The "SEM" Re-Visit  Riders' Rest :  In France.
Autumn Raid  6th - 13th September 2008
The South East Massive revisit Riders Rest:

SV and PA (Rich & Deb's) ; Suzibabes and Nabber (Sue & Colin) ; FazerKev (Kev) ; Bigbadmad (Mathew) ; Ian (Ian)

The 1st Night Saturday 6th Sep
Everyone arrives except Kev who was on a war graves tour with another group when his Millie coughed and died,
not purturbed though he pronptly hired a car and returned to the UK to collect his Fazer and join us here a little later...

Sunday 7th Sep - Arnac Pompadpur
After one of Wendy's fine English Breakfasts, washed down with copious mugs of tea, Nabber lead the
bike cleaning, chain lub-ing parade before we rode a short ride (80 miles) through Uzerche, Pompadour,
Lubersac and Chamberet Sadly it was raining, well the whole of europe was under water with reports of
a months rainfall in one day, it certainly seemed like it had to us, but we were here to enjoy
ourselves and part of that enjoyment came in the form of getting out there and riding no matter
what the weather. I had just had new PR2's fitted and discovered that whilst they were sure footed
in the dry in the wet and on shiny roads un-scrubbed they were a little squeamish. In fact all
of us, with the exception of Suzi, had an occasional heart stopping cheek clenching moment
Suzi was re-named Vermeulen for the day.

Monday 8th Sep - Chateau-de-Val, Puy Mary, Argentat.
Today we awoke to a brighter day with the promise of a sunshine filled day as we had hoped for and actually risen
early to take advantage off by riding the 208 mile round trip, taking the D16 to Egleton, then the D1089 to Saint-Angel on to the
D979 to Bort-les-Orgues where we picked up the D922 south to the D680 which took us up to the Puy Mary volcano. Where we had lunch...

Our view (right & Left) on waking this morning.

Wendy jumping for joy at not being left behind to prepare dinner...

The ride back to Riders Rest was via the D17 to Aurillac - then the N120 to Tulle via Argentat where we stopped for
refreshments, Blew our own horns and Bigbadmad got a new name "Big Bananne" from there we stayed on the N120 into
Tulle where we picked up the D940 which took us winding back to Treignac and Ridersrest, for a dip in the paddling
pool and refreshments. FazerKev was there waiting for us too.

Tuesday 9th Sep
Today we were on the road bright and early with the Sunshine and headed for Puy-de-Dom near Clermont Ferrand,
we had intended to call into Mt Dore for lunch but was enjoying the great tarmac so by-passed it...
Another 200 miles of car free, amazing roads in some beautiful countryside and the sun was shining again.
Wendy and Suzie stayed at Riders Rest today for some sun and pool time, also to prep for us returning for a BBQ.

We took the D940 up to Bugat then winded down to Bort-Les-Orgues on the D979, stopping at Castle-de-Val for a coffee
we continued along the D922 until we joined the D922 North to pick up the D1089

The route back was a rapid one Down onto the D1089 straight to Egleton where we dove onto the D16 for a hoon of a ride back to Riders Rest

Wednesday 10th Sep - Rocamadour
Early up this morning to say "Bon Voyage" to Ian who was UK bound, don't think he wanted to go
The morning started wet but pretty quickly burnt off and stayed very warm and sunny, So we headed out to
Rocamadour for another 210 mile ride out joined by Paul & Jeannette who arrived Yesterday evening.

Today's route was a mixture of incredibly fine tarmac of fast long bends mixed with some intensely
bendy roads requiring  full concentration to negotiate.

Thursday 11th Sep
we split into 2 groups today - the first group led by Richard when for a ride out to Figeac along the fast twisties for a little bit of a hoon
with Mathew, Kev, & Debs, Whilst Suzie, Colinf, Wendy and I took the lazy option and did some admin and later went over to Payrat-le-Chateaux
And took a late lunch here at Riders Rest, typically French with Bread Chease and meats washed down with a couple of bottles of cold
Rose' and some sparkling Brute wine...  Paul and Jeanette departed south to finish their trip.

Friday 12th Sep
Everyone wanted a chilled ride today as they all were headed up to the ferry ports and North France tomorrow SO we planned
to ride to Bourgenof via Abusson, skimming Lac Vassiviere, then come down the bike friendly D940 to Payrat-le-Chateau,
and Eymoutier then back to Riders Rest, However we noticed that Mathew had a flat and that his tyre was all used up.
So a change of plan...  Mathew and I went to Brive to get new tyres, whilst the rest led by Richard went down to Argentat,
then along the cool road which followed the River Dordogne south west where they would head up to Collonges-la-Rouges
to finally meet up with Mathew and I for a bit of sight seeing before riding back to Riders Rest. About 130 mile trip.

even Mathew is now running the SEM preferred rubber...

Saturday 13th Sep - Homeward bound

Everyone was up early and packed ready for the breakfast, the 1st group set of at 8am (ish) (Rich, Debs, Mathew, Kev)
Wearing waterproofs to ward off the wet only to do the journey in dry weather... consistent with the week...

Colin and Sue left about an hour later they too had good weather for the homeward journey.

The wine rack had taken a bit of a hammering... Suzie taking a bottle for SG...
I think she was disappointed we didn't drink it all, but actually we probably did, as:
we managed to consume a further 7 bottles of Rose' and a bottle of sparkling wine from the Fridge...

Well sadly that is the end of the week - and a week to remember.
Wendy and I had a great time with some good memories of superb roads and great company.

Ride Safe and come back soon!