Bike Tour

By Zac Kurtsmier

I’ve ridden motorcycles all my life, but have never ridden abroad and at 50 years of age, was wondering if I ever would. However, some months ago a group of friends got together and invited me to join a motorcycle tour from England, through France Andorra and Spain, returning back to the UK by ferry from Santander, in Spain.

A couple of months before the trip, I had bought a Triumph Rocket 3 Classic. Despite only having covered 370 miles on it prior to the trip, I was confident that this machine would do the job and do it well. Its massive 2.3 litre engine should provide more than enough torque for the mountain passes, not to mention speed on the more open roads.

I left home early in the morning and rode into the dawn sun to meet the rest of the group at Dover for 7.30am. The weather was fine, if a little chilly, so I was grateful for the heated grips.

After just over an hour on the ferry, we arrived at Calais, France, and having filled up with fuel in Dover immediately set about blasting our way to leMans for our first stopover.

I had only bought Rocket a few weeks previously and was a tiny bit apprehensive about the two thousand two hundred mile journey ahead, having covered just 370 miles on it before this trip! However, this first day, although a 270 odd mile stretch from Calais to leMans was to be on fast dual carriageway roads. And fast it was!

I love driving in France, mostly because there is often very little in the way of other road users and this was true of our first day. Sometimes riding somewhat over the speed limit, I was amazed at the power and stability of the Rocket, the small summer screen I had had fitted deflecting most of the wind.

Because of its weight, the Rocket is extremely stable, never suffering “wind bump” when overtaking large trucks etc. This gives huge confidence, particularly when one has to hit the brakes as the braking is progressive with plenty of feel, and hauls you to a stop easily and quickly.

The one lesson I did learn however, was how easy this bike can be to drop, and I wasn’t even on it! I had filled up with fuel, and rather than delay the next person wanting to fill up, I decided to simply push the bike off the pump. Big mistake! As a “precaution” I left the side stand down (reasoning that if I dropped it, it would simply rest on the stand, or so I thought), and the promptly tripped on it!!!! I just, but only just, managed to keep the bike upright, but after that decided that there would be no more pushing!

At the hotel that evening we all reflected on the days ride. For me, the Triumph was the bike I would have chosen to ride of all the bikes in our group. The speed and power had been unleashed, and the well surfaced, gently sweeping French motorways had been perfect for it.

I messaged back home that all was well, and the bike had been fantastic.

At least that’s how I felt at the end of the first day!

Despite using a Triumph on this tour, Zac also owns a Harley Davidson which he protects with Harley Davidson motorcycle covers. These covers are of excellent quality and really help maintainhis bikes. Have a look at www.harleydavidsonmotorcyclecovers.net

categories: Motorcycle,motorcycling,Triumph Rocket 3,Biking,Touring Europe,France,automotive,travel

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Tags: Automotive, Biking, France, Motorcycle, motorcycling, Touring Europe, travel, Triumph Rocket 3

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