Author Topic: Trip to france (Read 3832 times)

tex · « **on:** 17 May 2017, 02:30:18 pm »

Me and two other bikes are of to le man's on Friday got digs about 1 hour drive from the track, any tips on driving in France appreciated, also anyone else on here going?

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 May 2017, 03:16:13 pm »

Plenty. Where are you staying and what port are you travelling from?

Stick to the limits in towns and villages. The 30 limit (50kmh) starts as soon as you pass the town sign (with the red border) and ends when you go past the end of town sign (same sign but with a black line through it.
Don't take the piss with the speed limits everywhere else. The Main roads have a 90kmh (55mph) limit. Enjoy the ride rather than trying to see how fast you can go.
Take a spare set of bulbs
Take a high viz vest (stick it under the seat)
Don't bother with the breathalysers as the fine for not having this is less than buying a set. The fine is €0.
Enjoy the N roads (green signs) and avoid the toll roads if you can.
Ride on the right
Keep a bloody good eye out for traffic emerging from side roads. The older Frenchies still believe they have priority and in many rural areas (and some towns) they still do. Basic rule, if there is no stop line on that junction, they have priority.
Don't drink and ride

Probably others I have forgotten for now.

robbo · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 May 2017, 03:24:11 pm »

Been to that circuit loads of times but usually camped. Just be careful if you like a beer as police are all over the track entrances/exits and the limit is lower than the UK. I could give you a good route if you didn't want to do the peage, providing you're travelling from Calais.
Enjoy, wish I was going, but planning to do the Bikers Classic at Spa next month instead.

Bretty · « **Reply #3 on:** 17 May 2017, 03:42:05 pm »

The 'priority right' thing is probably the trickiest thing. In some instances cars emerging from a minor road on your right, have priority to pull out in front of you as you travel down a normal major road with no obvious road markings.
Just give this a read and keep an eye out for yellow diamonds.
http://www.drive-france.com/faqs/get-your-priorities-right/

There are also roundabouts with similar odd rules. Priority coming on, but not once you are on the roundabout. just look for road markings.

Have a check, but I have heard before that when there are big bike events on at Le Mans, they have a free biking lane on some of the tolls.
Never experienced it myself but was having a good chat with the other bikers at the ferry terminal.

You'll have a great time! French roads are ace and French drivers seem to be totally switched on looking out for bikers and will often drive along the verge to allow you to pass!

You'll often get a big wave from oncoming bikers (instead of the UK/left hand driving nod).

If you want to be to the letter of the law.. you might have to buy some reflectors for your helmet, adapt headlight angle, breathalysers, spare bulbs, GB/euro number plates or sticker and a high viz. But check online.

tex · « **Reply #4 on:** 17 May 2017, 06:05:59 pm »

Thanks bb, got a euro pack of the net includes helmet stickers hi vis breatherliser, got spare bulbs , lol will try to drive on the right ☺

tex · « **Reply #5 on:** 17 May 2017, 06:10:38 pm »

Thanks robbo , I do like a beer but will not have any at the track and not to many at digs.we are going from calais I think it was n64 way but if you have a good back road route that would be great.

tex · « **Reply #6 on:** 17 May 2017, 06:12:53 pm »

Thanks Brett, I'll watch out for that, won't be going mad as my son's on the back, will check the link

robbo · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 May 2017, 07:01:12 pm »

Ok Tex,I'll pm you when I've had a quick look at the map.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #8 on:** 17 May 2017, 08:32:26 pm »

Where are you staying?

Both myself and BigMac have houses about an hour from Le Mans

tex · « **Reply #9 on:** 17 May 2017, 08:38:39 pm »

We are staying in mayenne is it near you?

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 May 2017, 08:48:36 pm »

Mayenne is the region we both have houses in. BigMac is about 10 miles east of the city of Mayenne near Ribay and mine is about 10 miles north near Ambriere-Les-Valee.
Some great roads round there. Alpes Manselle near to Alencon is good and so is Suise Normandy to the north
Depending how long you are there for, if you are looking for somewhere to eat on the sunday night,head to Bagnoles. Not much in Mayene city itseld.

robbo · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 May 2017, 09:01:27 pm »

Tex, pm for you.

tex · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 May 2017, 12:15:58 pm »

Thanks bb will ride in for food, got the route robbo will give it a go

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 May 2017, 12:40:29 pm »

Are you staying in Mayenne city or the region? If its the region, where?

locksmith · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 May 2017, 01:43:32 pm »

focme is bigmac still alive???

Bob, are there enough roads to keep me interested over a long weekend? Say staying in a nice little hotel somewhere in the middle?

Bretty · « **Reply #15 on:** 18 May 2017, 01:50:10 pm »

It must be worth exploring or cruising around The Seine river along the way? See a few Shatos (pronounce châteaux) and that.

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #16 on:** 18 May 2017, 01:58:40 pm »

Quote from: locksmith on 18 May 2017, 01:43:32 pm

focme is bigmac still alive???

Bob, are there enough roads to keep me interested over a long weekend? Say staying in a nice little hotel somewhere in the middle?

BigMac is alive and kicking. He doesn't get on here much but is often lurking around the faceache groups.

There is a great B&B 5 mins from BigMacs place which I can send you the contact details for if you want them. They have an apartment they let out and a couple of B&B rooms. Alternatively, next door to my place there is a Gite that is rented out by the owners. Theres not too many hotels around unless you head to Bagnoles-de-l'Orne or Domfront or into the cities but there are LOADS of decent roads round there to keep you occupied for weeks.
From my place in near to Ambrieres-Les-Vallees you have to travel 45-60 mins to get to a motorway and there's not a lot of dual carriageways around either. All good roads. Have a look the maps

locksmith · « **Reply #17 on:** 18 May 2017, 03:28:16 pm »

Nice one, I'll have a look at the links you sent

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #18 on:** 18 May 2017, 03:32:10 pm »

Depending when you are thinking of Andy, I may be out there and can show you some of the roads. I'm taking a bike over there next week to leave in my shed for when I am there. BigMac has an FZS he is planning to take to his place too.

locksmith · « **Reply #19 on:** 18 May 2017, 04:57:22 pm »

Sure, got a couple of pals and we havent got away for a couple of years now so long overdue for a bit of fun!

BBROWN1664 · « **Reply #20 on:** 18 May 2017, 05:00:31 pm »

If theres a few of you I would recommend the apartment that Pam and Dave have in the link I sent to you. 3 bedrooms and a sofa bed in the lounge. They are used to bikers too.

Alternatively, La Godfriere could be good but La Passoniere (my neighbours) would be too small.

tex · « **Reply #21 on:** 27 May 2017, 11:11:40 am »

Well we had a brilliant 4 days, got a bit of rain on the Friday , the rest was dry, brilliant french roads very courteous DRIVERS , we were right in the centre of the village ,the hotel had a nice restaurant so good food. Took different routes every day took it easy so no trouble. Thousands of bikes, like the way they stick there foot out instead of the nod we have adopted that over here. The racing was great especially the main event. Will be going back over this year for sure. Big question to get out the bike park as you had to show your logbook to exit a good idea when you think about it.

tex · « **Reply #22 on:** 27 May 2017, 11:12:40 am »

Outside

tex · « **Reply #23 on:** 27 May 2017, 11:14:13 am »

My son and son in law , both rossi fans

tex · « **Reply #24 on:** 27 May 2017, 11:15:35 am »

After a nice ride, scotch