Suzuki V-Strom (VStrom) Owners Club DL250, DL650, DL1000 & DL1050
Other Stuff => The Blue Oyster bar => Topic started by: Uchujin on June 16, 2025, 06:56:56
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Leaving on a no rush/no motorways/leisurely meander down to Chamonix with a mate on an old Enfield 500cc in about 10 days.
Camping or cheap hotels if it's raining/we feel a bit too tired.
Pretty sure I have everything covered bike/packing wise but.......
Anyone who has done this kind of ride (It'll be my first wrong side of the road trip) have any pointers/advice/things I might have forgotten/friendly suggestions?
Thanks in advance :)
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Go steady, have fun.....that's all I got.
Riding on the wrong side is straightforward, 2 minutes and you'll have it nailed.
Only slight issue I have is first thing in the morning when you start off, especially if your campsite/hotel is down a quiet road.
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Oh by the way if you go down to the South of France you'll miss Chamonix.. it's in the Alps :)
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I'm sure you've got all the usual gubbins (log book, MOT, insurance, licence etc) , breakdown cover with recovery is a great idea, headlight beam deflectors (if required), helmet stickers & CE gloves? The chances are you'll not see a Gendarme during your trip but they can be a bit arsey with all of the previously listed. At least they've given up on the breathalysers... Oh, you'll need a Hi-Viz vest too. Enjoy the trip, it's a great part of the world :thumb:
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Some useful info here on common road signage, especially for the smaller towns and villages if you are planning to avoid motorways.
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-in-europe/guide-to-french-road-signs-useful-phrases-for-your-road-trip/
Priorite a Droite does still exist, although not as common as it once was, so eyes right :).
Toilet Roll, a lot of French Campsites treat this item as optional and only provide it in the site shop, for a small comission you understand Monsieur.
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Simple tip while riding abroad to help you to be on the correct side of the road.
Just ensure your throttle hand follows the gutter kerb, at roundabout, junction and crossroads .
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All as above. If you can sacrifice some (often unnecessary) kit for comfort then do so. A bigger tent, proper inflatable mattress and a good sleeping bag. Food is usually available all day long at supermarkets but some village/town outlets might shut at midday so you can cut down on cooking.
Nearly all country roads are empty. France is big so try not to underestimate how far you get in a comfortable day's ride. Lots to get off and look at as you progress. I like the French idea of 'decorating' roundabouts; I've seen jet planes, flying saucer (with astronauts) and even an Exocet missile on some!
Enjoy!
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You might need a Crit'Air sticker if you're travellign through any of these places:
Aix-Marseille-Provence region
Bordeaux
Clermont-Ferrand
Grenoble
Lille
Lyon
Nice
Marseille
Montpellier
Paris
Reims
Rouen
Strasbourg
Saint-Etienne
Toulouse.
It might be a bit late to get the actual sticker now but you'll at least have the electronic aknowledgement that you've paid for it hsould it be needed. Less than a fiver iirc.
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Good shout, I know the French parliament just voted to scrap all their ZFEs but I don't think it will happen any time soon.
All info and application can be found/done here;
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr/
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Enjoy it fella, we rode through Chamonix last year en-route to Sicily.
The Grande St.Bernard pass is very easily achieved from Chamonix and then back over the Petit St.Bernard to France once more. That will tick Switzerland and Italy off the list too.
The Aosta valley is a lovely area and it's all very close to the French Alps.
Combloux is a nice area near to Chamonix with great views over Mont Blanc.
Remember your chain lube, your tyre gauge, your credit card, tea bags and digestives. Sorted. Oh yes, the mossies can be horrendous, be prepared.
Upt.
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Hi Uchujin. You can ignore all of the advice above except for the teabags but do remember, those people are French and not like us. :roll: :thumb:
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They sell McVities digestives in supermarkets here, with or without chocolate!
:thumb:
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Here is a tip for you...book some hotels ..France is having a heatwave at the moment , camping not good in that heat .
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Thanks so much for all the replies gents!
Think I've got everything covered now and looking forward to it!
I'll post a few pics and a report when I'm back :)
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If you haven't set off yet the temperatures have begun to drop off now. 34/35 yesterday and today,, 26 tomorrow and down in more managable mid 20's in the coming week. :sunny:
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I just got back yesterday after a nine day trip. Definitely get a a Crit Air sticker, for the sake of £5 it's a no brainer. I thought I wouldn't be needing one as I had no intentions of going in the cities/areas but then read online that they've expanded them to include roads bypassing the towns. Cue night one panic trying to buy one online whilst camping in a field in rural France hoping I hadn't incurred a fine on the way down. :shock: The confirmation E mail took about 25 hours to come through. Be aware of new barrierless Peage too, luckily I noticed the signage stating "payment within 72Hours" on the overhead gantry. Lastly, I always put a sticker next to the speedo saying " Look left, Keep right" and read it everytime I set off from a stop for fuel, rest etc.
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I have Crit Air on both bike and car mainly for Rennes and Strasbourg as I visit these cities the most. They are not normally very 'hot' on non compliance, I did stay parked in Strasbourg for three days once without my sticker and had no fine.
[Quick aside: I can no longer park at my son's place (Strasbourg) and have to find a long stay park which offers free use of buses and trams in the city for up to 7 (yes seven!) people as long as the car is parked there. It worked out at 4€ per day.... no brainer. :thumb: ]
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Have taken a trip to Chamonix (and beyond) a few years back, some lovely roads..
Municipal campsites in France are plentiful and good value, though we used hotels. However, we only booked the first nights accommodation, preferring to see where we ended up rather than following a fixed itinerary.
Worked well for us (it was early June when we went so there were always rooms available).
Usually, mid-afternoon we’d pull into a place we’d never heard of, check for suitable bars/cafes, then see what the local hotels were offering. Had some fab rooms at bargain prices.
The one we stopped at in Chamonix itself, Hotel de L’Avre, had a balcony over the river and a wonderful view, and only €60 back then.!
Went through the Mont Blanc tunnel and stopped to pay respects to those who’d died in the terrible fire. I’d read a story some years earlier about a tunnel guard who’d jumped on his BMW, and wearing breathing apparatus, entered several times to rescue people before succumbing himself. (Not sure how true the story is, but it was good to stop all the same).
As has been said, on the Italian side you can head for the SS26 towards the Col du Petit St Bernard, then back on the French side, the D1090 and onwards heading for the N90.. but frankly there’s so many great roads you can’t go wrong.
Oh, if heading further south, check out the Route des Grand Alps, Route Napoleon, especially the Gorge du Verdon, and I’d recommend a stop at Castellane. The Hotel du Levant is ideally situated smack bang centre of the small town..
Just take it easy, be flexible and pragmatic, you’ll have a wonderful trip I’m sure 👍
Enjoy, I’m getting itchy feet myself now.!
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Just got back....
2400 miles in total mostly on back roads. Feel like a "real biker" now.
38 degrees the first week was...er....fun :)
Three 0mph bike drops (feck me the strom is heavy with fully laden panniers!)
Oh and this little incident....
(edit:why can I NEVER work out how to embed a video here??!!)
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Feeling like a real biker after a week long trip really stood out for me. I thought I'd park up for a month having ridden so much, but I just wanted more.
Glad you're back and OK.
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Glad you had a good trip, 38C nearly broke me in Europe a few years back so pleased you saw the urm bright side.