Mini Tour - France and Switzerland (4 days)

[Twisted2004]

So here is the plan....

Link to Microsoft Map Plan

FRIDAY

....leave London early morning 4/5am with the idea of being in France by early morning.

Ride approximately 300miles into France and setup in a hotel.

Maybe somewhere near Saint-Dizier

SATURDAY

...wake up ride another 300miles to Switzerland

Maybe somewhere near Geneva

SUNDAY

...wake up ride 300miles back into France.

Maybe somewhere near Le Mans

MONDAY

...ride home

I'm thinking 300miles a day isnt too much riding. The idea is to enjoy those 300miles, ride at a reasonable pace and probably stop even 100miles or so to rest, stretch out and have a drink of water or eat food.

Also if we make good time, we could have the option to have a blast around local roads!

Thoughts?

Any roads or areas that are A MUST? (obviously within scope of my planed route)

This will be my first trip mini tour. I'll be riding the Thunderace and my mate will be on his Duke 1098 (LOL - I hope its comfy!)

[natv4]

If it were my money I'd pick either the alps or the Pyrenese - not both sides of France. I don't think you'll get back over to Le Mons without discomfort (or more likely missing the good stuff near Switzerland.

If you go a little further South (aim for Castellane and you won't be disappointed) you will find more interesting roads and places. N85 between Gap and Grasse is very good for riding.

There are plenty of high passes over the Alps which will be fun. Switzerland is nice, but the area you are focusing on is not particularly interesting. Aim further south for the good stuff.

Bare in mind that if you are on interesting roads, then 300 miles can take longer. If you head over one of the high passes expect around 150 miles per day to be closer to the limit.

I don't know your reason for visiting Le Mons, but if it is just for the circuit and museum, its not worth leaving the Alps to go and see. Its a nice stop en route to the Pyrenese though - I usually skip it and take the very nice A75 motorway, twisty heaven.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
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West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[Modo]

Once you get to the Alps you wont want to come for the following day
The roads are just FANTASTIC

[feef]

Sounds like a rather boring route, tbh... apart from the alps, there's not a lot of excitement or interesting roads...

You'll be fine on the 'ace tho.. it's a comfy bike for that sort of riding..

a
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[Twisted2004]

[feef]

bear in mind that 300 miles a day, avoiding motorways with stops will see you reaching 6 and 7 hr days.

My suggestion would be to Blast down the autoroute, spend 2 days playing in the alps and Blast back up again

a
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[natv4]

Voted best biking road of Europe last year by Bike and Ride magazines - Trumpets please...

N85 (aka Route Napoleon).

It is lovely and there are many great roads in the area. There are also lots of hotels and campsites. You will not go wrong there.

If you really want a good route back, although I would suggest you don't have time for it, take the A75 motorway back up to Paris. From just outside Montpellier to Claremont-Ferrand is some of the best motorway I've travelled. Amazing changes in Altitude and beautiful tarmac on what is a very twisty road for a motorway. You can also see Europes highest road bridge (Millau Viaduc).

The only thing is that you will not have time to get to the Alps, accross to Montpellier and back home in 4 days without missing everything good along the way.

As general concensus suggests, don't try and pack so much in. Concentrate on the Alps and N85 this time, save the rest for another (possibly longer) trip.

I think most people would agree, 4 days is not long enough for anything more. It really is so good you'll probably want to go back there next time too.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[natv4]

nearly forgot, if you concentrate on the Alps, you could also have a little ride along the coastal roads between St Tropez and Marseille. Very scenic. The roads towards the Alps are not really motorways, just A roads. They will take longer to travel along than you expect.
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Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[feef]

[natv4]

[natv4]

Sorry, I didn't make that very clear. Feef is right. Use motorway as far as possible to get to the good stuff. Its worth it. Even then you will be pushed to reach there in a day.

If you can't get more time and are at all unsure as to long distance riding; then maybe a Nurburg ring trip would be better. Easily doable in a day and there are plenty of nice roads around the area.
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[mark83]

[feef]

[Twisted2004]

[Modo]

I would agree with feef blast down the autoroute, Boulonge to Chamonix 10hrs then 2 days in the Apls blast back www.alpineroads.com for all the sweet roads you will ever need.

If you plan on staying in a hotel I recommend www.skiers-lodge.eu.com owned by an english couple bikers friendly and man what a view
let me know if you want to look at some pics of the place