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Thanks Mads, good work.
Me and Radar have been working on a plan, he will post all the details later on this evening.
In short it requires 7 days holiday and going through France
We would be hard pressed to do Folkestone to Tarbes in a day.
A stop half way would get us to Tarbes Sunday afternoon
We would be hard pressed to do Folkestone to Tarbes in a day.
A stop half way would get us to Tarbes Sunday afternoon
Wimp!
I recall us doing Luxembourg to Birmingham in one day!
To paraphrase Muhammed Ali….
I’ll beat you so bad you’ll need a shoehorn to put your helmet on.
But you are right, I dont think everyone will be keen on a 700mile one day stint.
OK folks, Ses and I had a inpromptu get together this afternoon and have come up with this plan:
Outward Leg:
Friday June 21st:
14:00 – 18:00 Ride to Portsmouth – 160 miles (from Birmingham)
22:00 – Catch Ferry to Caen – Kip on ferry. Cabins are available (Cost for 6 bikes and 2 cabins [1 4b/1 2b] £1065 or £177.50pp)Saturday June 22nd:
06:45 – Arrive at Caen
06:45 – 09:45 Ride to LeMans – 104 miles (264 total)
09:45 -12:00 Fuel/Food/Phot op in Lemans12:00 – 16:00 Ride to La Rochelle – 175 miles (439 total)
Evening in La Rochelle, Hotel #1 – Check out this beautiful and historic town, has castles and some other stunning buildings and of a course a beach.
Hotel here overnight, get a meal and enjoy a few cool beersSunday June 23rd
09:30 Leave La Rochelle
09:30 – 11:30 head for Bordeaux – 115 miles (554 total)
11:30 – 13:30 Fuel/Food/Chill and act like tourists13:30 Leave Bordeaux
13:30 – 17:30 Bordeaux to Tarbes – 156 miles (710 total)Check in to the accomodation that Champs found (or similar).
Dump off the kit, squabble about who has what bed…not if there are any balconies – they are mine!!
Head into town for some grub and a few beersMonday 24th – Loop #1 circa 200 miles
Tuesday 25th – Loop #2 circa 200 miles
Wednesday 26th – Loop #3 circa 200 miles
Thursday 27th – Loop #4 circa 200 miles
Friday 28th – Loop #5 circa 200 milesThis gives five good days riding…we can get this detailed up later. Circa 1000 miles of fun (1710 total)
Homeward Bound
Saturday June 29th
09:30 – Leave Tarbes having enjoyed a relax last breakfast etc
09:30 – 17:30 Ride to St.Nazaire, broken up into 2/3 stints for food/fuel adhoc enroute 410 miles (2120 total)Overnight halt in St.Nazaire…Hotel #2
Sunday June 30th
08:30 – 09:30 Up/brekky check out of hotel
09:30 – 15:00 Check out St.Nazaire…notably the amazingly intact U boat pens and French sub Espadaon15:00 – 17:00 Ride to Fougeres – 110 miles (2230 total)
Overnight halt in Fougeres….Hotel #3 find a decent resturant/bar
Monday July 1st
09:30 leave hotel after a relaxed breakfast
09:30 – 11:30 Ride to Caen – 110 miles (2340 total)14:00 – 19:15 Ferry to Portsmouth
Overnight halt in Portsmouth, Hotel #4
Tuesday July 2nd
09:30 – 13:30 Return to the midlands – 160 miles (2500 total)
So a quick summary
7 days holiday needed.
4 hotels (circa £40pp per night – including meal/some drinks?) – £160pp + £100 per person for the chalet in Tarbes = £260pp accom
5 days riding in the Pyrennes
1 beach resort checked out
1 U boat pen checked out
2500 miles covered (62.5 gallons of fuel @40mpg)So costs per person:
£177.50 – Ferry with cabins
£160.00 – 4 nights in hotels with basic meal
£100.00 – Chalet in Tarbes
£400.00 – Fuel – approx
£837.50 per person total, plus tolls and sundry cost in the dayOverall we are looking at £1000-1200 being realistic.
This looks a relaxed, flexible, affordable and above fun schedule.
Sound ok?
Holiday provisionally approved. Time to start booking ferries and hotels now folks and confirm the final line up
Last week I did Portsmouth to Caen and went to St Nazaire twice, so if I can be of help let me know!
It’s about 3-4 hours to St Nazaire from Caen and there are 4 well-marked speed cameras on the route. St Nazaire has a decent sea front (with a great creperie) but I prefer Le Croisic which is smaller, more rugged and rocky.
I have been to La Rochelle and Bordeaux a few times too in the last few years, both lovely places. I’m not keen on Le Mans but I didn’t get to see the motor museum when I last went.
cant get the Mon/Tues off I’m afraid
. If everyone else can do the suggested trip then I am happy to drop out.I have booked the dates off in the plan, would be good to meet up ID and get some suggestions off you
cant get the Mon/Tues off I’m afraid
. If everyone else can do the suggested trip then I am happy to drop out.Lets see what we can do to work it in so you can come. Be good to have everybody along.
Can you make the return ferry from Bilbao to Portsmouth on the Saturday work Mads?
Whilst not an option for everyone due to not enough space, the ferry might have space for one? Group ride to Bilbao then we can wave you off?
Although not Ideal it’s an option to allow you to still see the Pyrenees.
Travel may work out more expensive but you save two days in food etc
. If everyone else can do the suggested trip then I am happy to drop out.- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.