Ron and Rockets Birthday Tour 2008

Its the 5th of JUNE, Just had a bye bye breakfast with a few friends, Fergus has given me a book"TREASURE ISLAND" one of my favorites, a nice touch ta luv.
Bike loaded, off i set for Stamford, to attend my sisters 25th wedding bash and also to meet up with family from all over the UK.
The ride down was wet untill Lincoln, where the sun came out for the rest of the ride. I did spot aVulcan Bomber which was part of R.A.F. Waddinghham open day, also passed a Jesus micso bus not seen one of them since 1969.

Well here i am sat in a wood in the Alps Italy, Trying to type while being eaten by many small beasties, Rocket is asleep near a small campfire, he wants to retire to the tent but his job is to watch out for bigger beasts.
I will try to get up to date, as fast as my finger will let me! and till the battery gets low.

Rocket was allowed in, we had our own table, a bowl of water for him, a four course meal for me.
Great food more than enough. While I was eating it pissed down for twenty mins or so. Meal break over time to hit the road, after Rockets photo call.
As we got near to Le Mans the rain was on and off, the wind got stronger and stronger. Got mislaid in Le Mans dam sat nav, so I just found my way to the new motorway and headed for Poiters.

The next morning, i had a lie in. Set up my campsite a bit better, Had a lesson on how to use my sat nav, easy when you no how! thanks Ian and new arrival Barry, very helpfull.

Time to sleep, we had decided as it was late just to make a bivvy on the car park, using the three bikes and a large tarp. Being a old soldier it was easy, just put one bike long wards and the other two bikes at either end throw over a tarp, a few bungees and Bobs your uncle, somewhere dry to sleep. Out with the sleeping bags and air beds and we ere soon as snug as bugs in a rug. Rocket had found some local feral cats to chase which kept him happy for a while. Mick and my self were on the outside while Dave and wRocket had a tussle for the middle spot.

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.

Hi all. Back in the wet and cold of England, nearing the end of our tour. Rocket is looking well having lost some weight and catching up on his sleep.
I am looking more like Ben Gunn every day with my uncut hair and beard, and weathered face, the tan is starting to turn to rust with all this rain.
I will be back home (Grimsby) in a few days when i will have the time to finish off my story, up dating every few days.
T.B.C.

STAGE ONE

Rocket steals Dave's bed

Before I restart my blog here is a few picture's and tips
Car park camping Tested on the car park BP Truck stop Macon France, By myself Rocket, Dave and Mick of Shim whillter mcc.
Take three motorbikes, Park one on the left one on the right. and one to the front leaving one side open for a entrance. Cover the bikes with a Tarp or even a tent as long as its waterproof, Tie down with bungee's, leaving the entrance with a flap hanging down. Place another cover if possible on to the tarmac, followed by air beds, sleeping bags etc. All ready for a snug night's Kip.

Another good tip is when you purchase a tent for your trip make sure it can be used free standing, so it can be erected with out the need to be pegged out. Handy for hard ground, or even tarmac, any place that you can not get the pegs in Also make sure you have a groundsheet to fit under the tent to stop the fitted groundsheet getting damaged. Myself I purchased a small lightweight tent which had enough room inside for one man and his Dog plus room for riding gear etc. It also had room in the front for cooking gear.

Slovenia Car park camping. Damp

Sunday morning and it's still damp and cloudy, sometimes we were in the clouds. It did not look as we would be going on our planned Helicopter flight. As the other's were still knocking out the Z's I took the small dog to see if we could find some drinks. We managed to find the breakfast bar had a very small coffee and a bit of cake and a piece of dry bread, not your full English for sure. Back to the tents and brew up cups of good old British tea.

Back to the rally!

Shopping finished, we had a walk around the village before going back to the rally site
The rest of the day was just a chill day, spent looking around the stalls, and checking out the good mixture of bikes. The weather was still on the damp side but we did manage a picnic and the odd beer was drunk.
Later on as the road had dried out, we were treated to another wild show by stuntman Craig Jones. Very very good too.
Early evening and we were presented with the long distance award, a few drinks of Pernod followed.

Monday (bank holiday)
We awoke to a steady drizzle and another damp morning, because of this we decided to have a cuppa pack away our gear and head off.
Bikes loaded we were ready to go but first we had our good byes to say and thank the "LES GUEULES DE CHIEN" club for looking after us so well. this done we were ready to roll, when much to our surprise the club members lined up and gave us a hearty round of applause as we rode off, a very nice touch, not a dry eye in the house!

Stunning Views

Once the camp was sorted, it was time to walk to Julies for some food. My route was along side the river in a pleasant wood, through a park, past the railway station and into the shopping area and what was to become our Local The CAFE FIORA. Where the rest of the gang were having a beer or two before food. The cafe owner and all of his staff where all very help full and provided a good service. With the beer came snacks olives slices of smoked ham and Walkers crisps lovely!!

The rest of the week was to be some rides out up into the alps, more about them later, and a bit of social beer drinking was also on the cards.

WATERBOY!

The ride up the mountain was one of my best biking moments, with no luggage the BM was taking it all in its stride. The bends were tight very tight, some blind while others gave you a good look at the road ahead, great for using all of the road safely. The sun was shining and even as we neared the summit it was still warm except for Micks feet. The traffic was light and any cars were soon just a blur in the mirror. We stopped at a view point for some photos and to look and be amazed, we could make out my tent at the site.

Daves Dive!

THE VALLEY

INTO THE VALLEY.

We rode up the track until it turned to just stone and was a bit to rough for the road bikes. Time out for more photo's, to our front we could see Mount-Blance the highest mountain in Europe. The tops were still covered in a fair amount of snow which was slowly melting on the lower slopes. All done it was time to head back to the village to buy some post-cards and small gifts.

That evening it was a walk through the woods which i enjoyed unlike England i

We Waited for Julie and friends to arrive while we sank another beer. Julie and company arrived and the bar owner stood at the door and Spoke words of wisdom "The next round I pay for" Great! beers for us please.

The next bike ride was to be a ride up the alp's to the Italian bar on the top which served the famous HOT TODDY!

ROCKET MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

RON GIVES A WORRIED LAUGH

ANOTHER SMOKE BREAK

Saturday morning, Mick and Dave are packing gear and loading bikes while i am T-boy. The weather is still good, the only rain we have had since our arrival has been during the night.

Time to go, we all say our good byes the lads ride heading for a long ride home god speed. I will miss them both as we have had a fantastic time together. Another chapter is about to start.

No sooner had one set of Shim Whittler's left when up turns, Malc, Brian and B, also on a touring holiday. It was getting more like home every day! That night we went out to watch a band and then a meal after wards (kebab). The band was good and we all had a turn singing pretty badly. Then we all headed off for food, Lucy and her sister joined us. The meal was going well till Malc nearly caused an International incident over a bottle of wine! Which I had to deal with, it did mean another bottle of wine had to be purchased and drank, of course.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

First we rode to the valley where we had seen the Marmots, but no joy today. So we just took a few photos, we then rode up to the top of yet another mountain. A lot of stalls had been set up selling local produce and goods i.e. sheep skin rugs and cheese etc. As we started to ride down the other side the scenery just got better. See photo. After a while we stopped once more for photos, then headed for a roadside bar for coffee and rolls. We all managed to sit at one table watching bikes of all makes and from all over Europe pass by.

THE SUMMIT OF MONT CENIS

After all the Shims had gone on their way i spent a day exploring some of the Alps. Then i had to start getting gear together ready for our next move. We were to head over the alps to Italy for another motorcycle Rally. I was to ride ahead and Julie, Alison, and Crag were to join me at the Rally on the Saturday.

Going up Mount Cenis was fairly easy, good road surface, wide flowing bends. At the summit we stopped for a drink, it was still very hot and poor old Rocket was in need of water too. On the way down the views just got better the lakes were a deep blue in colour and very inviting for a swim, but ice-cold i would bet. We soon reached the border and did not see any kind of customs or border control. As we started to get nearer the bottom the roads got better and we passed thru many small villages.

"LAKE IN THE ALPS"

Dinner eaten, Rocket off to bed, i decided to have a look around the site. There was one guy keeping watch at one of the bars, he invited me over and gave me a pint of Lager, which i gladly accepted. His English was as good as my Italian, lousy to say the least. After a beer or two i wished my new friend a good night and headed back to the tent. I made a small fire put on some tunes and sat under a sky full of stars and chilled, while Rocket knocked out a few zzz's. The weather was still warm and dry and the skies clear.

OUR SMALL CORNER

LUNCH BREAK

The following morning after a good nights sleep some breakfast and cups of tea, we started the bm up and headed out to do some food shopping and sight seeing. Our first stop was the village of Issogne. A small village with a few market stalls selling fruit and veg, a mobile fish and meat stall and a corner shop. There was also some kind of church which was full of tourist's looking around. We then rode off to the Town of Verres found a supermarket and done some food and wine shopping.

The rally was being held close to a village called "ISSOGNE" about 15 Kms from Aosta in the Italian Alps. to be held over 3 days. A track from the main road leads you up to the site. As you enter the site there is a parking lot to one side with a small camping area to the left. The entrance takes you to a bridge over a dry river bank and into the main area which contains a few small bars a Restaurant with tables and the kitchen is powered by a large wood fire, the wood for this is from a Saw mill in the village. A large building with another bar and a stage for the music and dancing.

Friday morning arrived dry and sunny, no sign of the rain from last night. After breakfast and cup's of tea, we started the BM up ready to go for a ride out. It so much more fun without the luggage on the bike. We took a minor road towards Pont-Saint-Martin which was overlooked by one of many Fortress's in this area. The road was a bit on the bendy side and with hardly any traffic made it a good road to have a play!! We passed through some small hamlets surrounded by mostly farm land growing many types of crops. Some of the houses had seen better days and could do with some T.L.C.

On arrival back to the tent we ate a spot of lunch before I changed into shorts and went and sat near the entrance with a ice cold lager to watch the bikes arrive. IT was Hot! well into the 80's and my tan was coming on I was starting to turn a nice brown. Rocket took to a shady area and had a nap. As the rest of the crew were not due to arrive until the next day, I was left to my own device's, with all the good food and plenty of Beer I think I will survive!

The following morning a lot more tents had been erected around us. People were just sat around enjoying the weather, the tent next to us had brought along a very small dog(a three month old smooth haired Dachound ) a lovely looking pup, Rocket was well pleased some one to play with. He had already been playing with a Italian Biker Dog who rode around in the foot well of a Vespa Scooter, well it was Italian! I then went to the bar for breakfast, which consisted of a very small coffee and a warm croissant, roll on dinner!

Later that afternoon Crag, Alison and Julie arrived; while they set up their camp I made us all a brew of tea. Once set up I took them for a beer and a tour of the site. We ended up at the bar and while Crag and I had a beer, Julie and Alison were being given drinks by the Italian Stallions’!! They were drinking some kind of Lemon liqueur, bit to sweet for me. The Girls were being well looked after and informed us they were ok as the drink was only about 16% and not liable to affect them. (YEAH OK).

After the meal we were talking and having a bit of banter with all around the table when Alison's head dropped on to a paper plate, she was out for the count. After a while Crag took the poor lass back to their tent, during the short journey Alison managed to fall and bruise her chin, leaving her scared for life. Back at the party it was time to go and booogy in the dance hall. We danced the night away until the sleep fairy carried us off to our beds.

The next morning some of us, a bit worse for wear, managed to climb out of bed, while others could hardly move. Many cups of tea later and bit more sleep for some! we went back to the main area to see what was going on. A lot of the locals had been out for a bike ride and were returning. Also a HOG chapter and a Classic Italian motorcycle club was turning up for Sunday lunch. Some very interesting bikes amongst them.

The next morning was spent washing clothes and sorting out gear, ready to move off the next day. The sun was still shining making it all very pleasant. I rode down into town done a bit of shopping had a look around and took great joy in eating a ice cream. Back at camp I spent some time setting up the Sat-Nav and checking my maps for the next days journey. The evening was spent around a small campfire, star watching and just chilling before bed time.

After another good meal, Sunday Lunch, which I might add took over two hours to serve and eat. It was time for the crew to leave me and set off back home, good byes said they rode off into the Alps. Which left Rocket and myself to have a look at some very interesting Italian Motorcycles and people. The rally was still in full flow with bars open music and of course bikes. There were old well restored Moto Guzzi's a very old Vespa, plus many more that I had never seen before. As the day turned to evening the music played on and the party continued.

The next morning with the sun shining, breakfast, gear packed and BM loaded, sat-nav set, Rocket sorted it was time to get rolling.
A few thoughts about the rally and Italy so far. The people very friendly and helpful. The bikes all very well turned out and so clean. Food top marks for price and quality. The weather was hot and sunny. A excellent time had by all.

MICK RON&ROCKET ARE "TEAM CINDERS"

The rest of our Birthday Tour TBC at a later date.

Team Cinders the story

RON AND ROCKET VISIT A HUNGRIAN BIKER BASH
THE
V.NEMZETKOZI MOTOROS TALALKOZO ES ROCK FESZTIVAL

READY TO ROll

TEA BREAK

The next morning the sun had made an early start and it was starting to become a bit warmer. Mick and Rocket had been sat watching some red squirrels jumping about in the fir trees while I made a brew and breakfast.
As it was a bit warmer we decided to wear our lighter off-road trousers, hoping as we travel south it must get warmer.

HORIZONSUNLIMTED MOUNTAIN MADNESS SPAIN 2009

OUR HOME FROM HOME

We pulled on to the 2cvers field and were greeted like long lost brothers. A glass of wine was passed to us both and after finding someone who spoke English we were invited to camp any where on the field, and once we had got ourselves sorted to come back to their area, which was well sorted, tables, chairs a couple of large Tents, electrics, food drink they had the lot.

The next morning we discovered that our flags had been stolen off the bikes, much to the annoyance of our 2cv friends and us, well nothing could be done so it was left at that.
As nothing would be happening until about three o’clock in the afternoon or later depending how the race was going. It was to be a chill out day with some sun bathing as once more the sun had his hat on. Breakfast was boil in the bag sausages and beans with bread washed down with much Tea and Coffee.

HOW DID THEY GET HERE ?

HERE ARE A FEW PICTURES FROM THE TOUR DE FRANCE 2009

The next morning bikes loaded up it was off to a biker campsite (Camping-Rendezvous-Moto. at Lunas) near the Millau Bridge. We had planned to arrive there about T-time all being well. The weather was warm but we did have a few spots of rain. The ride was going well the scenery changing from farm land with fields of Sunflowers every where to a more hilly landscape, The roads were getting a bit more technical, lovely for biking. The views too were stunning

Once across the bridge we stopped in a rest area to check how long it would take us to get to the campsite, we reckoned about a hour tops!! Two hours later and in the dark after much map reading and cursing at my Sat-Nav, we decided to ask some locals stood outside a bar having a smoke a guy who spoke good Englishwho sent us off in the wrong direction. We returned to the town and decided to try Mick's Sat-Nav, this managed to take us into the Old part of Town down Roads!! just wide enough for a bike with panniers.

THE START OF THE MILLAU BRIDGE

The Millau Bridge is in southern France and crosses the River Tarn in the Massif Central mountains. It was designed by the British architect Lord Foster and at 300m (984 feet) it is the highest road bridge in the world, weighing 36,000 tonnes. The central pillar is higher than the famous French icon, the Eiffel Tower. The Bridge opened in December 2004 and is possibly one of the most breath taking bridges ever built.