FRANCE BY MOTORCYCLE - Page 4

This account of another of my trips to the continent may be of interest. Up to our meeting twelve months ago Kathy had never considered sitting on a bike never mind touring on the continent.

After a few short runs last year, she was a happy pillion as long as I did not exceed 70mph which I promised not to do!!!!

We planned a trip to the French / Italian Alps incorporating the World Superbikes at Monza during May. Choosing the Dover / Calais as opposed to my usual Portsmouth /Cherbourg crossing was a mistake, as I hate the run to Dover .

Thinking I could get home from work early enough to travel the 240 miles I booked the 23.30 Wednesday evening ferry, wrong. OK plan B catch an early Thursday morning, wrong again. We finally caught the 12.15 Thursday afternoon arriving in Calais at 14.30. Wanting to go the pretty route to Monza, through the Mont Blanc tunnel and St Bernard pass we had to make up for lost time, so much for my promise about the speed, but the speed limit signs did say 110.

kph / mph what's the difference, after 430miles that day plus the ferry Kathy was beginning to get a bit restless, as this was her first long trip, she had done really well.

We dropped onto one of the many modern hotel chains with strange names this one was a Mr Bed at 209ff per room including ensuite 11 channel tv and breakfast. With the exchange rate this meant it was £11 each, beat that one in the UK.

Next stop was Annecy, choosing a hotel a little out of the town, the owner, an elderly lady asked if we were German, replying no Anglais, she said good and with a large but embarrassed smile offered us a room with a balcony overlooking the lake. Twice we were mistaken for Germans that week, it must have been the leathers, but each time on finding we were English they were so much more friendly.

The big disappointment when we found the passes were still blocked by snow and to get to Monza would mean a detour but as Kathy now had become tired and was not to well we decided to stay 3 nights in Annecy then move down into Provence. Apart from the superb scenery and brilliant roads and Kathy giving me some earache for showing a French driver who thought a 600 was an easy target, on a superb twisty road from the Alps to Provence.

The event of the week was in Sisteron where we stayed in a cheap but clean hotel, while having a drink at the bar waiting for the restaurant to open the proprietors said, "moto" and pointed to the side of the hotel thinking they had a better parking area I went out and pushed the bike to where she had indicated only to find her standing with the restaurant doors open. The bike stayed safe and secure parked between the tables all night. One more night in Orange then a brisk run back to Calais. By now Kathy was getting used to the pace, even waving to French bikers, I've always found the French acknowledge other bikes. After a friendly warning from a Gendarme at the Peage on the autoroute to watch my speed, we had a long chat and a coffee with a couple on a ZZR 1100 en route to the Alps.

We arrived back in Dover at 2200 the difference in temperature was amazing after riding all week in 29 degrees we were now putting on thermals and outerjackets, still we both enjoyed it and Kathy is even thinking of the next trip. Motor Sport Travel gives very good discount for ferrys 35% Tel no 01759 373000, the only down side to the trip, Kathy now fancies a Gold Wing. Help what do I do!!!