Driving France

Driving France

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Discussion

2OOM

374 posts

285 months

Saturday 12th September 2015
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I agree with you Alun, it is a lovely part of the world, I love it there.. When I go down in June/July traffic is really bad and this year it was about 35c in the day. I always go on the bike and I don't miss the Tiv, with the heat and traffic and parking the bike overcomes all those issues ..There is never a problem to park, you can go straight to the harbour in St tropez and park next to the boats biggrin.
I know I shouldn't but it's too hot for all the gear so I wear shorts and T shirt and am extra careful ..
Riding in the hills is fine, there very little traffic and the views are great ..



Although this stretch of road near La mole in the hills needed a bit of a repair job, still made it the end though as there were off road paths worn around the obstacles ..


ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Saturday 12th September 2015
quotequote all
Nice bike mate,,,,I passed my test on one of those,,, it is a Bandit?
I have an old girlfriend looking after my dog in the uk and her brother has travelled the world,, he says it's the best place he can think of. I really enjoy the French lifestyle,, 3 hr lunch, very tolerant and always say hello,,,

As the weather is a bit iffy today I'm not sure what I'll get upto so thought I'd hang around here see what comes of it biggrin





Another pic of my glorious bike,,, and the apartments I'm staying in.

I've just realised it's 20 years almost to the day I was here with another beautiful girlfriend (camping)
English site and there was a Yamaha 125cc parked under a tree,,,,, I found the owner, some kid who couldn't get it working,,, I said if I fix it can I use it whilst I'm here,,, he gladly agreed,,,
10mins later she ran fine,, hahah
Two weeks with that girl on the back going about the place,,, heaven.
I'm sure that's the last time I rode a bike until this summer,,, somewhat ironic.

Thursday night I went to st Rafael and parked up,,, come back and a tall Dutch guy and his wife are looking at the bike,,,
He's retired and cruising in their motorhome,,,
Thomas his name,,, into American 50's V8's, restores them,,, told him I also owned a V8 Tvr,,,,
That was it both him and his wife made me have dinner with them,,, spoke wonderful English and I spent til midnight chatting cars and life. His wife understood our passion and seemed to enjoy the conversation too.

I'm having an absolute ball down here.
Three American guys on vacation yesterday had issues getting the lock off one of their hire bikes,, I helped,,, we then spent a few hours playing Volley ball on The beach! I thought they were leaving but after enthusing over my English bike they parked up and came with me.

Mad!
Fantastic!
I feel like a fking film star biglaugh

Anyway I better plan a ride as the clouds have arrived today frown

Alun

Edited to add,,, the suns burnt off the clouds already,, I'm looking at apartments,,,, in land say 10-25 miles,, two bedrooms,,, cheap as you like really!!!!!

"Dreamer nothing but a ,,,,,,, I'm looking at stocks and shares when I get home,, sod working for a living,,, wink
Qbee I might need your fantastic mathematical brain for advice. I've got a broker but trust now one when it comes to money!

The way I see it we have one life,,,, it's not a dress rehearsal ,,,, this is the real thing so do it all while your health allows!
It's a bit like why we own Tvr's,,,, it's all about the thrill.
Gosh I like to talk!


Edited by ClassiChimi on Saturday 12th September 09:47

ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Saturday 12th September 2015
quotequote all


The Dn7 mountain road to Cannes, spectacular views and another fantastic ride, it's hard to put into words just how good these roads are,,,




You can just make out the road behind the bike.
So Cannes this afternoon then St Tropez this evening as there was a car rally going on with ferrari's Lambo's Astons, Jags, loads of stuff.







If you've got enough money you can even wreck an E type!



ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Saturday 12th September 2015
quotequote all
Crickey I'm sure there was a bike on that pic ,,
I've been very nervous riding this week but today it all just fell into place,,,




Today was as much fun as I could have with my trousers on wink

2OOM

374 posts

285 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
Yup, It's a 1250 Bandit, I like it, it suits me fine, it has a great engine, very similar in character to the V8 in the Tiv in that it has loads of bottom end power .. It never attracts any attention like yours does though. Your looks very happy down there biggrin
The dn7 is a great road, I sometimes go to Monaco via the coast road and then back along the dn7 and it's a amazing day of riding.. I even seem to have the music from the persuader playing in my head on the road from Nice to Monte carlo ..

If you feel like a day out on the bike, the Gorge du Verdun is another great day, that is an incredible place to ride around with stunning views ..



ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
I've written that down Graham,,, thanks your a star wink
I really enjoyed riding the Bandit too,,, versatile bike.
I really wish I'd got some panniers now but I'll get some for the future.

I agree about not really missing the Tvr here now,,,, all those slow cars In a long que boiling their heads off,,, and I just cruise past the lot in minutes,,, I've realised why the French are so good to bikers,,, they all had them as kids I feel and still remember how good it is to ride.

Ive now met a few guys with Triumphs,,, we always stop and chat,,, universal language of love for these machines,,,
One guy has done 100,000 km's and more on his with the same engine as mine,,, replaced carbs and bits and bobs but I couldn't quite believe the clock!

I'm really enjoying the riding but as soon as I got to Cannes yesterday,,, tried battling through the traffic but couldn't hack it so turned around and five minutes later I'm back on the DN7 free as a bird. When I pulled over to take some pics,,,,,,,silence,,,total silence,,,, gave the odd car the chance to get ahead then came back like I was on my own private road,,, nothing but me and the road ahead,,, I was in shorts which is a good leveller,,, really steady riding but still loads of lovely down shifts with a blip of the throttle and into really tight hairpins and then lovely sweeping lefts rights lefts, I've got the road furniture now,,, speed limit signs and the odd arrow markers to indicate a tight corner coming up,,, I take notice and reduce speed and it's actually quite safe.
This Triumph with the Pee shooter exhausts pops and bangs just like the Tvr,,,, it's sweet as a nut so far.

It's like the sound of British motorcycle history following me,,,, ive falłen in love with France on this bike,,,
I so wish I'd got a new sat nav now,,, the phones ok but goes flat too quick,,,saying that I went to Cannes without using it and as you've previously stated Graham the sign posting is good.

I always wake up and sort of fear riding but once I get going it's just brilliant.

Right now I have to clean the bike,,,,,, again biggrin

QBee

21,024 posts

145 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
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Le trouble obsessionnel compulsif, Alun, mon ami? whistle

ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
laugh it's true I have no plans when I awake,,,,,,
See what the day brings and it's usually awesome by the end of it.
I've been thinking of learning French for years,,,,, you can teach me you clever begger, smile

Ok so translate this Anthony,,,,,,,,,,,,,;)






And a healthy breakfast to get the brain cells going! smile


gemini

11,352 posts

265 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
More cheese required!
Glad you're having such a good time.
Too many folk on here moan about France and the French!

ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
Anybody in their right mind love the French really,,,
Flair and beauty they do in spades.

I walked around the port at Grimaud today, windy and dark clouds and the odd bit of rain,
Some lovely boats and a few for sale,,

The boats at St Tropez last night,,,,,,,marvellous things, parties and clinking of glasses on nearly all of them,, the smell of the food from the open restaurants opposite, the totally beautiful people,, glowing with colour,
The sound of the wind through the boats rigging,,,, whistling and the water slapping the shoreline,,,, the cars, the bikes parked up,, the odd artist finishing a piece deep in concentration even with all that going on,,
If there's a better place to be on a Saturday night in the north Western Hemisphere I'd be surprised.
Yeah the French are fun people.

I met a very old man who lives right behing the complex thingy I'm staying at,,,
His Solex push bike with an engine on top the front wheel,,, 1961 he bought the bike,,,,
He's never cleaned it or changed the tyres by the looks of it,, but the oil seems to leak out the engine and protect it biggrin

He must have been 90 odd years old and I watched him set off home from the shop which was 50 yards from his house biglaugh
What a guy,,, no shirt, just shorts and flip flops and off he pedals, pulls the engine onto the wheel,,,,,,,,,,,,
And much to my surprise and relief for the old boys health, it instantly fires,,,, and he chugs away at ,,,,,,about 8mph, that was fast enough for him and his bike! Perfect moment for both of us because he seemed really chuffed I liked his wreck of a bike so much smile

I used my brain today and stayed off the bike,,, wet roads,,,,
As the day unfolded I couldn't hear any bikes,,,,, the locals stay off them, that told me all I needed to know!






phazed

21,844 posts

205 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
Love France, such a great place with generally lovely people.

I've lost track of how many fantastic holidays we have had there with our children, never coming across any trouble.

Brought back to reality with a bang when coming home on the ferry. Poorly behaved children, (and adults) lager, tats, noise and a whole lot more!

In a subtle way it all says, "welcome home" frown

Enjoy it while you can Alun. Your trip has me planing a run from Bilbao across to the South of France via the Pyrenees, we'll see.


ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
A good route Peter,,, travelling in or on anything on these sort of roads is just a blast,,,
I envy the Motorhomers the most,,,, they kind of have it all!

With a bit more planning I could be be doing so much more but it's only the first time so I'm happy to relax both on and off the bike.

A proper riding holiday I'll do again down here,, do my research, there's so much to see and find smile

Happy days mate happy days smilesmilesmile

phazed

21,844 posts

205 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
We can't make our minds up, motorhome or chim.

The motorhome is so handy, unbelievably so but the chim with good weather would be fantastic!

QBee

21,024 posts

145 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
phazed said:
We can't make our minds up, motorhome or chim.

The motorhome is so handy, unbelievably so but the chim with good weather would be fantastic!
Chim on trailer behind the motorhome? Like Quinny does?

ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Sunday 13th September 2015
quotequote all
Motorhome with the motorbike trailer, push bikes, food, water, Kettle,
Space for ..... Stuff! Snorkel etc,,,

Buy fantastic local food to enjoy as well as the odd evening meal in beautiful surroundings, thousands of cool guys and gals riding cool assed bikes around, the best sportscars in the world driven by even cooler dudes,, beaches to pull up right next to, the night I went to St Raphael in the early evening as the sun was fading away ,,,, I needed a pee ,, haha, I pulled over to a quite parking place, there's a camper up the corner parked for the night, people smiling and enjoying there experience,, I could smell their own cooking,, wine flowing and a gentle breeze off the sea,,,,

I only realised they were there when I'd got me ,,,,out!
I was pointing square onto the sea and peeing off the top of the rocks,,,, like a kid,,

They were far enough away to have not had a problem,, in fact smiled as I did

They had the best hotel in France that night I thought to myself!

With the bike aswell,,,,,, guaranteed adventure holiday and at the right price....

Oh Yeah Peter with a bit of a plan,,,,,,, I hope you do it smile

ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Monday 14th September 2015
quotequote all
Gorge du Verdun today,,,,, bit like the original Italian job,,, I've done over 300 miles today, I was flying all day long, the sound of the bike off the rocks around me was out of this world,,,,,
It's just hundreds of corners and hairpins and uphill downhill,,, thousands of gear changes, I put my head on today and just went for it,,, concentrated for hour after hour and went off up single lane roads for miles at a time.
Stopped at Castellane for some lunch then carried on to Saint Andre des Alps over bridges and through tunnels, hardly took any of the scenery in as I was so focused on the next corner,,, I really pushed the bike hard today,, chucking it left and right,, big big braking down hill from 4th gear to 1st sometimes,,, it's that tight,, positive cambers like Moto cross burms, I was 19 again and totally in control, using every ounce of muscle and all the skills I've ever known of to get through at serious speed,,,,Mondays,,,, you've got to love the French,,, lots of places closed and only me on the road just about.
You can see the road ahead in parts so I was using all the road to go through the turns,,,

Thankyou 200M and whoever else who told me of this place,,,, that was the best bit of riding on a road I've done by far.
I was like Sheene,,, proper off the bike and nailing it, one mistake and it's over,,,, use my brain to stay alive because you almost have to stop for some of these 240 degree turns,,,
You have to do it to understand just how thrilling today was,, I got on top of the bike and demanded it went were I wanted, counter steer,,,,, only when I'm going hard do I realise,,, I've always done it?!!!

The secret is to wack the throttle open then only ever ride to the vanishing point,, if it don't feel comfortable slow down instantly or you'll make a terrible mistake,
Destroyed other bikers on much faster bikes,,,cars,,, distant memory in seconds,,,
Wow I'm Buzzing.
I think I've ridden for about 7 hours in total today,,all of it with meaning.
I just had to do it at some point,,, stop being a wuss and take control of my bike in a big way,,,
The bike bucked and wriggled underneath me and I could only smile.
IM BACK hehe

























I'm pretty sure I went over that bridge and probably around that corner wink

And after riding like all the greats I then sat and had lunch in a lovely cafe whilst watching the goings on over at the Monday market,,,
Loads of bikers a few Caravanerrs and the odd car but this is the perfect time of year for today's ride,,,

A local French couple came over to me and the bike as I was getting ready to leave Castellane,,, that old boy new his stuff,,,,,took one look at the tyres and looked at me with a glint in his eye,,, said something like attack! I shrugged my shoulders and said well yes of course,,, after he went I then looked at the tyres,,,, yikes I'm lying this baby right over,,,,
I don't think I'm too bad but my new boots have some effing scuffs,,,,
I thought I'll go a bit steadier,,,,5 minutes later I'm full chat up hill and kinking left/right/left,, brake drop 3 gears all with a blip in between, pops, crackles, and bangs

Get the picture yet,,,,,, you know when your in the Tvr all quiet,,, just you the car and a great great road and you feel everything's running really good do you think ,,,,,,fk it let's give it the beans,,,
Driving hard but not hard enough to make a fool of yourself,that was me today on this outrageous unbelievable outstanding wonderful motorbike.
It's basically identical to a Tvr,,, chunky gear changes and blips of the throttle,, toe and heel,, feeding it in as you exit yet another fantastic corner,,, always going uphill or down, that bike never ran straight upright at all,,, your just joining corner up after corner,,, the lines you can take,,,









Ok ok calm down,,,, biggrin

That's that out my system,, I'll chill from now on,, I've been so nervous of making a mistake or whatever,,, I've seen two accident scenes,,,,, I've took over a week to acclimatise and I thought it's time you found out what the bike and especially i could do,, it's been in there just waiting to explode,,, and I do it on that run of runs,, I'll never forget every second of it.
I better go to the beach tomorrow. wink

The pics don't even come close,,, but I tried,, in one pic you'll see a car coming through the hole in the rock,,,I'd just riden through it, had to yank on the brakes and take a pic... Priceless,,,

I was thinking I recognise the road markings, the colour of the Tarmac and the white lines,,,

GranTorismo,,,, the game!!!!????
biglaugh

People must have heard my bike miles away,,, what a sound, what a lovely little engine, it roars like nothing else,, it's the best sounding bike in France, people love it, it's 3 hrs since I got back,,, my ears are ringing like I've been in a disco,,,,
Alun.



ChimpOnGas

9,637 posts

180 months

Monday 14th September 2015
quotequote all
ClassiChimi said:
Loving this thread, what a cool trip, what a cool bike, and what a cool guy you are Alun.

Much respect for living the dream and sharing your adventures with us bow

Here's 'Ol Gasbag' in Castellane during my frighteningly similar TVR road trip in 2012.





I'm with you the all the way Alun, ride hard and stay safe mate thumbup


QBee

21,024 posts

145 months

Monday 14th September 2015
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Wonderful....you are seriously tempting me, though in the TVR.....

2OOM

374 posts

285 months

Monday 14th September 2015
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I'm pleased you weren't disappointed with the run ..


This 200M when my brother took her down there about 12 yrs ago ..




ClassiChimi

Original Poster:

12,424 posts

150 months

Monday 14th September 2015
quotequote all
biglaugh well I'll be a monkeys uncle,,, I must have stood right there Dave,,
So you know why I had to just drive,,,, forget it was I a bike for a moment,,, the way I love this bike,,,,, I was driving the Tvr to,, the exact same feelings of passion and love for the thing, working tirelessly to get my throttle blips to the perfect rev as I dis engage the clutch on yet another down shift,, a number of times these tight corners come at you and I found myself dropping gears real fast,, hitting second gear still hard on the brakes and as I release the clutch getting a momentary lock up on the back wheel,,, it's off the ground half the time,,,,

This is an old school bike, jumps around like the Tvr biggrin
I'm off the seat and leaning on the pegs through turns,, every riding skill I can think of I'm playing with,,, leaning right off the front of the bike really early then letting the bike come over into corners, I've had a few front wheel wobbles as it's gone light by accelerating as I'm turning left,,,, then importantly right,, as I flick the bike front side to side it has a momentary light spot ,,, I'm bloody playing with it,,
I'm so pleased some people especially you guys are happy to see me have a ball,,,
I've been in dark places and it's not always easy to enjoy others fun,,,
But as Tvr drivers,,,,,, the most balls out cars you can get just about, if anyone can get what today meant,, it's you boys.
Cheers Anthony,,, you only had to encourage me didn't ya smilesmilesmilesmilebiggrin

All that talk the weekend about Goodwood,,, I had no idea when I set out this morning I'd ride like that.
fk me I better not do it again.
Yeah I'm really enjoying it now,,,, coming back I just followed my nose and still found my way back.

Early spring in the Tvr,,, a few of you,,, all this nice beer and cafe's,,, Tvr's parked up,,, it's just gets better,,,,