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HOG
2003 - Barcelona, Spain
WOW, I just kept saying
WOW - at the beauty of another Chateau or village or just the
countryside or that last bend. This was a ride to remember.
Going
out was a solo blast. For the return, my daughter Sarah
accompanied me all 1,100 miles of the stretched for riding journey -
fantastic and never was a Dad so happy and so proud.
Day 1
Leave London at 07:00 and catch
the EuroTunnel train to Calais. Then a fast motorway blast to Paris, around a
traffic choked Peripherique and on to Orleans. Then off the motorway
and start the D road tour that is to last for several days (the only other
motorways to be used from here were a bit into and out of Barcelona and a 60
mile stretch to Calais).
Day 2
It's Sunday and like
yesterday, sunny and really a bit too hot to ride. D roads through
pretty villages and past too many Chateaus to count (or take pictures of
- I'd never get anywhere). Being Sunday and being on D roads -
getting petrol is an issue in rural France and several times I'm running
on vapour before finding another garage. But the roads are empty
with long straights and gentle bends and life is fantastic.
Day 3
Yesterday I asked for it to
be cooler and so it is with a bit of drizzle to start with but otherwise
dry. Off at 08:30 and not out of the saddle until 18:00 - because
the whole route is just sweeping bend after sweeping bend with just one
short N road boring bit connecting the D road heaven. Ended up in
Beziers and stayed in a cheap hotel next to a sex shop in the heart of
town with garage parking - an interesting result.
Day 4
And on through the Pyrenees
into Barcelona, more D roads, more sweeping bends (none of your 180º
switchbacks which I hate, more your "knee down" style fast
curves) more pretty villages. Only now it's getting really hot as
the final run into Barcelona heralds the arrival of Mike and Cath and
Jane and Sarah.
Day 5
- 10
Barcelona - great city, but
what a traffic nightmare! More traffic lights than Ken Livingston
could dream of, all on red most of their lives and how can you tell
they're about to change to green? - 50 scooters take off on red and half
a minute later the lights change. There is so much to see here but
an absolute must is the Gaudi designed cathedral. The HOG event was
great but the organisation and communication left a lot to be desired -
like the welcome invitation to have a drink on arrival, except they'd
run out (how can HOG be surprised when several thousand bikers turn up
to an event they planned?!?!) And not one sign on the road to the
venue and no information about the parade except what we got in the
local newspaper!
Day
11
Barcelona to Foix - Sarah and I rode up
into the mountains in brilliant sunshine staying on the main road (not
motorway). Great twisty bends and fabulous scenery and all of the same on
the way from the mountain into France. Excellent dinner in Foix only to
settle into a good nights sleep to be woken at midnight by the local Evil
Knievle scooter rider.
Day
12
Foix to Bergerac -
Brilliant sunshine eventually turned to the threat of rain, however we kept
the waterproofs off and stayed dry until the last 4km into Bergerac when the
heavens opened to thoroughly soak us. Bergerac is extremely pretty and we
recommend the older part of the town where the pizza's were astonishing.
Day
13
Bergerac to Saumur - Fantastic day spent in the saddle riding through the
most amazing countryside with the sun shining down on us. Sunflower
field after sunflower field covered the landscape neatly hiding many
chateaus. Saumur is yet another beautiful town with a castle set into
the hillside. We were lucky to find a great little hotel with an
incredible view of the Loire river and across to the main town
center. After the day's ride, Sarah wanted more biking to explore
the local area and what fantastic roads and views we found. Sore
bums, great views, good food and a long sleep later, we feel at peace
with being on the road together.
Day
14
Saumur to
Fécamp - Grey and cold followed us throughout the day until when
approaching Caen a gap of blue sky could be spotted, which we eagerly
rode into. We followed the sun to the sea and turned our noses up at
Deauville full of fast cars and casinos. After getting lost again, we
finally made it to Fécamp (the French version of Blackpool) where we
find 'the Frigate hotel' a wacky seaside inn about 50ft from the beach
and more scooter stunt riders which kept us entertained well into the
night - great place.
Day
15
Fécamp to London - At first
the day looked promising but alas as we rode through more D roads the
clouds were quick to follow. therefore the last 60miles into Calais were
a fast blast into the sunshine.
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