What would Steve do
Discussion
A couple of years ago me and a few mates cycled to south france! just strapped tents and sleeping bags to the bikes and went! There are lots of parks to camp in and we found rivers and lakes for when we were a bit smelly!
I say go do it but do it in august when the weather is good! We would stop for breakfast of cakes have bread and cheese for luch from local bakers and make a little fire at night to ccok on washed down with some local vino!
I fully intend to repeat the trip at some stage on a moped! You will love it! Normandy has wonderful little villages and wine region is fab! You've got me all excited now!
I say go do it but do it in august when the weather is good! We would stop for breakfast of cakes have bread and cheese for luch from local bakers and make a little fire at night to ccok on washed down with some local vino!
I fully intend to repeat the trip at some stage on a moped! You will love it! Normandy has wonderful little villages and wine region is fab! You've got me all excited now!
(1) 500 cc is a bit small, though I know of one bloke who had rode to Verona on a Honda Zoomer 50 and says he'd love to do it again. Steve would have ridden on a Hinckley Bonneville 790cc, with carbs & spokes, although the Scrambler might be a second choice.
(2) The Rhone Valley south of Lyon is like the garden of Eden. Explore it.
(3) Use the old Routes Nationale. The Autoroutes, though, do have their own attractions: http://about-france.com/motorway-services.htm - AA president Edmund King said the Beaune Services in Burgundy were the best in the world when they opened. Worth looking at what Britain should be trying to copy.
(4) The book idea could have legs. I see it now: "What would Steve do?"
He'd pitch publishers with a combination of Tony Hawkes' "Round Ireland with a Fridge," Robert M. Pirsig's "Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance," and Peter Mayle's frolics in Provence. Your idea has merit, especially as you have a strong individual literary voice.
(5) I'd recommend you carry on to northern Italy where they make some extraordinary bikes. Steve would ride to Bologna to see where Ducatis are made. He'd head up to Chalet Raticosa, where he'd have a fair chance of meeting a beautiful biker babe on her own superbike. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3twnAl5Kljo&fea...
(6) He might even want to visit Valentino Rossi's home town of Tavulia, and possibly on to Missano for a MotoGP
(7) Don't wait too long.
(2) The Rhone Valley south of Lyon is like the garden of Eden. Explore it.
(3) Use the old Routes Nationale. The Autoroutes, though, do have their own attractions: http://about-france.com/motorway-services.htm - AA president Edmund King said the Beaune Services in Burgundy were the best in the world when they opened. Worth looking at what Britain should be trying to copy.
(4) The book idea could have legs. I see it now: "What would Steve do?"
He'd pitch publishers with a combination of Tony Hawkes' "Round Ireland with a Fridge," Robert M. Pirsig's "Zen & the Art of Motorcycle Maintainance," and Peter Mayle's frolics in Provence. Your idea has merit, especially as you have a strong individual literary voice.
(5) I'd recommend you carry on to northern Italy where they make some extraordinary bikes. Steve would ride to Bologna to see where Ducatis are made. He'd head up to Chalet Raticosa, where he'd have a fair chance of meeting a beautiful biker babe on her own superbike. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3twnAl5Kljo&fea...
(6) He might even want to visit Valentino Rossi's home town of Tavulia, and possibly on to Missano for a MotoGP
(7) Don't wait too long.
Sorry to hear of your loss, 37 years is long time.
I know this article is a bit old now but I think after reading it you'll be packing your tank bag.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/kids-and-family...
I know this article is a bit old now but I think after reading it you'll be packing your tank bag.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/life-style/kids-and-family...
Guys
I certainly intend to jump that fence.
Your enthusiasm has been infectious but a little reality check to close the thread. Thanks for everybody's contribution. I have been thinking about what to do for my Summer Hols for a while now – last year I travelled north and took my Westfield to see my wife's relations and see some places for deep thoughts about what the future holds. Walking on Bamburgh beach for the first time in your life, alone with sea and sky is a great place to get things in your mind into perspective. Unfortunately, it rained for 90% of my time on the road, perhaps Bamburgh was the exception when it was hot and sunny, so this year, the continent beckons. I am still in full time employment, but redundancy is a possibility, retirement is over the hill, so need to think of a two week window for travelling. Going much further than France is probably a step too far for now. Its still a 1000miles in each direction tho, and I will be travelling alone.
Your comments about the loss of my wife ( sudden liver failure ) was touching, but life moves on. I can give advice that you never forget the old gal, but I'm not the first or last bloke for it to happen to and I now belong to the biggest club in the world. You'd be surprised how many babes are out there who are lonely or unhappy, and a good time can be had if a bloke comes along with a free spirit to take them out of their world for a while. I'm not talking a bit of the other, but just living life to the full and saying 'yes, I'll do-it ' when you have a choice. Perhaps that's why I'm a biker. Old girl-friends, and some new ones, come out of the wood, but they most have baggage which I don't need. The trick is to keep that sparkle in your eyes, stay fit and smile at what life throws at you. That spreads a little magic. Perhaps they have a bigger load to carry than me. That bit of philosophy confirms that I would certainly find space for a few pairs of clean trollies, chinos and tee shirts and of course my heavy short-sleeve sweat-shirts just like our hero would wear. You never know who you might meet.
Yes, I'd like a big Triumph. My son is 34 next month and at the Stafford show, was hanging his nose over the new scrambler with bash plate, after market pipes and that slightly matt olive paintwork and black alloy. Simply gorgeous and we nearly bought one between us, but at the moment the CBF is still newish, I'm not that experienced but use my bike daily for commuting, so the Honda will be this years weapon of choice.
Brittany and the West coast of France has many attractions and memories. My lass and I took an old MGTC to Quiberon for our first holiday together, our last holiday together was in an MGF when we got as far as Nantes, and finally, about 15 years ago, my son went to University in France and before he started his course, we travelled along the entire west coast to look at German concrete – it was a blokey time. We ended up just south of St Nazaire after visiting the U-Boat pens, eating on the beach with pine woods behind us. Point Break is a favourite movie, and I like the idea of going as far south as the Atlantic rollers.
<Bodhi>: Look at it! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, man! Let me go out there and let me get one wave, just one wave before you take me in. I mean, come on man, where I am I gonna go? Cliffs on both sides! I'm not gonna paddle my way to New Zealand! Come on, compadre. Come on!
Travelling light is a must but a tank bag is a good suggestion. A Youth Hostel sheet sleeping bag takes little space and that might be useful, but will have to join first. Some mates go to Le Mans and buy a cheap tent for the duration before burning and moving on. That is another possibility.
Watch this space.
Stay Cool.
I certainly intend to jump that fence.
Your enthusiasm has been infectious but a little reality check to close the thread. Thanks for everybody's contribution. I have been thinking about what to do for my Summer Hols for a while now – last year I travelled north and took my Westfield to see my wife's relations and see some places for deep thoughts about what the future holds. Walking on Bamburgh beach for the first time in your life, alone with sea and sky is a great place to get things in your mind into perspective. Unfortunately, it rained for 90% of my time on the road, perhaps Bamburgh was the exception when it was hot and sunny, so this year, the continent beckons. I am still in full time employment, but redundancy is a possibility, retirement is over the hill, so need to think of a two week window for travelling. Going much further than France is probably a step too far for now. Its still a 1000miles in each direction tho, and I will be travelling alone.
Your comments about the loss of my wife ( sudden liver failure ) was touching, but life moves on. I can give advice that you never forget the old gal, but I'm not the first or last bloke for it to happen to and I now belong to the biggest club in the world. You'd be surprised how many babes are out there who are lonely or unhappy, and a good time can be had if a bloke comes along with a free spirit to take them out of their world for a while. I'm not talking a bit of the other, but just living life to the full and saying 'yes, I'll do-it ' when you have a choice. Perhaps that's why I'm a biker. Old girl-friends, and some new ones, come out of the wood, but they most have baggage which I don't need. The trick is to keep that sparkle in your eyes, stay fit and smile at what life throws at you. That spreads a little magic. Perhaps they have a bigger load to carry than me. That bit of philosophy confirms that I would certainly find space for a few pairs of clean trollies, chinos and tee shirts and of course my heavy short-sleeve sweat-shirts just like our hero would wear. You never know who you might meet.
Yes, I'd like a big Triumph. My son is 34 next month and at the Stafford show, was hanging his nose over the new scrambler with bash plate, after market pipes and that slightly matt olive paintwork and black alloy. Simply gorgeous and we nearly bought one between us, but at the moment the CBF is still newish, I'm not that experienced but use my bike daily for commuting, so the Honda will be this years weapon of choice.
Brittany and the West coast of France has many attractions and memories. My lass and I took an old MGTC to Quiberon for our first holiday together, our last holiday together was in an MGF when we got as far as Nantes, and finally, about 15 years ago, my son went to University in France and before he started his course, we travelled along the entire west coast to look at German concrete – it was a blokey time. We ended up just south of St Nazaire after visiting the U-Boat pens, eating on the beach with pine woods behind us. Point Break is a favourite movie, and I like the idea of going as far south as the Atlantic rollers.
<Bodhi>: Look at it! It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, man! Let me go out there and let me get one wave, just one wave before you take me in. I mean, come on man, where I am I gonna go? Cliffs on both sides! I'm not gonna paddle my way to New Zealand! Come on, compadre. Come on!
Travelling light is a must but a tank bag is a good suggestion. A Youth Hostel sheet sleeping bag takes little space and that might be useful, but will have to join first. Some mates go to Le Mans and buy a cheap tent for the duration before burning and moving on. That is another possibility.
Watch this space.
Stay Cool.
king jealous! Ride on, brother, only come back and tell us if you think we deserve it!Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff