Getting ready to leave was a somewhat drawn-out process. Due to a problem with burning oil, the bike required a top-end rebuild, including new valves and guides, cam chain rollers and guides, and piston rings. For a variety of reasons this all took longer than anticipated with the result that it was only ready for a test ride about 3 weeks before my planned departure.
Thankfully the test rides were successful and with a new front tyre and an upgraded alternator, fitted I felt confident enough to push on.
With a deadline to be in London by 5th April, I booked a ferry for the 4th, and planned to leave on the 2nd; that would give me 2½ days to reach Cherbourg for a ferry at midday. A 4-hour crossing to Portsmouth, would leave me a 45-minute ride to Littlehampton, where my delightful – no sarcasm intended – ex-wife had kindly offered me a bed for the night in her spare room.
So with the bike loaded …
… and the starting mileage recorded …
… I set off …
The ride through France was uneventful. The weather stayed, mostly, clement, even though it was windy. The bike behaved impeccably although the new screen did not live up to my hopes and I was deafened by the wind noise.
Angoulême with its photogenic cathedral was my first stop, where my pre-booked accommodation was unavailable due to a leaking shower. The owner however contacted a friend and I ended up with a better deal after a bit of faffing around.
Bércey where I spent the next night was had more character, but was less photogenic, and mostly closed. However I can recommend L’AS Gourmand for a basic, if authentically French, experience.
After a solid, if unremarkable pub dinner on a wet and windy Thursday evening, I set off to London, early on Friday morning. The B-road, and even the A-roads for that matter, in GB are terrible! The surfaces are awful; full of potholes and poorly repaired trenches and other works. Give me France any day!
Notwithstanding, I made it to the MotoFreight warehouse in good time, and mostly dry, and within no time I had deposited my bike and assorted bits with Marcus, who would crate it up and get it ready for shipping with Air Canada.
As for me, once I had discovered on which side of the road I should catch the bus to LHR, I went on my way to Belfast, to spend the next 10 days sorting myself out.
C’est parti!
Belfast-2-Belfast-By-Bike 