Cant feel the vibes but the hands still dead!

[mecki]

Well, on popular demand here is a more detailed report of my trip to southern France.
The first day (Friday) I was able to leave work early and got on the way from Newcastle to Hull via York to catch the ferry to Rotterdam.
On the second day then the big one - Rotterdam to La Rochette in Savoie - 90% on various motorways through 4 countries.
Initially I was a bit disappointed about the fuel consumption and even though I was cruising at 120 - 130km/h I didn't get more than 10 Miles out of a litre of petrol. I had hoped to be able to make it to Luxemburg on one tank when I set off just after 9:00 but I had to stop and tip in my 5 litres reserve while still in Belgium on the N4. First pit stop in Capellen (LUX) and then back on the road towards Metz, Nancy and Dijon. After 220 Miles than the next pit stop at a gas station somewhere on the motorway. Except for a bit of drizzle it stayed dry and I managed to get all the way to Chambery on that tank. From there it wasn't far to my final destination and I finally arrived at the Resto au Gourmand in La Rochette just before 21:00.
The next days I spent looking after my 23 month old grandson, which was fun most of the time but also very tiring. It is amazing how much excercise you get looking after a toddler.
My first chance to hit a few twisties was on the Friday when Aydan was at the creche and I went to the south side of Mt Blanc and across some nice passes. I had been to Cumbria and knew that the bike was very nimble but the Alps proved how good it really is.
I could have gone out on the following Monday as well but I smelled rain and it got quite wet in the afternoon, so I was quite pleased to stay put.
So I didn't get another chance until the next Monday when I had planned to do at least part of the Route Napoleon.
Well, I crossed 2 passes to get to Briancon and unfortunately my Zumo 550 decided to freeze and I had to find my way relying on the road signs.
I went on to Gap and by that time it was getting a bit to late to go further south. So back towards Grenoble, a short pit stop there and back home.
On the 5th I set off on my way home to the UK.
This time I had planned to do this in 2 days and avoid the toll on the French motorways.
I set off around 10:00 towards Chambery and from there via Bourg-en-Bresse to Nancy.
And suddenly my Range started to show over 200 Miles even though I had already nearly 50 Miles on the clock.
From then on I managed to get 240 to 260 Miles out of a tank.
Next pit stop in Dole and lunch in Vesoul (that's where they build Peugeots and Citroens).
So far it had been cloudy but dry, until I reached Nancy and all hell broke loose in form of a thunderstorm.
Suddenly it literally bucketed down and I got soaked within seconds. Visibility was down to nearly zero, roads turned into rivers and with lightning and thunder all around and no bridge anywhere to be seen I took the next exit, stopped at the next bus stop and sheltered there until the rain eased a bit.
When I finally arrived at the hotel I was well and truly damp.
Next morning after breakfast the weather looked fine when I set off and I actually made it all the way to Martelange in Belgium after I added the contents of my petrol can to the tank in Luxemburg.
Martelange is a weird little town. There must be nearly a dozen gas stations one after the other and the prices are as low as Luxemburg (€1.32/l).
That got me all the way back to Rotterdam with plenty of time to spare.
Sunday morning a rather boring ride home, and of course the moment I arrived in Gateshead it started raining again.
After all I had a great time and it was priceless to spend some quality time with Aydan.

[Lonewolf]

Mecki, sounds like a varied trip. I still wish I could find some pics from when I did my trip to St Tropez when I was much younger on my Honda CX500. No idea where they are these days. Did you take any photos etc.

[mecki]

Sorry, no photos LW.
I took my camera, but when I stopped on this amazing pass to take some pictures in the Haute Alps towards Briancon the batteries were flat.

[Lonewolf]

Thats a bummer!!

[Rusty]

Sounds like a decent trek though despite the downpour .
Never done the Rotterdam .... Nice ?

[mecki]

Sounds like a decent trek though despite the downpour .
Never done the Rotterdam .... Nice ?

Well, as far as North sea ferries go it's not too bad, I guess.
The boats are a few years younger and slightly bigger than the Hull-Zeebrugge ones.
The DFDS boats going from Newcastle are getting old now too.
I've used them nearly all over the years and I couldn't really say that one would be significantly better than the others.
And the price has something to do with it as well.
Otherwise they're ferries - tiny rooms, expensive food and drink, lousy exchange rates and lots of noise and people.
Parking your bike on the ship is OK but if you happen to end up in the middle access especially carrying luggage can be problematic.
And if you know how to tie a knot they've got ropes aplenty.
I think before the next trip I get my own tie-down, though.
That the crew actually secure your bike I have only experienced on a ferry from Dover so far.
For me it's just convenient that I don't have to take a half day off work when I use that route.
And most of the days I would want to travel it's cheaper than DFDS.

[Rusty]

Thanks for that  ;D