We started to ride up the mountain towards the village where the rally was being held. This mountain was used as one of the stages for The Tour De France cycle race this year.
As we started to climb the bends got tighter and tighter, at one stage I nearly lost it as Rocket decided to move as we rounded a tight hairpin making me lose balance.
What a blast it was turning out to be, I had never ridden on such roads before; we took it slowly as the bike was well loaded with all my gear. I think it was very pretty but I just made sure I kept my mind on the road. We passed thru a few tunnels over a bridge or two; the weather was turning a bit damp, with some drizzle. As we approached the village the road was a lot straighter.
When we arrived at the site we had to wait for Craig Jones who was one of the turns. For those who have never heard of him (I had not) he has a few of his own Harleys and Buell’s fitted out for his stunt riding, plus some street legal bikes loaned to him by the local Harley dealer and ride both types for his stunts. I shall do another piece about him later on the blog.
The rally was being held by a motorcycle club called Les” Gueules de Chien” which means the jaws of the dog or there about. A really nice bunch of people.
While we waited for the entrance to reopen Julie and my self had a quick tour of the site. The camping was on a sports field it cost us 2 euros to camp just over £1-50p, nothing to get into the rally, all ways a good start. The bike park was on hard standing and secure, you had sticker on your bike and one for your helmet which had to match before you could take your bike out of the parking area. There. Was a good collection of different styles of bikes a lot of Harleys of course? The rest of the site was also on hard standing a good job as the weather was not to be so good rain and drizzle, most of the time.
Much like a UK event there was stalls selling bike clothing, food, a cheese and wine stall which had on offer all types of air cured sausages, pate cheese and wine and bread all for 10 Euros £8 a good deal. Also a tyre shop, a Harley dealer, you could take a bike for a test ride by showing your driving licence and passing a breath test, Craig Jones also had his stuff vids etc for sale.
The show over we were able to park the bikes and get the tents up, tea was brewed too.
Julie had brought along a friend Lucy, who also lived and worked in France, so we had a few people who can speak de lingo, I, Mick and Dave just about managed to order beer and coffee. After the tents where sorted time for a beer, which we all needed. Time to join the party, Being British had all ready made us stand out a bit but bringing Rocket from England well people where amazed. A lot of the club members came up to us and made us feel really welcome, and so did the rain, it poured down as only mountain rain can do, something I was to see a lot in the weeks to come. Then we where called over by one of the club organisers to have our photo taken by the local press, and answer a few questions. That done time for a beer, its thirsty work being a celebrity. To get beer you had to buy tokens which was ok, the prices were good too. Olives and nibbles also passed a round then the Pernod all free, Mick seemed to be having a good time as he was getting a bit loud.
Time for some food we all agreed, so off towards the village we headed, Except for Mick and Julie who said they would catch us up, they never did. As we left the site I decide to take a photo of Dave, Crag and Alison standing under the banner, I was also wearing my kilt sans underwear as per normal for me, as I crouched down to get a better angle a crowd of rally goers passed by and nearly fell over with laughter as my meat and two veg was on show for all to see, a good laugh for all.
We found a place doing pizzas etc so we decided to eat there very good too, cooked in an old fashioned wood burning stone oven. Then we made our way back to the party. T.B.C.
At thye moment back in France waiting for Rocket to get his paper work done so he can return to the UK. The blog will be updated A.S.A.P