Reminded me of my first solo trip to france, scotland-dover-calais-troyes-annecy and monaco,2006, Been to la rochelle this year, 2 up on yam xjr 1300, got drenched most days so my bike touring days were over, yam replaced with kwak zx10r for quick blast outs, now after reading your story i find myself planning a solo trip to barcelona on the kwak, inspired once again, cheers pal

Great report, I'm enjoying reading it! What sort of prices were you paying for hotels/campsites on average would you say?

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99 Adventures - It's about the things we do, the people we meet and the places we see.

Campsites were around 12 to 15 euro per night, showers on site, shop nearby etc.
Hotels were about 50 euro per night, although I stayed in a new hotel in Limoges and that cost me 95 euro!!!
Im still annoyed with myself for paying that much for one nights accomodation.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

Hi Adrain, that information is priceless. My own trip has been cancelled for the time being due to circumstances but as a result I am hoping to go for a month next year. I am hoping to budget around 50 euros a day. This should cover food fuel and camping fees.
Thanks mate.....

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www.frothandflames.com
2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator

Fantastic Info... thanks! Only 9 days to go till we leave now, can't wait!

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99 Adventures - It's about the things we do, the people we meet and the places we see.

Friday 12th June. Last day!
I wake up at 10am and pack my gear away for the last time.
The ferry leaves at 4pm so I have a few hours to pass till then.
I head down stairs and check out, pack my bike and roll it out of the garage.
I start it up and its still only running on one cylinder.
I was going to go for a ride and explore the city of Le Havre today but I cant when the bike is running like this.
To me Le Havre looks like a down trodden city, the people here dont seem as vibrant as they do central or southern France, there are lots of run down areas and it feels like the people here have been forgotten about to a certain extent.
I was told also that Le Havre was heavily bombed by the allies while under Nazi occupation in WW2, and that 95% of the city was turned to rubble!
Seemingly the architect who had the job of rebuilding the city after the war had a great love of concrete and this is very obvious if you take a look the city's bland buildings today.
I have breakfast in a cafe, and lounge around here for a while just wasting time and watching the locals (are'nt French girls gorgeous?).
I make my way on my sickly bike to the ferry port and get in line near the front of the cue.
The weather is really nice today so I spend a couple of hours lying on the grass verge looking thru the photo's i took over the last few days and chatting with some passengers also waiting for the same ferry.
Finally we board the ferry and I make my way to the deck to take some photos of the city as we leave.
Its a strange feeling, on the one hand I feel like I've only just got here and that I need to spend another week or two here, but on the other hand when I think back on all the people I've met and the good times I've had it seems like I've been here for months!
I call home and tell my better half I'll see her in a few hours, then I go to the bar and drink about 5 or 6 coffees! and chat with some people who are also on their way home from hollidays in France.
The crossing was pretty uneventfull and very smooth and pretty soon I can see Portsmouth in the distance.
The ferry docks and I start my bike, I dont believe it, its running on both cylinders again!
I roll off, show my passport and jump on to the motorway for the last leg of my trip back to Somerset.
There is a spot at around 6k rpm where the bike goes back down onto one cylinder, but as you close off the throttle both cylinders come back online with a mighty bang.
I used this to great effect as I was passing a stationary highway agency patrol on the M27, they were standing beside their 4x4 when I came screaming past, closing the throttle and causing a massive backfire just as I drew level with them, the look on their faces allmost made me fall off the bike I was laughing so hard!
I ride thru sallisbury and join the A303, its dark now and im pretty tired but I cant wait to get home and tell my friends and family about the amazing time I've had.
I reach home and park my bike out front, I walk inside, my girlfriend is asleep on the sofa and she's got long way round on the telly.
I make us a cup of tea and start telling her stories of the trip.
Its midnight when I sit down but 4 am before my mind slows down enough to allow me to sleep.
I strip my bike the next day and sure enough I find a partially broken wire running to the rear fuel injector, some new wire and some solder sorts it out just fine.
Well thats it, my trip is over and sitting here writing this and looking back over it all is making me smile.
Even though it was only 8 days and 1548 miles long it really is one of the best things I have ever done, and I cant even imagine how good it must feel to do a round the world or trans Africa/Europe/America trip.
My family/friends/girlfriend thought I was mad to do this trip alone but I really believe alone was the best way to do it because everyone I spoke to or met along the way was someone new and it is amazing how far out of their way these people will go to help you.
Some people told me before I left that the French are rude people, well pardon my French but thats a load of bollocks.
They strike me as being a very hospitable and proud people, you just need to make an effort to speak to them in their own language using whatever little French you have (I have very little), they will appreciate this and respect you for trying.
Im thinking of next years trip allready, I cant decide between Spain/Porugal or maybe eastern Europe or maybe even the Swiss alps.
Either way its going to have to be pretty special to beat France.

Fin.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

YouTube - Motorcycle trip from England to Millau in France
YouTube - Motorcycle trip to France - Edited version with new music.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

really good trip report i,ve never been abroad on my bike i think you,ve given me the inspiration to start planning my forst trip thanks

Thats good, im glad this trip report has inspired you to get back travelling again.
In my opinion travelling solo is the way to go as you are not tied to anyone else's schedule and also it forces you to interact with the local people, and the best memories I have are the experiences I had with the locals.
Only problem now is that I find riding in the U.K. to be pretty dull, thats why im off home to Ireland on the ferry with the v-strom tommorrow night for 3 days!
P.S. Post a trip report when you get back from Spain, I quiet fancy a ride down to Barcelona or Madrid early next year, it would be nice to hear of your experiences down there.
Slan.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474