Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Ride Tales, Trip Reports and Stories > Ride Tales
Ride Tales Post your ride reports for a weekend ride or around the world. Please make the first words of the title WHERE the ride is. Please do NOT just post a link to your site. For a link, see Get a Link.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 5
Dark Dog Moto-Tour in France

I came across this event while wasting time one evening on You Tube. Thought, man, this is amazing. Gotta do it! I entered the Dark(french red bull!) Dog Moto-Tour In France. It's 3200 km. over 7 days rally. There's navigation, time-keeping and every day has 2 -3 (all out) special stages on a closed road and or a race track. It's 99 % tiny back roads including a few dirt ones too! There's a fair amount of bike preparation. Like chucking out the instruments to make room for a Dakar style route sheet holder and the ICO timer & Trail Tech Vapor. Everything has to be safety wired and catch tanked. ( Like track days) Also, since Metzler is the sponsor that's what you gotta run. The bike is a 2001 Ducati S4 with Ohlins. I put some forged wheels on it that saved my hide the very first day when I had to jump a kerb whilst unable to slow down into a roundabout thanks to rain and diesel! Lighting is a big deal too. There's marathon days that start at 4:30 AM. and a night, time trial up a one lane mountain road. It's true, the darkest hour IS before the dawn! I used a J.W.Speaker (Harley) LED headlamp. That light is great if your going straight but when yer leaned way over it definitely helps to have 2 led fog lights also. I struggled with how to get the bike there. I finally opted to ride to Montreal from New York and put the bike on the same plane as myself. I couldn't take a chance on anything delaying it's timely arrival. The big advantage is that no is crating involved which means there's no hassle with what to do with it once you get there. The return was very problematic. I had wanted to save some $ and ship by sea, but I was unable to find anyone interested in shipping from Le Havre for a reasonable price. Hurricane Sandy meant it was ill advised to ride back from Montreal. I found a very professional shipper (EXACIEL AMC LOGISTIQUE) that crated the bike ($$$) and put it on Air France to New York.
Here's a video from a few (including my own) sources.

I was the first American to do it. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Who's up to doing it with me next year? The weather could only be better. It is EPIC!

I couldn't figure out how to include pictures so you'll have to click here; Moto Tour

Last edited by fredgilb; 28 Jan 2013 at 05:26.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Jan 2013
rockwallaby's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tasmania
Posts: 120
Hi fredgilb, welcome to HU.
Sounds like you have an absolute blast and that all went well for you.
I would like to know where that single lane mountain track was, please do tell.

Could you tell us more about where in France it was held, ( I know I could go and google, but it would be helpful in your post)

Also, the picasa link doesn't work for me, I get a page not found. The link you provide is;
I guess those little dots should not be there, can you check how you copied the link from Picasa and modify.

Regards,
Paul
__________________
I have learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Jan 2013
rockwallaby's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tasmania
Posts: 120
Hey, there is a green Kawasaki Versys in there, number 83, looks like he's doing alright too.

That mountain road looks to be somewhere in Rhône Alpes or Ardèche region. Maybe Ardèche as the road surface is pretty poor?

Love those French twisties

Paul
__________________
I have learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 5
The event starts in Val-de-Reuil. It's is a commune in the Eure department in Normandy in north-western France. It is located south of Rouen. The night crazyness is on the Mont Faron overlooking Toulon. Every year is a different route but they seem to start and finish in the same two towns and also use the Mont Faron. This was the first time they ran it at night. I asked one veteran if he didn't think it was a little crazy to do at night and he assured me it was much better because you had no idea how far down it was!
Here's a working link to the pictures; Picasa Web Albums - Fred Gilbert - Moto Tour
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 5
Quote:
Originally Posted by rockwallaby View Post
Hey, there is a green Kawasaki Versys in there, number 83, looks like he's doing alright too.

That mountain road looks to be somewhere in Rhône Alpes or Ardèche region. Maybe Ardèche as the road surface is pretty poor?

Love those French twisties

Paul
Isn't he? So fluid and relaxed. It's a 1000.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 20 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: New York
Posts: 5
Arrow the full story

It's all here in one place

Dark Dog Moto-Tour in France - ADVrider
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
france, rally


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Camping Moto in Bonlieu in France jkrijt The HUBB PUB 3 29 Dec 2012 22:39
Short tour across Italy and France mountains Fabio Route Planning 0 5 Sep 2012 10:00
IndiaBikes tour Mumbai-Goa-Mumbai March 2012 Dilligat Ride Tales 1 27 Mar 2012 21:55
Moto Touring Party, 31.07 - 4.08.2012, Macedonia dvormak Motorcycle Events around the world 0 19 Jan 2012 13:56

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:17.