Hi folks, With a bit of luck I might be doing a little European jaunt on my Enduro. I can pretty much go wherever I like in the alps or Pyrenees - I have a week to get there and back from the Uk (and don’t mind a hardcore 7-800 miles day at each end). Just wondered if anyone can recommend any good trails that are easy on the stock tyres (not knobblies!), and bearing in mind I’m very definitely not Simon Pavey! I’m tentatively thinking Dolomites. Had considered somewhere like Fort Jafferau in the French alps, but I think it might be too rocky for the big old Multistrada. I have a track record for dropping it when the going gets tricky...! Any suggestions for cool places that are off the beaten track will be most sincerely welcomed!
I'm off to the Alps on 12.9.19. I'm riding down near Thonon Les Bains first night (500+ miles from Coquelles), then start the Grande Alpes route. I overnight in Uvernet Fours, then down to Cannes and overnight in Provence following the route Napoleon. Then on with the route and up Alpe D'Huez and meet my mate in Le Puy En Velay. Take a look here: http://www.moveyouralps.com/route-des-grandes-alpes/itineraire/#dmdtab=oax-tab1&ipd=27537827 You can also download the routes from TomTom my drive as GPX files or if you have TT, load them straight to you Satnav. Good luck.
If riding trails off the beaten track is it wise to do this alone? Or are you riding with someone else? Just sayin'
I was going to suggest the Umbrail, just checked and the last unpaved section was surfaced in 2015! Dropped my GS a month back doing an unpaved road here, scuffed the left side head cover, I ‘just managed’ to pick the bike back up. Got the feeling the lane got traffic several times a month so could have had a long wait lol.
There are some great trails in the pyrenees. I would suggest having a look at previous 'Vince' details, as they will show a good number of trails. http://www.austinvince.com/the-vince Also some good ones in the Alps. I've done a few but can't recall where they were exactly, would need to check my satnav logs. Get yourself a detailed michelin map and then use google maps to check out all the small roads. Some links worth checking out: https://www.adventurebikerider.com/8-mountain-passes-alps/ https://www.mototrip-tours.com/blog/alps-and-dolomites/motorcycling-in-the-alps-guide/ https://www.mototrip-tours.com/blog/off-the-radar/ You could have a go at bits of the TET too: https://www.transeurotrail.org/ I'm not jealous, much
Thanks for all the replies folks, that's really appreciated! I'll have a look in more detail when I get home tonight. Funnily enough, I did the Umbrail pass years ago on a fuel-injected 900SS. Possibly about the most inappropriate bike for a loose surface. It was snowing and very wet, and the surface was awful, but it was good fun! I think the chances are I'll head to the Alps - last time I went I did the Grossglockner and then down into Italy. I got thwarted by monsoon-like rain in the Dolomites, so feel like I have some unfinished business there. Looking forward to checking out those links...
Tempted to do the Route des grand alpes, as I've not really done much riding in the French end of the Alps. Although I've heard petrol is now mega expensive in France - does anyone know what the price is at the moment? And yes, going on my own, so I won't be attempting anything too arduous. Having dropped my bike off-road in Dartmoor I can confidently say I was lucky to get away without hurting myself (although my wrist still isn't right), and I was only just able to pick the bike up on my own.
Yep, did that a couple of years back, with a couple of minor deviations, plus we skipped the very bottom bit (done it before). You need to be clear on whether you are doing the true route, or one of the alternatives. http://www.moveyouralps.com/route-des-grandes-alpes/en/itineraire/ http://www.moveyouralps.com/route-d...lyTranslatedLangus-5381&zc=8,6.66153,45.17653 When we did it two of the passes were gravel trails, but totally passable (trying to remember the names of them). I did it two up with luggage and my mate was on his trumpet 675. I have a feeling one or possibly both are now tarmac'd, as they were part of the tour de france route later on. There are so many great passes in this area, although some have some truly appalling road surfaces. Petrol is dearer than here, and has gone up a bit over the last couple of years. The real problem at the moment is the exchange rate though, as its hovering around 1:1.
Have done Route des Grand Alps a couple of times, a great couple of days from Albertville to just north of Nice, more if you want to go exploring off of that. Turn right towards Valberg some 45km north of Nice and then drop down to Castellane and the Gorge du Verdon, across to Mt Ventoux and onwards across the Rhone to the Cévennes before heading North again. A trip that I certainly wish to repeat yet again at some point.
Stayed near Lac du Verdun a few years ago and loved the area - always vowed to go there on the bike. Pity France is so big - such a drag to get to the good bits!
Dartmoor = NHS + Native Language English France = Less easy medical system to navigate that is not wholly English speaking You might be making a bit of a risky move - there's so much to see that doesn't involve maiming yourself or disabling your bike. But you are a grown-up and we don't want to go around advocating for a nanny-state, so crack on as you see fit. Post pictures!
Having spent a week in the French hospital system in late May/early June with sepis I can concur that there can be language barrier issues if you're not fluent. However, I found their care and service pretty damned good TBH. I was moved from a regional hospital to a large teaching hospital, the latter had younger doctors who wanted to practice both medicine and their English on me. Make sure that you have decent insurance that covers you for motorcycling (you might have an issue with an off-road accident, check policy carefully) as well as an EHIC card if they're still valid when you go (Brexit).
