Here are a few memories of my recent 1386 mile weekend trip to Brittany.
FRIDAY:Arrived at Cherbourg mid Friday afternoon after a very smooth crossing from Poole, which given the weather the day and night before, was a huge surprise (and relief). Blatted down to Avranches and then headed to
Mont St. Michel. Parking attendant wanted 5euro parking for everyone, except me on a bike!
After the Mont, got onto the coast road and basically hugged the coast as close as possible. Decided to have a picnic (took a whole pannier full of food, saves going to cafes and restaurants.
Headed down this little "road"...
and had late lunch at the end, which was a lot further than it looks. This was my fist ever planned "off road" excursion in 32 years of riding!
As I said, following the coastal road, using maps and Garmin.
Sometimes I didn't trust Garmin...... "carry on for 300 meters" ........
Nice Church, so photo opportunity... no idea exactly where this is, north of St.Malo somewhere.
I was amazed at the sheer number of deserted beaches I found....
even a private island (no use for biking though!)
Decided to stop and have a chillout, beer and picnic again on my own deserted beach..... and watched the sun go down.
Then headed off to Hotel for the first night.
SATURDAYDisaster strikes!
Because I'd arrived late at the hotel and didn't want to disturb anyone, I hit the kill switch on the way into the carpark (this is relevant).
Overnight it has been raining heavily overnight, and the carpark is a skating rink. Bike won't start, flat battery. Flat as a flat thing that has been run over. After 3 hours eventually trace the "fault" to a broken clutch cutout switch which was shorting the battery, so it ran down overnight. Disconnected the switch using the time old fashhioned snips method.
Managed to talk/persaude two French chaps into pushing the bike to bump start it. So there we are, pushing this bike up and down the carpark, getting all sweaty and frustrated. Ever tried pushing a twin on a slippery wet road? All that happens is the backwheel stops turning and you slide. (now you're all thinking "Kill switch" aren't you?.) wrong.
After 30 minutes of this I suddenly remembered that I'd been getting low on fuel as I neared the hotel, expecting the bike to drop onto reserve at any time, but it didn't. Well actually it did, at the same time I hit the kill switch on entering the carpark. I casually switched the fuel over to reserve, waited and "ummed" and "ahhed", said "lets give it one more go and see what happens."
Bike fires up. Sorted. Merci beaucoup monsieurs!
Next problem, still got a flat battery, but feck all fuel, so have to go into "find a fuel station with a slope" mode. As expected, Garmin is of no help, but I do find one eventually and fill up, bump the bike again and set off. This has cost me half a day of riding. Bugger.
I head out to Fort Latte ...
from where you can see the lighthouse at Cap Frehel. Garmin say 3 hours to get there .....
So 15 minutes later I arrive..... stoopid machine.
Heading West again, more empty beaches....
And at the end of the day, I ended up staying here.
SUNDAYOriginally intended to be in Brest at this point, so I could visit the Pointe du Raz, but because of lost time yesterday, headed straight there, making an early departure. On the road by ungodley o'clock, saw me on the D785. Probably one of the best roads I have ever ridden on. 60+ miles of swooping, twisting, climbing and turning. Fantastic views. You got to do it guys!
En route, yet another empty beach ....
Stopped at Pleyben for breakfast and a chill out ....
... before arriving at the Pointe Du Raz. Usually this place is wild with huge waves, sometimes breaking over the lighthouses you can see, but not today.
Pointe Du Raz...
Stayed a while here (Raz) soaking up the sunshine, having a meal out and generally kicking back in the sun. Nice way to spend most of a Sunday methinks.
But eventually had to leave and headed south along the coast road to Vannes for my last overnight stop. Got more photos of this bit, but they are similiar (i.e. beaches) to the ealier ones, so not going to bore you.
MONDAYGot up early and headed North East to the beaches at Normandy, or that general area at least.
Went through Bayeaux (of the Tapestry fame), saw this nice Abbey.
And on to the beach at Arromanche, where the floating harbour was constructed for the landings. Didn't stay long because a/ had a ferry to catch within 2 hours,
b/ 3 coach loads of American tourists arrived and took over the place. Don't have a problem with that as such, but they were a bit "loud". Anyway, last piccy, beach at Arromanche.
Got to the ferry, back into UK at 19:30, back home in Peterborough at 22:30, not got wet at all.
Perfect 4 days (battery aside), riding, chillin, good weather.
Total mileage from Peterborough and back was 1386. Average fuel consumption was 44.3 mpg.
Can't complain.
Hope you enjoyed the trip with me.
mike.
