Tankslap Euro 2019

[Blade]

Brexit. We will be working under different regulations after 29 March.

I think Kwacky mentioned that unless there is some agreement, then UK lawyers will no longer be able to act for you in the event of an accident in Europe.

Cheers Duke. I get that but seems strange Aviva are instigating this NOW before we even know if it will be an issue. Seems to me their making money out of a situation that may or may not happen.

[duke63]

My bike insurers have said i will need to inform them before i go away as they will need to notify the company that provides the cover.

Then they will decide if their is an additional charge. This is a current policy though.

[Blade]

In terms of dates are we looking at early June again? Wednesday 5th to Sunday 9th June?

You guys still looking at the above dates ?

[duke63]

Probably yes.

[Blade]

Cheers Duke Will check my availability, as it would be good to get a trip sorted and see some old faces as not been on a TS trip for years

[C00kiemonster]

When they changed your ferry bookings for this month did they offer a refund to, Cookie?

Hotels etc we can cancel usually if needs be but ferrys i don't know what their policy would likely be on this.

Yep full refund.

[Blade]

What is the plan for this guys?

[duke63]

On hold for me at the moment as I have no idea how the next few weeks will pan out for MiL. She starts her treatment tomorrow but it's not a cure, it will only be to stop her getting worse but we have been told it only works in about 30-40% of cases.

If things are not great then I will need to be at home to support the wife.

[Blade]

Understandable Duke, really hope the MIL is ok but 100% understand your decision and best wishes to your MiL.

Is the trip being reschedule, looks a good route???

[Kwacky]

Having been in a similar situation I know that everything can be put on hold, so it's perfectly understandable.

I need my French fix though

[Kwacky]

D6nuyz, Duke and Frankie are all safely aboard the ferry, sailing towards the mainland and scoffing cake.

Sadly I won't be joining them this year due to work commitments. Oh well, there's always next year I guess.

[Cav]

Glad to see Duke made it looks positive for the MiL

[Si.]

Have a fabulous time..... love Euro trips!

[D6Nutz]

.

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[D6Nutz]

Lunchtime.

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[duke63]

Wife insisted I went.

Mother in law is stable but it won’t get any better sadly. Only downhill from here.

Weather has been poor. Yesterday was good but today has been wet again.

We have seen some fabulous scenery and ridden some great roads but most of it was wet. Somewhere to return one day.

[D6Nutz]

au revoir France.

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[Rossgo]

Hope you guys are having a brill time away.

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[Kwacky]

Have a safe journey home

[C00kiemonster]

I got home last night. Good 4 days with some good friends.

No time to post on TS, so thought i'd do my writeup this morning.

Slightly different from my perspective as i'm already in France, so i bookend the tour with two solo travel days and meet them at their first stop usually. About 5hrs and 200 miles for me this year to get to Chartres. Great roads, but as with so many things this year - full of rain. It also fills in some of my areas of France i havent ridden yet. I avoid motorways, so twisty and fun in places, but wet.

Small but characterful hotel literally next to the big cathedral in Chartres. Very historic city with medieval defences set on a hill. Tons of architecture and culture. The boys stopped at Pegasus Bridge and a cafe on the way down so i was there first, so i checked in and had a wander. Nice. Good evening in Chartres - nice French restaurant and some beers

Next day the destination was Dijon - about 200 miles of riding, across the top of the Morvan national park which is beautiful. A stop next to the Loire for a long French lunch. Obligatory mad Frenchman in the bar who wanted to chat but 3 courses nom.

Then we left to head further East, weather starting to improve (the sun arrived!). Now i'd been tail end charlie at the back of the group (so i can do what i like and have a sat nav just in case too) but I was 3rd in the group. 2 mins away from the restaurant and I'm being flagged down by Jon who's at the back. What the feck does he want - is a strap lose on my luggage? No - my rear tyre is down to the canvass

Bit of swearing and then hit google maps. Luckily i know the names of French motorbike shops, so there is one 20 miles away and only just off route - head for that *carefully* and see what happens. On the way Duke spots a small motobike shop - try there - miserable Frenchman - too busy to help - fecker. Carry on and find what turns out to be a motorcycle dealer and workshop - brilliant place. Quick chat with the staff and which tyre would you like? Quick committee meeting with the boys and 45 mins later I'm rocking a new Michelin Power RS rear The bill was really good too - 160 euros fitted.

I'll let the other chaps discuss the lovely French lady who was waiting for her new bike

So off we go. Frankie tells me to go easy for the first 25 miles - new tyre and all that. Dry and sunny now. Ok - good point. How long did that last? 2 minutes - we hit the first proper dry and awesome twisties and we are off. I'm going steady mid pack trying to judge the rear - Frankie goes past and the chase is on. Fast flowing twisties and a lot of fun. I dont think this tyre needed bedding it - very impressive indeed and nicely worn in when we stop for fuel.

The rest of the day is glorious - so warm, how it should be. We get to Dijon (which is huge) and nice hotel - very modern and clean.

The parking for the hotel however turned out to be 10 mins across town - not ideal but how it is in some French cities. So we unload and go to take the bikes - cant find the entrance and we are all tired. Eventually we do and we have one ticket to park the 4 bikes. The slope into the car park is 45 degrees. Barrier opens, two bikes just about get through and then the barrier flies down and nearly knocks Jon and I off our bikes. Now we are stuck - against the barrier - 45 degree slope. Stuck on the brakes. No going backward - impossible with the slope. Jon managed to get his VFR on the stand and wedge it against the barrier - goes to find Duke (its a long way down) and brings back the ticket. Single use ticket FFS. So I have to get off the bike while holding the brake on a 45 degree slope in full leathers and heat. Jon bends the barrier up and it's only just high enough to get the bike under, so i have to crouch, while holding the brake and the bike at 45 degrees and roll it under. Sweat?

Then roll the bike down to a safe place, back up the slope and Duke has joined us - we have to detatch the topbox from Jons bike (as it's much taller) and do the same, then rebuild his bike then park. Jeeez.

Exhausting end to an adventurous day, but it is where the stories come from!

Off out for a wander and piccies - Stumbled across a fantastic pizza restaurant with wood fired oven. Fill our faces with food and beer.

Next day it's a debate where we go - weather is a big factor - we can go East to the Swiss border or West to explore Morvan. We chose East and the gorges near the border - beautiful but a very very wet day - some amazing scenery - would blow your mind in the dry with some of the roads, but still fun in the wet. I'm not a wet weather rider very often but it certainly gave me some more confidence in the wet. The Power RS is very impressive in the wet and you can feel it moving, but plenty of warning. We found a lovely restaurant / hotel in the middle of a gorge - quite posh too. I asked the manager if we could be served - bearing in mind we are all dripping wet in the middle of his posh restaurant, wets on etc etc. No problem, so hospitable. Bet the seating area needed a clean after we left!

Then a very wet ride back towards Dole on the way back to Dijon via another route. Dole was ok, but everywhere was shut for some reason, so no cake so we headed back. We were all cold and wet so back to Dijon. Early beers then into the city for an explore and more beers and food.

Following day was my last day - the boys had a long run back to Caen - 8 hours riding? So we went our separate ways at about 9:30. They got to Caen at about 7pm, I got home about 5pm.

Overall i did about 1450 kms in 4 days - bike was amazing - i love it. It does anything you throw at it and keeps up with most.

Bit flat today as i'm not riding, but i shall watch MotoGP and clean my kit and bike today - its filthy!

I'm sure more pics and stories will come after the boys get back today. I need another cuppa