Looking across to the snow capped alpine mountains seen from the back seat of a motorcycle

Home Travel StoriesThem There Alps

The Business Of Miles

Day 9

By Bogger

I think by now we're all getting a bit frazzled with the trip. It is great fun, but can also be hard going mentally and physically. It might just be an age thing. We’re all in our late twenties, after all?

Once again up early, a quick breakfast and we're heading North in the vague direction of home. Our home for tonight will be the town of Dole and the campsite of Camping du Pasqieur. The site is on the banks of the Tranquil Doubs river. The day was pretty uneventful. It was just a case of mile munching.

Mountains in the distance, trees and valleys and a broad river

We pass to the East of Lyon and are sort of following the course of the Rhone River. From recollection, we start of on the A42, which merges into the A40, then onto the A39. It was one of those almost deserted typical French roads that you are able to sweep along, without too much thought, taking in the glorious weather and countryside. 

After some 175mls were pulling into the town of Dole. I was impressed how nice Dole was with its "oldy worldy" sort of charm. Once we've set up camp, time is getting on a bit and we need something to eat. We decide to hit the town, find a
typical French rustic restaurant and have a nice meal. We actually made it as far as the campsite bar and had chicken and chips. We're so cosmopolitan! After just a couple of drinks, ahem, we wander back to get a good night's rest, we do have nearly 250mls to do tomorrow.

A large wooden clad reception building with the name emblazoned across the front
Half a chicken and a small basket of chips, and a couple of French beers on a table


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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

nab301 said :-
Only 3 star camping for Bogger and crew , standards are slipping!
Nigel

02/08/2024 14:59:54 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Dole is one of my favourite places in France, and I don't usually do towns.
Lovely area around the Louis Pasteur home and the old tannery.
02/08/2024 18:36:28 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
You've got me wanting to go to Dole now ROD. Why Dole in particular, considering there's hundreds of quite lovely French towns?
05/08/2024 07:17:56 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Ren, I have visited Dole on two occasions and both times the weather was very good.
I believe this good weather has a positive impression and feeling for the place.
Each time I have visited Dole it has not been busy and this also makes me feel more relaxed about a town, but the thing I really like is the walks along the river and along the canal network in the town. Walking (or riding) next to water I always find enjoyable.
05/08/2024 19:37:31 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ahhh, the weather always help form a positive (or negative) perception of a place. Heck even Bolton has the odd nice bits when the sun is shining. And like you I prefer a place that's not too busy, so that's not Bolton then.

Well there's no plans afoot for France in the near future but I'll take Dole as noted as and when we are next in the land of croissants and pain au chocolate. Thanks.
06/08/2024 07:45:06 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Dole, duly noted, it may be visited in the Autumn, it may not.
Pffffffftttttt.
I do hope it's not too French!
Upt.
06/08/2024 12:09:06 UTC
Bogger said :-
There's a village coming up in the next installment where I could definitely live.

Bogger
08/08/2024 14:59:20 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Are you sure? It is France!
08/08/2024 16:58:23 UTC

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