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sw france camping trail ride
I recently came back from a week in france with a group from adv and have done a ride report, so here goes
sw france ramblings. The plan was simple catch a ferry from Ireland, ride down to cubas cheviex, ride my bike for 4 days on proper offroad, loaded with my camping gear and enjoy. Simple right? The first hurdle was the ferrys we have two companys who normally sail direct, usually on alternate days, not this time either Thursday or Saturday. As we were meeting on the Sunday I chose the tight on time option as my holiday leave is kind of tight this year. To add to this our forman at where I�ve worked for the last 20 years was having a retirement party on Friday night. so saturday morning with a pounding headache I headed the 180 miles in the lashing rain to rosslare. I had decided on changing to a proper full fat knobbly rear tyre once the 650ish miles were behind me, I looked proper hard core. http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12001.jpg anyhow, arrived with plenty of time to spare and was sent to board straight away, at least I was out of the rain. After a fitful 20 hours trying to sleep in the cheapskates lounge (another �140 for cabin)I reckon the room was bolted to the top of the ships engine, it rattled and vibrated all night. The ship was late docking into Cherbourg and to compound matters the trucks had to be removed first as the bikes and a few cars were safely tucked away in the keel, safe from pirates? http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12006.jpg So it was nearly 3 when I hit the road. the garmin 60 was supposed to steer me around the tolls and major towns, and of coarse warn me of cameras, it failed on all counts, i got stung for $11.50 around le mans thought it did speed me through. just south of there i decided to join the n road system and dropped off the peage network, confronted with a closed kiosk and vending machine I found i had fumbled my ticket. The gap in the barrier looked doable, i eased through, bloody hell the alarms went off, the camera swivelled to have a gawk at me, I glanced at the driver behind who was laughing and gesticulating in a straight line with his hands, what the hell! time to gas it up!. It was a hard 460 miles not too hot, a slight bit of rain. Really good travelling weather. Had my picky taken at least twice at least they were forward facing cameras. It was about 10ish when I reached the rv. The resturant on site fixed me a bit of dinner, I was fit for anything at this stage, certainly ready for my tent. Group shot before the off http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12010.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12008.jpg The first day on the trails, Monday, got up early bunged the bike on a rock and slipped on a mitas 02, packed the tent etc away and organised what I needed on the trails. It was all ready starting to warm up. My riding group, �The fast/hard�, Charles the leader, Brendan, Fiona, Phil, Seamus. It was mostly ktm 690�s a 450 and a wr250 in our group. We were away about 9.30ish after brekky and straight away into the trails, nothing too difficult, there were 2 river crossings, proper ones, unfortunately the little yam was dropped and Fiona doggedly lifted it out and trudged it across. http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12050.jpg ] Brendon showing how it�s done http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12045.jpg at least It wasn�t too hard to start and on we went. Along the trail we came to a rather technical section and as the other group �easy� had a gs1200 ridden by the American, we closed the trail and left a note. There was a hill climb along the route, not part of it, and yes i chickened out, the tenere had a long journey ahead, i had no desire to add to its damage, bloody hell even Fiona give it a go!, no one cleaned it tho. http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12035.jpg We stopped off for a four course lunch which was superb and continued on the often challenging trail to the camp at Sarlat. I live for days like this!, good friends, weather, food and awesome trails A few more http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12014.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12019.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12016.jpg .. |
Envious !
Looks like a fantastic trip, thanks for sharing !!
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good report been reading it on adv and last years.will be there in five weeks time portsmouth to bilbao calling in to rocamador and sarlat on the way to cean. we are thinking of going there next year, no off roading this year one of are members is on a fazer 1000, but me and the gs might go looking for a few lanes one afternoon
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Glad you enjoyed the ride out(I was due to go too but family arrived)...
Not bad here is it? :) . |
Nice one, wish I could have made it.
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Looks like a hoot.
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As Jimmy Cricket would say, there's more! (ulster humour) We awoke to fabulous weather on the Tuesday morning, so we kitted up and headed off for a much needed breakfast, only the one-way system in Sarlat caught a couple of our group out so it took a little time to hit the trails. we had the tricky rooty ladder climb to do, no hassle at all!. A far cry from the slippery problems of last year, thought there was a more pronounced gully at the top. I know the other group had to work at getting jethrodog and mighty GS mothership through, so fair dues they were right on our tail!. The trail goes through the house, near L Ouysee http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12075.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12076.jpg We joined forces with the other group for grand cafe olay at Souillac before the push to Ramadour (I�ve vistited France at least a dozen times and never felt the need to go there!, until last years trail trip, now this is the third time being there, apparently it�s the next most visited place in france after the tower thing in Paris), there is some steep trails leading into the valley, not really technical just potentially dangerous, a sizeable drop if you get it wrong! Anyhow a fine lunch was had despite the touristy location. Unfortunately Phil, roast-beof had to return home. On the road into the valley we saw a large bird, no idea what it was, vulture/ eagle. It was semi tame, a couple of ankle chains (classy sort) bloody hell could it nip! I was glad I had my gloves on! Wahey I�ve pulled a bird in france! http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12104.jpg Magnon, showing us some trials skills dropping into the valley trail http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12093.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12097.jpg Last year the climb out of the valley beat me, I had to receive assistance to make the climb (in fairness I was carrying a new tyre that would have made the difference, if it had been fitted, purchased that morning, enduro excuse no.348) no such problems this time, we all romped up like it was a flat road. Unfortunately Charles bike was starting to fade a little, intermittedly the power would just drop off, earlier a branch had got rammed in between the frame and tank so we started there, stripping the loom we quickly repaired a frayed wire on the 690, not sure what it was for just, the bodged repair did the trick and we retired to St Cere for the night http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12108.jpg After my usual tea of casolote i had a look around the bike, ****** a flat in the rear, so in with the spare tube. Now i found a bigger problem, my LC4 cushdrive bearing had started to collapse only one thing to do, ignore it! At least until it was knackered completely! Tidy camp, newer tent for me http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12109.jpg |
NIce trip! Nice report too!
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:walk:stotic looks like a cracker wee stroll about the france area:icon_cheers:
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I goes on......
It was definitely thunder that woke me up about 5ish then the rain hammered down, no problems with dust today I guess, so I snuggle down for some more zzzz�s, about seven we Started to gather up for the day, breakfast was needed so we popped to the nearest coffee shop while a few of the lads went in search of waterproofs so off we went. The trails were slippery than a slippy thing Typical enduro riders, always riding too close together, a single hiccup and we are all stuck, if we were racing we would be using the faller for grip, this adventure lark is a lot more civilised thats for sure http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12115.jpg We were now climbing a forest road, branches, roots and rocks are strewn across the trail. We are moving along nicely then all of a sudden Fiona who is in front of me suddenly veers straight over the edge of the terrace disappearing from view I dump the tenere and scramble down the hillside, weirdly Fiona is kind of sitting on the bike which is on its side with the wheel facing up towards the trail. Fiona and the little Yamaha were perched on a pile of cut branches, miraculously she was fine, a little help was needed to get off the bike. Seamus was still on the trail about 12 foot above, he called stop! Bernard stop! You know what you need to do! I think for a moment going through my thoughts, ACT (asses communicate treat) he snapped me out of my thoughts with GET YOUR CAMERA OUT! The other group had now caught up and helped with the recovery So here�s a few pictures http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12123.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12126.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12127.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12128.jpg Now onto the baby head trail, the track wound down the mountainside with many switch backs, a complete trial fest on slippery loose rocks the size of well- baby�s heads. Certainly a good work out on heavy luggage carrying bikes http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...12150-Copy.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...12143-Copy.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...12136-Copy.jpg We stopped off in Beaulieu Sur Dordogne for a fantastic lunch with silver service in a 4 star restaurant, we piled our riding gear in a mound in the hallway, we�re not savages you know. Yes Brendan, I�m not worthy http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12153.jpg So we continued on, we came to a long climbing trail which is not unlike the Alti badi trail in wales , not impossible, just quite slippery. yes the tenere had a nap on the trail a couple of times, thankfully Seamus failed to master my camera so as it goes- no pics so it never happened! Here�s one �rest� http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12166.jpg The never say quit Fiona http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12161.jpg so we headed to the camp at Lissac Sur Couzeon the banks of Lac Du Causse a really beautiful place. I unwound with a glass of wine watching the rowers being shouted at as they trained on the lake, blissful! |
Amazing fun and pics, thanks!!!!
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Yet another bit..... Well the final day on the trails began kind of damp with more early rain, so again the gear was packed damp. So on for coffee and croissants. Jethrodog decided to hit the road for home in germany he had a good spin ahead of him on the mighty gs, no bike for the trails though and really fair dues for giving it a try. http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12182.jpg Overgrown? http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12191.jpg Happy trails http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12193.jpg The two groups teed off together unfortunately the bigger the group the lower the speed and after a while it was clear we need to split, so on we went the trails were flowing though rather slippery. The track followed the La Vasere it was rather technical in places with plenty of loose rocks and exposed roots to contend with so a bike or two was dropped thankfully no harm done. We had known it was going to be a long day so we had a lunch on the run resting on pleasant bridge the only thing is the weather had decided to to up the slippyness with more rain ho hum. http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12196.jpg The rightway http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12201.jpg The grand randonee route we were on for some reason has a rather large slippery rock on the trail and to make it more interesting it�s slimy green surface is topped up by being beside a fast flowing river, so no run up, decent drop into what looked like a washing machine, even if I was on my gasser I don�t think I could have cleaned the obstacle. one by one we were manhandled over, I dropped the ten a couple of times as even a steady footing was impossable, it did appear I was struck down from a bout of tourettes. So on we went Fiona thinking WTF? http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12207.jpg Playing catcher http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...208-Copy-1.jpg Many pics of the lubed rock http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12209.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12212-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12213-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12214-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12215.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12216-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12219-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12225.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12226-1.jpg |
On it goes. a couple of muddy sections had to be traversd then we had the river to cross Charles dove on in, bloody hell it was deep and fast flowing due to the recent precipitation, so as we had a bridge nearby. a narrow pedestrian bridge, why not use it, only thing is it is a rickety old thing, the down bit ends a foot above the upward part of the bank, a tree to the left, a rock to the right, and a fair climb, what�s not to like? So Fiona went first no probs one by one we crossed, I had to remove my bags as the down slope hand rails were not wide enough for my girth. an aggressive burst at the bottom and on we go. Mudfest http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12236-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12237-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12248-1.jpg Magnon braves the river http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12254-1.jpg Check out the bridge repair, it visibly dropped when Brendan and the 690 started down the ramp, eek http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12262-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12267-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12268.jpg The path certainly got more technical with some rather interesting challenges, certainly a great end to fantastic 4 days, I had hoped for a fifth day on a loop circuit like last year as it�s a different ride without luggage though not to be. Mega trail to finish with plus the weather was turning good! http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12277-1.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12281.jpg http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...nce12286-1.jpg The Friday morning I had a plan to ride to a mates house on the coast as my return sailing was not until Sunday so I went to change the rear tyre to my �road� (knackered mich desert), bloody hell the cush bearing was really knackered now. So a quick check on the internet showed an early sailing was on that evening and as the bearing is double roller jobbie not something a supplier would keep. A phone call to my friend for a rain check (I think I�ve strained our friendship) anyhow my plan was a hard 8hours to do the 460 miles at least i had a couple of vans (carrying ktm�s) behind to help if need be. Thanks lads! http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z...rance12293.jpg Yep I kept it lit up the country, the knobblies were certainly humming on the mainly wet tar, I secured the sprocket to the spokes with cable ties as the cush had began to move away from the wheel. Anyhow I made it with time to spare, only i was 2 days early, thankfully they accommodated me and as they say I was home on a boat� happy days! |
Stoic...
Try www.wikiloc.com for some trails in Spain.... There's also a massive off road enduro place somewhere near Toulouse but I can't recall the name at present.... :) . |
Thanks Ohlins,
thankfully i have plenty of trails to do on my garmin, currently i'm in Sort and have done more than 500miles so far. i'm heading back towards Tarbes towards the weekend, need to be in cherbourg for wednesday evening got pulled by a Guarda Civil in a 4x4, jeez just cos i nearly run into him while drifting around a gravelly bend on a mountain trail, thankfully the Irish card was played and worked If we ever have an XT meet down here it could be either carnage or awesome, no end of great roads and trails bernard |
looks like some slippery off roading, :bravo:
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