This years Epic Summer trip

[barryd]

Those GS 's are great adventure bikes, for motorways, top heavy, too heavy, too big for fun though. I was thinking of getting one, until I had a test ride on one .

I followed another one today up to that viewpoint. Not a GS but a hefty looking ADV Two up and he was making a right meal of it. I ended up passing him near the top on the twisty switch backs. He will never ever ever live that down been beaten by a 9hp Biff Chariot. I've said this all the time. I just don't get it. My Vstrom is great for tearing around the open winding roads of Teesdale, Weardale and North Yorkshire but these tight hairpins and narrow Alpine roads you want something much much smaller.

 

[Robmac]

I followed another one today up to that viewpoint. Not a GS but a hefty looking ADV Two up and he was making a right meal of it. I ended up passing him near the top on the twisty switch backs. He will never ever ever live that down been beaten by a 9hp Biff Chariot. I've said this all the time. I just don't get it. My Vstrom is great for tearing around the open winding roads of Teesdale, Weardale and North Yorkshire but these tight hairpins and narrow Alpine roads you want something much much smaller.

I reckon that's why you wear that open face helmet Barry - so you can give them a smug grin as you zip by with one hand on the throttle and the other on your hip I daresay.

 

[barryd]

I reckon that's why you wear that open face helmet Barry - so you can give them a smug grin as you zip by with one hand on the throttle and the other on your hip I daresay.

Yes correct! I reckon you have seen the video. I bet it would go up faster now I've lost a bit more weight.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Silly custard

 

[barryd]

Silly custard

I'm right though. Same bends coming up and down on big bikes.

What the videos never show is on the bends they are 33%. You have to be pretty aggressive and not slow. The fact that you can go up one handed on a vision speaks volumes if you ask me.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Ive done both of them on a 600 Panther in the 80's, great bike, but a bastard to start, it was just an old nail of my mate Dave, it needed work, a lot of work but once fired up it was great to ride, mega basic, and it's the only British bike I did any real miles on.

Back wheel is a car wheel with a car tyre, but it handeld fine.

Dunno where he is now, Moved to Hebden Bridge, ex fireman.

 

[barryd]

Quite the day yesterday if a little hectic. Another long drive in the van which seemed to take forever but pretty scenic really. Weather sadly was a bit iffy over in the mountains in the distance when we got here at Abbaye de Saint Antoine. We decided to go for it anyway. on the way down to St Jean de Royans on the bike to do the Combe Laval balcony roads it looked very dodgy in places and not far from where we were heading we could see what looked like a Tornado or at least one forming.

The rain thankfully held off until we got up and along the Balcony roads at Combe Laval but caught up with us on the way down. Fantastic fun up there though but It looked to me like they had built up the walls around them making that little bit less scary. Then it was on to Pont de Royan which was bit of an odd place. Packed with tourists we didn't stay long and then set off up the Gorges du Nan. They were great but again the weather was not fantastic and it got pretty cold. Took some helmet cam video but I've not even looked at it yet. It was great though to finally get to see these places I have wondered about so long,

more to come when we get over towards Alpe d'Huez which we have decided we will head over to today.

Abbaye de Saint Antoine is a nice enough place. Some sort of festival going on this week although I am not sure what it is.

I was so tired last night I was asleep by 11:30pm. I can't remember the last time I've been asleep before midnight ever.

Few pics

 

[barryd]

Video from Combe Laval and Gorges du Nan

It all went downhill from there when we moved on yesterday morning. Huge traffic jam round Grenoble. Headed over to Huez, did the Balcony roads there but decided to move on to an Aire four miles west of Briancon. Another Massive traffic jam (Road works) at the top of the 6600ft pass. Stuck an hour there. Aire and whole place is rammed. Not sure what to do this morning but heading a bit further south to Mont Dauphin about 12 miles from Lac Serre Poncon. Not enjoying this part of the Alps at all.

The Balcony roads around Huez though were brilliant. Video to follow.

 

[barryd]

A few pics and yesterdays Balcony roads around Huez

You can see hank in a couple of the pics

 

[Fisherman]

Looks like a fantastic trip Barry, but not a patch on Arran

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Video from Combe Laval and Gorges du Nan

It all went downhill from there when we moved on yesterday morning. Huge traffic jam round Grenoble. Headed over to Huez, did the Balcony roads there but decided to move on to an Aire four miles west of Briancon. Another Massive traffic jam (Road works) at the top of the 6600ft pass. Stuck an hour there. Aire and whole place is rammed. Not sure what to do this morning but heading a bit further south to Mont Dauphin about 12 miles from Lac Serre Poncon. Not enjoying this part of the Alps at all.

The Balcony roads around Huez though were brilliant. Video to follow.

I think you need to fit a truck horn on the chariot.

 

[yeoblade]

I think you need to fit a truck horn on the chariot.

There was someone behind on a GS1250 tooting to get by I think

 

[barryd]

Briancon. Apparently the highest city in the EU. I had to give up on the city tour as it's pretty much on a mountain and my shorts keep falling down. Must have lost more weight. The forecast of sunshine yet again has failed to materialise.

I'm parked on the road from Turin into France and it's an endless stream of traffic.

Will head a few miles further south shortly and a bit lower. I think we will leave the big Alps in a few days I suspect.

 

[barryd]

Looks like a fantastic trip Barry, but not a patch on Arran

We have been to some fabulous places Bill but oh how I yearned for one of our favourite peaceful wild spots last night on Arran.

I messed up big style coming to Briancon. It's nuts here. That's touring for you though I guess. Despite how much planning you do you eventually feck it right up and I have.

 

[Fisherman]

We have been to some fabulous places Bill but oh how I yearned for one of our favourite peaceful wild spots last night on Arran.

I messed up big style coming to Briancon. It's nuts here. That's touring for you though I guess. Despite how much planning you do you eventually feck it right up and I have.

I am green with envy Barry, never even cycled in Europe never mind driving a Moho on the wrong side. I would have given it a go, but my better half would only end up a nervous wreck, and I reckon that would spoil any trip abroad. So sadly for us, it’s the British Isles, but lots of places left to visit, and I won’t see them all. Enjoy the rest of your trip Barry.

 

[5andy]

It’s a great area around Bourg d’ Oisan Barry. Pity it’s so busy. We’ve been there a lot in the past to see the Tour de France, and cycled most of the routes around there. The citadel at Briancon is certainly well worth a visit. Great pics as ever, and I hope you find the quiet life again soon.

 

[yeoblade]

/// I'm parked on the road from Turin into France and it's an endless stream of traffic.

That brings back memories of when, in my early 20's, I took my new Adventure bike, a Honda XL250S, down through France and along the Med Coast, kept gong then up to Turin, an endless steam of trucks. worst part of the holiday.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

I am green with envy Barry, never even cycled in Europe never mind driving a Moho on the wrong side. I would have given it a go, but my better half would only end up a nervous wreck, and I reckon that would spoil any trip abroad. So sadly for us, it’s the British Isles, but lots of places left to visit, and I won’t see them all. Enjoy the rest of your trip Barry.

It took me over ten years to pluck up the courage to go to France in the van, what a waste of ten years, it's great, the driving is simple enough if slightly different

 

[barryd]

Michelle loved Briancon but I couldn't wait to leave.

Now at Mont Dauphin about 12 miles north of lac Serre Poncon. Huge car park with 360 degree views. Will see what this one is like but so far so good.

 

[barryd]

I am green with envy Barry, never even cycled in Europe never mind driving a Moho on the wrong side. I would have given it a go, but my better half would only end up a nervous wreck, and I reckon that would spoil any trip abroad. So sadly for us, it’s the British Isles, but lots of places left to visit, and I won’t see them all. Enjoy the rest of your trip Barry.

Honestly Bill. It's easy peasy. Just don't try and drive round Grenoble or over the main Alpine route from Italy to France on the busiest weekend of the summer

Seriously as Kev says France is a doddle.