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My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:24 am
by JimboF650
Pics first - report to follow
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Waiting for the Chunnel
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L'Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Eloi - could see this on the hillside from the road, so went to have a look
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just fixed first (whilst riding) puncture at first attempt (never even taken the front wheel out before) - hot work, phew!
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Because of the puncture, only made it as far as Saint-Quentin. First municipal campsite (only 6 euros)
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Camp 2 at Dole - recommended by Norman (Old Geezer).
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Dole, stunning town.
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Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:29 am
by johnnyboxer
Beautiful
Great report, simplicity (thumbs)
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:30 am
by JimboF650
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:41 am
by JimboF650
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Mont Blanc
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Autun
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Soissons municipal campsite 7 euros
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Camp kitchen set-up, 2 stoves; Trangia burner and trivet, and Esbit 585 cookset (finally got round to getting one Vic) great set-up if you're in no rush.
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Soissons
About 1900 miles (the old bike didn't miss a beat - fan kicked in a few times)
Great trip, time to start planning another one!
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:44 am
by mondo traveller
Looks good, I have had many a good trip in France and can't understand why so many people 'knock' it, could spend many a weeek there camped and during the evening watch the often elderly locals play boule whilst drinking wine or pastis.
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:50 am
by Paul-S
Saint Quentin is a very clean campsite. We stopped there on the way back from the Stella in 2011
Nice report and pics Jim (thumbs)
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:51 am
by JimboF650
Loved it, set my sat-nav to avoid tolls and motorways - so it was 6 days of fab countryside (90,70,50). On the sunday I virtually had the roads all to myself.
Was going to ride back today, but did Soissons to Manchester yesterday - so now have the day free! :cheer:
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 7:56 am
by DanielS
Nice trip, and well done on fixing your first puncture ever! I bet that wasn't fun in the heat.
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:04 am
by pinball1008
Great report and photos, thank you for sharing them.
Re: My first trip abroad (France)
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:04 am
by JimboF650
Wasn't as difficult as I thought it might be (well practiced in bicycle punctures) think my tyres must be easier than some. Had taken levers, tube, puncture kit and compressor. Didn't get the valve through all the way, enough to get the compressor on. Was a bit wary for the rest of the day, but was still up the next day, and was fine the rest of the trip.
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