PART 1, Ride to France.

This trip came about when Simon realised his shore leave would coincide with some good weather for a change ( he captains a large container ship and gets months off at a time in between trips) and he decided he wanted a trip to Europe on his bike. He then set about looking at any events that were on during this period and spotted the Bol D'or was on. Now, for those that don't know, this is a well known race weekend, based at Magny Cours in Nevers, France. Its part of the endurance series but also gives the French a great excuse for a 48hr+ party. Anyway, a few mates got wind of his plans and invited themselves, so he opened it up to anyone in the Club as well. Needless to say myself and Jimmy signed up straight away, this was an opportunity not to miss. During planning stages the trip then expanded into a full on round trip through France, taking in Millau Bridge before hitting the south coast for a night and then turning back north.

[packed]

So, Weds 10th of September its an early start, 7am at Sandbach Services waiting for the others to meet me. Half an hour later they turn up, great start considering we have a Chunnel train to catch after lunch. I lead the group all the way to Folkestone, a steady pace keeping the group together. We arrive with plenty of time to spare so Chunnel bump us up the list and stick us on the train already sat waiting. Which turned out to be very fortuitous in the end, as the later train ends up being evacuated due to an incident which remains a slight mystery to us, a lorry fire seems the most common explanation! Lucky escape there then.

[Chunnel]

We emerge in Calais to glorious sunshine, blue skies, and smooth tarmac, the smiles already start to break. After a short break at a services to get our route to Rouen clear in our heads, we set forth.

[First stop]

And promptly get lost in Bolougne. We placed our faith in a TomTom to take a lot of the strain out of route finding, and it rapidly became clear that this wasn't going to be a sensible idea, the owner (Simon) couldn't use his earpiece due to the loud exhaust on his ZX12R, and watching the screen, reading road signs and generally having to ride his bike safely, was asking a lot. Made worse by the fact half of us didn't have maps or knew the planned route! Keeping seven bikes together in a bustling town in hot weather is not my idea of fun, but what the hell, it sure beat working.....

[Camping1]

We eventually get going, cruising along some larger Autoroutes to make up time, everyone settling in to riding on the wrong side, taking roundabouts the wrong way, and revelling in the French drivers moving out of our way to let us pass. The French realise that bikes are best left to make progress at their own rate, and don't get upset when we do so, which is a refreshing change from the jealousy and rage it seems to generate in UK drivers. Anyway, after a few hours we reach Rouen and attempt to locate the one campsite we felt needed booking back at planning stages, so we had a definite place to crash on night one. Again we had to rely on TomTom to get us lost.... I was beginning to dislike that device after it took us down a very slimy forest road (quickest route you see). Rouen is a nice place outside of the main bustle, the Seine runs through it too. We get camped and go for a wander to find food and wine. After two laps of the village it quickly becomes clear that we are definitely in rural France, everywhere is shut bar one bistro a km away. After trudging down a pitch black lane we locate the place only to be told they won't serve us food as the chef is already cleaning down.... liquid dinner it is then. Ugh. The morning dawns bright and clear and everyone seems chipper, we're on the road by ten ish, heading for Le Mans. The plan is to take in the sights as best we can and maybe see the museum, sadly it hisses it down almost immediately we get going and the pace naturally drops right off meaning we're late arriving and all feeling more than a little bit dejected, I mean, this is France, its supposed to be sunny!!

Arriving in Le Mans we park up and two lads head off to find a TI so we can work out where to camp, only its shut and the rain is still coming down. Most of us find a local cafe and settle in for a well earned coffee break. A pervading memory from childhood holidays in France was the quality of the coffee, even tiny backstreeet shops manage to produce lovely smooth cafe, something that cannot be said about the UK sadly. After an almost unanimous vote we hit the local Ibis for a shower and fresh clothes, and again find food and wine.

[Beers in LeMans]

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