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Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

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Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



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  #1  
Old 24 Apr 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by meeks
Denis, you seem a bit tetchy? You say people should stay at home? With respect you should probably chill out a little, everyone seems pretty helpful on this site....it is after all a site for everyone to access for help, tips, advice etc? Isn't that one of the sole reasons this site exists?

I bet you have been riding for years, know everything about anything, get cornflakes stuck in your beard, and ride without gloves on in winter.
Well Meek

I'm not tetchy at all - but I was disappointed that you asked all these good people to help you when it seems to me that your request wasnt serious. Are you so without humour that you couldnt see that I was trying to gently tease you about your spoof letter when I said chain your mother to your bike as an alarm? Lighten up! And I didnt say people should stay at home - I suggested that you reconsider travelling given your fears of being kidnapped in France and Spain. Is it any wonder I still think your letter is a deliberate joke! Look - no hard feelings - if you get kidnapped in Calais then I'll give up to 50 pence towards your release. I may be the only contributor....

Your last comments are simply silly and wildly inaccurate. You are clearly confusing me with Bernd Tesch.

Come on! laugh!
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Old 25 Apr 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by denis brown
Well Meek

I'm not tetchy at all - but I was disappointed that you asked all these good people to help you when it seems to me that your request wasnt serious. Are you so without humour that you couldnt see that I was trying to gently tease you about your spoof letter when I said chain your mother to your bike as an alarm? Lighten up! And I didnt say people should stay at home - I suggested that you reconsider travelling given your fears of being kidnapped in France and Spain. Is it any wonder I still think your letter is a deliberate joke! Look - no hard feelings - if you get kidnapped in Calais then I'll give up to 50 pence towards your release. I may be the only contributor....

Your last comments are simply silly and wildly inaccurate. You are clearly confusing me with Bernd Tesch.

Come on! laugh!
Denis, fair play, I was having a bit of fun and yes probably inaccurate. No beard? Serious post though, I wouldn't waste anyone's time.

Bossies - my target date for leaving is the 24th July, Sunday. Im going on the Channel Tunnel and will go to Calais. From there I hope to put in some big miles to get me as near to Nantes as I can, so that later in the trip I can do less miles, or more, on some of D roads that have been mentioned in France.

Return date is 4th August. Exact route not set, but leave on 24th July, return on 4th August. Just trying to put the cash aside each month, should be on target. If I aint back from Alicante by the 4th then I may well just keep on going as the missus wont have me back.
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Old 25 Apr 2006
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Originally Posted by meeks
Denis, fair play, I was having a bit of fun and yes probably inaccurate. No beard? Serious post though, I wouldn't waste anyone's time.

Bossies - my target date for leaving is the 24th July, Sunday. Im going on the Channel Tunnel and will go to Calais. From there I hope to put in some big miles to get me as near to Nantes as I can, so that later in the trip I can do less miles, or more, on some of D roads that have been mentioned in France.

Return date is 4th August. Exact route not set, but leave on 24th July, return on 4th August. Just trying to put the cash aside each month, should be on target. If I aint back from Alicante by the 4th then I may well just keep on going as the missus wont have me back.
If you haven't already planned a route, I suggest that you go west of Paris, via Rouen (well, bypassing it). Then down via Evreux to Chartres, picking up the autoroute about 40kms south of Chartres, bringnging you to the autoroute to Orleans, down to Clermont Ferrand; then keep going down in the Montpellier direction. This is a mix of pay road, free autoroute and lesser roads. There is an escape exit to avoid paying the toll near Clermont, but I cant reveal it here.

You can camp on the autoroute, using the aire de repos -they are about every 20-30kms. If you are careful, you can find a corner or spot invisible to the world. I use them all the time, as they have toilets, water, etc. They are nicely wooded too. Very pleasant, very free. There are some with restaurants and you can camp there too.

The French are very civilised and wont bother you in the least.

Ooops! PS I see that you want to go by Nantes -so forget all this...

Bonne route!
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Old 25 Apr 2006
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hah so you have found the escape exit to denis have you .very good route that 1 denis we use it a lot .
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Old 26 Apr 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by denis brown
If you haven't already planned a route, I suggest that you go west of Paris, via Rouen (well, bypassing it). Then down via Evreux to Chartres, picking up the autoroute about 40kms south of Chartres, bringnging you to the autoroute to Orleans, down to Clermont Ferrand; then keep going down in the Montpellier direction. This is a mix of pay road, free autoroute and lesser roads. There is an escape exit to avoid paying the toll near Clermont, but I cant reveal it here.

You can camp on the autoroute, using the aire de repos -they are about every 20-30kms. If you are careful, you can find a corner or spot invisible to the world. I use them all the time, as they have toilets, water, etc. They are nicely wooded too. Very pleasant, very free. There are some with restaurants and you can camp there too.

The French are very civilised and wont bother you in the least.

Ooops! PS I see that you want to go by Nantes -so forget all this...

Bonne route!
Cheers Dennis. That mix sounds like good variety with some good opps to make up ground. As the route is not set, could always come home via Nantes.
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Old 26 Apr 2006
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Originally Posted by meeks
Cheers Dennis. That mix sounds like good variety with some good opps to make up ground. As the route is not set, could always come home via Nantes.
One last point. When travelling around luchtime, go into a town which has signposted Casino restaurant, or Flunch. These are attached to the big supermarkets and you eat very well for not much dosh. Additionally, you can park the bike outside the plate glass windows to watch it.

Bonne route!
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Old 27 Apr 2006
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Originally Posted by denis brown
One last point. When travelling around luchtime, go into a town which has signposted Casino restaurant, or Flunch. These are attached to the big supermarkets and you eat very well for not much dosh. Additionally, you can park the bike outside the plate glass windows to watch it.

Bonne route!
Cheers Denis, I'll remember that. Glass windows good, but cant park inside? No good, not safe.

Q to you and others, what are the rozza like in France and Spain? Only my pipes might attract attention....must get some baffles.
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Old 27 Apr 2006
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re rozzers
You would be well advised to keep to the speed limits.. also note if using peage they time journey times bythe distance to check your speed. ( on your ticket) so might be wise to stop off for a break if you above the limit.
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Old 27 Apr 2006
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Quote:
Originally Posted by meeks
Cheers Denis, I'll remember that. Glass windows good, but cant park inside? No good, not safe.

Q to you and others, what are the rozza like in France and Spain? Only my pipes might attract attention....must get some baffles.

The cops are OK if you're nice. I've been let off with a couple of things like this.
I speak some French, though.

BUT always carry your original docs, not photocopies or they can impound your bike till you get them. I keep mine inside the armour in the back of my jacket in a poly bag.

They also hide on the side of the autoroute looking for speeders (near Calais is a favourite) . Just stick to the limits, especially in villages and towns , which is perfectly reasonable.

Youre supposed to ride on dip beam - I often dont.

Bonne route
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