Solo Motorbike trip to France. Went to Paris then down the Alps. Wild camping with my bike. Riding my SV650s K5. My trip photos are on my flickr here flic.kr/s/aHsk...
Watched this with interest and not a little envy! Not sure whether you are still responding to comments or not. I can think of three reasons why you had a tent/cover for your bike (1) To protect from the weather (2) To hide from prying eyes or (3) To give the impression you were not alone. Any (or all) of these?
+John thegoodlife think it weighs 1-3 stone but its all in one place like i had someone small on the back. The tank bag just had my camera the main bag had everything on this list pastebin.com/ydijDi3Z
Extremely interesting! This is old-school bike adventuring, as people used to do it, back in the old days. I plan to give what you did a try in France this year. One question about tyres: do you have any specific recommendations? I find I'm picking out grit and bits of glass from my rear tyre after every ride (street bike, street tyres). Yet you're riding a street bike off-road sometimes in this video. How did you avoid tyre problems? Thanks
I use all weather tyres, in the vid used Michelin PILOT ROAD 3, but now use the new ones Michelin PILOT ROAD 4. There really good for all seasons and any conditions. When i went off road that was more about balance and going slow.
Thanks for the tip. That's my next rear tyre then. Need something hard to resist flint etc. One more question please (sorry!) Were you able to wild camp anywhere near Paris? It's been years since I've been there. I understand now that bikes are banned from Paris, but that's OK. I'm thinking more on the lines of the suburbs, e.g. Fontainebleau.
Just looked up the ban for Paris city centre. Motorcycles manufactured before June 1 1999 are to be banned from Paris between the hours of 8am and 8pm. So my pointy is still OK. I rode 4 hours out of Paris before camping. You could probably find something close but I prefer to be away from city's when I camp. As soon as there are fields you are good so maybe check Google maps.
I've got another question :D Did you somehow prepare yourself in case of coming across a wild animal? And were you scared at first that it might have happened? How did you get over it? I know it sounds a bit silly, but sometimes it crosses my mind...what if some animal is attracted by smell of food or just curious...what if I go out for a loo in the middle of the night, completely dark and there it is... :D
Keep all food in tent out the way. In the night they will just run away or hide if they see you or carry on walking. Most animals dont care unless you attack them. Some people sleep just in a bivvy bag and they are fine.
I didnt want to pay anywhere for a shower so used lakes, streams and bottled water to shower and shave. shaved using my bike mirror as well. Have fun on your trip.
+SWRid3r I did a tour up the west coast of Scotland last year, camping all the way. Was cooking my own food, and didn't always shower so towards the end was begrudging paying £15-20 a night for a few hours camping. Hoping to get the ferry to Santander & ride up the west coast of France staying as rural as possible, wild camping with a bivvy & a tarp. Any tips? I'll be going alone for 10-14 days, maybe treat myself to a b&b twice.
+paddy25212 Have lots of stuff to listen to. I had a comedy playlist from spotify for when i was bored of music. Always have spare food and drink i ran out and couldnt find a place for a while which sucked. Dont camp near water cuz of bugs. Give your self 1-2 hours before dark to find a spot so you can setup and eat while its light. Find the scariest looking lane and look down that for a spot to camp then you know no one else will go down it at night. I shave in my bike mirror and wash in streams/ponds.
Brilliant!! Great trip and video. Mega brave.
Watched this with interest and not a little envy! Not sure whether you are still responding to comments or not. I can think of three reasons why you had a tent/cover for your bike (1) To protect from the weather (2) To hide from prying eyes or (3) To give the impression you were not alone. Any (or all) of these?
looks like you were not heavily packed, probally better for the ride, could you tell me what you had with you exactly?
+John thegoodlife think it weighs 1-3 stone but its all in one place like i had someone small on the back. The tank bag just had my camera the main bag had everything on this list pastebin.com/ydijDi3Z
Nice, Takes some balls doing it solo lol Where you off to next?
Steve 0 Hoping to get a dr 350 and go green laning in france next year then take it to morocco.
Nice, Why a DR 350? Any reason or just you like them/?
Steve 0 There good on and off road, nice mpg, reliable and cheap. Also they did well in the documentary mondo enduro something i would like to do.
Extremely interesting! This is old-school bike adventuring, as people used to do it, back in the old days. I plan to give what you did a try in France this year. One question about tyres: do you have any specific recommendations? I find I'm picking out grit and bits of glass from my rear tyre after every ride (street bike, street tyres). Yet you're riding a street bike off-road sometimes in this video. How did you avoid tyre problems? Thanks
I use all weather tyres, in the vid used Michelin PILOT ROAD 3, but now use the new ones Michelin PILOT ROAD 4. There really good for all seasons and any conditions. When i went off road that was more about balance and going slow.
Thanks for the tip. That's my next rear tyre then. Need something hard to resist flint etc. One more question please (sorry!) Were you able to wild camp anywhere near Paris? It's been years since I've been there. I understand now that bikes are banned from Paris, but that's OK. I'm thinking more on the lines of the suburbs, e.g. Fontainebleau.
Just looked up the ban for Paris city centre. Motorcycles manufactured before June 1 1999 are to be banned from Paris between the hours of 8am and 8pm. So my pointy is still OK. I rode 4 hours out of Paris before camping. You could probably find something close but I prefer to be away from city's when I camp. As soon as there are fields you are good so maybe check Google maps.
I've got another question :D Did you somehow prepare yourself in case of coming across a wild animal? And were you scared at first that it might have happened? How did you get over it? I know it sounds a bit silly, but sometimes it crosses my mind...what if some animal is attracted by smell of food or just curious...what if I go out for a loo in the middle of the night, completely dark and there it is... :D
Keep all food in tent out the way. In the night they will just run away or hide if they see you or carry on walking. Most animals dont care unless you attack them. Some people sleep just in a bivvy bag and they are fine.
looks like a great ride.thanks for sharing great video.cheers
That's my way of travel! Very good!
What did you do for food may l ask ?
great trip mate! planning on doing same thing in September :) did you manage to find any showers during the journey or you had to improvise?
I didnt want to pay anywhere for a shower so used lakes, streams and bottled water to shower and shave. shaved using my bike mirror as well. Have fun on your trip.
SWRid3r cheers bud!
This looks great! Was this east of France?
You have any issues wild camping?
+paddy25212 It was east. Wild camping was fine.
+SWRid3r I did a tour up the west coast of Scotland last year, camping all the way. Was cooking my own food, and didn't always shower so towards the end was begrudging paying £15-20 a night for a few hours camping.
Hoping to get the ferry to Santander & ride up the west coast of France staying as rural as possible, wild camping with a bivvy & a tarp.
Any tips? I'll be going alone for 10-14 days, maybe treat myself to a b&b twice.
+paddy25212 Have lots of stuff to listen to. I had a comedy playlist from spotify for when i was bored of music. Always have spare food and drink i ran out and couldnt find a place for a while which sucked. Dont camp near water cuz of bugs. Give your self 1-2 hours before dark to find a spot so you can setup and eat while its light. Find the scariest looking lane and look down that for a spot to camp then you know no one else will go down it at night. I shave in my bike mirror and wash in streams/ponds.