What is an Adventure? If you search for the definition of an adventure, you will get various descriptions. Basically it is something that always entails some tension. Unexpected events.
For me, adventure means facing the unknown. Whether it's in my regular job, a weekend trip to Luxembourg or a multi-day motorcycle trip.
For example, on Friday afternoon August 18 at 12:30 I left with Lazuli on a multi-day adventure.
Because I had the plan to ride a large part towards southern part of France, I first decided to follow the main bigger roads for a few hours until about 20 kilometers before Reims. From there I started riding inland in the famous Champagne region. As the route continued, the roads only got nicer and the views more beautiful.
Around 18:30 I decided it was time to find a place to sleep. I didn't book anything. Just put a tent on the back of Lazuli and ride until I thought it was time to find some peace. However, it wasn’t easy to find anything. Many campsites had turned into camper pitches and therefore no longer suitable for a tent. That meant that after a lot of searching I finally ended up at a campsite in the town of Châlons-en-Champagne just before 20:00.
After some simple dinner (a bag of adventure food) and a warm, sticky night, I stood next to my tent at 5:00 am the next morning. After taking a cooling cold shower I quickly packed everything and at 6:30 am I started the second day of my adventure together with Lazuli.
What struck me was how little traffic I encountered along the way. Also virtually no motorcycles, despite the fact that the roads were increasingly getting more playful and technical. Especially in the beautiful nature reserve of the Morvan.
Because there was so little traffic, I could ride to my heart's content together with Lazuli. Corner after corner, from hill to hill, to almost mountainous environments. The smile hidden in my helmet only widened. How beautiful this area is and to enjoy!
It finally ensured that I arrived at my first destination at 18:15, after riding almost 500 kilometers inland. The beautiful accommodation Domaine Barreaux located just outside the town of Cindré. A day early, but I was made very welcome.
The owners Rita and Luc welcomed me and Lazuli with open arms and a warm heart. Before I knew it I was sitting at the large table with the other guests enjoying a delicious supper prepared by Rita and Luc. It resulted in a very satisfied feeling after riding 1,160 kilometers in a day and a half.
The third day I was already at 6:15 on the border of a piece of grassland, enjoying a beautiful sunrise and passing deer, and then admiring the beautiful garden. From a giant fig tree to olives, apples and pears. A lovely swimming pool, hot tub and even an opportunity to go archery. Every corner is decorated differently. Whether it's about the facilities or the huge variety of beautiful plants. From rock garden to a sea of flowers. Every nook and cranny was different.
But I wasn't here to admire a garden all day. I was here with Lazuli to explore routes I had made. So I left with my blue steel steed after a delicious breakfast in an easterly direction.
The first part was perhaps a bit boring in terms of motorcycling, but the truly beautiful views made up for it. It almost looked like typical hilly British countryside. Still, I was happy that after half an hour of riding the roads started to get nicer. Even the "regular" D-roads were very often narrow and technical to ride. It didn't take long before that huge grin was back on my face. Especially now that I was riding without the weight of a full luggage.
Of course I also looked for moments to enjoy the surroundings. Take pictures and also fly around with drone Mug. The people in this area are so friendly. Give motorcyclists a lot of space and the elderly are also very curious. Which makes things a bit difficult for me. I speak almost no French. The phrase “Je ne parle pas Francais” almost began to turn into a safe word for me. Fortunately, we mostly still have the option of “hands and feet” work.
Despite my lack of language, I was still able to get along with the locals. There was a moment when an older lady walked up to me with her walking stick, curious about that girl with the big motorcycle and that strange flying thing. With some pointing and showing the image on the drone Mug's controller, she was able to watch what Mug showed through his camera. She suddenly saw the river she had lived along all her life from a completely different angle and visibly enjoyed it. Together, we looked mesmerized at the small screen while I tried to make various photos with Mug. Now that's what I call a nice part of an adventure!
Unfortunately, I had to land Mug quickly before the battery died and say goodbye to the friendly lady in my very broken and flawed French. Quickly packing Mug and start Lazuli again. Trying to find a cooling wind as the temperature was rising (> 30° Celsius). However, this wasn’t spoiling the fun, because the area east of Fleurie far exceeded my expectations. A truly winding Valhalla for Lazuli to arrive back at Domaine Barreaux after approximately 300 kilometers at 17:15.
What a wonderful start to our multi-day adventure!
To be continued in part 1.2.
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