London to Monte Carlo and back

We met up on the off ramp at J4 on the M20 and had the hour long blast down to Dover for a mid afternoon ferry. Having ensured the bikes were secured down and the alarm off we headed up for food. This is where we began discussing the trip. We had a mutual friend in Nyon on the shores of Lake Geneva and to stop by for a night on the beer was the only firm plan we had. Germany, South of France, Switzerland, discussion ? Then Steve's gem; "What I'd really like is a photo of my new bike - a BMW R1150 GS - in the marina at Monte Carlo". The route took shape.

Fill up with the cheaper French petrol in Calais and settle in on the A26. Exactly one toll and 2 hours later at 80mph, 160 miles away is the town of Reims. Having got a late ferry, this became our overnight stop. Pedestrianised town centre, free bike parking, a B&B just of the main square and ample choice of bars, Reims has become our regular coffee and fuel stop.

The next morning we continued on the N44 - motorways behind us - following the River Marne before heading over the Jura mountains and dropping down to the shores of Lake Geneva about 8 hours after we'd set off. The roads improved throughout the day in terms of bends and less taffic.

Here we lost a day to friends, seeing the sights of Geneva and alcohol abuse, but not neccessarily in that order.

A very late start, 1pm, owing to the night before, and we headed south on motorways to catch up some time to Grenoble. Left turn onto the N85 to Gap, D (B) roads over the Alps of Provence to Digne-Les-Bains before re-joining the N85 to drop down to the coast at Nice. Part of this is the Route Napoleon and it was a fantastic ride with excellent vision and fast sweeping bends. Arriving at 9pm, the temperature as we rode into Nice was still 31 degrees C.

We left our cheap hotel having set our minds on breakfast in Monte Carlo, just a short ride along the coast road. There we walked the Grand Prix circuit as best we could and then rode it as best we could before stopping for the all important photo of the motorbikes. The purpose of the trip.

We climbed up the mountains surrounding Monte Carlo on the D2566 to Sospel, ignored the tunnel and went over the pass. That hour, only three other cars on the road and countless hairpins ! It was exhilarating. North on the E74 and joining the motorway at Turin we returned to Switzerland through the Grand St Bernard tunnel dropping back down from the pass at dusk. A couple of hours through torrential rain and motorway spray returned us to our friends hosptality in Nyon. That was a long days riding !

Another late start and over the mountains again before another motorway sprint to Fontainebleau. Heavier traffic and uninspiring roads. Fontainebleau to Paris. A quick stop for photos and the ride back to Calais for the ferry home. Less than inspiring and Parisian drivers seemed no worse than your average London commuter when it came to bikes. Knowing each bike had full hard luggage meant neither of us was certain we'd actually make the gaps, so our own riding was suitably restrained.

Our first European trip completed, 6 days riding and over 1,900 miles - we had the bug for more !

The route; Calais A26 Reims N44 Chalons-en Champagne St Dizier N67 Charmont N19 Longres D67 Besancon N83 Salins des Bains N5 Nyon Geneva A41 Grenoble N85 Le Pont de Claix St Firmin Gap Taliard D900B / D900 Digne les Bains N85 Grasse Nice N7 to Monte Carlo D2566 Sospel Saorge N204 Bargo San Dalmazzo 20 Turin A5/E25 Nus 27 Grand St Bernard Montigney E62 Nyon N5 N78 Charon sur Saone N80 Autun D980 N6 A6 Fontainebleau A6 Paris A1 E15 Calais.