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Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 13 Jun 2007
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short french trip
fancy doing a short run in france. crossing from portsmouth to cherbourg?? or similar area? and then a run down the coast crossing back via roscoff - plymouth? anyone recommend a nice run
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  #2  
Old 13 Jun 2007
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france
Give us some details, how many days , what do you want to see, how miles a day.
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  #3  
Old 14 Jun 2007
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now decided that the best start point is ferry to calais? then see dunkerque/somme etc. followed by trip to champagne region? from there unsure other than need to get ferry back into plymouth within the next 5 days or so??happy with any mileage really? done up to 550 miles in a day before?
other than the obvious wine/cheese places happy to see anything? suggestions please?
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  #4  
Old 14 Jun 2007
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Hi

If I was you don't go to Dunkerque, it's not really a nice city, but from Calais, take the nice coastal road till Le touquet via Cap Grisnez, Wissant, Audresselle, Ambleuteuse, Wimereux (my lovely village in France) Boulgone/mer etc

Then you have choice it will depend what you want to see and in which direction you want to go...

But if you go in Champagne, to go back to calais will only take 4.5h (via Belgium is better cos' highway are free)

Hope it will help you

If you search a place for wine, go in alsace or near Beaune (Burgundy)
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  #5  
Old 14 Jun 2007
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Plan as you go
Hi,
Take the Michelin map and plan it day by day (if you are like me you will change your mind as you ride anyway) - stay off the "autobahns" or whatever they are called in French (A roads) - the D (local) roads are far more interesting, better riding and less traffic - only the A roads have "peage" or tolls (but not even all of them - seems to depend if there is an alternative N route nearby, or as mentioned here, if you are near the Belgium border, or any international border I think, they are free again).

When you study the Mich map, look for the green shading alongside the minor roads - these are scenic/of interest routes and they are often more twisty than the bigger roads as well.

After that, there are more battlefields of WW 1 and 2 in Northern France than you can comfortably get around in 5 days or so! (I've tried that and there are still loads I have not been to). Verdun is very interesting indeed & not too far from the channel ports, etc etc

Have a good trip, whatever you do!

Dave
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  #6  
Old 15 Jun 2007
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thanks all!
any suggestions for visiting war museums etc. have previously not had any great interest in dunkerque/somme etc but because i will be very close perhaps i need to visit? to see for myself? suggestions please?
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  #7  
Old 15 Jun 2007
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That's a big one!
That is one big question you have in mind!!

Try this as a start point:

BBC - History - World War Two

Go to Pegasus bridge, especially on the evening of 5th June.
Try the Menin Gate, Ypres (Belgium) any night at 8pm except Christmas Day etc etc,

Enjoy - there is lot over there,

Dave
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  #8  
Old 15 Jun 2007
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Talking short trip to france
you could also ride down the center of France ( Orleans 45 ) and visit the Loire Valley , its full of great curvy road ,forest and famous castle,about 5 hours from the ferry , maybe worthit if you find the coast too busy at this time of the year.

Loire Valley Castles
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  #9  
Old 15 Jun 2007
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thanks all. some good ideas to get me going
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  #10  
Old 18 Jun 2007
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Went to France on an R80 more years ago than I care to remember (when did Prince Andrew get married?). The things that stick in my mind after all this time: The Loire Valley & Saumur, the Atlantic coast, the Bayeux tapestry, the D-Day beaches & cemeteries, and Mont St Michel - incredible.

Enjoy.

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  #11  
Old 19 Jun 2007
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I'm in France on the bike several times a year and I'll say that you cant really go wrong in France - it's mostly quite beautiful.

But avoid the Dunkirk area - it's not the best part. South of Calais is good.

But part of the pleasure of a trip is to get out the maps with some booze and work something out.

Why dont you do your trip and then tell us what you did and where you went?
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  #12  
Old 20 Jun 2007
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For WW1 Ypres is a must.
It has a good museum and the Menin Gate at 8pm where they still play the last post and stop the traffic, every night.
A very good website is Tom Morgan's HELLFIRE CORNER - The home of Tom Morgan Military Books
Enjoy your trip.
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  #13  
Old 26 Jun 2007
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hustler... thanks.. very useful link
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  #14  
Old 26 Jun 2007
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Have you priced your tickets yet? I have found single journeys via Brittany ferries to be horrendously expensive.
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