A later start today, probably away by 8:45 heading to our last night in Reims before we all split on Sunday and head home.
Today we started with a ride in the superb Vosges Mountains again heading toward Saales as the road started to gather twisties as we wound up and down these hills and passes. I passed a few Alsace vineyards as well as row upon row of hops growing in the fields along the way .
Later, we saw Sean and Gerry ahead so I decided to pick up pace and ride with the them for a while . They weren't hanging about, good to follow Gerry on his RS and keep up.
The Vosges have plenty to offer bikers, smooth fast flowing bends with great scenery.
Myself and Steve met Steve Freeman and Cliff for a coffee in Neufchateau and a little later met Les, Ian , Cristina and Alan for lunch though the level of service didn't suit Steve who decided to not hang around for his meal so cleared off to find somewhere else to eat instead. At Bar Le Duc we split, with Steve wishing to cut the ride short by using the Motorway for the last part leaving me alone to do my own thing following the planned route riding toward Vouziers.
I did enjoy the ride through the rolling French countryside, great swooping straights and bends through farmland reaching out for miles as and miles.
I realised I was riding along the Voie Sacree. This was the original supply lines for the 1916 battle at Verdun. Part of the route has been so numbered D1916 as a permanent reminder of the part it played. There are several of the milestones along the route to commemorate the role played in the Battle of Verdun.
The others e.g. Les, Ian, Alan and Cristina passed me by as I took photographs etc.
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| Vouziers 15th Century Church |
Made it to the hotel by 5:30 where I saw Les and Alan in the bar who presented me with my and Steve's Ham and Cheese baguette we didn't stick around for earlier - brilliant (I did settle my debt with Ian later) 😂.
Now to get ready for our farewell meal hosted by Steve who started with some great speeches and little anecdotes about each of us.
Great company, hope to tour with again. Gerry, Sean, Steve F, myself, Les, Cliff, Al, Cristina, Ian, Steve G, Kevin and David.
Excellent read as ever ... in fact I’d say one of the greatest works of fiction since Charles Dickens put down his quill 😀😀
ReplyDeleteWhich bit mate? You did get the dinner money didn't you?
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