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Surry
Leicester,
United Kingdom
Posts: 17
Daytona T595 (97-98)
12 May 2008 11:04 |
Hey Everyone,
Me and a couple of mates plan on riding down Friday night and ferrying to Calais we will get into calais about 0:30 Saturday morning (not ideal but...) and we plan on just finding somewhere nearby and pitching the tents..
Anyone done this and have any advice on places nearby we can just pitch up a tent, and chain the bikes togerther until we crack on in the morning...
Cheers
Jon
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Suffolk Punch
The Girthmaster....,
United Kingdom
Posts: 8,512
Premier Member
Daytona T595 (97-98)
12 May 2008 11:12 |
I think you should just be able to turn up at a camp site (any decent road map of France should have them marked) and set up...Dont know that you`ll get free camping tho` but they`re not expensive.
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Chizzle d'Chizzledom
Somewhere quite nice,
United Kingdom
Posts: 6,079
Premier Member
Speed Triple (05->)
12 May 2008 11:45 |
[edited]:
You wouldn't want to pitch up anywhere near Calais ... not if you want to see the bikes in the morning! Ride for half an hour towards the Montreuil/Le Touquet sort of area and it will be much safer, and you'll wake up to better scenery.
Couldn't you pull up in one the Aires off one of the main roads and pitch up? Might not be strictly allowed, but at that time of the night nobody will probably see you.
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Surry
Leicester,
United Kingdom
Posts: 17
Daytona T595 (97-98)
12 May 2008 13:51 |
Cheers for the info guys, Chizzle thats the sort of info im after cause i aint got a clue about good/bad areas never been France before..
Re the camp sites not sure they gonna be man'ed at 1am ish maybe we could just pitch up and see if anyone notices...
Anyone elses comments appreciated!!
Cheers again
Jon
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Chizzle d'Chizzledom
Somewhere quite nice,
United Kingdom
Posts: 6,079
Premier Member
Speed Triple (05->)
12 May 2008 14:06 |
On the autoroutes you may find that bikes go free! But watch out:
The Gendarmes will pull you to one side as you go through the bike 'lane' of cones to check your credentials - they did so with me on the way back. I think I would be inclined to 'lose' any autoroute tickets even if they are free as they will be able to check time and distance from them, although you may find you are just waved through.
You will also get pulled over as you get near to Le Mans. They pulled me for no reason in Alencon. So be careful not to drink and make sure you have your Licence, Copy of Log Book and Insurance details to hand. A cheery smile and "bonjour" won't go amiss either - don't look pissed off by the 'pull', think of it as a way to interact with the locals!
There are also s'cameras around now and they are not as obvious as over here. If the police do pull you for speeding then there is an on the spot fine to be paid or your bike will be impounded.
The French love their bikers, and around Le Mans itself there will be familys standing on bridges and at the side of the road waving - sometimes they make you feel like you won the race yourself!
The centre of Le Mans is a surprisingly pleasant city centre (centre ville) - there is a nice, large central square around which are a few decent places to eat and watch the world go by.
Oh, and on the way back to the ferry at either Calais or Boulougne stick to the limits - one of the French Authorities favourite pastimes is clocking British drivers/riders making a dash for the ferry!!
Other than that you'll have a great time - I enjoyed it when I went in 2006.
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Chizzle d'Chizzledom
Somewhere quite nice,
United Kingdom
Posts: 6,079
Premier Member
Speed Triple (05->)
12 May 2008 14:11 |
Aaaaah .... forgot .... be alert as you go round Rouen. The 'Le Mans' signs just seem to disappear. I and and another group of Brits did exactly the same thing and took the wrong road out of Rouen off the ring road. Added about 2 hrs to my journey I reckon.
I think it was the A13 I headed off on which is too early for leaving the ring road.
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Chris Line
Cowes,Isle of Wight.,
United Kingdom
Posts: 8,272
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (99-01)
12 May 2008 15:58 |
Aaah - Le Mans!!
Been going since 1981 - superb!!
Check out "Le Pit Stop" on the route just outside of Alencon, it was set up by a local bike club, with Tea, Coffee and cakes!!!
Don't think I was ever charged to camp at the circuit (Circuit Bugatti) - I always went to the local "Carrefour" for the beers!
Tip - buy your commemoritive badge from the "Auto Club D'Loest" office on the outside of the main grandstand - cheaper & "Official"
Enjoy!!! (I always did!)
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Surry
Leicester,
United Kingdom
Posts: 17
Daytona T595 (97-98)
13 May 2008 10:34 |
Thanks for all the info guys will be a great help!! Just booked the ferry crossing, EuroTunnel prices have gone sky high due to demand...
Jon
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mark frith
leicester,
United Kingdom
Posts: 3
Daytona T595 (97-98)
15 May 2008 21:58 |
Think we best take a pair of wellie's son, looks like RAIN RAIN and more RAIN all the way down to Le Mans.
Gem say's can you speak La French ?
Do you like frogs legs and Snails ?
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Chris Line
Cowes,Isle of Wight.,
United Kingdom
Posts: 8,272
Premier Member
Speed Triple 955i (99-01)
15 May 2008 22:26 |
Or...................baguettes, crepes etc!!
Loads of expensive food outlets at the Circuit, go to Carrefour instead!
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Frank Jones
NY,
USA
Posts: 2,292
Premier Member
Sprint RS (02-05)
16 May 2008 02:20 |
[edited]:
Do the Brit's still camp " en masse" outside the circuit...........and fight with the Froggy's..................!!!
I can remember a Brit Gixxer 1100 cartwheeling into a Froggy "Wing..............provoking a mass punch up, then much apologizing, then many crates of beer bestowed on the French lads...........and we only had our tent up for 5 minutes!!!!!!
( them were't days!!!!!!)
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Chizzle d'Chizzledom
Somewhere quite nice,
United Kingdom
Posts: 6,079
Premier Member
Speed Triple (05->)
16 May 2008 08:52 |
Surry & Mark Frith We expect to hear about your exploits next month at Ashby Folville ....
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Surry
Leicester,
United Kingdom
Posts: 17
Daytona T595 (97-98)
16 May 2008 09:48 |
Yep looks like it gonna be fun nice weather and all 
Yeah im sure we can make the Folville night, never been too be honest even though its close which is a bit of a sin..
So were ok with Copy of logbook but originals for insurance and driving license?
Still not got a plan for where were staying tonight... oh well someones front garden i guess..
Cheers again
Jon
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Chizzle d'Chizzledom
Somewhere quite nice,
United Kingdom
Posts: 6,079
Premier Member
Speed Triple (05->)
16 May 2008 09:57 |
Take the originals AND a copy just in case. Keep them seperately though.
Get a move on man ... your gonna miss Friday Practice!!
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