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Travel StoriesThem There Alps
More Progress, Less Chaos
Day 3
By Bogger
We once again waken to leaden skies, but thankfully no rain. Pete's bike is put back together and behold, a back brake that works. But will it last?
We head off in the direction of Tigny and Sully making our way along the beautiful Loire River and the accompanying fields of sun flowers and corn. I can't quite remember where, but we passed a massive nuclear power station this day as well. Out of Sully we are now riding along the dykes/flood defences heading for our campsite at Cluny.
We drop onto a section of motorway and are held up for at least twenty minutes by utter chaos and madness. A truck and a car have obviously had a difference of opinion. The car is in front of the truck and is weaving, violently, from one side of the dual carriageway to the other and dangerously brake checking the truck. The truck is also weaving violently trying to get past. We kept back, along with all the other traffic, well back. It went on for miles and miles. How they never hit each other I'll never know.
We had our obligatory lunch stop at a Supermarket, thankfully under the hot midday sun. Fat Boy slunk off to partake of an Americano Coffee in the Supermarket's posh artisan café. I do sometimes wonder what he sees in us lower class ruffians, him being posh and all that.
The rest of the journey into the small town of Cluny is thankfully uneventful. The first thing we do is head to the local Cluny supermarket for provisions for breakfast and obviously beer. After the formalities at the reception it's off to find our pitch for the night. The couple on the adjacent pitch looked aghast as six of us rock up right next to them. Although they said Bonjour their faces were really saying ‘Oh FFS’. Never mind luv we'll be off tomorrow.
Cluny is a lovely little town. To heck with the expense, let's go out for another meal tonight, and errrr, and of course a drink or two. By this stage we've renamed Fat Boy "ISA" as when he croaks we can cash him in and all have first dibs on his money and bike collection. Good, caring mates us.
In Cluny we have the world's largest kebab and then set about passing the rest of the night away quietly drinking and nattering. All this under the night stars and bars' umbrellas in the quiet high street. It was a good night out.
As an aside I'd asked Pete that morning what had he'd been messing with on his bike to allow the back end to fall apart yesterday. He denied touching it and it was just one of those things. This had eaten away at me at various points during the day. That night in Cluny I confronted him again. In my most diplomatic manner I said "Oi you, yer Brummie ******. You've had the wheels out of that bike to get the tyres changed. You've not tightened everything up and most importantly you've not replaced the small split pin on the torque arm bolt." He didn’t reply, he didn’t need to, the look on his face told me all I needed to know. Amateurs.
In the morning it was a quick breakfast of a Lardon and Camembert baguette, swilled down with filter coffee. We're showered and almost ready to go when Jason, after packing his bike, takes a step away, only to see it topple over and snap his left hand mirror and brake lever off. Luckily there's enough left of the lever for it to work. The mirror and its mount are goosed. Ho Hum.
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Let The Chaos Commence
It's a typical start to a trip and overall things seem to be going well. Except for the weather. And the traffic. And the suspect motorcycles. And the disorganisation.
The Chaos Increases
Whilst muppetry and stupidity abound the world needs a hero - in the meantime Bogger will have to do. Fear not brave reader, there is still light at the end of the tunnel. I fear it may be a train coming towards this lot...
More Progress, Less Chaos
It's a considerably less chaotic day for Bogger and pals as they make their way south through France. And yet they encounter muppetry on the roads and something's been troubling our heroic author.
And Finally The Alps!
There's a disappointing level of breakdowns and mayhem for Bogger et al today. Luckily the stunning scenery and clement weather makes up for this. Shame about the traffic eh.
A Lazy Day In Barcelonnette
In an unexpected turn of events - today is definitely lacking in chaos. It's just a quiet, peaceful and pleasant day for Bogger's crew. It'd be perfect if he could buy the right beer.
A High Mountain Pass And High Prices
Without any disasters or mayhem let's hope Bogger's climb up one of Europe's highest roads comes with some spectacular images.
Inappropriate Alpine Off-Roading
Bogger et al take a dirt track shortcut across The Alps. It'll be fine, I mean he's still here to write up this report isn't he? There's also a video to accompany the words in case you're not convinced.
More Mountains And Mayhem
After achieving the impossible yesterday today's journey is merely improbable. This time the Col de l'Iseran is the challenge alongside a regular dose of disaster.
The Business Of Miles
It's a short one from Bogger today. They're in the business of clocking up miles in the hope of getting home on time, there's not enough time for tomfoolery. Oddly there's always time for a beer though.
Miles, More Miles, Cafes And Campsites
Many more miles on the French roads today along with cafes and pretty French towns. This is still very much the business of getting back to blighty, more's the shame.
A Cafe Lost In Time And A Funfair
It's another hard day on the road for Bogger and pals. They enter a time warp in search of refreshment, take a moment to remember, then get giddy at the fair.
A Very Brief Epilogue
Just a brief note from Bogger as he wraps up his Alpine Adventures on a Cub 125. It's only a short 355 miles today.
Reader's Comments
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I'm glad you do it so I don't have to.......
16/05/2024 10:46:11 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
I'm also glad.
16/05/2024 13:07:16 UTC
Bog6 said :-
Err, is that a compliment or not. I can't quite make my mind up. You know what I reckon it's a compliment.
Bogger
16/05/2024 15:43:01 UTC
nab301 said :-
I generally tighten switchgear clamps just enough to stop them moving under normal use but leave them loose enough to allow them to move if the above happens ... very disappointed , was there no drunken debauchery?
Nigel
16/05/2024 16:30:08 UTC
Bogger said :-
Drunken debauchery. How very dare you. We're gentlemen of a certain standing don't you know. There may be a bit later on in the trip.
Bogger
16/05/2024 19:36:01 UTC
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Travel StoriesThem There Alps