I'm fortunate to have a property in Piedmont, so part of the reason for getting a 999 was to explore some of the local roads and passes. However it's not the ideal machine for getting there. I should set off on the 23:00 Newhaven Dieppe ferry on Friday, and have a room booked in Avallon (near Auxerre) for the Saturday night. I will aim to update this with pics, but this may exceed my technological capabilities. Stand by..................
Very much weather/fatigue dependent. Plan A is to get past Grenoble and up to Briancon on Sunday, and then explore a couple of passes on Monday and drop down into Italy. Col D'Agnel is I think still closed, Col de Larche which I have done before is open. One note for anyone planning a trip into/via France, for the fully vaccinated the 'swearing on your honour' and European Passenger Locator forms are now things of the past. All you need is the proof of (triple) vaccination. As alluded to above my tech skills are non existent, but I have downloaded the NHS App which links to proof of vaccination, but have also requested a hard copy dialling 911(Edit, nope that's the American number, I meant 119). Different places say apply at least 5 or 7 working days in advance. I've also ordered a couple of fuel pump relays..........
It’s easily doable in a day if you want. Northern France is boring, get to Reims via motorway and pick your route. I also have a property in Italy ( Bardi ) which is a lot further than your destination. Merthyr Tydfil to Bardi 14.5hours .
Italy? Bear With Me. !!!!! That’s going to seriously upset the bikes handling with a bear on the pillion Enjoy your ride out, it’s many years since I’ve had the opportunity to ride those roads
Didn’t look at my vaccine cert at the tunnel. Just stamped the passport. Duty free back again at the tunnel. Decent bottle of single malt for a friend here much appreciated and a free lunch today excellent.
Phone playing up but in short I made it. Saturday 280 miles to Avallon. Sunday 422 miles Lyon Grenoble Briancon. Short deviation to crest of Col du Galibier, then on to Briancon, col de L ‘Izoard, ColD’Agnel and on to Ceva.
Sorry for duplications. Old man trying to use technology he doesn’t understand. A bit like a monkey with a typewriter.
Absolutely humiliated by the locals on the passes. Threepeny bitting, running out of road, locking the back wheel. I could barely get around half of the hairpins. Bum and wrists surprisingly ok today neck and shoulders ache partly from trying to look up and partly from slightly heavy back pack.
Autoroute to Langres, stay Hotel De La Poste (secure parking) then Juras (my fave road), via Champignole and into Gex. Skip round Swiss Nazi Land via Villard, then head to Chamonix via Bonneville....7hrs (ish) (exc UK & Chunnel time)
