Day 3 returning from Mugello

Fairly easy ride home from Dover today, or at least for us midlanders, the guys from Scotland have a bit more of a trip. That said we are heading into some bad weather by the time we get close to home, I hear there is a weather warning out for the midlands.

Day 2 Dijon to Dover

We set out around 9.30 this morning from our overnight stop in Dijon. We have done around 90 miles and it has started to rain. It looks like we are set to get very wet as it looks like rain for the 250 miles remaining through France to Calais. I understand the forecast is not good for the UK today, and even worse for tomorrow.

We have a 5.15pm ferry crossing Calais, Dover but are pushing hard to get an earlier one if we can make up some time. We have an overnight booked in Dover, so the final 200 miles home through England should be nice and easy, if not a little wet.

Arrival in Dijon for first overnight stop for ride home.

It was really late, approaching 10pm, by the time we got to our hotel in Dijon last night.

All the bikes behaved, even John's MV. All of us enjoyed the twisty road sections, some of the best roads I have ever ridden.

The ride home

After John's battery problems we were hoping for an easier day. After the whole night of being charged up, this morning the battery for the MV was still flat so John and Gordy headed off into town to get a new one

We managed to get away by about 9.30am, heading up to Lorin then bypass the Frejus tunnel and the twisty roads to Dijon.

Mugello - Race Day

We had a great day at the track with some mega racing and even a telephone call from Mr Rossi himself . The Rossi fan club where very quite, I have been coming here for five years and it felt like somthing was missing, get well soon Vale.

MotoGP Race Result: PED - LOR - DOV - STO - MEL - RdP - SPI

After the race we all hit the track and walked round to find our best exit. Houndreds of people and bikes, some idiot set fire to one of those three wheel scooters which had to be put out by the fire marshall .
When we returned to our bikes to find John's MV would not start with a flat battery, so the plan B. Gordy came with me on my bike, then battled back to the track with the van to put the MV in the back. On returing to the hotel we'll put the battery on charge (optimate )

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Mugello

At the track this time we have left the bikes just outside the track, meaning we had to walk in to the grandstand past remains of burnt out bikes. We see a scooter in a shopping trolley, the Italians are a little mad like that.
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Last nite, Florence

just about to leave for the track sun is up and its hot already, spent last nite in florence what a great place .

Mugello

Qalifying positions for tomorrows race Ped Lor Sto Hay
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Rossi

Rossi out for three months
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Rossi

Rossi gone to hospital in Florence
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Rossi

The doctor out of Mugello motogp broken right leg after crash
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Didn't make it to the track, but Pisa and Florence are beautiful

Had a great pizza in Florence earlier back to the Wallace bar for a
large Cider, what a fab day and to cap it all Rossi is fastest on free
practice at Mugello

FP #MotoGP results: Rossi - Lorenzo - Capirossi - EDW - PED - SPI -
STON - HAY
FP #Moto2 results: DeA - Gad - Sim - Ian - Brd - Clu - Tak

Don't think we'll get to the track today some how.

Wonders of the internet enabled phone

Sitting taking in the latin elegance of Pisa and technology proves its value.

Bradley Smith 3rd quickest in practice at Mugello, Espargaro takes best lap at 1.59.373. Danny Webb sitting in 13th.

Mugello #motogp Practice, or Pisa old town? When in Rome...!

To be honest we had every intention of getting to the track early, but it is so beautiful down here we decided to ride down to the historic town of Pisa.
After spending the last three days glued to the saddle, being under pressure to make up the miles, we are taking a break and enjoying the area.
We might not even get to the track at this rate, everyone appears to be enjoying themselves so much here.

Arrived at Prato hotel, now to chill ready for tomorrow

It's been a good day, blue sky, warm and great roads.
We have finally made it to Prato and our base for the race weekend
We are now just out side the Wallace bar with a cold cider, which has gradually become a favourate haunt for the Mugello trip.
Couldn't have had it better for riding through Italy today, I think we all enjoyed the twisties on the way to the to the hotel.

Mugello MotoGP Ride day 3

Yesterday we started out at 8am from our overnight stop in Reims. We headed down the 185 dry miles to Dole, then the fun, the climb to Poligny and Gex, what a road. Unfortunately we managed to lose Gareth (Yamaha Fazer 1000) on the way down to Genève. We spent two hours looking for him, we ended up stopping to get something to eat, because Gareth has a sat nav we ended up telling him to make his own way to the hotel in Milan.

By this time it's mid afternoon, 2.30pm to be exact, we headed around the Lake Genève shore line, (there's a song there somewhere), to Martigny towards the St.Bernard tunnel.

The trouble with having 11 bikes in convoy it can get difficult to keep everyone together. For a short while we also lost Gerry (Triumph Street Triple) and Simon (1198 Ducati RR), but after half an hour and a couple of phone calls they found us again.

We now headed for Stresa total mileage 581 getting to the hotel in Milan 11.45pm only to find John G (MV F4) was missing. Two hours later with everyone now present and accounted for we got to bed.

It was a long day the but the mega roads far outweighed the mileage, we have some good pics and I think some good video.

Today a short riding day, only 350 miles until we reach our final stop in Prato. The weather is great, blue skies, really hot. We are planning a leisurely breakfast and to set out around 10.45am.

Mugello MotoGP Ride Day 2

Plan for today is an early start down to Dijon, then to Dole. We then start the climb towards the Alps and Geneva, Hoping to get some great footage from the on-bike cam and then on to Milan for our overnight stop.

Overnight in Reims

We got to the hotel about 6.30 last night, cool bar! It's a good hotel will come here again.

Mugello MotoGP Ride Day 1

Arrived at our hotel in Reims about an hour made good time to Dover and was dry all the way down. As soon as we got into France it rained. We've ridden just over 400 miles so far.

Trip to Mugello 2010 #motogp starts tomorrow, come follow us at www.gpbikeblog.com

Hi all, it's that time of year again.

Yes it's Mugello time again, the home of Rossi and we have eleven bikes plus the van, heading down the 1500 miles over 3 days.

OK the plan to Mugello

Well this time its fully booked so who have we got.

1) Starting with myself John Bennett. I'd planned on going on my old 2000 model GSXR but it broke ten days before our start date. Crap I need another bike!!! ............ I found an 02 model Fireblade, a standard bike, nice panic over.

2) Gordy the van man, if/ when,it goes wrong Gordy is always there. And guys he will beat you there.

3) John Gilday is on a MV F4 I think it's just about run in. Johns been with me to five other motogps. John's from the Midlands

4) Gareth is on a Yamaha Fazer 1000 and this is his second trip with me. Gareth is from Bristol

5) Stev is on a Ducati 996 and this is his second trip with me. Stevs from Wolverhampton

6) Garry is on a 08 Honda Fireblade and this is his second trip to italy. Garry is from Scotland coming down to the Midlands on Monday.

7) simon is on a 10 plater 1198 ducati RRRRRRRRRRRRR i think thats for red . He is a first timer coming down from Scotland on Monday.

8) Lee is on a GSXR 1000 and a first timer from Northampton .

9) Paul is on a Kawasaki ZX10 and a first timer from Yorkshire

10) Justin is on a 1098 Ducati a first timer from London

11) Micheal is on a 848 Ducati a first time from Notts

12) Gerry is on a Triumph Street Triple

The plan is to leave the Midlands 6am Tuesday 1st June to meet in Dover 11am for the 12.15 ferry. 1st overnight stop in Reims, total for day one for most of us is about 400 miles.



We leave Reims about 8am down to Dijon turn left to Dole this is where the fun starts as we climb towards the Alps and Geneve and on to Milan for our overnight this is about 500 miles.



Thursday is the easy day only about 350 miles to our base hotel in Prato i do have a plan but we will see what we all want to do ?


Watch this space

Missed the blog of the Le Mans 2010 MotoGP trip?

The whole thing from end to end, everything we encountered from the M6 being closed 10 miles after we start to being stopped by the police, not to mention the racing and some great picture of the event and riders. http://www.gpbiketours.com/LeMans2010.asp

Next up is John Bennett @jb205 on his trip to Mugello, starts Tuesday, going on last year it will be a blast.

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Casey Stoner -Pit

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Loris Capirossi -Pit

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Nicki Hayden - Pit

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Nicki Hayden

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Valentino Rossi -Pit

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Ben Spies -Pit

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Casey Stoner -Pit

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserd

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Dovizioso -Pit

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Loris Capirossi

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Dani Pedrosa

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Casey Stoner

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Colin Edwards

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Marco Simoncelli

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Randy De Puniet

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Ben Spies

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

How low can you go Ben?

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Dovizioso having a moment

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Lorenzo

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Le Mans Photos - MotoGP Valentino Rossi

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Ooooh la la, Le Mans MotoGP Paddock Girls 2010

© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Journey home from Le Mans after the #motogp

Le Mans Photos - Moto2 Di Meglio, Debon, Faubel

,



© GP Bike Tours 2007-2010 All Rights Reserved

Hell of a #motogp weekend!

Have to say for those that have never done a trip like this, but always wanted to, don't put it off. Everywhere we have been, where there are bikers we have always had a laugh and a joke. From the couple on the Blackbird we met on the outward ferry, to the groups of riders at the various fuel stops, towns, car parks, viewing stands and of course the people we met at the camp site. If you are riding a bike, somehow there will always be someone that will come over and have a chat.

We have been spoilt with the weather on this trip, we had to pack for every eventuality, still wish I hadn't taken my shorts and summer gloves out when I was trying to get everything packed, but who knew.

I want to thank all those who have followed my ramblings, especially those that have taken the time to comment and Re-Tweet in Twitter.

I took almost 600 photos during the trip, some will be poor or at least uninteresting, but others are stunning! I'll be sifting through and start sharing them soon.

In the mean time, my good friend John Bennett @jb205 will be starting his trip to the Mugello MotoGP in a week, he'll be picking up the reins so please come back and see how he gets on.

The ride back from the races

Having had a good nights sleep the ride home was so much better than the ride down.
We'd planned to be up and packed away by 8.00 am, as it happens we managed to get sorted by 7.30 meaning we only had to have breakfast before setting off. As we headed to the club house, some of the other lads were trying to bump start (unsuccessfully) a Fireblade with a flat battery, having jump leads in the bottom of my panniers I ended up digging around to find them.
We'd packed the bikes up all set to go only to find that the ZZR had a small petrol leak around the reserve switch. After re-setting the securing clip it improved and we decided that Ian would be safe to ride it back. In the end we still managed to get away just after 8.00am.
The whole ride back through to Calais was effortless and without further incident, the roads were clear the temp steadily climbed to 27 deg C, even the first and largest section of toll road was free to bikes, which was a bonus.
Managing to get to the ferry early, and then managing to get an immediate sailing could not have been better. We were booked in, and loaded within 10 mins of arriving at the Sea France check in desk, and sailing within a further 10 mins.
Once the other side of the channel, the temp had climbed even further, it was now showing 30 deg C. Our only delay came after we'd got up the M20, round the M25 and onto a road works section on the M1. A broken down truck was blocking the outside lane. We were both running low of fuel by this time and we were getting concerned that unless we started filtering through the traffic we might not even get the the services 10 miles away.
It was noticeable how few UK drivers would make room for filtering bikes in the traffic. In the congestion on the roads around the Le Mans track area, the French drivers were really good at giving bikes room, in fairness they are also very good at moving out of the overtaking lanes.

Home sweet home

After starting out at 8am CET we finally get back by 10pm BST, 530 miles, hot sweaty but happy.
No real dramas, other than a small fuel leak on the ZZR.
As it's been such a long hard day, and TBH, being as I've been dressed in biking leathers, in 25 to30 deg C heat,for the last 15 hours, I need a shower despirately!So good night, I'll blog more from today tomorrow.

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It's going to be late, before we get home.

Still having another 222miles once off the ferry, means we'll not be back unitl late tonight.

We've been capturing our trip on rugged bike mount action cam video cameras. As the ipod doesn't have an SD reader we'll get the footage and the photographs off the hi-zoom camera and post to the blog over the next week.

Managed to get an earlier ferry www.gpbikeblog.com

The ride home has been really enjoyable. It's been between 22 and 27 deg C since we set off. Unlike the ride out, all the thermals and linings were packed away in the panniers, and we've been riding with our jackets open, just to keep cool. Only downside to that is a fly in the neck, at 130kmh, stings a bit.
Which reminds me, the toll roads 130kmh speed limits, with reductions around junctions, IMO are so much better than the system in the UK. So we have a little time for food, rest, and a relax.

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Not quite Kenyan peaberry or Machacomacha but 1st coffee in 6hrs