Motorbiking
"Biker" for me usually means motorbiking, though I also have a Marin mountain-bike...
My current motorbikes are a Honda CBR600RR ABS 2017 and a Kawasaki Ninja Z250SL.
Previously I have owned: Honda CRF300 Rally, Honda CBR600RR 2005, Honda CBR600FW, Honda VF750F, Yamaha FJ600, Suzuki GSX750EX, Yamaha FJ750, Yamaha XJ900, Kawasaki Z750 and I passed my riding test on my Kawasaki KH250.
See also my Motorbiking web links
Riding the “Little Galibier”, one of the minor road passes of the Massif de la Sainte-Baume. Its route to the col de Pas de la Couelle (525 m.) is twisting and tortuous as it climbs through the pine forests of Mt. Regagnas (715 m.). The route links the small towns of St. Zacherie and Trets and passes a memorial to infantry of the Légion Étrangère.
The clear roads are a sort of compensation for the disappointing weather. Go play!
More photos: “The little Galibier”, le col de Pas de la Couelle (525 m.)
A6 between Shap and Kendal, junction with Breasthigh Road, byway 355003 showing traffic prohibtion sign
Breasthigh Road, Cumbria is a 3km byway open to all traffic and is an attractive ride. It links Borrowdale with Bretherdale and is a link in the TET (Trans Euro Trail). There are several other shorter byways close by so it looks possible to make a tour. This is Borrowdale near Shap on the A6 trunk road, formerly in Westmorland and distinct from Borrowdale near Derwent Water in former Cumberland.
I wanted to check out the actual situation on the ground as Breasthigh Road is noted as closed to motor vehicles for restoration works on the website of the national park authority. The project plan shows works to have started in May 2022 but no update is shown since tree planting in Autumn 2022. Meanwhile the definitive map for Cumbria shows Breasthigh Road, byway 355003 and its connections as open.
More photos: Breasthigh Road recce - TET & Lake District National Park
Three Shire Stone, Wrynose Pass (25%, 393 m.)
Exploring Dunnerdale via Wrynose Pass (25%, 393 m.). Dunnerdale upper valley is big and bleak, and today almost in the clouds, this is the west flank of The Old Man of Coniston (803 m.). There is so much moss and lichen in woods in the valley of the River Duddon below Froth Pot (falls) as to be almost cloud forest. The high slopes, previously forested with pines, are being replanted with deciduous trees but meanwhile there are views which have not been seen for many years.
Lorton Valley, view towards Crummock Water and Buttermere
First ride this year on my Z250SL Ninja that lives in Keswick. Just a quick triangle ride out via Embleton to Lorton and back via Whinlatter Pass (318 m.) this afternoon after my journey up from London. Great to chuck the little bike around on dry roads again, it’s so easy to make it sing in the afternoon sunshine. But not the day for a long ride with the weather closing in up the valley on the fells.
Swing Bridge and Viaduc de Caronte, Martigues
One more January ride out, staying close to the Mediterranean for the sunshine and protection from the chilling Mistral. The iconic Pont de Caronte swing bridge has appeared in various cinematic scenes. The Col de la Gatasse (122 m.) is modest in altitude but includes a couple of interesting curves and there's a fine view of the Étang de Berre a short hike on from the road col. Carro is a small Provençal port near the lighthouse at the western end of the Côte Bleu.
Subcategories
Alps Biker 2016
I'm riding light for a week on the mountain roads of the Alps. No laptop, although I do have my SLR camera but photos will have to wait till I'm back in Marseille..
I left Marseille for a long ride north via the Col de la Croix Haute (1179 m.) to Saint-Gervais under Mont Blanc. A bit of rain towards the end of the day which cleaned the Provence dust off my white leathers and boots but didn't soak me through.
