SW France trail riding/camping trip May 13th to 17th 2013

[Magnon]

Originally Posted by stoic bloke

Cheers Charles, wouldn't mind trying some of that foreign cuisine!

Bernard, yes you'll barely know you've travelled to a foreign land. I'm just going with the flow on this but we'll make up for it once we're on the road.

[dieselbike]

Originally Posted by Magnon

I'd like to do this run again this year. Similar route to last year (http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=749390) but with significant refinements. The trip could be extended to five days if there's enough interest.

For those who've not been before Gazz's post sets the scene:

"If you've ever fancied the real dual-sport thing of living on your bike, camping and trail-riding, then this is the perfect introductory week for you.
This is not a beginners week, some of the tracks are too technical for that and you need to have a bit of endurance about you because even though the days are not of great distance, the track density is high and not many of them are of the open and flowing kind. It can be really hot and humid and it can be wet.
What you don't see from the pics are the brilliant woodland tracks, long and tricky ones that follow rivers; the white gravel-strewn tracks amongst the apple orchards; the great number of uphill and downhill tight u-turns in forests; the endless arrays of tree roots making natural ladders that you have to get over. Think of the best lanes in Wales and multiply that experience by ten. Seriously. There are not many ruts or much mud. There are 3 river crossings that can be avoided if necessary. There is *one* gate in 4 days.
You can easily do this trip in one week from the UK, out on Saturday and returning the following Saturday"

Post here or PM if you're interested.

Happy New Year.


PROVISIONAL LIST:

Magnon KTM 690
Timpo DRZ 400
Sarah Teach Serow 250
Gazz X Challenge
g.arbo Husqvarna 630
Chubby Thumper KTM 640
muddymatt KTM 690
Famous KTM 690
Chrisbarnes1 CRF 230
Kustlo KTM 250
MCIVOR KTM 690
PHILinFRANCE DR...?
stoic bloke Tenere
RickA KTM 690
Rondini KTM 690
Basil KTM 690
Phin XR 400
supermono DRZ 400
strobingred KTM 690
Daithi DRZ 400
kyle DR 800/FE 450
IamTRooPeR XR 650
Kamikaze KTM 640/DRZ 400
Shan KTM 690
philgunn HP2?
Glenn X Challenge
Roy Husqvarna TE 610
John KTM 400
Owdknacker KTM 640
jonnybgood KTM
terry10 KTM 690

Peter ktm 690

[Timpo]

Originally Posted by dieselbike

Peter ktm 690

I would be impressed if you turned up on a Dieselbike.......

[TelfordKnobby]

""This is not a beginners week, some of the tracks are too technical"" Magnon quote.


WHy is MuddyMatt going , I think Chirk car park would be struggle for him, navigating the puddles there

[stamp]

I would love to do this, many going from the uk? how u getting there I'm in Kent

[Timpo]

Originally Posted by stamp

I would love to do this, many going from the uk? how u getting there I'm in Kent

Kent....? You're half way there dude!

[stamp]

Originally Posted by Timpo

Kent....? You're half way there dude!

Ok ok I want to ride with someone

[Christophe]

Hi guys, I am also interested to do this trip again this year... I broke my left wrist while riding on an icy trail in december, I have a metal plate and bolts there now but I am hoping to be operational again by spring, so please add me to the list as tentative for now. Thanks.

[Magnon]

Hi christophe, sorry to hear about your wrist. Hope you can make it in May.

Stamp, the idea of the trip is that once we have a firm list of riders we divide up into small groups of six or seven maximum with one person who has the route and is experienced using GPS as group leader. You would be in a group of riders with similar experience and in true trail riding spirit the group will travel at the pace of the slowest rider and work as a team especially when it comes to river crossings and other obstacles. Everyone regroups at the campsite each evening. The route this year will be 600-700kms over 5 days with probably about 80% off tarmac. As well as your normal trail riding kit (tubes, tools etc) you'll need to carry your camping kit. The campsites are located in towns so we normally eat in local restaurants but you can cook your own food if you prefer. Your DRZ or XT will be ideal and you will need decent road legal off road tyres.

Some people ride down from the UK and Ireland but there will be several vans coming - someone may have a space.

[stamp]

Originally Posted by Magnon

Hi christophe, sorry to hear about your wrist. Hope you can make it in May.

Stamp, the idea of the trip is that once we have a firm list of riders we divide up into small groups of six or seven maximum with one person who has the route and is experienced using GPS as group leader. You would be in a group of riders with similar experience and in true trail riding spirit the group will travel at the pace of the slowest rider and work as a team especially when it comes to river crossings and other obstacles. Everyone regroups at the campsite each evening. The route this year will be 600-700kms over 5 days with probably about 80% off tarmac. As well as your normal trail riding kit (tubes, tools etc) you'll need to carry your camping kit. The campsites are located in towns so we normally eat in local restaurants but you can cook your own food if you prefer. Your DRZ or XT will be ideal and you will need decent road legal off road tyres.

Some people ride down from the UK and Ireland but there will be several vans coming - someone may have a space.

oh excellent thanks for all the info Magnon i was going to message you, if you could put me down then please dunno what bike yet

stamp drz400/xt660z

and craig might also be up for it

Guiltyparty tiger800

cheers

[PHILinFRANCE]

Bloody hell Charles you've really started something here in our little piece of paradise , i'll try not to brake any bones in the Pyrenees this time

[Magnon]

I'm closing the list now. I would appreciate it if anyone who is currently on the list has a change of plan they would let me know as soon as possible.

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by Magnon

I'm closing the list now. I would appreciate it if anyone who is currently on the list has a change of plan they would let me know as soon as possible.

Wouldn't miss this for the world !

[Kamikaze]

This is definitely in the calendar.

[Magnon]

The reserve list is getting longer so I would like to ask everyone to confirm that they are coming. If anyone has had a change of plans and can't make it then the reserves need to know so they have time to make their own plan.

The confirmed list will close at the end of February.

Thanks