Paris Ride-out 2006-03-24/5/6
Vendredi
Samedi
Dimanche
Le Retour
Woke up in time, yes really!, and set off for Folkestone at about 08:10, getting to the Shuttle bang on time with no rush. Just two other bikes, a vintage Harley and an Indian, very pleasant couple.
After refuelling at Coquelles and waving goodbye to the Harley/Indian, I ignored the Autoroute and set off down the N43. St-Omer, Lilliers, Bethune - all pleasant roads. Stopped off at the "Cabaret Rouge" at Souchez:
http://www.webmatters.net/cwgc/cabaret_rouge.htm
After some coffee (I had hot water and separate coffee granules, it tastes horrid if pre-made) and a fag set off again. Arras, Bapaume, and then the South African memorial at Delville Wood, near Longueval. There was a bit of rain on the way, but it was warm and the sun shined regardless.
http://www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_delville.htm
The next few miles were great roads, and on to Peronne and then stopped for more fag/coffee and a bite to eat at a small village called Omiecourt. A lost French lorry-driver saw me with the map, and spent 15 minutes finding his way to his next destination. I don't think his eyesight was very good...
That 15 minutes cost me more than a little time, as after Roye I was in the middle of the town of Compiegne when the sky went dark as night, and solid water seemed to fall. Even the French traffic came to a complete standstill, visibility was less than 10m, and there was a good 5cm of water on every road. After 5 minutes it let up enough to continue, but so much rain had fallen on my sleeves that my gloves were sodden from the inside out, despite having muffs. So I get to the Clairiere d'Armistice some 40 minutes late, and no sign of Christian...
http://www.webmatters.net/france/ww1_rethondes.htm
... however Christian had also been held up, especially by the downpour. So in time-honoured X9club fashion, the arranged time was ignored by all, and I was only there 5 minutes before him. Christian must have squeezed 0.5lt of water out of his gloves...
It was raining steadily, and as we were behind time we set off down the Autoroute, and then onto a blocked Peripherique. We took no prisoners, and in driving rain set a new high standard of filtering with Good Progress! At last we arrive Chez Christian, and a chance to relax a bit. Well I did, but Christian now had to prepare the meal, no peace for the wicked!
Later on another rider from Belgium turned up, Duong, and eventually the highlight of the day, Elisabeth arrived from Rennes, having set off after work. That's some going, even on her *lovely* new Burgman 650 Exec.
After a delicious meal which included some scallops in an oyster sauce (yummy), and a few scotches, it was now well past midnight, so bedtime.
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