a little help wanted
 

I have ridden bikes since I was 9, did Europe and Dolomities last year with some friends and bought myself a GS.

Now my wife of 16 yrs has agreed to go to France with me on the bike ( she is not an experianced pillon passenger and once called me a lunatic on a bike) and has never travelled more than 1 hour on the bike.

I would love her to get into biking like I do and so I want to show her just how good it can be.

We will be going across on the chunnel last week in September 09 and coming back the 2nd week in October 09.

We are looking at keeping costs low as I have another trip to eastern europe planned a couple of weeks before and would be happy to camp/stay in hostels, with the odd hotel.

I would like to get down to the France/Italy border area, but dont want her to hate me.

Any help, tips, routes,places to stay cheaply ideas greatly recieved.


Thanks:helpsmilie::helpsmilie::helpsmilie:

nobby1200gs,

Welcome!

There are so many good roads around the French/Italian border it is hard to know where to begin. I find the following website helpful. It provides comments on various routes including photos.
BestBikingRoads.com

Not sure if this applies to your trip, but I try to avoid any big long/highway days with my wife riding pillion. When going to France/Spain/Scotland I tend to do a big day or two to get where I'm going. Once there, I will have easier days on the bike enjoying the countryside etc. However these 'big' days leave her completely wiped out, sore and unhappy - not a good start to the trip. I find it much better to ride there alone and pick my wife up at the airport (Marseille or where-ever). She then rides for the 'fun' part of the trip. Usually <100 miles a day to ensure she doesn't get tired and has plenty of time off the bike doing things she enjoys. I find this usually results in us both having a great trip.

The same in reverse on the way back. I use Easyjet or Ryan air and look for cheap web deals.

Cheers
Seth