got to thinking, I was wondering what the car drivers might be thinking watching me pass by looking like a drowned rat, one hand continually wiping the rain from my visor in an attempt to see further than the end of my nose, I pushed on.
On arrival at the payment booth I struggled to remove my glove, so wet it was like peeling a second skin, As a rule I'd stop at the service station and get the change out of my pocket and slip it in my glove, saves routing around when I arrive here, today I didn't, just wanted to be home. I joked with the attendant about maybe someone should start a petition to make all tolls free for bike, would make life easier, he agreed, by now there were cars starting to queue behind me, all probably wondering what the heck pleasure I got out of doing this, as if he was reading my mind the guy says.
"wouldn't you rather be in a car on days like this?", I was by this time struggling to put my sodden glove back on, I looked up and smiled, he just nodded as I pulled away, I guess he got his answer as I got mine

So there you have it, 5 days on the road, rain and shine and close to 1600 miles, would you rather be in a car?

Saturday 26 April 2014

That was FUN


Set off at 07.30 after a couple of false starts, should have packed last night instead of having a beer, no one else to blame but me, I always look forward to these first rides of the year, it’s the one I do without a stop, just so I know I still can, my own little test for myself if you like and was looking forward to this like no other, unaware of what tests the Dragon and the road had in store for me this trip. It was a steady ride down to Folkestone and the train, I arrived over an hour ahead of my scheduled departure, and they let me on the next train so I would be at least ½ an hour ahead of my expected arrival time in France, that’s always a good thing when doing the trip in one hop. I like to be at the cottage by midnight, bit like Cinderella, if I’m awake at midnight I wont be for long and sat on a bike is no place to sleep. Loaded on train and sat and waited and waited, then the announcement, the train will be delayed because of technical issues, old rolling stock that should have been replaced some years ago, cost cutting and it’s results, we departed ½ an hour later, so my gain was now a breakeven, no worries we have time. 35 minuets later we arrived in France, saddled up and sat and waited and waited, unfortunately the front car in line wouldn’t start so we spent another 15 minutes waiting for recovery and no we are told you cannot push it, it’s an insurance issue. We eventually roll off the train and point the bike south, after that is I filled at the usual underground gas station. I went against all my solo rules and used the toll road for the first 70 or so miles, that’s the A16 out of Calais That will knock 1 hour off my time, but for the rest of the way it was A roads only, roads I have travelled many times and are familiar but still just as pleasing to travel. As the day closed the cold started to bite, so I decided to put my full wet suit on to keep some of the wind off, it did the trick and although not warm I wasn’t uncomfortable. Alan Bellis from the VRCC-UK had kindly given me a wrist rest for the throttle when I told him of the problems I was having and I found that a great help, my right wrist didn’t twinge as much as it had in the past, now if only I could get something for the knees, at the 500 mile mark or thereabouts my right knee started giving me some discomfort, I pushed on. Riding thru the night and I have finally upgraded my front lights with a pair of spots absolute bargain form another fellow VRCC-UK member, what is it Strider (VRCC-US) used to say, you “gotta love this club” Just south of Saint-Aignan, on the D175 you’ll see the road unusually twists and turn, not a long stretch but long enough to enjoy, I always slow here if there are cars, I wait for a clear space and let it roll, tonight it was clear and I was shadowed by the very large red moon, kept sticking itself above the tree line, every corner I considered stopping and taking a picture, but thought better of it, fearing if I stopped and got off I might want to sleep so pushed on, I have the picture of that nights ride stored in MY memory, you will just have to imagine. The last 60 miles just rolled by and I arrived at the cottage at 22.30, 635 miles mostly A nd B roads no great miles but 15 hours in the saddle with the occasional stop for gas and a rest, well one stop for gas and a couple of rest stops, range of 400 between fills, can’t complain.

Next day was a quick shop and tidy of the garden, I popped around to Archie’s and had chat with Paul, mainly I was in need of someone to keep on top of the garden, just keep it looking something like, so I asked if he knew of anyone, said he’d gladly take care of it on a regular basis, nice result. Then I thought stairs? So I asked, he said he was sure between us we could sort it and would call later, I returned home to omelette and leffe (abbey beer) just as I finished eating true to his word Paul arrived, we took a look at the stairs and he said to let him know when I was back from Italy next week and he would call round, another result, I tell you life is good. Friday and I head south, I checked the GPS and it was advising 436 miles, I say advising because when I’ve got all day, any turn that takes my fancy is a turn I might take, I set off at 08.00, confident that I could travel back roads of back roads and get to that nights destination with time to spare. The weather was over cast but not too cold, but I’d be happier when, as was usual midday brought temps up into the late 50’s low 60’s, I wasn’t disappointed, I rolled further south. It’s difficult to ride south of in any direction now without finding yourself on dual carriageway or even motorway, especially if you use GPS, on this ride I used it as a guide but followed the sun or what there was of it and just pointed the Dragon south, we got to our expected 435 mile destination at just under 500 miles, down roads I’d be lucky to find again but if anyone wants to come over and help me look we could give it a go, well worth the effort. I passed town, can’t recall the name, but it’s main industry was wood, I knew before I could see, the smell was nearly over whelming, on first riding in, to exiting the other side, wood yard after wood yard, some full of oak, fresh cut and smelling as only oak can and some full of freshly cut pine planks. Further on there was an overwhelming smell of lilac, growing everywhere and in full bloom, then the lavender fields, what do they do with all that lavender? But again the smell was just fantastic. Again I was on familiar roads following signs for Gap and the pass thru the Alps


I’d booked a campanile for the night in Aiglun, I arrived at about 17.30 about 100 miles out from Nice and a 2 – 3 hour ride, plenty of time to get there and settle the Dragon in before I collect Julie from the airport and we continue on the next stage of our journey. Paper thin walls in the hotel didn’t aid a restful nights sleep and I woke at my usual early o’clock, had breakfast and loaded the bike. I noticed my right front indicator wasn’t lit, I have them set as running lights and this one on the new spots had been giving me some trouble prior to the trip, so I flicked off the cover and tried to get the thing to light, no joy and I wasn’t about to start getting the headlight off and searching wiring, it would have to wait, everything else was good so I set off into the hills and the Napoleon route and on to Nice.





I arrived just before 12.00 and phoned Antoine, ex VRCC-FR member who had kindly offered to look after the bike while me and meJulie travelled on in a hire car, time was against us using the bike and we had to be where we had to be, in our Sunday best. Antoine dropped me at the airport where I met Julie, we picked up the car and 3.5 hours later we were in Italy at our destination, old converted monastery dating back to the 13th century in an old preserved town that well, oh go on take a look,
http://www.sangiovanniresort.it/gallery.aspx
real nice place it was. Spent two nights there, visiting, had some great food, a great time and well,


really grateful we could make this trip happen. Monday and we drive back to France, this time we took the none auto route roads and travelled the way we did last year on the bike, and I think we were both slightly glad we were in a car as the weather wasn’t the best. We arrived back in France and stay in another hotel, this time on the outskirts of Nice, ½ hour from the airport so an easy drive in on Tuesday. We off loaded the car, walked to departures with Julie, said out farewells and phoned Antoine for my lift back to the dragon and ride home, if I knew what lay ahead………….well, maybe I’d have gotten on the plane with meJulie and left the Dragon for another time. You know, I didn’t know Antoine prior, the introduction was thru the club, but he had taken a day off work so he could collect me from the airport and reunite me with the bike at a time that would allow me to arrive at that nights destination in good time, you meet the nicest people on a Honda, I owe the man BIG. Bike loaded and set off north, about oh 50 miles out of Nice I here a rattling sound, stop get off check front wheel, brakes, whatever, no sign of where this noise might be coming from, give a Gallic shrug and get back astride the bike. As I pull away and changing thru the gears, I go to shift into forth, click clunk and I’m back in third giving it a fistful, ease off the throttle and try again, click, clunk, same again, one more try, a bit slower and there we go I’m in forth and then fifth. Maybe my left hand was a little lazy and I wasn’t engaging the clutch or maybe I was shifting too quick, it does that sometime, usually finds a ghost natural, never back to 3rd but what the heck, I’m rolling along in 5th and happy. Then I hit the twists and turns that make the Alps such a pleasure, change down to forth, nothing, tap the shifter again I’m in third and now the rain had started. I’m still rolling on and trying to figure what’s going on then cars in front slow, I slow down into second, then the rattling starts, into first and stop, rattle rattle. So the rattle I heard earlier was gears not wheel or a stone or, well blow me, my first engine related problem on the Dragon, and up in the middle of the bloody alps of all places, I was so looking forward to riding these roads. So I stop, check gauges, temps oil and water OK oil pressure 4 BAR, VOLTS 13/14 and charging, ignition off. Check oil just on lower dipstick, OK and oil purchase to be on the safe side, next shop I see I stop. And away again, steady 1st 2nd 3rd all seems ok, 4th, grind, gentle pressure again upwards on lever, it’s as if there is no clutch, double click the lever and I’m in gear but it’s 5th, tap it down to 4th, nothing no drive no rattle just a neutral, so I struggle on for oh I don’t know how many miles, eventually I figure under load first second and third don’t rattle, forth isn’t there any more and fifth is as it has always been, equivalent to overdrive, it wont do anything other than maintain a speed, but at least it doesn’t make a noise. So the way I’m now riding is, keep 1 2 and 3 under load, giving it a fistful in three to get the revs up to double click into fifth. Now a reminder of where we are, up in the French Alps, for our American friends, you know “the dragon”, http://www.dealsgap.com/ You know how it twists and turns, you know it is what, 318 curves in 11 miles? You know all these things, the Alps, well no one has counted the twists and I was up there for over 260 miles and 7 hrs, it was going to be fun, it WAS interesting. I eventually arrived, sodden at Laussonne And my hotel for the night, now have you got a minute here’s a tale. So, I get off the bike and walk in, like I say, looking like a drowned rat, guy behind desks says MICKMANCHSETER? He didn’t really he called me by my name, in French, I said I was, he said he “speak very petit english” then started talking in French but with an English accent, I’ve been told I used to do this but the other way around, anyway turned out his wife is not well and he was on his own tonight, and suggest I unload the bike and he will show me where the garage is, so this we do, put bike in garage and return to reception, he offers to take my wet gear and put it in the boiler room to dry. When he returns he shows me to my room, as he leaves I ask about the restaurant, “yes we are open, just let him know when I want to eat”, ok says I. I settle into my room get out of my wet clothes, rain like I had travelled thru, travels thru even the best wet riding gear and mine wasn’t the best. I then go to use my phone, I wanted to phone home, as I do every time I arrive at my daily destination, she worries meJulie, don’t know why, maybe it’s a woman thing, anyway I’ve got no signal, oh well I’ll go down to the bar and try there, any excuse for a drink. At the bar, the barman comes to serve me and he is the spiting image of the manager in fact, it is the same guy, mind the place was quiet, only me in. I still had no signal on phone, so I explained my predicament re phoning home and bike issues I wanted to relay and he gave me the hotel phone to use. I spoke to Julie and ask she contact Fifi VRCC-FR, and see if we could meet tomorrow and maybe get assistance for the bike, just in case. OK, that sorted I ask about food, ok this way says my host and leads me thru to the restaurant, he asks me to sit wherever I like and then brings the menu, I make a selection, a selection of three sample starters, steak for the main and I will decide on desert later, “and wine or more beer for sir” more beer says I. I am then left alone with my fresh pint of leffe and thought of the day, then I hear a bell ring, followed by footsteps coming up the stairs, the bell was the dumb waiter from the kitchen in the cellar, the footsteps were my host coming up from the kitchen having cooked the meal to now collect it from the waiter and serve to me, and very nice it was. When finished, my plates were taken, placed in the dumb waiter, and again I was left with my thoughts and an empty restaurant. A few moments later and the bell again rings, again my host appears having run up the stairs, goes to the dumb waiter collects a fresh fork and stake knife and places them on my table, he smiles and again leaves the room, about 5 minuets later the same thing happens, this time he lacked the spring in his step he first had, I think the stairs were catching up with him, anyway he gets my main course of steak and sides, brings it to my table and departs, the process is repeated for desert, oh and I choose, you know I can’t remember LOL, but all in all it was very good and very entertaining, I swear if I hadn’t have been there I’d have said it was a Monty python sketch, or at least should be. After eating I went back to the bar and had another beer, where my ever jovial host shared stories of a barn find of old bikes and cars, just around the corner, only recently and all with very low mileage, apparently from what I understand a military man, bought something each year and used it while on leave then next year bought something else and left last years purchase in the barn, got big barns in France, some items worth a load of money, they date from the mid seventies to mid eighties, and all this with my limited French and his limited English, I retired for the night with a smile on my face having been entertained. Next day I woke at 06.30 showered and was down to breakfast soon after 07.00, my host, yes same as last night came thru, explained what was on offer and left, a couple of minuets later he returned to let me know I had relieved a phone call, I took the phone knowing it could only be meJulie, she had spoken to Fifi and he would be just up the road later that day, so I was to phone him when I had a signal and we could meet. I then went back to my breakfast knowing that worst case scenario help was ½ hr and a phone call away. After breakfast I paid my bill loaded my bike and set of for my rendezvous with Fifi. I very soon got back into the new way of riding and hardly missed not having a forth gear, I’d also learned that it was less embarrassing to coast to a stop in fifth and stop before changing down to first, prior to moving away. I didn’t want folks to get the impression the bike was unwell, wouldn’t look good at all now would it? Over a coffee we chatted about various things all bike and VRCC related, Fifi gave me a contact number of a friend who could if necessary repair the bike and assured me if I had any difficulty I was to phone him for help, we parted with fingers crossed that I do not see him or any other French VRCC members before inZane in June. I headed back to the cottage, still determined to stay off the tolls but this time allowing myself to wander onto the occasional dual carriageway, I arrived in Bethines at about 13.30, called at Archie’s and agreed to meet Paul at Belonga Mick tomorrow at about 09.30 to sort stairs, and that my friends is where this story might end, but it doesn’t, oh no it doesn’t. Next day as promised Paul turns up at 09.30, by 13.00 we had sorted stairs and Paul had returned home for lunch, I told you all it needed was another pair of hands and a fresh mind.


I spent the afternoon cutting the grass and generally tidying, feeling happy that at least that unmanageable task was now complete. Last thing I decided to check the bike over and load up ready for an early start tomorrow, I’m thinking leave about 08.00 arrive Calais for train around 14.00 with a view to arrive home for around 22.00 (21.00 UK time). Oh if life was that simple, I looked at front indicator again having decided I might have time to maybe remove headlight and sort the rouge indicator, think again. When I checked the lights, I had now lost the rear lights as well, one of the implications of that was I also had no indicators, at all, so what I was looking at was, no rear lights, no indicators and a left front indicator still operating as a running light, ie permanently light and aglow, all alone LOL. So I’m into the wiring in the side panel, all lives that should be live are, in fact everything in there is good, remove rear indicator lance covers and check, as suspected no power, at all anywhere at the rear, so it’s got to be connector under mudguard (rear fender) no tools to get there so this is a no fix. So again a change of plan, I need to be safely tucked away home before lighting up time tomorrow, so in by about 19.00 – 19.30, that’s doable just set of early, after sunup, say about 07.30, get as early a train as possible and, yes steady ride home. So an early night was in order, I finished loading the bike and cleaned the cottage, got everything ready for the early start, set the alarm clock by the bed for 06.30 and retired at about 22.00, fitful sleep I suppose is how it might be described, but eventually I was shocked into life by the unrecognisable sound of the alarm going off, those that know me know my philosophy, I eat when I’m hungry I sleep when I’m tired and I ride when I want too, alarm clocks don’t usually figure. So any way after this rude interruption, to what I’m not saying, I get up, put some part baked bread in the oven make some coffee and shower, as I’m settling down to watch the French weather channel I notice the time 04.30, you kidding me? I went in the bedroom, the clock said 06.45 next to it, my travel clock said 04.30, I must have altered the time on the alarm clock when I set the alarm, note to self, practice setting alarm clock. Never mind and early start is what’s required and better to be on the road in France with no lights and no cars than on the crazy UK roads in the early evening failing light, I was on the road by 05.45. It was cold but dry, I had put on my wet gear as a protection from that, rather than the risk of rain, that didn’t look likely till, oh, north of Rouen and that’s if I was unlucky, I was. I probably wasn’t far past Saint-Aignan, remember the twisty bit of road on the way down? Well never mind the heavens opened and it rained, I’m talking monsoon here, visibility down to well not far. That stayed with me till just short of joining the A16 at Abbeville, yes I’d given up again and decided to take the toll for the last stretch in France, getting soft in my old age. LOL. So I eventually arrive at Calais for the train, think it was about 12.30, not bad going all things considered and all being well I’ll be on an early train, no such look, heightened security, searches and checks going on like I had never seen, all border points open to try to relieve the strain, but with so many being stopped…………….I didn’t get the train till after 14.00. Got off the UK side and the weather was dry, I’d made a quick call to meJulie and she said don’t get my hopes up it was raining up north, I kept my wet gear on, not that it was serving any purpose now other than stopping the wind from freezing a sodden body, I headed wearily up a congested M20 towards and even more congested M25, splitting lanes as the rains started just south of the Dartford tunnel. Then around the M25 onto the M1 and here it was lashing it down, you could only just see the car in front and me with no rear lights. I figured the best thing to do was keep with the flow and try and monitor more what was going on behind as well as in front. 8 miles from the M6 and on the Southside there had been a crash, all lanes shut, and as is the case, northbound gridlocked with the rubberneckers, I’m splitting lanes and trying to make as much progress as possible, most moved sideways one or two deliberately blocked my progress, I waved politely at them in a defiant gesture, that at least I was moving, they were going nowhere and fast. When I arrived at the hold up it looked bad, young lady trapped in driver’s seat, car had been made a sandwich, the queue on the south side travel back over 8 miles and up the M6, which I now joined. I had now lost all track of time, all I knew was I had to keep making progress and get home before the light went, I’d be an easy target with no rear light in weather, that if it was possible was getting worse. My visor was misting so I stopped at a services and cleaned it as best I could, that gave me a short lived period of visibility that I made the most of to relax and push on. South of Birmingham with just over 100 miles to go I seriously considered booking a room, the only thing that stopped me was the thought of putting on wet cloths in the morning before I had to continue the trip home, no, I pressed on. I arrived home at 20.00 hrs. wet isn’t an adequate description but will have to suffice for now, I fell sideways off the bike, having put the side stand down, stripped all my wet gear off in the garage, then went upstairs to get in a hot bath just run by meJulie, while she got on with putting a pizza in the oven and pouring a beer. I’m sure one day I’ll look back on this trip and smile, and I know what parts I’ll be smiling about and what parts I’ll choose to forget, for now it’s maintenance time. Till next time, keep safe Mick

Thursday 21 November 2013

"one of those days"

Revisited a blog from 2007 as a result of picture posted on facebook, decided to post two days as they go together if you follow, 16th July "one of those days" So what have I done today? I went to White Sands and boy was that something else. On the way about 5 miles out of town I see something moving fast out of the corner of my eye and as it passes in front of me I see it's a stealth fighter, http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/f-117.htm now I suppose they're common place around these here parts but I've never had the pleasure and to watch them flying is special. Anyway I turn into the visitors centre car park, go in and have a look around the store, bought a 2 pint of water for my camelback paid and returned to the bike I then realised I had left my neck cooler in the fridge back at the motel so return to motel to collect it, I could see it was going to be one of those days. On my way back to the sands I check my fuel and decide even though I'd only done 60 or so miles I'd fill up, I wasn't going to let "one of those days" get the better of me. So fuelled up I return to sands and let me tell you they are fantastic http://www.nps.gov/whsa/ I wish I'd have visited last night after checking into the motel, as it's the evening when they have guided walks and stuff, so if you get out that way by all means visit during the day and enjoy the scenery, but make sure your going to be around for the evening events, I was told they were well worth the price of another night in a local motel, and you know I believe them, they were something else and that was daytime. I will post pictures as soon as. So I left there having spent a little more time than I thought I might, and headed off on the next part of the trip. I'd punched Safford into the GPS and was merrily making my way there on my way to………..? You'll have to wait. When I saw a UPS store and being a sucker for a good UPS store I stopped. No really I had a parcel to send home, (dirty washing), there was a story when the parcel arrived in the UK, but you’ll have to wait for that. While that was being sorted I got chatting, like you do, and it was suggested that as I was so close to the border I might pop over, and I agreed. So given directions I head off in the direction of Mexico. I first stopped off to eat, I considered not doing and eating over the border but thought better of it, and am I glad I did. Crossing the border that way is no problem they take your money (for the toll) and away you go surprisingly very little traffic. So I'm now in Mexico! I head of in a direction and notice no GPS, now why do you think I thought I'd have GPS? Well you see in Europe they overlap the maps for a few miles, just in case, so you see I was shocked to find I was in the middle of nowhere so decided to return back to the security of the USA. I had a ride around town and found a road back over and joined the queue, and what a queue. http://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=El+Paso,+TX,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image Finally arrived at the toll gate and paid $5 I protested that 20 mex whatever didn't equate to $5 US he threatened me with security and mentioned the now irate queue behind me so I paid up and moved on. An hour later I was at the top of the bridge, I'd been stopping the engine to hopefully avoid it over heating, so was quite relieved at the top and decided to free wheel down the other side. About half way down and half an hour into the descent I heard a pop followed by a hissing sound and remember thinking that sounded like somebody getting a flat, I reached the bottom of the hill and I was the 4th in line for customs so as the car in front moved I pressed the starter and got nothing. Pushed the bike throgh a gap and tried again, still nothing. It was trying but battery seemed flat. Nothing to do but push through customs; I needed to be on the other side for my AMA MOTOW assistance. As I pushed I noticed it was very heavy and sure enough it was me that had the flat. Got to the officer and the games started. Where you from, is that plate legal, is this your first visit to the USA, is it your bike? I tried explaining I had the green card in my passport but I guess he'd never seen one before; he made several calls on his radio, searched a saddle bag and finally said ok go, and kept repeating "boy that's a big bike". I asked if I could push it to one side and he said "yes down there" so I pushed it to the end of the search tables and parked. Tried again to start but obviously flat battery (fully discharged) I walked over to the office and in, and asked the several officers if there was any chance of assistance, the reply I got was no we can't intervene, fair comment, I fully understand and respect that. I returned to the bike and found the number for the AMA and gave them a call, there were 3 officers stood at the table next to me and I heard them comment on the fact I had a "busted battery and a flat tire". When I got through to AMA they needed a location so I proceeded back to the office to ask for the address to give, still talking to the nice lady on the end of the quickly discharging phone, I got a part address then this big fella comes out, (at least he thought he was big) starts shouting about people walking around and somebody should take charge, he then shouts at me to hang up my call and snatches the phone from me tells me to sit down and shut up and what did I think I was doing walking around and where was my car. I said my bike was over there and he started raving about it shouldn't be and who the… gave me permission to put it there. I said several officers knew I was there but he wanted to be specific so, I repeated what the officer said about parking over there, now that officer was stood behind him, and when I told him this he threw my phone at him and said "it's your problem deal with it or I'll report it to THE SUPERVISOR" first officer comes back over, I apologise for any trouble caused he says don't worry he's a prick or words to that effect, (it's my reckoning that the big guy was bullied at school) anyway, he asks me to move the bike on further down so I do, just round the corner. I'm now safely out of sight of the bully victim so proceed to call back AMA and confirm location and apologise for cut off. The nice lady informed me that a recovery has been issued for Manchester Canada? Yes that's what I said, I again explained the situation, put on hold several times, told there was a dealer around the corner and somebody would be with me shortly. 1 hr. 15 mins. later I decided to phone Charles (VRCC member I met after inZane), as his was the only number I had, and he got onto 1-800-4-BIKERS and phoned me back with a number, I phoned them and spoke to James who said he would try and sort somebody local to me to assist, he will get back to me. I decided to plug the tire while I waited. I'd just done that when a guy pulled up and said "you got a flat tire?" and proceeded to get a compressor from the rear of his van and inflate tire. I explained I also had a dud battery but unfortunately he had no jump leads. I offered him dollars to go buy some but he refused and left. James phoned me back to say he had somebody on the line and we could do a conference call and tell him my location, so we do. He said he'd be 15 minutes, so I wait, then a police officer comes over and enquires, nice as you like why I'm stood there with my bike, so I explain, did I mention the taxi driver? Well when I pushed the bike down there was a taxi driver parked up just behind where I'd stopped and he stayed to keep me company, even after he went off duty he took his car back and walked back to stay with me for another ½ hr. then he had to go home, apologised and left. Nice fella. Anyway back to officer, I explain he says he's happy and leaves; now that's how you deal with a situation Mr Bully victim. Next thing the guy in the truck comes back around the corner and tells me to pull down the road, there's his van and he's got jump leads, he'd only been home and got them. So we connect them to the bike and wait for a charge to register on voltmeter. As we're waiting a couple on a Harley pull up and ask "do you need any help bro" I thank them and say it looks like it's sorted, they leave before I could give them a card so probably wont read this but I thank them anyway. We start it and just as we do the contact from 1-800-4-bikers turns up, again I thank him and well, what can I say it's sorted. Renewed faith in mankind? Never lost it. I've had my first experience of bad attitude from authority in the USA, but can honestly say I don't think that's the norm at least not in my experience. I reset GPS for Safford and ended up here Butterfield stage motel Deming NM. http://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Deming,+NM,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image after having cruised down some fantastic desert roads, that I had to just keep stopping on an taking pictures. I got stopped at a random border control point, the office asked my nationality and where I was heading checked my passport, had a quick chat about my trip and said "enjoy your time in America" now Mr. Bully victim that's how you deal with it. So again I say "where to tomorrow"? You'll have to wait. Watch this space. 17th / 18th July Well the wheels fell off someone's wagon! I read somewhere that the way to judge a good motel or a way to avoid a dodgy motel was to check out the neon sign. If all neon's are working, fine then chances are it's an ok motel, however if maybe one or two neon's are out then this might tell you that if they can't take care of there neon's, what else may they not be taking care of? So last night I stopped at a motel in (I don't know but I'll find out when I can be bothered to look at a map) called the Butterfield motel, it also had a sign up saying American owned, I did notice that part of the neon wasn't lit but thought what was looked nice. So went in got room (under $40) and walked across car park to said room. As I approached the room I noticed all the night life scattering as I walked past. Now one thing I must point out here, I've not been looking for motels in the dark before preferring to be booked in by night fall but in the wake of the events of yesterday at the border I had no choice, so I had never noticed this night life. Anyway I proceed to open door and…………the night life didn't stop at the door but one of two had made it inside. O K me thinks, no problem I need a bed, I've paid I'm tired, so I turn on computer, sort some stuff then think I'll have a shower and bed, it's now about 11.30. I went in bathroom and decided not to bother with shower, due to night life on floor but just to have a wash and shower in the morning, so I did that and went back to turn off computer and go to bed. I pulled the sheets back on the bed and there were one or two critters wanting to share the bed and given that I had paid rent and I was dam sure they hadn't, I wasn't happy so I evicted them from bed, got ride of sheets and went out and got my sleeping bag liner off the bike, in which I slept, for about 4 hrs. I left the place at 5.30 am having managed to evict the unwanted from the bathroom while I showered. Last night I watched the sun set over New Mexico and this morning I saw it rise, a photo you couldn’t take, a picture you couldn’t paint, a memory that will live with me forever. Well worth getting up early for. I was on my way to the Petrified Forest http://www.nps.gov/pefo/ but like always wasn't taking the quickest route, more the most scenic, and it was that. I went via the White Mountains, http://www.go-arizona.com/White-Mountains the trip through salt river canyon was another jaw dropping experience, kept stopping to take pictures and soak it all in, absolutely fantastic. You know I'm not usually out and about at that hour of the day and seeing the mist through the trees in the woods and listening to the sounds that aren't there during the day, I think I'm going to have to alter my clock and start these early to bed early to rise coz there's a world out there in a morning that knocks spots off anything you see later, and the thing is at that time of the day you have it (mostly) to yourself. So anyway I eventually arrive at the Petrified Forest and again I ask, what's that all about, awesome! I mean how did that happen yes I listened as the guy explained in the auditorium but, swamp?..............you'll just have to go and see, it's like space man, you know? Infinity, I can't equate, it's beyond me. The landscape in places was similar to the badlands, obviously not on that scale but I reckon the rocks are of a similar constitution to the badlands. Again took loads of pictures but they wont do it justice. I'd been closely shadowed for the better part of the day by some pretty threatening black clouds, but managed to avoid getting wet, however I decided the best course of action after the badlands was to head for my next port of call, Williams A Z http://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Williams,+AZ,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image Why? I hear you say, well those that know don't say but for those that don't know, my name is Williams. Unfortunately the clouds that had been shadowing me decided to dump on me about 30 miles away from Williams so I arrived very wet and looking like a right plonker, why? Because I'd put my wet gear on just after it started raining and by the time I got there it had stopped and the sun was out. People are looking at me like "it looks like he's expecting bad weather, I bet he's hot in that" and do you know something I was, and again I was wetter than if I hadn't put the thing on. It was always a destination, Williams A Z, the last officially used section of route 66 before the interstate was completed. I did hear that for that year 84/85 it would take anything up to 3 hrs to drive the short distance through Williams so the completion of I 40 came as somewhat of a relief. I stayed in the route 66 motel had a steak in Rod's steakhouse, http://rods-steakhouse.com/ and very nice it was, and a long chat with the guy that owns the "traditional garage" opposite the motel, he's living his dream. (Pictures posted) I intended to return in the morning and buy one or two souvenirs from him, and get his name, but was up and away before the rest of the town woke. That is apart from the couple on the other Dragon in the motel down the road. I'd seen them ride past last night as I was unloading, we acknowledged each other but that was it, anyway as I was leaving town this morning I noticed they where loading up there bike so stopped by for a chat, curse me if you like but I forgot your name's, (short term memory problem, they'll come back to me later if you remind me) anyhow it was great to talk. Now the Grand Canyon http://www.nps.gov/grca/ I'm saying nothing…………………does it get better than that. Absolutely bloody fantastic (pardon my French) I booked a helicopter flight for the afternoon so spent the morning actually in the park, what can I say? It's probably all been said before and far more eloquently than I can say so I'll shut up. It's a must come back with meJulie place, take the helicopter ride again, breathtaking, maybe do some white-water rafting, hiking, and just soak it up. I left and headed to my next destination which is? No wait till tomorrow. So where am I? Kingman A K http://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=Kingman,+AZ,+USA&sa=X&oi=map&ct=image Again on Route 66, (but we’ll say nothing of that)

Monday 5 August 2013

Sometimes it is about the destination

Usually it’s about the journey and not the destination, on this occasion both the journey and the destination were to be important, in fact it was for the first part about the destination, but we were as sure as heck, we were going to enjoy the journey, least I was…………… Maybe an idea to put a pot of coffee on if you’ll be sticking with this, not short As some will remember we were going to view a property we are considering buying on our way south, Julie finished work at 2pm and we’d arranged to meet the agents at 4pm in Newton le Willows, this should still allow time to travel south for our first hotel of the holiday. We arrived at the agent’s office where we were to pick up the key and had a quick chat, we said we were on our way to Italy from there so would make the viewing a quick one, picked up the key and rode around to the house. Wont say much, other than meJulie was just as impressed as me at the place and agreed we should firm up the offer, we returned to the agents. Offer on table, he said he would put it forward but was sure there would not be any issues, I again said we would be on the road so would phone him the next day as it would be easier, he seemed surprised and said he thought we were joking when we said we were on our ay to Italy, never met Mickmanchester before, but as we left he said he looked forward to meeting again when we get back, and more stories, fellow biker don’t you know. So, on the road again………………………. Again I was using this trip to scout a route for Belonga Mick in October, I had the route south just about sorted but wanted to show meJulie some of the sights and do it in “real” time, what I wasn’t expecting Julie to do was set off at 5 am to get the 11.20 train, so I’d booked a room at a Hampton near Luton, and very civilised it was, quite new hotel so nice and clean with a staff eager to please, we were happy. Next morning we set south for the train, England was basking in what was to become one of the hottest and sunniest periods for a long time and the forecast for mainland Europe was looking about the same, we made the train for 10.20am. Once in France I headed for my usual stop at the underground gas station to fill the tank(s), ahead we had about 375 miles, not much but we would be avoiding motorways so as to enjoy the beauty that is France. I set the GPS for Gerberoy, kickstands up and away. First stretch again against all I’ve said but we used the toll road, this was decided to assist the group in October make enough progress south as to enjoy the second days ride and allow enough time to take in some sights, me for the extra hour I’d sooner use the old road but never mind plans made, we stopped for lunch at a rest area just before the exit back onto the more favoured roads. Now I started to enjoy myself, with the sun high in the sky we took some beautiful country roads to Gerberoy
Spent an hour walking around this old village, took loads of pictures but to see more you’ll just have to join us in October. Then it was a steady ride down to Dreux (If you click these links, get directions previous to this, and set preference to avoid highways you’ll get an idea of how we travelled.) a Premier Class motel for the night, again I took the roads less travelled and enjoyed some twists and turns that make biking such a pleasure. We’d chosen this hotel because it was close to a campanile hotel (sister hotel) and there we would find a restaurant, wrong, the restaurant was now closed, another victim of the recent decline in the economy. That meant we had to ride into the town to eat, sure we would find a nice place but it meant I couldn’t have a drink so wouldn’t enjoy the meal so much. Also in October, I’m sure the lads would prefer to relax over a meal and a beer and not worry about riding back to the hotel. All that said, we found a cracking place so think I’ll put that on the itinerary for October and we can forgo the beer for one night, centre of town with locals and music, typically French, that’s why we’re here, great stuff. Ready for the road at 9am after a peaceful night I again kicked up the side stand and headed south, first stop Chartres
Only about 15 miles down the road but another must see Again got loads of pictures but none truly do this place justice, we’d hit the bypass many times and never stopped, we were sure glad we did this trip, meJulie was more than impressed with the gothic cathedral, absolutely stunning I think was how she described it. From there it was on to Chateaudun
then on to Vendom Where we stopped for lunch
Buffalo Grill, Recky ride thru the town
then on to Blois
Spent an hour here checking the place out
stopped for coffee
and people watched. And then onto Cheverny Taking the scenic rout via the château
From where I picked up the again familiar road to Bethines and our little place in France
Grass ready to cut we had a couple of days before we again would hit the road and head south towards the Alps and Italy. I got on with finishing some plastering and Julie had a tidy and dusted some cobwebs away. That done and we are back on the road south east, I’ve got lazy lately, with the GPS you just set the destination and trust it to get you there, and with this new tomtom I could set windy roads and have fun, I elected to set it to avoid motorways and just go, unfortunately it turned out the non motorway had been upgraded to a motorway and after 20 miles of boredom I pulled off and made a few adjustments to the optional route, and glad I did, we arrived at that nights hotel just south of Clermont Ferrand having
travelled some fine French roads
that I felt sure they had left empty just for us, and this the holiday season. We booked into a campanile and looked forward to the next day when we would be into the hills proper and enjoying the French Alps, next stop Grenoble We were now in the Alps
from hotel yes I should have taken more pictures but was too busy enjoying myself, Julie did her best from the back of the bike but said I was going a little fast round some of the corners and she spent most of her time holding on, me I was lovin’ it. Unfortunately the Restaurant is closed on a Friday night, I kid you not, so we ventured round the corner to the nearest, within walking distance place to eat, pizza or Chinese? Think we’ll go with pizza says I, big mistake, next day I was on the,,,,,, well needed the salt powders, not good, but it didn’t stop me from riding and we headed off on the final leg of this part of the trip to Italy and over the tops. I could tell you about the noisy Aircon with temps in 90’s and how disappointed we found that hotel and to top it all loo seat busted, but never mind, this isn’t a travel guide to hotels to avoid, on the road by nine and more awesome roads they were, biker heaven. Now, do a get directions from Grenoble FR to Cherasco Province of Cuneo, Italy Options avoid tolls and avoid highways, top route should be D1091, now drop down anyplace on that map and see the view, near enough the route we took, ab-so-bloody beautiful.
We made The hotel ilcampanile in Cherasco our base for the next few days while we attended a festival with some special people……………………………………..that’s for another time. The hotel is a converted monastery, built late 1700 and converted to this small hotel in 2010 or there abouts, http://www.hotelilcampanile.com/hotel.aspx Lovely place, retained many original features and although out in the sticks was well worth the travelling to and from the “event” On the last day we left about 4pm and headed back into the alps to Hôtel Restaurant Le Terminus, Fontan again I trusted the GPS and it guided us to a beautiful hotel high in the hills with a lovely outdoor restaurant and smoking BBQ, only problem was the name was different, I went in and enquired re Le Terminus and was directed back down the hill to the correct location. Now I don’t know if it was because the place up the hill was so nice but I was immediately under-whelmed and could see the disappointment on meJulie’s face, we booked in. the room was……………small, you had to climb over the bed to enter the bathroom, also small, it was over looking the river, we couldn’t see it for trees but we could sure hear it, also a great view of the side of the mountain. We went down to eat, the proprietor was also the waiter, his day job was operating the fuel pumps and small garage next door, boy this guy works some, and in fairness was a great guy, couldn’t knock him. We asked for breakfast at 7.30 as Julie had a flight to catch from Nice, he obliged although did say bread might not be here by then but will sort something. He was up to serve us breakfast at 7.30 and yes bread had just arrived, fresh as French bread should be. We slept and I say that reservedly in beds that, now, how could I describe them? If there was room on the floor I’d have slept there, lumpy, yes that will do. I asked how I’d managed to book a place like this then remembered, Julie had spotted it on one of my searches and suggested we book it, yes it was Julies fault and in fairness as a result she didn’t complain, much. We had another great ride down to Nice and the flight for Julie, I dropped her off, we said our good buys and I again headed for the highway and scenic rout back to Bethines, via a stopover at Hotel La Remise Lovely place, but the getting there was a story, go get another coffee while I tell ya……… I set off from the airport in Nice abut 10.30, this allowed me loads of time to get to tonight’s hotel with time to spare and allow me to enjoy the southern slopes of the French Alps. Solo these roads hum,
Julie says I go a little fast, when she’s pillion I take my time, solo I was rolling in out and thru every corner and curve, past lavender fields
Pine forests’ and lakes,
thru mountain passes that well some folks only dream about, I had arrived in heaven. On one of the mountain climbs I noted a number of cars speeding down the hill cutting corners and basically making me more vigilant than I might have thought necessary, I also noted they had bikes on the roof racks. When I got to the top of the hill the road was blocked, I shut down the bike and enquired from friendly French gendarme. Apparently it will be two hours, the tour de France is passing and I would have to wait, not despondent I saw this as another opportunity to see a spectacle that well is just that,
boy those guys shift, only problem was temps touching 100 degrees, it was hot and no shelter from the sun. When they’d passed I re mounted the Dragon and pressed the GPS back into life……….pressed the button a second time……..nothing, checked for power, that looked ok, jack light was illuminated so all looked ok, but no power actually at the GPS and it was dead. Now I knew I had to be heading in a North West direction, so checked the sun and headed off, problem with that is these roads switch back and it can be hard to judge the actual direction of travel, I made it about 30 or so miles and decided a map was required, stopped at a supermarket in Vaison-la-Romaine, France They didn’t sell maps; I went thru my gear and routed out my old very basic French map, shows major towns and cities along with larger roads, no mountain passes at all, oh what to do? Phone home, Julie got on the internet and together we pinpointed the hotel as being between Villefort And Mende on the D901 I was here Vaison-la-Romaine, I turned south for a stretch to join with the D980 that would lead me onto the D901, not Googles preferred route but sometimes you just can’t beat paper. Click on the link and take a look at another bit of biker heaven, that lake, lac de villefort the color, it’s one of those colors “that no one knows the names of”, a blue green turquoise sort of, anyway camera can’t catch that color so you’ll just have to go take a look yourself one day. I did notice that about the water up in the hills, how pure it was and the color, an ice bluey green sort of, well never mind, it was nice tis all I’m sayin. So, I got out a pen and paper wrote down some main towns on route and headed off, with memories of pre GPS and a smile on my face. This is what touring is all about, a map a few notes, road signs and land marks, memories of where you’ve been, where you are and where the heck you’re going. I pulled into a parking lot in pont st esprit And along side another valk, I was just getting my camera out to take a picture when the fellow rider arrived, we exchanged details, he wrote down his email and I gave him a card, unfortunately his email address is bouncing mail back so hope he contacts me, with Google translate we might be able to have a decent conversation, he was asking loads about my bike, his was standard pre 2000 (seat) and about the VRCC, I saddled up and left my new friend as again I followed road signs. You could do the same with Google on this stretch and drop down on some of the roads, biker heaven I kid you not. I arrived at the hotel at 8.20pm, they were due to stop serving dinner at 8.30 so just in time. The proprietor opened the garage for me to park my bike, I parked the bike had a quick wash and made the restaurant just in time to order a meal, easy option of set menu and at 18 euro it was very nice thank you very much, two beers later and I retired to my room. That night I slept like a baby. I plugged the GPS into the mains charger over night and it fully charged so guessed it was the charger on the bike that was duff, will sort when I get back to Belonga Mick, on the road for 8.30am and after enjoying the last of the foothills I settled in to a steady ride back home, occasionally I took a turn I just liked the look of, but for the main part stayed on the recommended GPS route, arriving home at 4.30. a quick visit here Montmorillon To pick up some provisions
That wasn’t what I was supposed to be doing by the way, after dropping Julie off I was supposed to be going round to Spain , into Portugal and up the west coast of France, but cut this trip short due to the house sale back in the UK, maybe next time…………. I had a couple of days rest at the cottage before heading north and back to the UK, again scouting the route for the October VRCC ride, struggling finding hotels at the right money further north, me, this time I stayed here LOGIS Moulin des Forges And very nice it was but at over 120 euro for dinner B and B well not sure that will be in budget, but then again, maybe I’ll ask them that’s coming in October, real nice place. I also stopped off here to say thanks,
Thiepval Memorial http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thiepval_Memorial Again enjoyed the back roads, no highways or main roads, arrived in time to get train at 2pm and arrived home at 6.30 or thereabouts. Till next time Ride safe Mick