help for trip to brittany

[DarrenR]

I am going to visit my daughter on holiday,
she is staying just past Rennes, I cant get time off work so can't leave earlier than 9.00 am getting the 10.50 ferry to boulogne getting there at 12.40 local time.
never ridden in france before google,maps say 5h 50m. don't know whether to blitz down main roads and do sight seeing on the way back, any advice recommended routes.

I am going for 4 days 3 nights any good roads around Rennes will have 2 days to explore the area.

many thanks in advance Darren.

[MattBurf]

Hi Darren

I went to Brittany for the start of Le Tour (see blog) and we found some good roads. My advice would be to do the sightseeing on the return journey - the minor roads are fantastic but tend to wind through towns and villages so it does take some time to cover straight line distance.

Watch your speed on the major roads - we were pinged by lots of gendarmes with lasers and by roadside cameras (forward facing) and the fines are steep.

Enjoy yourself.

Matt

[mahout]

Hi Darren,

For sure, use the autoroutes Boulogne to Rouen. The coast road is pretty, but will take for ever. The autoroute also gets you neatly down and around Rouen, which used to be a bit of a B****r with tramways and busy junctions.

Then head either towards Caen then cut down to Rennes, or head towards LeMans and cut across.

French roads are great with much reduced traffic density, but the N Roads are generally single carriageway each way like our A roads, and trucks can be a holdup.

Be careful with 50 miles of the port, since plod is always looking for easy picking, either coming away from the port and wanting to hoof it, or beck strapped for time on the way back.

Autoroute official max speed is 130km/hr, but no one sticks to it. Be extra vigilant close to any sign saying "Gendarmerie, Sortie Prochaine". Cop shop next exit. If you wanted to set up a radar gun, you'd probably want to route your pray straight into the cop shop I guess......................... obvious realy. Also beware cars apparently broken down at roadside, but a small tripod located rear car rear wheel.

Contrary to popular belief, you are not timed through the Paeage sections for speed computing purposes.

Just enjoy. France is superb, but don't abuse the privilage.

PS, a wave to motorcycle gendarmes does no harm either.

Ciao

Mahout

[Kiwi]

went to Brittany last year and rented a cottage

my advice is go somewhere else

the food in that region is dire unless you like fish or crepes

[Segart]

Hi Darren
With your schedule on day one I would get on the fast main road initially. Don't go anywhere near Paris; take the northern road down to Caen. Depending on how quickly you crack that first bit you can then get on the smaller roads, which are obviously much more enjoyable, for the run down to Rennes.

I would take a small picnic for lunch on day one. The sarnies in French fuel stations are of the 'long life' variety and need to be avoided. You will save time on ordering and eating also. Keep a bottle of water on the bike and stop to take on fluids regularly as you will dehydrate faster than you think (you probably know all this anyway).

Stick to the speed limits on m/ways and Route Nationales. Your biggest danger is not so much radar guns (though they are out there) but from motorcycle cops. They tend to hang around rest areas, out of sight, then wizz out and pull you over. They seem to just estimate your speed and fine you on the spot - usually 90 Euros (in my experience). There is not much you can do about it. Also watch out for speed limit changes; i.e. where a 130kmh area goes into a 110kmh area. they will hang around there and fine the unwary.

For your two days of rideouts you will find the best roads are to the west of you. Head towards the coast around Lorient or Vannes. Anywhere will do. Stick to the D roads (yellow roads on the Michelin map). They are nearly all cracking roads for the bike. Take swimmers and a towel and you should manage a swim on the coast if the weather holds.

You won't see any cops on D roads, or much in the way of traffic either so ride as quickly as you like. In towns and villages go really slowly out of consideration for the locals.

Vannes is a really nice old town. So is Rennes for that matter. Rennes has an old medieval center. If you visit it there is a great restaurant very near the centre of Rennes-its called Le Cub (odd name-means the Cube as in stock cube) and is really good and very cheap. Its in a quaint ancient building. They cook au feu de bois (on a wood fire) in the original old fireplace. Its only small, and gets booked up fast so book in advance.

The French are very 'bike aware'. Drivers tend to give you plenty of room and lots of consideration. They like bikes especially Ducatis for some reason! When they move out of your way remember to give them a nod. Practically all bikes do a left hand wave at you also. Have a great trip. You may get hooked on the place!
cheers Rick

[DarrenR]

Cheers guy ,

thanks for the advice, keep it coming.

I am going on a sport classic so no problem keeping around 70-80 ish as no fairing..

I think I will just get down there, and book a late ferry coming home, leave early and explore normandy beaches on the way back.

Darren

[MarkST]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

the food in that region is dire

Did you eat in every single restaurant in Brittany then ?

[DarrenR]

Another question, do I need those stickers that dip your lights to the Right, and is it law do I need GB sticker.

thanks in advance,

[998gsb]

Technically - yes and you should also by law carry spare bulbs and first aid kit...

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by MarkST

Did you eat in every single restaurant in Brittany then ?

No but we spent a week there and only found one place that had decent food, by any definition that is either really bad luck or a really dire place to find decent food

Have been elsewhere in France and its a lot better in other regions

[MarkST]

Originally Posted by Kiwi

No but we spent a week there and only found one place that had decent food, by any definition that is either really bad luck or a really dire place to find decent food

Have been elsewhere in France and its a lot better in other regions

I'd say it was bad luck Kiwi, I go to Brittany (staying around 30 miles ssw of Rennes) most years, and have never had a problem with the food. I'm a bit of a 'foodie' too !!

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by MarkST

I'd say it was bad luck Kiwi, I go to Brittany (staying around 30 miles ssw of Rennes) most years, and have never had a problem with the food. I'm a bit of a 'foodie' too !!

I'd agree with you to a point, every other trip to France has been a gastronomic delight but Britanny was ..................

[DarrenR]

Originally Posted by 998gsb

Technically - yes and you should also by law carry spare bulbs and first aid kit...

yes but does anyone bother and do the gendammes care.

[Segart]

Darren that is a Yes and a Yes!!
Unfortunately due to the road situation in France (road deaths/accident rates etc etc) and the new French Roads Minister; and their need for a bit of extra cash on the side, the French Plod are quite keen on stopping/interrogating and fining motorists and bikers for any infraction they can find.
I have heard that one of the latest and most popular infractions to come down on is the failure to carry a High Viz vest in your car or on your bike. This is a new rule this year (in France at least-I know it has been mandatory in Austria for years) and few folk know about it!
It sounds boring but make sure you have the right gear on board; make sure you have all the correct documents etc, then if you are unlucky enough to get pulled for speeding or similar you will at least minimise the 'damage'. Amd as I said above stick to the yellow D Roads and you won't see much of the Old Bill anyway.
Cheers
Rick

[DarrenR]

cheers Rick,
some great advice, was't going to bother but will now go fully equiped.

Darren.