Posted February 12, 201411 yr I've previously posted this stuff on another forum . . . but I thought I'd share some pics from last year's Margate 2 Monaco trip (the long way) we did on 50cc 'peds. I'm not sure if 'The Bar' is the right forum for this - or whether it should go in the 'Rideouts' bit. Apologies if I've posted in the wrong place. We went west rather than east so we could take in Paris, a trip around the Le Mans circuit (in the pouring rain) and break the trip with a day off at my place here in Limousin. In a very, very wet April 2012 we raised over £30,000 for Brad's Cancer Foundation doing John O' Groats to Land's End (please see: http://www.facebook.com/JOGLE4BRADS ) - we had so much fun, we HAD to do another. The route took us 1200 miles thru' some of the nicest French countryside. We had a bit of wet weather to start with, but once south of Limoges it was lovely and warm. My (blue) rider and (red) 'back up' bike - that wasn't used.
February 12, 201411 yr Author Margate Clock - on a very grey British JUNE morning!!! (Ignore the bigger bike on the left - he just popped down to see us off.) Then the short(ish) ride to the Ferry at Dover . . . First 'Tea and Cake' stop in France (still very cold - and this was June!!) The fountains at Abbeville . . . And the Abbey . . . The 'Arc De Triomphe' in Paris (which is a bit of a misnomer if you know anything about French military history ) We rode around it - anyone who's ever driven it will tell you - it's DANGEROUS! Just 'close your eyes' and go seems to be the best policy. Video here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=584064081626708
February 12, 201411 yr Author The Eiffel Tower . . . As you guys probably know, Paris traffic is MADNESS! The worst offenders aren't the car drivers tho' . . . it was the Maxi-scoot riders who happily cut anything up . . . we weren't impressed. The Palace of Versailles . . . with a couple of friendly Gendarmes. Look at that sky!!! Yes, we got wet . . . AGAIN!! I should probably apologise for the naff quality 'phone pics - a Go-Pro is required for next time . . . Paris again . . . but it looks like it could be (Marble Arch) London . . . Champs Elysees tho'. (Detective) Columbo's car . . . in a Paris showroom/museum . . . "Just one more thing..."
February 12, 201411 yr Author Si tried to buy this abandoned Simca . . . Dead plug . . . bloody 2 strokes eh? Tea stop . . . Very cool Porsche at Le Mans . . . BURNOUT!!! Rural France . . .
February 12, 201411 yr Author Castle battlements . . . When in France . . . SURRENDER!!! Really cool old Lincoln spotted in a layby . . . more tea too! Old town, complete with 'Norman era' wall . . . And . . . MORE TEA!! Friendly pigeon . . . Sat on the patio, having just arrived at my place - near Limoges - about halfway thru' the trip . . . Bit of maintenance on the 'day off' at my place . . . Busking/Jamming on my patio . . . the weather improved . . . Si, on my 70s Suzuki GT185 (still on our 'day off'.)
February 12, 201411 yr Author On our way again . . . it got warmer . . . Don't try this at home kids . . . French car graveyard . . . Carcasonne Castle/Cite . . . it's difficult to grasp the size/scale from just pics . . . At night . . . More later . . .
February 12, 201411 yr Moderator Fabulous photos. I have been around the arc, just look for a space between 2 cars and go. Dont look sideways. Been to Versailles, we used to stop on the way back from Le Mans at a youth hostel at Menton I think? Near Monet's museum but on the other bank of the Seine. Popped into the museum as he is one of my favorite artists. Great stuff and brought back loads of memories for me. Cheers.
February 12, 201411 yr Moderator Just thought. Its wasnt Menton where we stayed near Paris. Menton is where we stayed at the French/Italian border - near where they filmed the minis crossing the weir in the Italian job. We went from there along the coast stopping in Monaco for a baguette. Glorious sunshine but we had just come from Geneva were we went to the lake to see the water shooting up at the fountain thingie got caught in a thunderstorm and ended up in a place called St Die. Its amazing how some photos can bring back (almost) clear recollections.
February 12, 201411 yr Author Fabulous photos. I have been around the arc, just look for a space between 2 cars and go. Dont look sideways. Been to Versailles, we used to stop on the way back from Le Mans at a youth hostel at Menton I think? Near Monet's museum but on the other bank of the Seine. Popped into the museum as he is one of my favorite artists. Great stuff and brought back loads of memories for me. Cheers. Cool.
February 12, 201411 yr Author A few more . . . We finally hit the Med . . . So we stopped for a spot of sunbathing . . . Although one of our number hadn't quite grasped the concept . . . full riding gear!!! WTF?!!! Si and Kevo even took a dip . . . More later (if anyone's remotely interested.)
February 12, 201411 yr Moderator Keep them coming. Maybe your mate in full riding gear had experienced the mistrales. The wind on a bad day would sandblast a frame.
February 12, 201411 yr Author Keep them coming. Maybe your mate in full riding gear had experienced the mistrales. The wind on a bad day would sandblast a frame. LOL
February 12, 201411 yr Author Riding thru' Sete . . . Roman Arena at Arles . . . Complete with modern day 'Gladiator' re-enactments . . . And American tourists . . . View from the Maritime Alps (near Paul Ricard race circuit) - those Alps were tough on the baby 50s . . . The Mediterranean (again) . . . and tea (again) . . .
February 12, 201411 yr Author Riding thru' those Alps . . . St. Martine . . . It was the 'background' we were interested in (wink) French 'Micro Cars' are mad! NO LICENCE REQUIRED! (Google them!) Pizza Delivery Boy . . .
February 12, 201411 yr Author Last lot . . . More Med . . . We got caught up in an 'Oldtimers' Classic Car rally in Cannes . . . not many pics tho', I'm afraid . . . We made it! English/American food (and tea!) . . . in Monaco . . . The Monaco Grand Prix had been on the weekend before . . . Kevo on Pole Position . . . Me . . . on the podium . . . We did a couple of circuits of the GP track . . . on pole again . . . Video of circuit here: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=540191542680629&set=pb.540182312681552.-2207520000.1391600879.&type=3&permPage=1#!/photo.php?v=588671371165979&set=vb.540182312681552&type=2&theater That's all I have . . .
February 12, 201411 yr Great pics and a great adventure mate. Having never been outside of Britain and Ireland on the bike (I keep promising myself a trip) I love reading of these tales
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