11th – 28th June

My much-anticipated solo motorcycle tour in Europe.

The route started with a ride through the South Downs and into Kent including Battle, Rye and Romney Marsh, overnight in Folkestone.

Then, an early Channel Tunnel to Calais and a long ride to Luxembourg taking into Lille, Valenciennes, the Ardenne in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Next was a foray into Germany, then back into France to overnight in Strasbourg.

From Strasbourg, into the Vosges Mountains, and later through the Jura to end my day in St. Claude.

From St.Claude, iit was a ride to Geneva, then all around the lake including Montreux, to stop at Amphion Les Bains for the night on the shores of lake Geneva, narrowly avoiding a huge thunderstorm that blew up seemingly out of nowhere.

From Amphion Les Bains, it was the first of four days riding the “Route Des Grande Alpes”, a superb and vertigo inducing route leading to Menton on the Mediterranean. Day one on “the route” was to Villaroger, not too far from Val D’Isere, staying at the excellent Mineral Lodge.

Next day included a stop at Val D’Isere for coffee, then the epic Col D’Iseran and Col Galibier passes and other great roads. The overnight was at Briancon.

More mountain passes followed including Col D’Izoard, Col Agnel and Col De Bonette. The detours and a thundery shower meant a later arrival into Barcellonette than originally thought.

The final day of “the route” was to Menton, which included a nice stop in the town of Sospel. From Menton (and though tired), I decided to take a foray into Italy – to San Remo and back.

The next day was probably the hardest – heatwave temperatures, lots of traffic lights, lot’s of traffic, stops and starts – the ride from Menton to Marseille on the coast roads to meet Amanda and Zac for the Grand Prix. Memorable stints included riding the “Grand Prix Circui” at Monaco, and stopping at Cannes and St. Tropez to see how the other half live. It was a relief to get to Marseille and not have to ride for a few days.

Marseille and the nearby Grand Prix was enjoyable (and hot) with Amanda and Zac.

On the Tuesday after the race, I headed off to Avignon, via the Camargue and they went back on the train. The temperatures were hovering around 40 degrees centigrade.

After Avignon, a long ride up through central France, taking in the Ardeche and other “off beat” areas and roads, finally arriving in the peaceful historic hilltop town of Vezelay (a great find), nearly 400 miles later.

After Vezelay, it was the long push to Calais, in hot but gradually reducing temperatures. On the road all day, I had a close shave with some idiot at Arras, tainting the final push to Calais. I was glad to get there.

Instead of going home, I had a convoluted ride to Northampton, where Zac would be competing in the BSKC Karting final. I chose a route that took in some new roads and places.

After the karting, it was a route home. I was keen to get home, tired from that endless motorcycling. A great trip.

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