Motorail

[Oldbull]

Having recently made myself a member, Wiz contacted me to see if we fancied any of the organised tours..

unfortunatley the tour we fancy is fully booked up and it wasnt quite on the dates we could manage so we are thinking of doing a simular one ourselves.

The trip entails a overnight train journy to Nice from Calais by motorail ? ..

I am struggling to find any info on the train thing, has anyone any experince with the motorail trains .. would be gratefull of any information ...

cheers :beer:

 

[TaxiRED?]

Hi, check this site out.

http://www.raileurope.co.uk/frenchmotorail/

Me personally i don't see the point in touring on a bike then catching a train to where you want to go. :dunno:
But each to their own i guess. p0pc0rn41

 

[Oldbull]

Thanks TR.. we did 3006 miles in two weeks in France this summer, just want to cut the boring bits out this time around.. we shall be taking the scenic route all the way back

hmmm looks like its a seasonal thing as well with the trains, thanks again for the link :beer:

 

[Lebowski]

Dave, there is also the German equivalent, don't know how prices compare and it also means a ride to Dusseldorf first, but it's an option.

http://www.dbautozug.de/site/dbautozug/en/start.html

If you're thinking of the South of France - Maggiore trip, I can recommend a superb place to stay just north of Nice and a great route into Italy using the Col du Tende. One of the best roads I've ridden.

Agree with you on the m/way trip down there, even if you're pushed for time it's a pain, they should make France smaller for us Brits.

 

[Mad Dog]

Train Stuff

We did Calais Nice a couple of years ago and it was brilliant. As there is no restaurant car on the train the crack is to duck into Marks and Spencers in Dover,get yourself some wine and a buffet to keep you going on the train. There is a bar on the train and ale is sold in cans.The crack was good as about 20 bikers where on board. I think it cost us about ?400 one way, but by the time you take off juice,tolls,hotel,tyre wear I reckon its nearer to ?200.The train was due in at Nice at 9.59 am on saturday morning and it arrived spot on time.They even had coffee and croissants laid out ready at the station cafe for us on arrival. One thing to watch in your route planning is dont assume you will be gone from Nice station in 5 minutes. It can take up to 2 hours to unload the train and get away from Nice. Overall its a good option if you are short of time as you are travelling through the night when you are either drinkin,eatin or sleepin.


cheers

 

[Oldbull]

Yes Jon we were thinking of the Megiore trip.. sounds like we will need another chat m8.. Like the idea of the train sounds like fun, 400 sobs seems a bit steep tho .. hope thats not each Think we overdid it a bit this year so I want to do less miles in the none enjoyable areas.. so as SWMBO can have a bit more relaxing time... and hopefully by the sounds of it, a bit of good craic along the way.. Hoping to get things booked before xmas so I will probably have a load more questions soon..

Thanks for the heads up Maddog .. :bow:


:beer:

 

[Lebowski]

The prices are now up on the Motorail site for 2007

brok3

 

[Oldbull]

Nice one Jon... prices around 440 per car but nothing about bikes ..wonder if they allocate 1 car birth for 2 bikes ??? 220 per bike aint too bad .. probably got a special bike compartment ???

I will give them a ring at the weekend :beer:

 

[Lebowski]

Checked with the motorail agents in the UK and if there are two bikes going then yes you do share the ?440. If you are travelling alone, then you pay the full ?440.

Another option is to go from Paris, apparently trains leave every day in peak periods, and it is possible to book a bike, as opposed to half a car (if you see what I mean). The price seems to work out at around ?200 to the south, but at the moment they are only accepting bookings up to the end of June. :dunno:

It is possible to book the Paris train on line, if your french is good, at sncf.com, or if it's as good as mine, by phone with Rail Europe on 08705 848 848.

Bon chance!

 

[Oldbull]

Great news Jon...have been meaning to mail/ phone you about the trip mate..
the dates which are good for us are 18th - 24 June.. can shuffle the week before instead of or as well as, if required. Would they be ok for you m8 ??

I will phone soon as pal .. just need to let Steve know the news on the rail prices first.. and confirm his dates.. We will need even numbers of bikes to share the rail fares but Im sure somthing can be arranged...

will call soon mate.. :beer: Dave

 

[Oldbull]

Oooops jumping the gun here a bit Jon.. cant remember if it was this one that you fancied hooking up with us on or another trip h1d1ng2

either way all will be good and we shall look forward to meeting up with you both ... would be great if you can make this one with us tho R#?
and anyone else who fancies it for that matter

btw.. just putting finishing touches to my pannier rack, Im well pleased how its turned out .. ill let you know about that too

Edit: This was the trip that took our interest, on and around a simular route .. Hotels will most likely be different as we dont really need the full monty five star ones... for anyone else who may fancy it

http://www.bikersoracle.com/tours/forum/showthread.php?t=467

:beer:

 

[Lebowski]

Lol, Dave, you're losing it!

:neenaw:

It was Assen we were hoping to do with you, would love to do the other one, but HRH can only get time off in the school holidays...

:bang:

Will pm you.

 

[Oldbull]

hehehe cant lose it if youve never had it Jon lol... still firing on 3 cylinders from the new year.. back at work tommorrow so that will bring me back down

wonder if we can alter our dates slightly and do Assen on the way back up and combine the two..

nothing is set in stone yet mate so I will let you know whats happening

:beer: