can't believe I have to ask this, seeing as I'm from Essex myself..
Is the Dartford crossing free for bikes yet? I've been through loads of times in the car and never once noticed :/
I'll be over to the UK on the VTR next thursday/friday and have to go up onto the depths of Essex.. scary thought.
btw, bargain trip on the Eurotunnel, 28 Euro return trip!
I think I'll be doing more day trips to the island this summer. Especially when Calais is only 75mins away from me.
P.S. Anyone want any Belgian choc brought over ? ;)
Dartford Crossing
Well it was free when I went though it at 9.00 last night - which is my lame link to bore you all with my TRIP TO FRANCE.
Yes everybody, I've been on a TRIP TO FRANCE. Set off last Tuesday evening having changed back to stock cans as a) I didn't fancy that BOOM for 2000 miles and b) I didn't trust the Blue Flames not to fall to bits. Three cans, three identical failures - I WILL be having words with them! I put a two litre container of unleaded in my throwover - didn't need it but nice to know it was there. The only Joy Pump (see link elsewhere) was in my leathers Cupa.
First day saw recurrence of my foot/ankle problem, so had to do the whole trip in trainers. This showed up two things: thank you Mr Honda for a fabulously torquey V-twin to keep gear changing to a minimum and boo hiss, Mr Honda, for a totally agricultural gearbox.
Anyway, disposed of boring northern France in a day. Maybe I'm getting complacent, cos boring means bullet straight roads and a 110 mph cruise. Funnily enough I don't find French speed limits difficult to adhere to - but that's maybe cos they're in kph and my speedo's in mph
Further south things get much more interesting. South of Clermont Ferrand, from the Auvergne across the Forez through Le Puy and on to Montelimar is a route I can recommend to anyone. Smooth, twisty, swoopy, empty. Great Fun. After that I was on home territory, through the wicked but slightly intimidating Gorges de Ste. May and on to the gite at Chauvac - http://www.abercon.co.uk/vtr1000/gallery/1209.jpg
The Storm loves smooth curves but gets a bit unruly on poxy surfaces. It also seems to work well at about 80% capacity but push it much harder and it feels a bit loose. Anyway spent the next few days on great local roads, discovering lean angles I didn't know existed!
One bummer was dealing with the Gendarmerie. I am now 90 euros lighter after being waved down for sraight lining an S bend and crossing the white line - no traffic and a clear view. Our cops at home have a nice line in sarcasm but these boys were arrogant beyond belief. Must be the gun as chipolata substitute or something.
They kept demanding my 'papers' and being thoroughly obnoxious. Avoid like the plague.
To add insult to injury, I later came back from lunch to be told by a passer-by that the Storm had been knocked over by a woman in the 4x4 I had parked behind. A gendarme had seen the whole thing and picked the bike up. I asked him if he had taken her details and he said no and started demanding MY papers. Whispering "va tu faire encoulee" under my breath I buggered off before I ended up in the slammer.
The journey back to Blighty was a mix of twisties and straight road blats and included getting caught in an almighty thunderstorm. I had intended to stop an extra night but couldn't be arsed so drove straight through Tuesday - over 600 miles.
So what have I learned? That the Storm is an absolutely awesome machine. It is comfortable enough to tour (I'm 6'2"), eating the miles. Yet when you want back road fun its a whole bundle of laughs. Yes it drank loads but finding filling stations wasn't too much of an issue and would be less so with the 19 litre tank. I have a Carte Bleue, which means I can use automatic stations - they don't take Visa. I did eventually get a numb right hand and no Pete that wasn't cos I was on my own for a week
More and more I can't imagine what I could change to. The Mille looks nice but I'm not sure it would be comfortable for 6 hours at a stretch. I had looked at bigger tourers like ZZRs or Blackbirds but they're a bit lardy and how often do you need that touring potential? Doing it on a 600? Forget it!
So looks like the Storm is here to stay. In fact I may just take it over on another TRIP TO FRANCE in a few weeks. Think I'll get a gel-seat before then - ooh me elbow grapes!
Yes everybody, I've been on a TRIP TO FRANCE. Set off last Tuesday evening having changed back to stock cans as a) I didn't fancy that BOOM for 2000 miles and b) I didn't trust the Blue Flames not to fall to bits. Three cans, three identical failures - I WILL be having words with them! I put a two litre container of unleaded in my throwover - didn't need it but nice to know it was there. The only Joy Pump (see link elsewhere) was in my leathers Cupa.
First day saw recurrence of my foot/ankle problem, so had to do the whole trip in trainers. This showed up two things: thank you Mr Honda for a fabulously torquey V-twin to keep gear changing to a minimum and boo hiss, Mr Honda, for a totally agricultural gearbox.
Anyway, disposed of boring northern France in a day. Maybe I'm getting complacent, cos boring means bullet straight roads and a 110 mph cruise. Funnily enough I don't find French speed limits difficult to adhere to - but that's maybe cos they're in kph and my speedo's in mph
Further south things get much more interesting. South of Clermont Ferrand, from the Auvergne across the Forez through Le Puy and on to Montelimar is a route I can recommend to anyone. Smooth, twisty, swoopy, empty. Great Fun. After that I was on home territory, through the wicked but slightly intimidating Gorges de Ste. May and on to the gite at Chauvac - http://www.abercon.co.uk/vtr1000/gallery/1209.jpg
The Storm loves smooth curves but gets a bit unruly on poxy surfaces. It also seems to work well at about 80% capacity but push it much harder and it feels a bit loose. Anyway spent the next few days on great local roads, discovering lean angles I didn't know existed!
One bummer was dealing with the Gendarmerie. I am now 90 euros lighter after being waved down for sraight lining an S bend and crossing the white line - no traffic and a clear view. Our cops at home have a nice line in sarcasm but these boys were arrogant beyond belief. Must be the gun as chipolata substitute or something.
They kept demanding my 'papers' and being thoroughly obnoxious. Avoid like the plague.To add insult to injury, I later came back from lunch to be told by a passer-by that the Storm had been knocked over by a woman in the 4x4 I had parked behind. A gendarme had seen the whole thing and picked the bike up. I asked him if he had taken her details and he said no and started demanding MY papers. Whispering "va tu faire encoulee" under my breath I buggered off before I ended up in the slammer.
The journey back to Blighty was a mix of twisties and straight road blats and included getting caught in an almighty thunderstorm. I had intended to stop an extra night but couldn't be arsed so drove straight through Tuesday - over 600 miles.
So what have I learned? That the Storm is an absolutely awesome machine. It is comfortable enough to tour (I'm 6'2"), eating the miles. Yet when you want back road fun its a whole bundle of laughs. Yes it drank loads but finding filling stations wasn't too much of an issue and would be less so with the 19 litre tank. I have a Carte Bleue, which means I can use automatic stations - they don't take Visa. I did eventually get a numb right hand and no Pete that wasn't cos I was on my own for a week
More and more I can't imagine what I could change to. The Mille looks nice but I'm not sure it would be comfortable for 6 hours at a stretch. I had looked at bigger tourers like ZZRs or Blackbirds but they're a bit lardy and how often do you need that touring potential? Doing it on a 600? Forget it!
So looks like the Storm is here to stay. In fact I may just take it over on another TRIP TO FRANCE in a few weeks. Think I'll get a gel-seat before then - ooh me elbow grapes!
Well Simon T,
You didn't bore me, I found you trip very interesting, even more so, when at the end you said you thought the Storm still to be the most suitable bike for the job
The whole trip (well apart from the 90 euro expenditure, the woman driving the 4x4 and the thunderstorm) sounded fantastic,
well done mate
Chris.
You didn't bore me, I found you trip very interesting, even more so, when at the end you said you thought the Storm still to be the most suitable bike for the job
The whole trip (well apart from the 90 euro expenditure, the woman driving the 4x4 and the thunderstorm) sounded fantastic, well done mate
Chris.
As Chris said, well done on that. A fair old slog.
I'm looking around for my summer road trip... I must say. Ireland is looking to bethe place to go. I've a conference to organise there for later this year. Ideal excuse to run over on the bike and do some "research"
If I do, it'll be a solo trip too, so if anyone wants to tag along.. we'll talk about it if gets that far.
I'm looking around for my summer road trip... I must say. Ireland is looking to bethe place to go. I've a conference to organise there for later this year. Ideal excuse to run over on the bike and do some "research"
If I do, it'll be a solo trip too, so if anyone wants to tag along.. we'll talk about it if gets that far.
By the way, the gite will shortly be available to a 'select few' who are looking for quiet classic French country living, beautiful landscape and wicked roads. All mod cons, including garaging. Rates will be very competitive as this isn't really a commercial proposition, I'm mainly looking to cover the costs of maintaining the place.
email me at todds@toddfrog.wanadoo.co.uk if you're interested or you know anyone else who might be.
For non-bikers, there is walking, mountain biking, climbing, wildlife, hang gliding, lakes and gorges, food and history. Not really for party animals though. I'm in the process of trying to put a web-site together but I'm technically illiterate.
email me at todds@toddfrog.wanadoo.co.uk if you're interested or you know anyone else who might be.
For non-bikers, there is walking, mountain biking, climbing, wildlife, hang gliding, lakes and gorges, food and history. Not really for party animals though. I'm in the process of trying to put a web-site together but I'm technically illiterate.
-
barnstormer
- Posts: 15
- Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2003 12:44 am
- Location: marlbrough,wilts
Simon you lucky bast**d . Enjoyed your story.I'd always heared France could be a bit scarce on petrol stations.Think my long trip is going to have to be Scotland for a few days with the good lady 
She don't do fast very well, don't do corners very well and now shes got an intercom so she won't even do quiet well
Only joking darlin if your reading this.
. Enjoyed your story.I'd always heared France could be a bit scarce on petrol stations.Think my long trip is going to have to be Scotland for a few days with the good lady She don't do fast very well, don't do corners very well and now shes got an intercom so she won't even do quiet well
Only joking darlin if your reading this.
go on then,get on the back and hold tight
Simon,
You had me sweeping round those corners in my seat, I enjoyed that,
I am still in the process of converting my outbuilding it to a holiday let ( I have been promised the plans by August).
I thought of setting up a web page myself but whilst looking through the internet I came across a holiday let site titled http://www.holiday-rentals.com they seem to know their stuff so I plan to try them.
Cheers
A.M.
ps dont hold your breath waiting for a reply from B Flame.
You had me sweeping round those corners in my seat, I enjoyed that,
I am still in the process of converting my outbuilding it to a holiday let ( I have been promised the plans by August).
I thought of setting up a web page myself but whilst looking through the internet I came across a holiday let site titled http://www.holiday-rentals.com they seem to know their stuff so I plan to try them.
Cheers
A.M.
ps dont hold your breath waiting for a reply from B Flame.
Common sense ain't all that common!