Old Gits 2025 - Provence and Southern Alps
Discussion
We're late this year! Due to work commitments and family holidays the Old Gits trip for 2025 is in September! Actually, it starts this week! 
While one Old Git is already in Grenoble, and the SEF (Scottish Expeditionary Force
) set off tomorrow morning, most of us are leaving on Friday afternoon to head for the Tunnel then an overnight in Bethune. Saturday is a motorway blast through France to Perouges to meet with the SEF. Then Sunday will be the Route Napoleon down to Castellane to meet with the rest of the group for 3 nights. That'll give me a chance to ride one of my favourite roads - the D955. 
On Wednesday we'll move north to Barcelonnette for 3 nights before a run up to Chalon-sur-Saone then a motorway blast back to the Tunnel on Sunday. 
There's, yet again, a good mix of bikes showing you don't need a mega tourer or an adventure bike to tour on in comfort.
BMW K1300S x 2
BMW R1200GSA
BMW R1250GS
BMW R1300GS
BMW S1000RR
Honda CB500X
Indian Challenger
Indian Roadmaster PowerPlus 112
Kawasaki H2 SX SE x 3
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
KTM SuperDuke 1290 GT x 3
Suzuki GSX1300R
Yamaha Tracer
There's 18 of us in total and I'm really looking forward to catching up with those from previous trips
and saying hello to those on their first trip. 
I'm also looking forward to off loading the trip shirts out of my pannier! 
There are a number of PH BB regulars on the trip so, hopefiully, between us, we can keep this thread updated as the trip progresses.
While one Old Git is already in Grenoble, and the SEF (Scottish Expeditionary Force
) set off tomorrow morning, most of us are leaving on Friday afternoon to head for the Tunnel then an overnight in Bethune. Saturday is a motorway blast through France to Perouges to meet with the SEF. Then Sunday will be the Route Napoleon down to Castellane to meet with the rest of the group for 3 nights. That'll give me a chance to ride one of my favourite roads - the D955. On Wednesday we'll move north to Barcelonnette for 3 nights before a run up to Chalon-sur-Saone then a motorway blast back to the Tunnel on Sunday. There's, yet again, a good mix of bikes showing you don't need a mega tourer or an adventure bike to tour on in comfort.
BMW K1300S x 2
BMW R1200GSA
BMW R1250GS
BMW R1300GS
BMW S1000RR
Honda CB500X
Indian Challenger
Indian Roadmaster PowerPlus 112
Kawasaki H2 SX SE x 3
Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX
KTM SuperDuke 1290 GT x 3
Suzuki GSX1300R
Yamaha Tracer
There's 18 of us in total and I'm really looking forward to catching up with those from previous trips
and saying hello to those on their first trip. I'm also looking forward to off loading the trip shirts out of my pannier! There are a number of PH BB regulars on the trip so, hopefiully, between us, we can keep this thread updated as the trip progresses.
Edited by black-k1 on Wednesday 3rd September 17:28
We've pretty much taken over the whole hotel in both Castellane and Barcelonnette.
Just to be clear, we do not EVER ride as a single group, or as groups of more than about 4. Some ride solo, some in groups. Some people are intense, all day in the saddle, riders and some will do a few hours over the middle of the day then retire to the bar, with the rest somewhere in between. Some want to visit local sights while some want to ride the passes and great roads with enthusiasm. The advantage of such a group is that there is always someone who speaks your language and shares your enthusiasm to swap "war stories" with in the bar each evening.
Just to be clear, we do not EVER ride as a single group, or as groups of more than about 4. Some ride solo, some in groups. Some people are intense, all day in the saddle, riders and some will do a few hours over the middle of the day then retire to the bar, with the rest somewhere in between. Some want to visit local sights while some want to ride the passes and great roads with enthusiasm. The advantage of such a group is that there is always someone who speaks your language and shares your enthusiasm to swap "war stories" with in the bar each evening.
Biker9090 said:
Not actually a bad idea to split up like that. Find where you're comfortable and what you enjoy and then meet in the evenings.
Interested to know which bikes go in a group together though.
There tends to be a mix of bikes in most groups but the "more focused" groups tend to be the sports tourers like the K1300S, the SD1290GT and the H2 SX. That said, there are no restrictions and anyone on any bike is welcome. Interested to know which bikes go in a group together though.
the cueball said:
Looks like a nice trip, hope you have a great time.
I'm off next week to the motoGP in Italy...Summer holiday is finally here..
I feel your pain - it's been a long summer wait!.I'm off next week to the motoGP in Italy...Summer holiday is finally here..
I hope your trip goes well.
200Plus Club said:
Thinking of similar trip by car next year, any recommendations for a good hotel near grenoble?
We tend to go a bit further south than Grenoble. The Ibis in Gap is a good destination and I'd happily go back, but the Hotel IBIS Styles in Draguignan was not brilliant.This year were going to Castellane - Hôtel du Commerce and Barcelonnette - Hôtel & Spa Azteca.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff